Singing Teachers Talk BAST Training

Dr. Kari Ragan, is a voice teacher and rehab specialist, Master Teacher for National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Intern Program, co-founder of Northwest Voice Conference. She joins Alexa to discuss NATS’ mission, benefits of membership, and the upcoming conference. Also, insights on NATS International Congress of Voice Teachers 2025

KEY TAKEAWAYS


NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) supports singing teachers with resources, networking, and professional development, promoting excellence in vocal instruction through conferences, workshops, publications, and certification programs.
NATS Chat offers live online discussions for voice teachers and singers on diverse topics like vocal technique, repertoire, teaching, and business strategies. Hosted by NATS member Kari Ragan, it features prominent guests from the industry.
The International Congress of Voice Teachers (ICVT), is a global event facilitated by NATS and other associations, offers masterclasses and sessions for voice teachers worldwide. The next event is ICVT Toronto 2025, hosted by NATS, The Royal Conservatory, and University of Toronto Faculty of Music, from July 31 to August 3.

BEST MOMENTS 

“It’s where I came out of the mindset of wanting to be a singer to wanting to be a teacher”

“We believe in moving the profession forward”

“It can be so overwhelming with what we’re expected to know nowadays”

 

EPISODE RESOURCES 

Guest Website:


KariRagan.com

Social Media:


Facebook: @Voice Studio of Dr. Kari Ragan

Relevant Links & Mentions: 


National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS): https://www.nats.org/
NATS International Congress of Voice Teachers Conference 2025: https://www.nats.org/icvt2025.html
NATS Chat Archives: https://www.nats.org/nats-chat-transcript-archive.html
NATS Chat Youtube Platform: https://www.youtube.com/officialnats
The work of Scott McCoy
Kerrie Obert: https://obertvoicestudios.com/ & https://portal.getvocal-now.com/pages/home
The work of Dr Marco Guzman 
The Efficacy of Vocal Cool-down Exercises by Dr Kari Ragan: https://kariragan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/The-Efficacy-of-Vocal-Cool-Down-Exercises-JOS-2018.pdf
The work of Lynn Helding: https://lynnhelding.com/
The work of Lynn Maxfield  
The work of Marci Rosenberg: https://www.marci-rosenberg.com/
The work of Leda Scearce
The work of Peggy Baroody
The work of Karen Brunssen 
So You Want to Sing Musical Theatre by Amanda Flynn 
A Systematic Approach to Voice: The Art of Studio Application by Dr Kari Ragan
Singing Voice Rehabilitation: A Guide for the Voice Teacher and Speech-Language Pathologist by Karen Wicklund 
NorthWest Voice: NWVoice.org
The work of Martin Nevdahl 
The work of Albert L Merati 
The work of Dr Ingo Titze
Dr H Steven Sims
John Henny: https://johnhenny.com/
The Fall Voice Conference: https://www.fallvoice.org/
The Voice Foundation: https://voicefoundation.org/
Pan American Vocology Association (PAVA): https://pavavocology.org/
The work of Ian Howell 
Vocology in Practice: https://www.vocologyinpractice.org/
(Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: 154 Managing Imposter Syndrome, Low Confidence and Overwhelm as Singing Teachers with Alexa Terry: https://linktr.ee/basttraining?utm_source & https://www.youtube.com/@SingingTeachersTalk/videos

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ABOUT THE GUEST 

Kari Ragan, DMA, MM, BM, is an accomplished singing voice rehabilitation specialist and educator. With numerous awards and affiliations, including the University of Washington Laryngology program, she's known for her book "A Systematic Approach to Voice '' and co-founding the Northwest Voice Conference.

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.

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Updates from BAST Training

Dr Shannon Coates is with us for part two of this discussion on building neurodiversity inclusive voice studios and we're picking up just where we left off last week. Shannon is a singer, voice teacher, and educator who began developing training and educational resources specifically for independent voice teachers. She works with smaller groups of teachers in an eight-month training called the VoicePed UnDegree that runs each year. This week, Shannon helps us to understand the terminology of neurodiversity, and we start to explore how we can be inclusive for the likes of dyslexia and ADHD.

KEY TAKEAWAYS


In the classroom, autistic individuals may struggle with sensory overload, heightened sensitivities, difficulty filtering stimuli, hyperfocus, and executive functioning challenges. They may show their overwhelm with a perceived lack of attention or disengagement. 
Some autistic individuals benefit from physical guidance and tactile feedback to understand and replicate movements accurately. Singing teachers may gently guide their students' hands, arms, or facial muscles to demonstrate proper technique and expression. This hands-on approach provides sensory input that can enhance the learning experience and help autistic singers internalise correct movements.
Autistic individuals often thrive in environments with clear structure and predictable routines. Singing teachers can establish a consistent lesson structure with clearly defined goals, activities, and transitions. Providing a visual schedule or checklist can help autistic singers anticipate what to expect during each session, reducing anxiety and promoting a sense of security.
Singing teachers can support autistic individuals' stimming by normalizing it, recognizing individual patterns, providing a sensory-friendly environment, incorporating movement and breaks, using stimming as a teaching tool, and offering positive reinforcement.

BEST MOMENTS 

“I cannot focus on what you’re asking me to do, my senses are in complete overwhelm”

“The things we do in the studio to affirm neurodiversity do not just affirm neurodivergent singers, they affirm all singers”

“There is a lifetime of trying to figure out the rules because our social rules are based on reading other people”

“Clarity is kindness”

 

EPISODE RESOURCES 

Guest Website:


www.drshannoncoates.com

Social Media:


Instagram: @voiceped
Facebook: @VoiceAndTheArtofTeaching 

Relevant Links & Mentions: 


(Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk Podcast Ep.155 Part One: Building Neurodiversity-Inclusive Voice Studios with Dr Shannon Coates
(Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.104 Teaching Singers with ADHD with Colin McGee
Lewis Capaldi 
Nikki Loney & Full Voice Music: www.fullvoicemusic.com 
(Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk Podcast Ep.139 Understanding Play-Based Learning for Children and Young Adult Singers with Nikki Loney

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ABOUT THE GUEST 

Shannon is a singer, voice teacher, and educator with nearly two decades of experience running a successful independent voice studio. She develops training and resources for voice teachers worldwide, focusing on inclusivity and neurodiversity. Shannon holds three vocal performance degrees from the University of Toronto and offers subject-specific training, including Neurodiversity-Affirming VoicePed and Contemporary Voice. She promotes best practices in teaching and advocates for inclusive voice spaces through social media.

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

Dr Shannon Coates will be keeping us company over the next two weeks to help us understand how we can build neurodiversity-inclusive voice studios. Shannon is a singer, voice teacher, and educator who began developing training and educational resources specifically for independent voice teachers. She works with smaller groups of teachers in an eight-month training called the VoicePed UnDegree that runs each year. This week, Shannon helps us to understand the terminology of neurodiversity, and we start to explore how we can be inclusive for the likes of dyslexia and ADHD.

KEY TAKEAWAYS


Neurodivergent refers to individuals whose neurological development and functioning differ from what is typically considered typical or neurotypical. This includes conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and others. Neurodivergent individuals may have unique ways of thinking, processing information, and interacting with the world. The term emphasises the natural diversity of human brains and challenges the notion of a single "normal" or "correct" neurological makeup.
ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by difficulties with attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Individuals with ADHD may struggle with maintaining focus, organising tasks, and controlling impulses. ADHD can impact various aspects of daily life, including academic performance, work, and relationships. 
Dyslexia is a specific learning disorder characterised by difficulty in reading, spelling, and writing despite ‘normal’ intelligence and adequate educational opportunities. Individuals with dyslexia may have challenges with phonological processing, which affects their ability to recognize and decode words and symbols accurately. 

BEST MOMENTS 

‘Not being associated with academia doesn't mean that you can’t be a specialist voice teacher’

‘In the process of working with my own children I also began to see some of those similar things in the studio’

‘Practising the new thing is always in my brain, I want to get into it and the novelty of it, ADHD singers will love it’

‘No matter who we’re working with, the most effective reframing is asking what they focused in on and found interesting’

 

EPISODE RESOURCES 

Guest Website:


www.drshannoncoates.com

Social Media:


Instagram: @voiceped
Facebook: @VoiceAndTheArtofTeaching 

Relevant Links & Mentions: 


(Column) Neurodiversity in the Voice Studio, Clinic, and Performance Space: Using a Neurodiversity Affirming Lens to Build More Inclusive Spaces for Singers: Part 1, Current Understanding of Neurodiversity by Dr Shannon Coates; Journal of Singing (2022)
(Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.152 ‘Tomayto, Tomahto’: Understanding Singing Terminology with Line Hilton
(Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.104 Teaching Singers with ADHD with Colin McGee
Tera Sumpter: https://terasumpter.com/

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ABOUT THE GUEST 

Shannon is a singer, voice teacher, and educator with nearly two decades of experience running a successful independent voice studio. She develops training and resources for voice teachers worldwide, focusing on inclusivity and neurodiversity. Shannon holds three vocal performance degrees from the University of Toronto and offers subject-specific training, including Neurodiversity-Affirming VoicePed and Contemporary Voice. She promotes best practices in teaching and advocates for inclusive voice spaces through social media.

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

In this solo episode, Alexa dives into the common struggles of imposter syndrome, low confidence, and feeling overwhelmed that many singing teachers face. As an experienced voice instructor and singer herself, Alexa shares personal stories and insights on managing these challenges in your teaching career and life. Learn how to overcome negative self-talk, build your confidence both in and out of the studio, and avoid burnout through self-care and planning. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS


Imposter syndrome, low confidence, and overwhelm are common among singing teachers. Imposter thoughts prevail due to isolation, comparison, and teaching observations. These feelings stem from self-doubt, fear of judgement, and perfectionism.
Strategies like reframing thoughts and celebrating achievements can counter imposter syndrome. Perspective-taking and building a support network are beneficial. Despite accomplishments, imposter syndrome affects individuals across fields, emphasising the importance of sharing experiences for community support.
You can build a support network by joining online communities and forums, attending conferences, and seeking mentorship. Forming mastermind groups, scheduling catch-ups, and following inspirational accounts on social media offer additional support. Investing in a coach and being open with students about imposter feelings can also aid in managing challenges.

BEST MOMENTS 

"100% of them reported having felt imposter syndrome, low confidence and overwhelm."

"The most common intrusive thoughts reported include 'Just quit. You don't know enough' and 'You don't have the skills.'"  

"Sometimes, I am completely overwhelmed by the amount of information and responsibility I'm faced with as a singing teacher."

 

EPISODE RESOURCES 

Guest Website:


www.aterryvocalcoaching.com 

Social Media:


Instagram: @AlexaTerryVocalCoaching
Facebook: @ATerryVocalCoaching 

Relevant Links & Mentions: 


Vocology in Practice
The Imposter Phenomenon in High Achieving Women: Dynamics and Therapeutic Intervention by Dr Pauline R Clance & Dr Suzanne A Imes (1978)
Man and Superman by George Bernard Shaw (1903)
(Blog) Singing and the Premenstrual Voice
(Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.102 Understanding Singing and Menopause with Joanne Bozeman 
Psychologist Lev Vygotsky (The Zone of Proximal Development & ‘Scaffolding’) 
The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women by Valerie Young
(Youtube) TED Talk by Valerie Young (2017)
Tommy Ludgate: https://tommyludgate.com/
(Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.49 Unlocking Your Creative Potential with Tommy Ludgate 
(Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.151 How to Sing with Twang with Kerrie Obert
(Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk - Ep. 133 Mastering Belt in Musical Theatre with Amanda Flynn
Steven Bartlett & The Diary of a CEO
John Henny: https://johnhenny.com/
Voice Study Centre: voicestudycentre.com
Adam Grant: https://adamgrant.net/
The 6-minute Success Journal
(Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.147 TV Coach: Behind the Scenes on ITV’s Mamma Mia with Claire Delaney 
alexa@basttraining.com

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ABOUT THE GUEST 

After graduating with a BA Musical Theatre degree, Alexa Terry donned her sailor’s cap and performed as a lead soloist on cruise ships travelling the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Baltic seas. She trod the boards in London’s West End as the protagonist in a new Musical Theatre project, studied as a librettist with Book, Music and Lyrics (BML), and has written for the likes of BritishTheatre.com as a reviewer. 

Alexa runs her own 1-1 singing tuition practice in the South of England and is a singing tutor at one of the UK’s leading performing arts schools - Italia Conti, where she also regularly panels entry auditions. Alexa is the host of the BAST Training Singing Teachers Talk Podcast, mentors for the BAST Training Level 5 Qualification, and has presented on the topics of Musical Theatre repertoire and authentic Musical Theatre performance. 

Joining Alexa this week is Nic Redman, who has been working with the spoken voice for almost 20 years and who is the author of the best-selling book ‘On the Mic’. Nic has featured across the BBC, Times Radio, The Guardian, Irish Times, and The Metro. She offers one-to-one coaching for voice-over artists, narrators, podcasters, and speakers to master their speaking voice, working with the likes of Peloton and comedian Sarah Millican.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

In Nic's experience, musical theatre often places a significant emphasis on appearance alongside vocal ability. This can create pressure for performers to conform to certain physical standards. However, in the realm of voiceover work, the focus solely revolves around vocal performance.

Nic Redman's five techniques for improving vocal performance and recording quality, as discussed, are as follows: 


Focusing on using your natural voice and avoiding an artificial "announcer" style.
Being mindful of posture and alignment to allow the voice to resonate fully.
Engaging in vocal warm-ups and exercises to enhance flexibility and range.
Paying attention to microphone technique, including maintaining consistent distance and angle.
Listening critically to recordings to identify areas for improvement.

Nic's recommended vocal warm-ups for voice over work are:


Lip trills and tongue trills: These exercises help relax the vocal mechanism and can be effective in warming up the voice.
Pitch glides: Practising pitch glides up and down the vocal range helps in warming up the voice and increasing flexibility.
Tongue twisters for articulation: Working on tongue twisters helps improve articulation and clarity in speech.
Breath control exercises: Techniques such as hissing and sighing can improve breath support, which is crucial for sustained vocal performance.
Humming exercises: Humming exercises help in exploring vocal resonance and can contribute to a fuller, more resonant sound.

BEST MOMENTS 

‘I had this like, ping of this feels nice. This feels where I'm supposed to be on the microphone’

‘The huge contrast to the musical theatre world was that nobody was going, your voice is great, but you don't look quite right’

‘I was really intrigued by the idea of spoken voice and the potential that it really has as a performer’

 

EPISODE RESOURCES 

Guest Website:


onthemicbook.com

Social Media:


Instagram: @nicredvoice

Relevant Links & Mentions: 


Central School of Speech and Drama: https://www.cssd.ac.uk/
The Voice Coach Podcast by Nic Redman
The Voice Deck by Nic Redman 
Dane Chalfin: https://danechalfin.com/
Gravy for the Brain: https://www.gravyforthebrain.com/
The Voice Over Network: https://www.thevoiceovernetwork.org/
Voice Over KickStart: https://voiceoverkickstart.com/
The Voice Over Social: https://thevosocial.com/
Vocal Booth to Go: https://www.vocalboothtogo.co.uk/
Microphone: Rode NT1-A
Headphones: Beyerdynamic DT 770

Get Nic’s Free Warm-up HERE: https://nicolaredman.com/freebies/

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ABOUT THE GUEST 

Nic Redman, with nearly 20 years of experience in recording and coaching, specializes in helping individuals feel vocally confident on the microphone. Featured on BBC, Times Radio, The Guardian, Irish Times, and the Metro, Nic offers personalized coaching for voice artists, podcasters, and speakers, counting Sarah Millican and Channel 4 among her clients. She conducts retreats, online courses, and masterclasses, providing on-mic direction for brands like Peloton and Mercedes Petronus. Nic is a sought-after speaker, panelist, and co-creator of the award-winning Voiceover Social Podcast. Her bestselling book, "On The Mic," offers invaluable insights into voice training and recording.

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 educati

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