2024 Graduates Collaborate at ISME Conference in Finland
Friday 16th August 2024
Voice Study Centre
We were delighted to hear that 2024 graduates Heather Baker, Samyukta Ranganathan, Emily Bender, and Jenna Brown, recently presented their research at the ISME (International Society for Music Education) conference in Helsinki, Finland. They each presented individually on their own topics and also conducted a group seminar discussing the different (non-linear) research methodologies they used in their voice research projects.
It’s wonderful to see our alumni’s ongoing contributions to the field of voice education!
Samyukta Ranganathan
Samyukta is an award-winning singer of Indian Classical Music (ICM) with an active teaching and performance career in New York City.
Emily Bender
Emily Bender is a community-based voice teacher, singer and choral director based in the San Francisco Bay Area who works with diverse students of all ages in lessons, classes, and choirs.
Jenna Brown
Jenna Brown is a mezzo-soprano performing as a soloist in concert and recital, as well as in choirs. She teaches singers of all ages 1:1 and in groups, working as teacher, vocal coach and conductor.
Heather Baker
Heather Baker is a Contemporary Voice Teacher based in the North of England and a Founding Director of the Institute for Vocal Advancement (IVA), delivering global training to voice teachers.
Recent Posts
Student Interviews
Could a Harmonica Have a Place in the Voice Studio?
Voice Study Centre
Tuesday 8th September 2026What does a harmonica have to do with the human voice? For harmonica performer and music educator Shima Melvin, this question became the starting point for her postgraduate research with the Voice Study Centre. While developing her approach to teaching harmonica, Shima found herself struggling to explain exactly what was happening inside the instrument when she played. The mechanics of the harmonica were, in a sense, invisible.
Read More...
After The Session
After the Session: Common Medical Diagnoses and Treatments in Voice Patients
Voice Study Centre
Friday 4th September 2026Voice care extends far beyond opera stars! A voice professional includes anyone whose livelihood depends on an effective and pleasing voice - teachers, solicitors, sports coaches, secretaries, and sales personnel. Yesterday, we welcomed back Dr. Robert Sataloff MD, DMA, FACS, for a short course into the diagnosis, medical care, and surgical management of voice patients. Robert is the Director of Otolaryngology at the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Voice, professional singer, and a conductor.. Read on for the key insights and takeaways every vocal professional, pedagogue, and performer should know!
Read More...
After The Session
After the Session: Acoustic Physics, Resonance and the Vocal Tract!
Voice Study Centre
Thursday 27th August 2026Last night, the Voice Study Centre had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Brad Story (University of Arizona) for a fascinating short course entitled "The Vocal Tract and Singing: A Research Overview". Drawing from his unique background in physics, mathematics, and computational acoustics - including early engineering work on vehicle exhaust systems(!) - Dr. Story provided a deep dive on how the geometry of the human vocal tract shapes source sound into voice, speech, and song. Read on to find our what we learned!
Read More...