Dr. Ana Flavia Zuim is a voice scientist and musical director whose research in vocal dosimetry has earned recognition from CBS and awards including the Van L. Lawrence Fellowship and the NYU Steinhardt Fellowship. With experience directing and performing in over 70 musical theater productions, she has been recognized for her work as a pianist, conductor, and musical director.
Her research bridges the art and science of voice, informing both performance practice and clinical applications. This expertise has also made her a sought-after expert witness in forensic voice analysis. Dr. Zuim has shared her knowledge internationally, leading seminars and workshops in countries including Japan, Taiwan, Brazil, Turkey, Greece, Canada, Australia, Thailand, Italy, and Scotland.
From 2016 to 2022, Dr. Zuim served as Director of Vocal Performance at NYU Steinhardt, and in 2022 she was promoted to Associate Music Professor. Previously, she was Director of Contemporary Voice at the Frost School of Music and held a secondary appointment as Lecturer in Otolaryngology at the University of Miami.
Her performance credits include work on productions such as Hamilton (Rehearsal Pianist/Vocal Coach) and Billy Elliot (Musical Director/Pianist). Through her teaching, research, and performance, Dr. Zuim strives to help individuals discover their authentic voice, build confidence, and communicate more deeply. She believes in the transformative power of sound and music to inspire, connect, and create change.
Outside of her professional work, Dr. Zuim enjoys playing electric bass, having toured with Brazilian bands and performed in U.S. productions. She also explores golf courses and enjoys spending time outdoors.
Upcoming Short Courses
Tuesday 21st April 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Understanding the How and Why of Vocal Dosimetry in Musical Theatre and Contemporary Singing
Dr Ana Flavia Zuim
Vocal dosimetry has emerged as an important tool for understanding the physiological demands placed on singers in contemporary musical theatre and commercial singing styles. Join Ana Flavia Zuim as she explores the principles behind vocal dosimetry and how objective measurements of vocal use such as time dose, cycle dose, distance dose, and sound pressure level can help quantify the vocal load experienced by performers during rehearsals and performances.
Past Short Courses
Tuesday 4th November 2025
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
(London Time)
The Science of Sound: Optimizing Vocal Acoustics for Contemporary Styles!
Dr Ana Flavia Zuim
This course explores the scientific principles underpinning vocal production, acoustics, and the care of the singing voice, drawing from both foundational texts and contemporary research. Students will engage deeply with concepts from Titze’s Principles of Voice Production and Bozeman’s Practical Vocal Acoustics, including the nature of sound, pressure waveforms, harmonics, formants, and the spectral envelope. Emphasis is placed on understanding both linear and non-linear source-filter models, highlighting how the glottis produces sound and how the vocal tract selectively reinforces harmonics to enhance vocal power, timbre, and efficiency.