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.
Learn MoreSorry, 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.
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)
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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.
Thursday 4th June 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Flexible Pedagogy: Teaching Singers with Dynamic Conditions
Joanne Bozeman
Marita Stryker
Is your "flexible" student actually at risk? In recent years, the singing community has seen a vital shift in awareness toward "invisible" conditions like Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD), hEDS, and POTS. While hypermobility can sometimes feel like a "superpower" for range and flexibility, it often comes with a hidden cost: a higher frequency of voice disorders, respiratory challenges, and autonomic fatigue. Join Joanne Bozeman and Marita Stryker as they unpick the the special challenges and management strategies needed...
Wednesday 10th June 2026
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
(London Time)
In Conversation With… Amanda Flynn
Dr Amanda Flynn
Join us for the first event in our new public interview series exploring vocal health and sustainability in musical theatre performance. Free and open to all!