Short Courses & Events / Archive

Babies responding to song: Insights from developmental science

Thursday 26th September 2024, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)

Around the world, parents and other family members sing to babies. Song can be an important avenue for cultural transmission, and a functional parenting tool for soothing infants to sleep, engaging them in play, or cheering them up if they are distressed.

In this lecture, Laura will review research exploring why and how parents sing to infants, and how infants respond to song. These studies use mixed methods, including parent questionnaire,  acoustic analyses, physiological recordings, and behavioural analyses. These studies reveal that from very early in life, song can help us regulate our emotions and connect with those around us. These early experiences with our first musical mentors may lay the foundation for a lifetime of musical listening – indeed, parents who sing most frequently to their children also report having been sung to by their own parents in their youth. You will end by discussing the ways that these empirical results can inform early musical programming, perhaps especially for families with reduced support.

🏷️ Price £30 (UK VAT inclusive)
🎥 Recording automatically sent to all who book (even if you cannot attend live)
▶️ Rewatch as many times as you like
📜 Certificate of attendance available

Dr. Laura Cirelli

Dr. Laura Cirelli is an Assistant Professor in the Psychology Department at the University of Toronto Scarborough and the director of the TEMPO lab (timing, entrainment, & music perception).

CPD Course Logo

Attend this course for as little as £22 as part of the Voice Professional Training CPD Award Scheme.

Learn More

Sorry, this is an archived short course...

We have plenty of upcoming short courses coming soon. See details of some of them below or look at the full list of short courses.

MA Voice Pedagogy: Online Information Session & Q&A
Wednesday 12th August 2026
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
(London Time)

MA Voice Pedagogy: Online Information Session & Q&A

Debbie Winter

Considering our MA Voice Pedagogy? Join our Director for a focused online presentation and discussion to explore the course, ask questions, and discover whether postgraduate study at Voice Study Centre is right for you.

Training the Vocal Athlete: Strategies for Efficient Belting in the 21st Century Market!
Thursday 13th August 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)

Training the Vocal Athlete: Strategies for Efficient Belting in the 21st Century Market!

Dr Wendy LeBorgne

In the fast-paced world of contemporary commercial music (CCM) and musical theatre, belting is no longer a niche vocal effect; it is an athletic requirement. This evidence-informed, interactive workshop bridges the gap between vocal science and studio application. Led by voice pathologist and author Dr. Wendy LeBorgne, participants will dissect the physiological, acoustic, and aerodynamic demands of healthy belting. From establishing baseline vocal fitness to navigating the subtle stylistic differences between Broadway and West End aesthetics, this session will provid an actionable blueprint to build powerful, injury-resistant voices.

Musical Theatre Vocal Pedagogy Certificate
Tuesday 18th August 2026
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 25th August 2026
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 1st September 2026
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 8th September 2026
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 15th September 2026
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 22nd September 2026
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
(London Time)

Musical Theatre Vocal Pedagogy Certificate

Kevin Wilson

Join Kevin Wilson for this six-part certificated course, offering an in‑depth, practical exploration of contemporary voice teaching for musical theatre. Across six focused classes, participants develop a systematic approach to vocal technique, diagnosis, and repertoire selection that reflects the stylistic, physical, and emotional demands of the genre. The curriculum integrates vocal science, embodied voice work, registration theory, and stylistic awareness across the five major sub‑genres of musical theatre.