From Assignment to Publication: Chris Harbeson-Borgelt’s Journey
Tuesday 14th April 2026
Voice Study Centre
At Voice Study Centre, we often talk about bridging research and practice, and seeing our students take their work beyond the classroom is always something special.
We’re delighted to share that MA Voice Pedagogy student Chris Harbeson-Borgelt has had an article accepted for publication in the Journal of Singing.
Chris’s article, “Trauma-Informed Voice Pedagogy: Essential for Some, Effective for All”, began as an assignment for the Trauma-Informed Voice Professional certification with Dr Elisa Monti in 2024.
After further development and refinement, the work has now been accepted for inclusion in an upcoming volume of the Journal of Singing (Volume 83), with publication expected in 2027. This is a brilliant example of how academic work completed during VSC courses can evolve into contributions to the wider field.
Alongside this, Chris expanded the same research into a poster presentation titled: “Supporting Every Student: Trauma-Informed Pedagogy in the Music Studio”
This was presented at the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) National Conference in Chicago, Chris’s first national conference.
The presentation broadened the original focus on voice pedagogy to support teachers across a range of instruments and teaching contexts, opening up important conversations around trauma-informed approaches in music education more widely. Reflecting on this journey, Chris highlighted the role of both the MA Voice Pedagogy and the Trauma-Informed Voice Professional certification in supporting this work:
“I’m grateful for the balance of academic rigour and support from VSC, which has been instrumental in growing my confidence as both an author and speaker.”
This balance between research and real-world application is at the heart of what we aim to offer, supporting students not only in their studies, but in developing their voice within the wider professional community.
Chris is now working on several conference proposals for the upcoming academic year, alongside continuing his MA studies.
We’re excited to see where this work leads next. Congratulations, Chris!
Chris Harbeson-Borgelt
Chris Harbeson-Borgelt is a sought-after pianist, vocalist, organist, and teacher in the Greater Louisville area. Recognized for his dynamic playing and strong collaborative skills, he is frequently asked to perform both solo and collaboratively in recitals and concerts.
Recent Posts
Director & Team News
Voice Study Centre Senior Lecturer Louisa Morgan to Present at Theatrical Voice Research Centre Conference
Voice Study Centre
Friday 19th June 2026Voice Study Centre senior lecturer Louisa Morgan will present her paper, Affective Athleticism in the Vocal Athlete: Performing Emotional Roles, at the Theatrical Voice Research Centre Conference at the University of Surrey on 26th June 2026.
Read More...
Blog
Singing as a Triple Threat: An Interview with Christine Descher on Her Newly Published Research
Voice Study Centre
Thursday 18th June 2026Watch our interview with MA Voice Pedagogy student Christine Descher as she discusses her newly published research, Singing as a Triple Threat: Performers' Experiences Across Musical Theatre Disciplines. Discover what inspired the study, the research journey behind it, and how its findings contribute to ongoing conversations around performer training, vocal health and wellbeing in musical theatre.
Read More...
On-Demand
In Conversation with Amanda Flynn: Vocal Health and Sustainability in Musical Theatre
Voice Study Centre
Thursday 11th June 2026Watch the first conversation in the Musical Theatre Research Alliance (MTRA) and Voice Study Centre's In Conversation With series, part of Strand 1: Vocal Health and Sustainability in Musical Theatre. Broadway Vocal Coach Amanda Flynn shares her insights on vocal health, rehearsal strategies, recovery, and sustaining a healthy voice in the demanding world of professional musical theatre.
Read More...