Demystifying and Utilizing Nasal Resonance in the Voice Studio
Wednesday 12th November 2025, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)
Nasal resonance, achieved by lowering the soft palate and allowing sound energy to resonate through the nasal passages, has recently gained attention for its potential benefits to singers. Research by Sundberg suggests that incorporating nasal resonance can improve vocal efficiency and offers more effective mitigation of voice breaks than traditional semi-occluded vocal tract exercises like straw phonation.
Despite common misconceptions, the voice quality often labeled “nasal” by the general public typically refers to a bright, twangy sound unrelated to true nasal resonance or velum lowering. For voice professionals, it is essential to distinguish between these separate acoustic phenomena, even when they are used together artistically. Lowering the soft palate also lowers all formant frequencies, making this technique a powerful strategy for relieving vocal pressure in high-intensity tasks such as belting or pressed phonation.
This presentation explores the science and practical application of nasal resonance, taking participants through a step-by-step process of identification and utilization of nasal resonance in singing and speech. Participants will leave with a clear understanding of when, why, and how to use it effectively in vocal performance and pedagogy.
Dr Melissa Treinkman
Melissa Treinkman, DMA, is an assistant professor of musical theatre vocal performance at the University of Southern California, where she teaches applied voice and vocal pedagogy.
Attend this course for as little as £22 as part of the Voice Professional Training CPD Award Scheme.
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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.
Tuesday 4th November 2025
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday 11th November 2025
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday 18th November 2025
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday 25th November 2025
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday 2nd December 2025
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
(London Time)
Introduction to Postgraduate Academic Skills - Join Live!
Debbie Winter
Are you ready to elevate your academic journey? Hosted by our very own Debbie Winter, join our comprehensive Introduction to Academic Skills course, designed to equip you with essential tools and strategies for success in higher education. Perfect for bridging the gap between undergraduate and postgraduate study, this course offers a pathway to our full MA for students without an existing degree. We offer both live, interactive sessions and standalone, pre-recorded content.
Tuesday 18th November 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Seeing Sound: An Acoustic Approach to Voice for Actors!
Professor Kathryn Cunningham
Dr Sri Nandamudi
In this short course, Professors Kathryn Cunningham and Srihimaja Nandamudi (CCC-SLP) will introduce accessible ways to integrate acoustic voice analysis into actor voice training. Expanding on their article for Voice and Speech Review, Cunningham and Nandamudi will demonstrate interactive strategies that crossover from the clinical realm to the acting studio.
Thursday 20th November 2025
5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
(London Time)
The Art and Science of Accents and Dialects: Bridging Linguistics and Dialect Coaching
Louisa Morgan
The Voice Study Centre in partnership with the University of Essex are delighted to be hosting a free-to-attend symposium event on the 20th of November 2025: The Art and Science of Accents and Dialects: Bridging Linguistics and Dialect Coaching. The session will include a two-hour online roundtable panel discussion including time for a 30-minute Q&A from the audience at the end.