Singing Teachers Talk BAST Training

Dr. Molly Gebrian joins Alexa on the Singing Teachers Talk podcast for the first of a two parter to discuss the neuroscience of learning and its application to teaching and practising. The conversation covers brain organisation, neural pathways, myelin, learning processes, the impact of age on learning, and the importance of understanding brain science for both teachers and students.

KEY TAKEAWAYS


The brain's learning process is influenced by developmental factors like puberty and ageing. Children's brains are highly adaptable, efficiently absorbing information due to neurochemical changes that support rapid learning. As they age, myelination reinforces neural pathways, enhancing communication. In contrast, ageing adults need focused attention to learn, influenced by interests, commitment, and sustained focus. Developmental changes and age-related neurochemical differences impact the brain's learning ability.
The dismantling of unused brain pathways is complex, with the exact timeframe unknown and varying by individual factors. The brain recognizes and eliminates non-myelinated, unused pathways, but the duration depends on disuse extent, overall brain function, and other physiological and environmental factors. Brain efficiency and adaptability significantly influence this process.
Natural flair or ability has a physiological basis influenced by genetics and brain wiring, but it’s not solely determined by physiology. Factors like womb development, brain variability, personal interests, commitment, and sustained focus also play roles. Thus, while physiology contributes, natural ability is shaped by a combination of genetics, brain development, and individual interests.
Tips for singing teachers include understanding the neuroscience of learning to assist students better, emphasising focused attention and age impacts. Encouraging positive self-talk, tailor practice methods with games for kids, and stress the importance of breaks for brain reconstruction. Managing frustration with realistic expectations and fostering interest and commitment to enhance motivation and persistence.

BEST MOMENTS 

"It just shows that we’re all different, that you can do anything you want."

"The brain is always working as one”

"There are physical changes that have to happen in the brain when we're learning."

"As adults, we need to have focused attention in order to be able to learn."

 

EPISODE RESOURCES

Guest Website:


www.mollygebrian.com

Social Media:


Dr. Molly Gebrian - YouTube

Relevant Links & Mentions: 


The work of Hermann Ebbinghaus
BBC CrowdScience: Why is Learning Stuff Harder as You Get Older? https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct1pqb
Neuroscience for Teachers by Richard Churches, Eleanor Dommett & Ian Devonshire

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ABOUT THE GUEST 

Dr. Molly Gebrian is a professional violist and scholar with a background in cognitive neuroscience. Her area of expertise is applying the research on learning and memory to practicing and performing music. She also investigates the intersections between music and language. As a performer, she prioritizes the works of living composers and those who have traditionally been excluded from the culture of classical music. She holds degrees in both music and neuroscience from Oberlin College and Conservatory, New England Conservatory of Music, and Rice University. Previously, she was the viola professor at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and the University of Arizona. After a decade of teaching viola at the collegiate level, she will join the faculty at New England Conservatory of Music in Fall 2024 to teach courses on the science of practicing.

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

Folk singer and teacher, Anna Tabbush joins Alexa to share insights into the world of folk music, its historical context, lyrical content, vocal techniques, and teaching methods. The pair discuss the origins of folk music, its storytelling function, and the distinction between folk and pop music. Anna also explores vocal qualities, rhythmic elements, and the influence of folk music on other genres. She provides valuable advice for singers and teachers, emphasising the importance of authentic storytelling and vocal health.

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS


Anna describes folk music as a universal phenomenon present in every culture, serving to communicate stories, feelings, and celebrations, and to encourage dancing. It often includes work songs, like sea shanties. In England and the British Isles, folk music has a rich storytelling history. Anna notes that folk songs frequently address timeless, relatable themes, such as a mother's frustration in "Bonnie at Mourn."
Folk songs differ from pop songs based on structure, rhythm, melody, instrumentation, vocal quality, lyrical content, and rhythmic flexibility. Folk songs typically have simpler forms and focus on storytelling with vocals that can be sung a cappella. They use treble-heavy instruments like fiddles and accordions. Pop songs have more complex structures, catchier melodies, broader instrumentation, and grounded rhythms. Folk music emphasises natural speech patterns and deep narratives.
Anna advises singers to approach folk music authentically by focusing on key aspects: Relaxation and Authenticity, where singers relax the body and find their unique voice by letting go of tension; Connection to the Story, immersing in the song’s narrative to convey it effectively; Vocal Health and Technique, understanding vocal health for safe, comfortable singing; Community and Practice, joining choirs or open mics to build confidence and explore styles; Exploration and Imitation, learning from other singers for inspiration; Dynamic Range and Expression, choosing songs that suit one's voice and using dynamics to maintain interest; and Movement and Expression, using gestures and movement to stay relaxed and tell the story.

 

BEST MOMENTS

"Folk music is rooted in storytelling and serves as a means of communication, celebration, and social change."

"Authentic folk singing involves relaxed vocal techniques, storytelling through song delivery, and a focus on the song rather than the singer."

"Teaching folk music requires an understanding of vocal health, relaxation, and the importance of finding one's authentic voice."

 

EPISODE RESOURCES

Guest Website:


annatabbush.com
singfest.org.uk
guildfordvox.org.uk
horsellsings.org.uk

 

Social Media:


@anna_tabbush

 

Relevant Links & Mentions:


Artists/songs/shows mentioned: Ben & Dom; Jackie Oates; Carolyn Robson; Sandy Denny; Phoebe Bridgers; Joni Mitchell; Bob Dylan; Taylor Swift; Sea shanties; What Should We Do With a Drunken Sailor; Bonny at Morn; Harbour; Hadestown; Once the Musical
Singing for Musicals by Millie Taylor
Chris Johnson Vocal Coach: Chris Johnson Vocal Coach
Teach Voice: Teach Voice

 

 

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ABOUT THE GUEST

 

Anna Tabbush is a composer, choir conductor, singer, and multi-instrumentalist based in West Sussex, renowned for her socially conscious songwriting. Her 2020 song "Harbour" supports refugees and has been sung worldwide. Active on the folk scene for over twenty years, Anna performs as a singer-songwriter and with the a cappella quartet Oaken. She teaches singing techniques that relax the body and highlight individual voices, empowering everyone to sing to their full potential.

 

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 B

Rose Kimberly and Claire Williamson join Alexa to discuss the South West Voice Hub, a network they created to connect voice practitioners and singers in the South West of the UK. The hub aims to provide a local network for all things voice-related, including referrals, training, and support. They discuss the challenges of finding voice professionals in the South West and the importance of building a community in the region. The hub offers different membership tiers for practitioners, singers, and students, with benefits including access to forums, discounts on CPD events, and a profile on the website. They also mention their upcoming launch event, which will feature workshops and networking opportunities.

KEY TAKEAWAYS


The South West Voice Hub is an initiative by Rose and Claire to establish a network for voice professionals in the South West region of the UK. It aims to connect various practitioners such as vocal coaches, speech and language therapists, and performers.
The hub provides support and resources for professional development, including bi-monthly online forums and in-person seminars for continuing professional development (CPD).
The network addresses voice-related issues and promotes local talent, aiming to make specialised voice services more accessible and affordable within the South West region.
The hub offers different membership tiers for practitioners, singers, and students, with benefits such as access to forums, discounts on CPD events, and a profile on the members' section of the website.
The hub's launch event in Exeter will feature a laryngeal massage workshop and a vocal triage session for singers. The network plans to be responsive to the needs of its members, offering events and training that reflect the interests and demands of the local voice community

BEST MOMENTS 

"We want to make voice services more accessible and affordable, reducing the need to travel to larger cities."

"It's important to work holistically with people, and having a network of professionals is crucial."

"We're aiming to support and educate the local voice community, making it stronger and more connected."

 

EPISODE RESOURCES

Guest Website:


https://www.southwestvoicehub.com/

Social Media:


Instagram: @southwestvoicehub
Contact Claire & Rose directly: southwestvoicehub@gmail.com

Relevant Links & Mentions: 


Stephen King: https://voicecarecentre.co.uk/stephen-king/
(Singing Teachers Talk Podcast) Ep.90 Help! I’ve Got a Voice Problem with Lydia Hart and Stephen King
Exeter Phoenix Centre: https://exeterphoenix.org.uk/

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ABOUT THE GUEST 

Rose Kimberley is a Vocal Coach/Singing Teacher based in South Devon, where she runs The Vocal Studio Devon. Trained in 2012 with BAST, she has enhanced her skills through various CPD courses, including VHE's Vocal Health First Aid. A professional singer and solo artist, Rose combines industry knowledge with a passion for helping others develop and care for their voices. She also teaches music, artist development, and songwriting for the Barbican Theatre in Plymouth.

Claire Williamson trained as a singer at LIPA and worked professionally as a singer and actress before becoming a Speech and Language Therapist at UCL. She has extensive NHS experience with children’s speech, language, and communication needs, and now works in private practice with both adults and children with voice disorders. Claire specialises in client-centred, evidence-based treatment of voice difficulties, with a special interest in helping professional voice users.

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

Vocal Labs director Elle Holiday joins Alexa this week all the way from Adelaide in South Australia. Elle is a voice-specialising speech pathologist and singing teacher whose methodology is customised and based on evidence, focusing on retraining vocal techniques, enhancing performance stamina, and fostering confidence. Elle offers services in voice care, voice training, rehabilitation, and massage therapy. Elle is here to discuss training the speaking voice versus training the singing voice.

KEY TAKEAWAYS


As a singing teacher, Elle listens for signs of strain, roughness, breathiness, strength/loudness, breathing patterns, and onset/offset when assessing a student's speaking voice at the start of a lesson. These observations provide crucial insights into their overall vocal status.
If a student experiences vocal trouble, Elle recommends gentle rehabilitative exercises, avoiding high-intensity belting, and singing repertoire in a lower range. If issues persist for more than two weeks, she advises seeing a medical professional for further assessment.
Singing teachers should not diagnose students but can recommend seeing an ENT and speech pathologist if they hear vocal anomalies. Teachers can help students sing safely until a formal medical assessment is conducted, ensuring students' vocal health.
In vocal rehabilitation, intensive therapy typically spans about 12 weeks from diagnosis to discharge. Elle works intensively with students for the first four weeks, then helps generalise the techniques into daily life. Success largely depends on the patient's commitment.
Key differences in vocal therapy for speaking versus singing include the emotional component in singing and the need to unlearn singing habits for the speaking voice. Safety and identity considerations are also more prominent in speaking voice work, highlighting its unique challenges.

BEST MOMENTS 

"Singers with vocal injuries, who have rehabilitated from vocal injuries, are the people we should be seeking out the most for information on the voice."

"If you were a football player and you do your ACL on the field, no one says you have horrendous football playing technique."

"Safety is a huge thing in the trans community."

 

EPISODE RESOURCES

Guest Website:

https://vocalab.com.au/

Social Media:

Instagram: @vocalabau

Elle’s Advanced Vocal Technique Workshop: https://avt.vocalab.com.au/

Relevant Links & Mentions: 


(Singing Teachers Talk Podcast) Ep 75 - Vocal Rehabilitation for Singers with Dr Jenevora Williams 
Vocal Health Education: https://www.vocalhealth.co.uk/
Voice Care Centre: https://voicecarecentre.co.uk/ 
The work of Sarah Brown: https://www.sarahkbrownvoice.com/ & @vocalhealthskb
The work of Andrea Fleming (Performance Anxiety) 

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ABOUT THE GUEST 

Elle Holiday, based in Adelaide, South Australia, is a voice-specialising speech pathologist and singing teacher. As the director of VocaLab, she provides voice care and training, including vocal rehabilitation, specialised training for transgender clients and professional vocalists, and massage therapy for muscle tension dysphonia. Elle’s evidence-based methodology focuses on retraining vocal techniques, enhancing performance stamina, and fostering confidence. Through her Instagram @VocaLabAU, she offers free, accessible voice education.

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 week's episode Chartered Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Lydia Stone, joins Alexa Terry to discuss the topic of trauma. Lydia specialises in working with fostered and adopted children and families, she also runs a choir and is currently on the BAST Training Level 5 qualification course. Lydia explains the potential impacts of trauma on the singer, and helps us understand how we can conduct more trauma-informed singing lessons. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS


When conducting trauma-informed singing lessons, it's essential to approach each session with empathy and sensitivity towards the experiences of the singers. While it's important to acknowledge the potential presence of trauma, it's equally crucial not to assume or pry beyond professional boundaries.
Using recording and analysis tools during lessons can provide valuable feedback without overwhelming the singer or detracting from the session's focus. Concentrating on physical cues, such as mouth movements, can enhance communication and instruction.
Familiar exercises like scales aid vocal technique. Gradually introduce minor scales for challenge. Connecting major and minor patterns enhances musical understanding. Encourage musical literacy and instrumental skills for independence.
Positive reinforcement fosters confidence and growth while avoiding criticism preserves the singer's emotional well-being. Patience is key, allowing singers to progress at their own pace and respecting their boundaries.
It's crucial to have resources available if singers require further support outside of the lesson. This could include referrals to counselling or other mental health services. By offering a holistic approach to singing education, teachers can empower their students not only as musicians but also as individuals capable of overcoming challenges and reaching their full potential.

 

BEST MOMENTS

"Trauma responses impact muscle tension and vocal control"

"Accept and empathise but maintain professional boundaries"

"Self-care helps teachers support singers' mental health"

EPISODE RESOURCES

 


The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
Singing Teachers Talk Podcast Ep.147 TV Vocal Coach: Behind the Scenes on ITV’s Mamma Mia with Claire Delaney ]Dr Shannon Coates: Dr Shannon Coates
Singing Teachers Talk: Eps. 155 & 156 - Building Neurodiversity-Inclusive Voice Studios with Dr Shannon Coates
PACE: Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy
Vocal Health Education: Vocal Health Education
The work of Petra Raspel Borzynski
NSPCC: nspcc.org.uk
UK Trauma Council: UK Trauma Council
Beacon House: Resources
Attach Team (Oxfordshire): The ATTACH team | Oxfordshire County Council

 

Contact Dr Lydia Stone directly: drlydiastone@gmail.com

 

BAST Book A Call

 

ABOUT THE GUEST

 

Dr Lydia Stone is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist, who started her career with a choral scholarship at Cambridge University before completing her doctorate at Surrey University. Having an interest in trauma from an early stage, her professional work has taken her from London and the south of England as far afield as Tanzania and Bangladesh. She now specialises in work with fostered and adopted children and families in Oxford. This includes using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy and Video Interaction Guidance.

Throughout this time, she has continued her interest in singing, eventually finding her musical and spiritual home in Gospel music; and she was a long-time member of Soul Sanctuary Gospel Choir (www.soulsanctuarygospel.com). Leaving that role to focus on family life, she now directs Tyndale Community Gospel Choir (www.tyndalegospel.fun) as well as choral groups at a local primary school. In the midst of this, she somehow squeezes in studying for the BAST 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 y

Kaya Herstad-Carney returns to the podcast but this time she’s brought her Mary Poppins bag of tricks. Join Alexa and Kaya as they discuss the gadgets and props you can use as a singing teacher, the benefits they have to the student's voice and learning, and how best to utilise them in your singing lessons.

KEY TAKEAWAYS


Using props in singing training provides a kinesthetic experience, prompting students to consider technique and form habits that feel innate. Physical engagement aids memory recall, reinforcing learning through tactile stimuli. This approach enhances understanding and skill development in vocal performance, it’s also more fun. 
Balls aid singing teaching by enhancing breath control and support through exercises like tossing or squeezing. They engage students physically and mentally, adding a playful distraction that fosters focus and skill development.
Straw warm-ups, blowing air through a straw into water or the air, enhance singing by focusing airflow and promoting proper breath support. They gently prepare the voice, reducing strain, improving resonance, and enhancing vocal control for better performance.
Ask the singing student how using props like a TheraBand feels: does it improve, worsen, or maintain their vocal control and support? Assessing their experience helps tailor exercises for optimal vocal development.

BEST MOMENTS 

"Because of its expandable nature, I like to use this with singers who feel constriction in the throat”

“I love my singing straw”

“The important thing is that you know the research and why”

EPISODE RESOURCES

Guest Website:


kayamusic.com

Social Media:


Handle: @kayamusic

Relevant Links & Mentions: 


Vocology in Practice: https://www.vocologyinpractice.org/
(Youtube) Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@SingingTeachersTalk
Dr Shannon Coates: https://drshannoncoates.com/
(Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Eps. 155 & 156 - Building Neurodiversity-Inclusive Voice Studios with Dr Shannon Coates (Parts One & Two)
Mindy Pack: https://www.mindypack.com/
Dana Lentini: https://www.born2singkids.com/
(Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.77 - How to Teach Singing to Children with Dana Lentini 
Singing and Teaching Singing - A Holistic Approach to Classical Voice by Janice L. Chapman
Estill Voice Training System: https://estillvoice.com/
Voce Vista: https://www.vocevista.com/
Matrix VocalizeU Spectogram: https://matrix.vocalizeu.com/spectrodev/
Heidi Moss: https://www.heidimosserickson.com/
Actions - The Actor’s Thesaurus by Marina Caldarone & Maggie Lloyd-Williams 
Amelia Carr: https://www.ameliacarrvoice.com/
(Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.50 - Managing ‘Pushy Parents’ and Teaching ‘Legit’ with Amelia Carr
The Morrison Bone Prop: https://www.themorrisonboneprop.com/
The work of Ken Bozeman: http://www.kenbozeman.com/
(Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.146 How to Understand and Apply Vocal Acoustic Pedagogy with Ken Bozeman
The work of Ian Howell
(Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.145 Style Vs Technique with Kaya Herstad-Carney

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ABOUT THE GUEST 

Kaya, a Norwegian artist based in the UK since '99, excels in original music, vocal coaching, and artist development. Her career includes performances on The Royal Variety Show and the BBC Songwriting Showcase. Passionate about mentoring, directing festivals, and teaching, she serves as a board member for Vocology in Practice, training singing teachers globally. Specialising in singing, songwriting, and artist development at Waterbear and esteemed institutions.

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