What does it really take to build a sustainable career as a performer? In this episode, Alexa is joined by performer and vocal coach Chris Killik for a warm, funny and refreshingly candid conversation about life in the performing arts.… Read More »Ep.279 On Vocal Crashes, Career Lessons and Sustainable Singing with Chris Killik
What’s the story behind one of the best-known vocal products on the market? In this episode, Alexa is joined by Maria and George from Vocalzone to uncover the fascinating history behind the century-old family business, and why its distinctive pastilles… Read More »Ep.278 Behind Vocalzone: Singers, Stories, and a Century of Vocal Care with Vocalzone’s Maria & George
What happens when being a singer becomes more than what you do, and starts to define who you are? In this episode, Alexa is joined by vocal coach Claire Cannon to explore the connection between burnout, identity and life in… Read More »Ep.277 Identity, Self-Worth and Burnout in the Performing Arts with Claire Cannon
What’s really happening inside the larynx when we sing? In this fascinating episode, Alexa is joined by laryngologist and singer Dr Jennifer Rodney – aka Singing Surgeon MD – for a rare look inside the voice in action. From vocal… Read More »Ep.276 Inside a Singer’s Larynx: Live Laryngeal Scoping With Dr Jennifer Rodney
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
In this episode, Alexa and BAST Training Founder, Line Hilton, take a closer look at the familiar idea of the singer as a ‘vocal athlete’. Drawing on examples from across the performing arts, they explore what the comparison can teach… Read More »Ep.274 The Singer As An Athlete: A Useful Metaphor or a Limiting One? with Line Hilton
What if the ‘right’ song could help bridge the gap between vocal exercises and repertoire? In this episode, Alexa explores how snippets of songs can become useful technical stepping stones. Discover how to analyse repertoire for its vocal demands, identify… Read More »Ep.273 How to Use Repertoire to Build Vocal Technique 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
What makes a performance truly believable? In this episode, Alexa is joined by fellow BAST teammate Molly Walsh to explore acting through song and the power of gesture mapping. Together they unpack practical acting techniques that help singers communicate emotion… Read More »Ep.267 Acting Through Song: Practical Tools for Singing Teachers with Molly Marie Walsh
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