Short Courses & Events / Archive

Demystifying Research Methodology (6-session course)

Tuesday 21st November 2023, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM (London Time)

Course Overview

Delivered by our very own Sophie Scott, this six-session course provides an overview of qualitative research methods, and it is designed with voice practitioners in mind. It will examine the philosophical background to research; demystifying terms such as Ontology, Epistemology and Axiology. Our view of reality influences the choices we make when designing our research. What we consider to be true reality (ontology) and valuable knowledge (epistemology) shapes the way in which we approach our research. This influences our choice of methods and how we present our data. We view our research through the lens of a paradigm and the philosophical principles behind this enable us to see our research through multiple lenses, from multiple perspectives. This provides depth and exciting possibilities, moving forward. We will examine two methodologies to give depth to the research design before drilling down into the nuts-and-bolts methods. We will also cover the often-neglected component of data presentation and coding.

Course Structure

All sessions will take place between 1:00pm – 2:30pm (UK time)

  1. 16th November [Philosophical Background to research]
  2. 21st November [Two Main Methodologies and Research Design]
  3. 23rd November [Research Methods in Research Design #1What to do focus]
  4. 30th November [Research Methods in Research Design #2Presenting the data focus]
  5. 7th December [Ethics and Insider Research]
  6. 14th December [Critical Reflection & Analysis and Summary]

Full course dates and times:

Thursday 16th November 2023, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM (UK time)
Tuesday 21st November 2023, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM (UK time)
Thursday 23rd November 2023, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM (UK time)
Thursday 30th November 2023, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM (UK time)
Thursday 7th December 2023, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM (UK time)
Thursday 14th December 2023, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM (UK time)

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.

Creative Articulation
Thursday 30th October 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)

Creative Articulation

Annie Morrison

Most of us have little idea of HOW we speak, or what to do to make speech more muscular. Join Annie Morrison (creator of the 'Morrison Bone Prop') for this two hour session on Creative Articulation, a holistic and haptic approach to the touchings and feelings of the articulators in the dance of speech. Seeing articulation as a purely mechanical skill is detrimental to an actor's process: it is crucial to understand what language is doing on a biological level.

The Belt Voice in R&B/Soul Singing: Vocal Characteristics & Physiology
Tuesday 4th November 2025
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
(London Time)

The Belt Voice in R&B/Soul Singing: Vocal Characteristics & Physiology

Dr Matt Allen

The belt’s got soul! This course offers a deep dive into the vocal artistry and biomechanics of R&B/soul singing, with a particular focus on the belt voice—a powerful and expressive vocal technique central to the genre. Drawing from over 80 years of stylistic evolution, the course explores how R&B/soul singing has shaped contemporary commercial music and investigates the unique vocal traits that define its sound.

The Science of Sound: Optimizing Vocal Acoustics for Contemporary Styles!
Tuesday 4th November 2025
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
(London Time)

The Science of Sound: Optimizing Vocal Acoustics for Contemporary Styles!

Dr Ana Flavia Zuim

This course explores the scientific principles underpinning vocal production, acoustics, and the care of the singing voice, drawing from both foundational texts and contemporary research. Students will engage deeply with concepts from Titze’s Principles of Voice Production and Bozeman’s Practical Vocal Acoustics, including the nature of sound, pressure waveforms, harmonics, formants, and the spectral envelope. Emphasis is placed on understanding both linear and non-linear source-filter models, highlighting how the glottis produces sound and how the vocal tract selectively reinforces harmonics to enhance vocal power, timbre, and efficiency.