With MTB (Music Teachers’ Board), voice students can sit their grade exams any day of the year from a location of their choice. BAST looks at how the system works and how it can benefit singers and teachers.
Here’s a list of courses, workshops and conferences to help singing teachers continue their professional development and sharpen their business skills.
Leading gospel and soul voice teacher Dr Trineice Robinson-Martin on helping singers to find their authentic voice. Dr Trineice Robinson-Martin is a singer and voice teacher with one helluva CV. A specialist in African American folk-based music, Dr Robinson-Martin… Read More »How to nurture a singer’s authentic voice ⏱ 10 mins
‘Choir directors are an asset to society. What we do is about healing, and right now people need that,’ says choir director Naveen Arles. Naveen Arles is the artistic director of the London International Gospel Choir, and the founder of MD Brunch,… Read More »Choirs and Covid-19: ‘2020 has been tough, but we need to keep going’
Alexa Terry and Line Hilton look at the laryngeal nerves and the role they play in voice production. The nervous system is a two-way information highway delivering messages from the brain to different parts of the body and from the… Read More »The Laryngeal Nerves
Vocal coach Jo Sear shares her tips on helping male adolescent singers to access the upper register. In her 15-year teaching career, Jo Sear has worked extensively with male contemporary singers. She’s worked privately and in secondary schools, helping many teenage… Read More »How to help male adolescent singers access the upper register
“We need to take diversions sometimes, to come back and realise what we’ve got” Becky Gilhespie has had an interesting journey from singing, to teaching to cheffing, and now, as a result of Covid-19 back to teaching singers again. A… Read More »Ep.27 The Singing Master Chef with Becky Gilhespie
If you want to sharpen your coaching skills, then grab a copy of coaching guru Julie Starr’s book. The Coaching Manual is a go-to guide for anyone who wants to become a more effective coach, writes ALEXA TERRY. Singing teachers raise your… Read More »The Coaching Manual: a must-read coaching skills guide
New guidance on singing and Covid-19 has been cautiously welcomed but has also prompted calls for more clarity. For singing teachers keen to return to face-to-face teaching, there have been a few significant developments this month. Last week,… Read More »Updated guidance on singing and Covid-19
Alexa Terry takes a closer look at the vocal fold layers and the role they play in singing. Before we take a deep dive into the anatomy of the vocal fold layers, here’s a little brainteaser for you vocal nerds. … Read More »The Vocal Fold Layers
Ear training is a great way to help singers with pitching issues. Top vocal coach Nerissa Campbell shares her tips on how to get started with beginners. As an experienced vocal coach, New York-based Nerissa Campbell has helped many students improve their pitch.… Read More »Ear training for beginners
Napoleon Cummings explains why he ditched international touring for a career that combines teaching and performing. After five years on the road with a cappella supergroup Naturally 7, Napoleon Cummings yearned for a better work/life balance. “I was away for… Read More »The right mix: a pro singer on the joys of teaching and performing
The UK government has released guidance on performing that includes specific recommendations about singing. The lengthy report, Performing Arts: Working Safely Through The Coronavirus, is for performers, venue operators and arts organisations and, some would say, open to interpretation. To… Read More »Government guidance on singing and Covid-19
Freelancers, especially those shut out from the self-employed income support scheme, need more Covid-19 financial assistance. The government made lots of big-ticket economic announcements this week in an attempt to sure up the economy. In some good news for the… Read More »Covid-19 financial support – what about freelancers?
“Not only do you have to be a good artist, you have to be good at being an artist” During lockdown Nigel has been very busy helping college students to finish off their performance years, online. Having never taught online… Read More »Ep.26 The secret of authenticity with Nigel Richards
How can a singing teacher support a student recovering from Covid-19? Singer and vocal coach Sarah Nixey, who is managing her own vocal recovery after a serious brush with the virus, shares her tips. While our understanding of Covid-19 has… Read More »Tips for teaching a student who’s had Covid-19
Top vocal coach Jono McNeil reveals how he helps young singers on The Voice Kids UK deliver knock-out performances. If you haven’t seen an episode of The Voice Kids UK, take it from us: it’s a big deal for budding… Read More »How to help young singers shine
“We have these living creatures inside of us, this mass of different microbes that need to be looked after” Stephanie Moore Nutritionist and author, Stephanie Moore is a powerhouse of nutritional and health information. It’s becoming more and more accepted… Read More »Ep.25 The performer’s health starts from the inside with Nutritionist, Stephanie Moore
What does the science tell us about singing and Covid-19? The world’s largest association of singing teachers explores the evidence in a new webinar. Here’s a rundown of what the scientists had to say. The global pandemic has turned the… Read More »The science on singing and Covid-19
“Don’t take your voice for granted” Natalie Andreou Natalie Andreou’s CV includes lead roles in West End and touring shows as varied as Rock Of Ages, Wicked, Mama Mia and Evita. She and Line discuss the various pathways to the… Read More »Ep.24 How Elphaba helped me understand my voice with Natalie Andreou