teaching strategies

As September rolls around and a new academic year begins, Alexa reflects on what it means to return to singing, teaching and learning with a fresh perspective. She shares some gentle reminders for singers and singing teachers alike about progress,… Read More »Ep.275 Starting the New Academic Year on the Right Note with Alexa Terry

What do we really know about breathing for singing? Breathing specialist Barbara Tanze returns to explore the evolving science of airflow and pressure regulation in the singing voice. We discuss what research tells us about the diaphragm and respiratory muscles,… Read More »Ep.272 Rethinking How We Teach Breathing for Singing with Barbara Tanze and Flexiflow

In this episode, Alexa shares her experience of attending the very first Singer & the Self Singing Teacher CPD Holiday in Slovenia before sitting down with organiser Becky Gillespie to discuss how the event came to life. From voice science,… Read More »Ep.271 Singer & the Self: Rethinking Singing Teacher CPD with Becky Gilhespie

What happens when a singer desperately wants to sing, but fear, self-doubt and past criticism keep getting in the way? In this episode, Alexa is joined by vocal coach and Sing Anyway author – Linor Oren, to explore singing confidence, stage fright… Read More »Ep.270 How to Help Singers Overcome Fear and Build Confidence with Linor Oren

In this fascinating conversation, performance psychologist Noa Kageyama explores what learning science really tells us about effective practice, mindful learning, and why repetition alone isn’t enough. Discover practical, research-backed strategies that can transform the way you plan lessons, deliver them,… Read More »Ep.269 How to Help Singers Learn Faster and Retain More with Noa Kageyama

Alexa is joined by singer, songwriter and vocal coach Grace Hancock to explore the relationship between music and craft. Together, they have honest conversations about the moments when making music hasn’t felt good and when it has stopped being joyful… Read More »Ep.268 What Happens When You Fall Out of Love with Performing? with Grace Hancock

Want a more impressive belt? Before you search for another vocal exercise, you might want to question what you think makes great belting in the first place. In this episode, Alexa Terry shares eight thought-provoking ideas – some that might… Read More »Ep.266 8 Tips to Make Belt More Impressive with Alexa Terry

In this episode, Alexa is joined once again by physiotherapist Emer Tully to explore the jaw. They unpack why jaw tension isn’t always about the jaw itself, how posture, breathing, hypermobility and stress all play a role, and what singers… Read More »Ep.265 Why Singers Get Jaw Tension (And What Actually Helps) with Physiotherapist Emer Tully

In this episode, Alexa is joined by researcher, musician and founder of The F-List, Vick Bain, for an important conversation about gender equality in the UK music industry. Drawing on her PhD research and years of experience, Vick explores the… Read More »Ep.264 Gender Equality in the Music Industry: Where Are We Now? with Vick Bain

This week, Alexa chats with artist, songwriter, choir leader, and vocal coach India Bourne about life beyond the stage. From touring the world with Ben Howard to building a thriving teaching career, India shares how completing the BAST Foundation Course… Read More »Ep.263 The Creative Juggle: Singer, Songwriter and Teacher with India Bourne

Why do performers experience stage fright, even when they love being on stage? In this episode, voice coach and breathwork teacher Laura Dumbleton joins Alexa to unpack performance anxiety, fight-or-flight responses, and practical tools to manage nerves before, during and after singing or public speaking. Expect… Read More »Ep.261 Managing Performance Nerves: Tools For Singers & Singing Teachers with Laura Dumbleton

What happens when singing teachers step away from screens and come together in one room? In this episode, Line Hilton shares why BAST is bringing back live, in-person singing teacher training with a special intensive weekend in Manchester, exploring the… Read More »Ep.260 The Return of In-Person Training: Our Singing Teacher Intensive in Manchester with Line Hilton

How important is it that the singing teacher can actually demonstrate the sound they are asking of the singer? This week, Line and Alexa are unpacking the hidden realities behind vocal demonstration, and why giving a demo isn’t always that… Read More »Ep.259 Can You Teach Singing Without Demonstrating? with Line Hilton

In this episode, Alexa dives into the often-misunderstood world of legit musical theatre singing, unpacking what the style really means, why so many performers feel lost when approaching it, and how teachers can guide singers through the journey with confidence.… Read More »Ep.258 10 Plus ‘Legit’ Songs for Musical Theatre Singers with Alexa Terry

A fascinating deep dive into what really happens inside the singer’s brain, this episode explores the surprising intersection of neuroscience, pedagogy, and creativity. Joined by renowned voice expert Heidi Moss Erickson, the conversation unpacks how singing is both incredibly complex… Read More »Ep.256 The Neuroscience of Singing: What the Singer’s Brain Needs with Heidi Moss Erickson

Get the honest lowdown before you buy in this fun, insightful review episode of Stop Faking It! Sound. Alexa breaks down whether this book really delivers for singing teachers and vocal coaches, without the usual dry, sleep-inducing science. Along the way, Alexa unpacks key concepts in a way that actually sticks, complete… Read More »Ep.255 ‘Stop Faking It! Sound’ Book Review with Alexa Terry

Ever wondered what really happens in that all-important first year of teaching? The leap from passion to profession, from ‘maybe one day’ to ‘this is it’ – it’s rarely a straight line. In today’s episode, we’re diving into the journey… Read More »Ep.254 Lessons Learned in the First Year of Teaching Singing with Mark Lowman