Thinking about taking your teaching to the next level, diving deeper into your specialist interests, or even writing a degree of your own? In this episode of Singing Teachers Talk, Alexa is joined by educator, performer, and MA creator Kaya Herstad-Carney, who pulls back the curtain on what a master’s degree in the performing arts really offers. From choosing the right pathway and understanding learning outcomes to balancing study with real life, Kaya shares how her own master’s shaped her career, the unexpected opportunities it opened, and what she’s learned from writing not one but two MA programmes. Whether you’re a singing teacher, performer, or creative professional considering postgraduate study, this conversation is packed with insight, encouragement, and the honest realities behind levelling up your education.
WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST?
2:27 Why did Kaya do a masters degree?
5:37 What is the advantage of studying for an MA?
10:10 How to choose an MA course
19:19 Juggling a part time MA
21:46 What If I’m not very academic?
26:11 Writing an MA degree
34:22 Marking degree assessments
39:07 Common errors in MA submissions
41:13 Making your MA decision
About the presenter HERE
RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS
WaterBear The College of Music
Singing Teachers Talk – Ep.154 Managing Imposter Syndrome, Low Confidence and Overwhelm as Singing Teachers with Alexa Terry
Singing Teachers Talk – Ep.222 The Rise of AI: What It Means for Singers & Teachers with Rachael Drury
Singing Teachers Talk – Ep.226 The Rise of AI: Practical Tools and Strategies for the Singing Teacher with Rachael Drury
Singing Teachers Talk – Ep.56 Taking the Academic Route with Debbie Winter
ABOUT THE GUEST
Kaya Herstad-Carney is an experienced higher education leader, vocal pedagogue, and award-winning creative artist. From September 2025, she takes on a new position as Head of Education (Online) at WaterBear College of Music, where she has worked since January 22 and oversees and delivers two Masters and two BA (Hons) degree programmes in songwriting, performance, and music education. Her academic practice focuses on student-centred learning, artist development, and the application of vocal habilitation within the field of Contemporary Commercial Music (CCM), spanning rock, pop, soul, dance, and musical theatre.
Kaya holds an MA in Performing Arts (Education) from LIPA/Hope University and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She has taught at institutions including the Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM), University of Chester, Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), University of Liverpool, Bårdar Academy (Norway), and BAST Training, and also developed new programmes and contributed to validation and revalidation processes across multiple HE contexts. She serves on the Advisory Board of Vocology in Practice (ViP) and is a licensed BAST singing teacher trainer, vocal health habilitation practitioner and vocal first aider supporting global professional development for voice teachers.
As a researcher-practitioner, Kaya’s interests include performance anxiety, singing for health and wellbeing, voice science, artist identity, and sustainable careers in the creative industries. She has presented at national and international conferences (BVA, AOTOS, TAPRA, SoundCity, Vocology in Practice) on topics such as vocal pedagogy, language in feedback, acoustics, improvisation, and the application of sport psychology in music performance.
Alongside her academic career, Kaya is an award-winning singer-songwriter and festival director, with music featured on stage, television, and film. She won a Silver Award for Best Original Soundtrack at the International Independent Film Awards in Los Angeles and has performed internationally, including festival appearances and support slots with artists such as John Grant, Brett Anderson (Suede), Susanne Sundfør and Dub Pistols, and performed with Ringo Starr and Bon Jovi as part of Sense of Sound choir.
Instagram: @kayamusic
