David is a lecturer, researcher, singer, singing teacher and choir director. He is a former choral scholar of King’s College, Cambridge where he studied for a degree in Theology and Religious Studies. David went on to complete postgraduate studies in Solo Classical Vocal Performance at the Royal Northern College of Music, gratefully receiving the support of the D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust. Whilst at the RNCM, David won the ‘Bessie Cronshaw / Frost Brownson Song Cycle Competition’ and gained the ‘Brigitte Fassbaender Award for the Singing of Leider’.
In addition to his work as lecturer for the Voice Study Centre, David is in demand as a musical director, workshop leader and singing teacher in the North-West.
In 2022, David completed a PhD in musicology at the Royal Northern College of Music, researching the intersections of queerness and disability in the operas of Benjamin Britten. David’s studies were supported by an Arts and Humanities Research Council Studentship. David also holds a degree in Natural Sciences from the Open University.
David’s research interests include: critical disability studies, disability and music, 20th-century opera, modernism, choral/group pedagogy.
Upcoming Short Courses
Tuesday 5th May 2026
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday 12th May 2026
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday 19th May 2026
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday 26th May 2026
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday 2nd June 2026
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday 9th June 2026
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
(London Time)
Music Theory Fundamentals for Voice Pedagogues
Dr David Cane
Voice pedagogy has advanced significantly in the last decades in relation to knowledge of the vocal apparatus (anatomy and mechanics), acoustics, and performance psychology (to name just a few subfields) – this is a wonderful thing! Nonetheless, musicianship and the foundations of music theory are still relevant to the teaching and coaching of singers and this course aims to empower voice teachers and coaches with skills to support the fundamental musicianship development of their students.
Past Short Courses
Friday 30th January 2026
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
(London Time)
Neurodivergence and Critical Disability Theory
Dr David Cane
Hosted by our very own Dr David Cane, this two-hour session offers a timely and reflective opportunity to explore disability and neurodivergence within the voice teaching studio. Grounded in the field of critical disability studies, it will be of particular interest to voice professionals who wish to foster a more inclusive, reflexive and accessible practice.
Monday 4th August 2025
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 5th August 2025
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Monday 11th August 2025
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 12th August 2025
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Monday 18th August 2025
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
(London Time)
Disability and Neurodivergence within the Voice Teaching Studio
Dr David Cane
This 5-part course, hosted by our very own David Cane, offers a timely and reflective opportunity to explore disability and neurodivergence within the voice teaching studio. Grounded in the field of critical disability studies, it will be of particular interest to voice professionals who wish to foster a more inclusive, reflexive and accessible practice.
Wednesday 13th August 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
(London Time)
For the Voice Professional - Introduction To Open Source Qualitative and Quantitative Research Tools
Dr David Cane
Joshua Lee-Cummins
Open-source research tools are becoming increasingly vital in today’s landscape, offering accessible, transparent and cost-effective alternatives to proprietary software. For voice professionals such as singers, teachers, therapists and performers, this opens up valuable new ways to engage with research and evidence-informed practice. In this short course, join Joshua Lee-Cummins and Dr David Cane for an introduction to two powerful open-source tools: Taguette for qualitative coding and Jamovi for quantitative analysis. You will also be introduced to essential research concepts such as qualitative and quantitative coding, and gain a foundational understanding of key terms like p-values, validity and reliability.