100 episodes

Hosted by BAST Training expect interviews, conversations, and panel discussions to inspire and inform singing teachers and singers who want to teach. ABOUT BAST TRAINING We are here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill.

Website: basttraining.com FB & IG @basttraining

Singing Teachers Talk BAST Training

    • Education
    • 5.0 • 9 Ratings

Hosted by BAST Training expect interviews, conversations, and panel discussions to inspire and inform singing teachers and singers who want to teach. ABOUT BAST TRAINING We are here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill.

Website: basttraining.com FB & IG @basttraining

    Ep.152 'Tomayto, Tomahto': Understanding Singing Terminology With Line Hilton

    Ep.152 'Tomayto, Tomahto': Understanding Singing Terminology With Line Hilton

    Alexa Terry talks about vocal related terminology with BAST founder Line Hilton in Ep.152. Line explains some of the anatomical terminology a singing teacher may encounter in a medical or voice science setting this includes anatomical terms, register names, support and resonance. She and Alexa play a register names pop quiz to see how many of the 107 names they know. Line emphasises the importance of understanding and using terminologies in a flexible and adaptable manner, considering the context and audience. 

    KEY TAKEAWAYS


    Discussing anatomical terms like superior, inferior, lateral, medial, anterior, posterior is key for voice teachers. Line linked these to body parts, aiding medical report understanding. Muscle names, tied to origin and insertion, enhance comprehension.
    Alexa and Line explored varied names for vocal registers like chest, head, mix, belt. They noted diverse pedagogical and field terms, emphasising context-dependent meanings. Line stressed grasping intent behind terms over feeling overwhelmed.
    Line rarely uses "support" directly, viewing it as a result of vocal balance, not a specific technique. She favours strategies like transverse abdominis engagement for a supportive sensation, coupled with overall vocal coordination.
    Line challenges the "open throat" concept, noting pharynx narrowing as pitch ascends. She opts for tongue and larynx strategies, rejecting the focus on throat constrictors. Imagery like "open up the sound" proves useful based on student response.
    Line distinguishes a singing teacher's technique focus from a vocal coach's guiding role. She underlines SEO and student-friendly terms' importance. "Voice teacher" holds spoken connotations, advocating comfort in choosing terms.

    BEST MOMENTS 

    'If there really are 107 different names for registers, do we need to know them all? ’

    ‘What we feel isn't necessarily a correlation to what's going on mechanically.'

    ‘What does support mean? Pretty much as many people as I've asked, is the amount of answers that I've received.’

     

    EPISODE RESOURCES 

    Guest Website:


    basttraining.com

    Social Media:


    @basttraining

    Relevant Links & Mentions: 


    (BAST Blog) The Laryngeal Nerves: https://www.basttraining.com/the-laryngeal-nerves/
    Kerrie Obert: https://obertvoicestudios.com/
    (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.151 How to Sing with Twang with Kerrie Obert 
    (Book) Anatomy of Voice by Blandine Calais-Germain & Francois Germain 
    (Book) Singing & Science: Body, Brain and Voice by Jean Callaghan 
    (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.62 How to Choose the Best Vocal Exercises with Line Hilton 
    (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.73 The Best Vocal Exercises for Laryngeal Stability with Line Hilton
    (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.83 The Best Vocal Exercises for Sick Voices with Line Hilton
    (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.113 The Best Vocal Exercises for Chest Voice with Line Hilton
    (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.114 The Best Vocal Exercises for Head Voice with Line Hilton
    (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.115 The Best Vocal Exercises for The Transition with Line Hilton 
    Chris Johnson: https://chrisjohnsonvocalcoach.com/
    Teach Voice: https://www.teachvoice.com/
    (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.44 Exploring Vocal Registers with Chris Johnson 
    Traditional Belt Example: Johnny One Note from Babes in Arms 
    (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.133 Mastering Belt in Musical Theatre with Amanda Flynn 
    Physio Ed: https://www.physioedmedical.co.uk/
    Vocology in Practice: https://www.vocologyinpractice.org/

    BAST Book A Call

    ABOUT THE PODCAST

    BAST Training is here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill through our courses and educational events.

    basttraining.com

    Updates from BAST Training

    Presenters Bios

    • 43 min
    Ep.151 How to Sing with Twang with Kerrie Obert

    Ep.151 How to Sing with Twang with Kerrie Obert

    Vocal coach Kerrie Obert joins Alexa to discuss the technique of twang in singing—what it is, how to find it, and how to apply it in a healthy way across your range. We bust myths about twang and larynx position, examine impactful but overlooked research, and learn exercises to develop this bright, forward resonance while avoiding excess tension. For all singers looking to understand the mechanics behind great country, rock, and belt singing, this is an episode you won't want to miss. 

    KEY TAKEAWAYS


    Teaching Back for Enhanced Learning: Teaching back in singing lessons reinforces skills, promotes compliance, and fosters lasting habits, enhancing knowledge retention and practical application.
    Clarity in Teaching Directives: Clear teaching directives are pivotal in vocal education, especially when exploring intricate concepts like "twang." Transparent communication deepens understanding and enriches the learning experience.
    Nuanced Roles of Velum and VLM: Understanding the nuanced functions of the velum and Vertical Laryngeal Movement (VLM) shapes vocal sounds. This insight guides students in refining techniques and comprehending the impact of pharyngeal narrowing on larynx positioning.
    Effective Singing Techniques: Effective singing involves maintaining vocal fold thickness during belting and strategic breath control. Integration of these elements achieves a harmonious balance, enhancing overall vocal quality and impact.

    BEST MOMENTS

    ‘I would say it's very high, like 70 or 80 percent of the people who twang don't have aryepiglottic narrowing.’ 

    'It actually gives you credibility, to be able to acknowledge that that you think differently about something’

    ‘I want to look at what point those pharyngeal constrictors narrow in the range. And to see how that relates to our perception of passaggio’

     

    EPISODE RESOURCES

    Guest Website:


    getvocal-now.com
    com

    Social Media:


    Instagram: @kerrieobert

    Relevant Links & Mentions:


    Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: Ep.59 Top Tongue Tips for Boosting High Frequency Energy with Kerrie Obert
    The work of William Vennard
    Jo Estill: https://estillvoice.com/
    Amanda Flynn: https://www.amandaflynnvoice.com/
    Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: Ep.133 Mastering Belt in Musical Theatre with Amanda Flynn

    BAST Book A Call

    ABOUT THE GUEST

    Kerrie Obert is a speech language pathologist and singing voice specialist from Columbus Ohio. Ms. Obert holds degrees in both musical theatre performance and speech language pathology. She spent nearly 20 years working at The Ohio State University JamesCare Voice & Swallowing Disorders Clinic where she performed thousands of endoscopies as part of a diagnostic team and provided therapy to patients with a wide variety of laryngeal disorders. Ms. Obert was instrumental in setting up the Singing Health Specialization at OSU and served as the Director of Medical Arts for that program. Although she stepped away from her clinical duties at OSU, she remains on the faculty for research purposes. Ms. Obert has written four books on voice and has conducted clinical research using acoustics, MRI and EGG. She has presented on several continents and is passionate about bridging science and art. Ms. Obert is the executive principal of Getvocal-now.com, an online continuing education platform for singers, speech language pathologists and voice teachers. Her current research interests are in pharyngeal and tongue positions as they relate to boosting high frequency energy.

    Kerrie Obert is also a guest lecture on the BAST Training Level 5 Singing Teacher Qualification.

     

    ABOUT THE PODCAST

     

    BAST Training is here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill through our courses and educational events.

    basttraining.com

    Updates from BAST Training

    Presenters Bios

    • 50 min
    Ep.150 Part Two: Finding the Best Posture and Alignment for Singing with Jennie Morton

    Ep.150 Part Two: Finding the Best Posture and Alignment for Singing with Jennie Morton

    It’s part two of our chat with West End Musical Theatre performer, lead singer of a London Big Band, and Clinical Osteopath, Jennie Morton. Today Alexa and Jennie will be picking up right where they left off talking about the importance of teachers finding their neutral for their own postural health in the teaching room. 

    KEY TAKEAWAYS


    Prioritising neutral posture is pivotal for vocal health. This proactive approach, avoiding extremes and unnecessary tension, prevents issues like deviated larynx. Examples of poor posture consequences highlight its significance, emphasising the need for a balanced and mindful alignment. 
    Poor posture yields tangible consequences like deviated larynx and muscle imbalances. Practical examples, such as uneven piano placement or specific mic-handling, lead to muscle strain and vocal challenges. 
    Delving into posture's intricate link with vocal well-being, Jennie illuminates the stomatognathic system and vocal muscles' role in balance. Practical tips, including mindful sitting and ribcage alignment, emphasise how posture directly influences and contributes to overall vocal health.
    Mindful alignment is a potent tool for communication, you should embrace vulnerability. It fosters authenticity, emphasising a deeper understanding of one's body for improved vocal health and heightened communication proficiency.

    BEST MOMENTS 

    ‘The body never lies, you know, you can tell it perfectly’

    ‘Symptoms in the body are like a course correct, the body's going, you've deviated from your path, get back, get back’

    ‘Posture is body language. In every moment, you are speaking to people, even if you haven't opened your mouth’

    ‘Taking care of you is an act of generosity to everyone else’

     

    EPISODE RESOURCES 

    Guest Website:


    www.jenniemorton.com

    Relevant Links & Mentions: 


    Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: Ep.149 Part One: Finding the Best Posture and Alignment for Singing with Jennie Morton
    Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: Ep.97 Elevate Your Musical Performance Through Anatomical Efficiency with Jennie Morton
    Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: Ep.40 Teaching Singing to Dancers with Jennie Morton 
    Chris Johnson: https://chrisjohnsonvocalcoach.com/
    Chris Johnson’s Teach Voice: https://www.teachvoice.com/

    BAST Book A Call

     

    ABOUT THE GUEST 

    After a long performing career as a Ballet dancer, West End Musical Theatre performer, and lead singer of a London Big Band, Jennie is now a Clinical Osteopath specialising in the field of Performing Arts Medicine. She provides treatment for musculoskeletal, neurobiological, and psycho-physiological issues from her base in Los Angeles. She also works as a Performance Coach for singers and actors, focusing on anatomical efficiency, embodiment of artistry, movement education, and rehabilitation from vocal injury. Jennie co-created the MSc in Performing Arts Medicine at University College, London, and lectures internationally to artists, arts educators, and healthcare professionals on the subject of performance-related injuries. She is the author of three books: The Authentic Performer: Wearing A Mask And The Effect On Health; The Embodied Dancer: A Guide To Optimal Performance; and Dancing Longer, Dancing Stronger. Her website www.jenniemorton.com contains many of her published articles and educational resources, as well as links to her online courses on a range of health topics.

    ABOUT THE PODCAST

    BAST Training is here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill through our courses and educational events.

    basttraining.com

    Updates from BAST Training

    Presenters Bios

    • 44 min
    Ep.149 Part One: Finding the Best Posture and Alignment for Singing with Jennie Morton

    Ep.149 Part One: Finding the Best Posture and Alignment for Singing with Jennie Morton

    West End Musical Theatre performer, lead singer of a London Big Band, and Clinical Osteopath, Jennie Morton joins Alexa on Singing Teachers Talk for part one of a two part episode. This week the pair will be discussing how you can help your singers find their best posture and alignment. Listen in for some great exercises you can use with your students to improve their posture. 

    KEY TAKEAWAYS


    Concerns have arisen over the long-term health effects of technology-induced postures, especially among the younger generation. Habitual postures can lead to structural changes, causing discomfort as muscles become fibrous and impede blood supply.
    Maintaining a neutral spine is crucial for optimal posture and shock absorption, influencing the functioning of vital components like the diaphragm, emphasising the importance of understanding and addressing structural dynamics for overall well-being.
    Jennie emphasises the importance of dynamic stability over rigidity, likening it to a tall skyscraper built to move in the wind. She suggests lying on the floor to explore spinal alignment and identifying the felt sense of neutral curves.
    Singers achieve optimal posture through exercises that recognize and balance unique spinal curves. Performers in extreme roles benefit from targeted stretches. Triangulating body position, emotion, and vocal outcome enhances predictability. Unconventional exercises, like singing upside down, disrupt fear-associated contexts, facilitating effective navigation through challenging vocal passages.

    BEST MOMENTS 

    ‘Structure governs function’

    ‘Our bodies are kind of like Plasticine, whatever you do habitually becomes habituated’

    ‘Elasticity is the key to being an artist. You know where home base is’

    ‘Maintaining a neutral spine is crucial for optimal posture, with the definition of 'neutral' varying for each individual’

     

    EPISODE RESOURCES 

    Guest Website:


    www.jenniemorton.com

    Relevant Links & Mentions: 


    Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: Ep.97 Elevate Your Musical Performance Through Anatomical Efficiency with Jennie Morton
    Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: Ep.40 Teaching Singing to Dancers with Jennie Morton 
    Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: Ep. 32 The Bio-Psycho-Social Model with Stephen King
    Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: Ep.138 Exploring the Benefits of The Alexander Technique for Singers with Patrick Ardagh-Walter 

    BAST Book A Call

     

    ABOUT THE GUEST 

    After a long performing career as a Ballet dancer, West End Musical Theatre performer, and lead singer of a London Big Band, Jennie is now a Clinical Osteopath specialising in the field of Performing Arts Medicine. She provides treatment for musculoskeletal, neurobiological, and psycho-physiological issues from her base in Los Angeles. She also works as a Performance Coach for singers and actors, focusing on anatomical efficiency, embodiment of artistry, movement education, and rehabilitation from vocal injury. Jennie co-created the MSc in Performing Arts Medicine at University College, London, and lectures internationally to artists, arts educators, and healthcare professionals on the subject of performance-related injuries. She is the author of three books: The Authentic Performer: Wearing A Mask And The Effect On Health; The Embodied Dancer: A Guide To Optimal Performance; and Dancing Longer, Dancing Stronger. Her website www.jenniemorton.com contains many of her published articles and educational resources, as well as links to her online courses on a range of health topics.

    ABOUT THE PODCAST

    BAST Training is here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill through our courses and educational events.

    basttraining.com

    Updates from BAST Training

    Presenters Bios

    • 46 min
    Ep.148 How to Record a Stand-Out Vocal Reel with Mitch Jarvis from Singing Demos

    Ep.148 How to Record a Stand-Out Vocal Reel with Mitch Jarvis from Singing Demos

    It's Mitch Jarvis from Singing Demos joining Alexa this week. Mitch has been recording vocal reels since 2011 with the mission to help performers stand out from the crowd and get that all-important invite into the audition room. Mitch is here to help us understand the benefits of a vocal reel and how the singer can get the best out of their recording. Make sure you listen all the way until the end for a special offer. 

    KEY TAKEAWAYS


    Singing Demos first opened its recording studio in Camden in 2011 and since then, have helped thousands of performers stand out with their vocal reels and network of leading casting directors and agents.
    A vocal reel can be incredibly helpful to singers because it gives you something you can put in front of casting directors straight away. It’s also helpful because in a post Covid world, your online portfolio became almost the first step in the audition process as it was harder to meet face to face. This has somewhat continued and directors now will expect to hear something from you before you’ve auditioned. 
    The benefit to having your reel on video as well as audio is because of how key video content is online. Your social media following can have an impact on your job prospects. The video isn’t just key to showcasing yourself but for driving engagement on things like Instagram and TikTok. 
    Singers should be sharing their vocal reels with agents, it is so much more important than sitting down and writing a bespoke email and CV. They want to be able to see what you can do and how you behave straight away. 
    When deciding what to sing on your vocal reel you should stick to songs you know like the back of your hand that you enjoy. If you pick something difficult then you run the risk of not hitting the notes, especially under the first time pressure of being in a recording studio. 

    BEST MOMENTS 

    ‘If you’re less confident, a reel can help you get past the first stage where you need to showcase yourself’

    ‘You want it to sound live, as if you’re singing in the room to them, no autotune’

    ‘Can they visualise you in that role? Because if they can’t see it they won’t cast you’

     

    EPISODE RESOURCES 

    Guest Website:


    https://www.singingdemos.co.uk/

    Social Media:


    Instagram: @singingdemos.co.uk

    Singing Demos Discount: Get £25 off a filmed vocal reel package with the code BAST25

    Relevant Links & Mentions: 


    Spotlight: https://www.spotlight.com/
    Hannah Lowther: @hannahlowther
    The Accompanist: https://www.theaccompanist.co.uk/

    BAST Book A Call

     

    ABOUT THE GUEST 

    After attending Italia Conti, Mitch launched Singing Demos in 2011 while also working professionally in the industry. Since then he's recorded thousands of vocal reels and stopped performing himself in 2015 to focus solely on Singing Demos.

    Mitch has a strong network of leading casting directors and agents. He knows just what’s needed to get yourself seen and heard by the crème de la crème of the industry. His mission is the same as yours – to get you to stand out from the crowd with an outstanding vocal reel. Everything is done in the comfort of the Singing Demos professional recording studio in Camden, London.

    ABOUT THE PODCAST

    BAST Training is here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill through our courses and educational events.

    basttraining.com

    Updates from BAST Training

    Presenters Bios

    • 34 min
    Ep.147 TV Vocal Coach: Behind the Scenes on ITV's Mamma Mia with Claire Delaney.

    Ep.147 TV Vocal Coach: Behind the Scenes on ITV's Mamma Mia with Claire Delaney.

    It's Claire Delaney who joins Alexa this week to give us a tour behind the scenes of working on the ITV show ‘Mamma Mia! I have a dream’, the search for Sophie and Sky. Claire is a vocal coach with a private business and also teaches at UK Drama School Italia Conti. She initially trained in Opera, performing at the likes of the Royal Albert Hall, and now works with singers of all skill levels from beginners to West End professionals. To celebrate the winners of ‘Mamma Mia! I have a dream’ and their West End debut, Claire is here to give us the gossip on how she landed this TV job, what her role entailed on the program, and how we can help our theatre performers navigate auditions. 

    KEY TAKEAWAYS


    "Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream'' premiered on ITV in October 2023. The program followed the quest for two fresh and undiscovered talents in musical theatre, aiming to cast them in the roles of Sophie Sheridan and Sky Ramand for the West End rendition of the musical "Mamma Mia!".
    If you or one of your students are thinking about applying for a TV show like this in the future, Claire believes you need to be strong in the following areas: story telling, working collaboratively, creating chemistry, having the endurance to perform 9 shows a week, and not taking yourself too seriously.
    In previous "Mamma Mia!" shows, it was understood that straight tone was desired over vibrato. However this more traditional approach didn’t appear to be the case in the TV show. Claire loves vibrato because it adds colour and a feeling of release in the voice. As a teacher you need to make sure your student can do both so they can use whichever they think is right for them.

    BEST MOMENTS

    ‘I feel like having worked on TV now it adds to my credibility’

    ‘It’s not Shakespeare, it’s pure entertainment and just joyous’

    ‘The key to any audition is to do your background development on the character’

    ‘My best advice is just be cheeky and ask, the worst anyone can say is no and not everybody will say no’

     

    EPISODE RESOURCES

    Guest Website:


    https://www.delaneycoaching.com/

    Social Media:


    Instagram: @Claire.delaney.coach
    Tik Tok: Claire_TheVocalCoach

    Relevant Links & Mentions:


    Fiona McDougal: https://fionamcdougal.com/
    London School of Musical Theatre: https://www.lsmt.co.uk/
    Italia Conti Arts: https://www.italiaconti.com/
    Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: Ep. 91 How to Help Prepare Singers for Drama School Auditions with Michael Vickers
    Songs mentioned: Luck Be a Lady from Guys and Dolls; Trustfall by Pink; Somebody To Love from We Will Rock You; Kiss Me by Sixpence None the Richer; Shivers by Ed Sheeran; Night Fever from Saturday Night Fever
    Vocology in Practice: https://www.vocologyinpractice.org/

    ABOUT THE GUEST

    Claire Delaney is a professional voice coach and currently teaches at Italia Conti. She has been in the performing industry for 15 years and has recently worked with voice coach Fiona McDougal on the new Mamma Mia ‘I Have a Dream’ show for ITV.

    Trained in Performing Arts and Opera, Claire has performed at venues including The Royal Albert Hall, The Wales Millennium Centre, The Other Palace, Kensington Roof Gardens, and The Bristol Hippodrome. She has also worked with Disney composer, Alan Menken, for the musical Galavant on ABC Comedy, and as an actress on various productions for Netflix, Sony Pictures, BBC One, BBC3, ITV, and ITV2.

    ABOUT THE PODCAST

    BAST Training is here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill through our courses and educational events.

    basttraining.com

    BAST Book A Call

    Updates from BAST Training

    Presenters Bios

    • 40 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
9 Ratings

9 Ratings

feedthesoul ,

All a sing teacher needs to know about teaching singing!

I am bias, I know I am a BAST training trainer, but this podcast is a ‘must subscribe’ for anyone who works in this field or is thinking about becoming a singing teacher. You’ll find interviews with experts on a wide array of topics related to being a singing teacher, including vocal exercises, vocal styles, teaching and learning styles, vocal health, voice science, business building and more. Join Alexa Terry as she asks all the questions you’d want to ask of these experts.

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