Emotion and Performing Accents and Dialects: why does Emotion Get in the Way?
Wednesday 16th July 2025, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (London Time)
At points of heightened emotion, it is common for actors working in an accent to default to their natural speech. This can even lead to pressured decisions by directors about whether or not to include accent work in their productions. As coaches, we want performers to be acting the scene and not worrying about holding on to the accent. How do we help performers to avoid this issue and provide them and their directors with the confidence they need regardless of the emotional demands of the piece? What can we learn from research in vocal expression of emotion to help actors to embody the emotion and keep control of their voice and accent? Louisa will guide participants through the latest research and offer practical suggestions for working with performers needing to navigate this challenge.
Louisa Morgan is a lecturer, voice teacher and researcher, with a special focus on Acting Through Song. Louisa lectures with Voice Study Centre (spoken voice lead) and teaches Musical Theatre students on the MA/MFA course at the Guildford School of Acting (GSA). Previously, Louisa taught technical singing at Italia Conti, and she was also a spoken and singing voice coach for the Acting students at the Cygnet Training Theatre. Louisa also taught privately for fifteen years as a voice, singing, and audition coach. Louisa has an MA in Vocal Pedagogy and is currently a PhD researcher at GSA through the University of Surrey, focusing on emotion research in Acting Through Song. She also holds a three-year diploma in Acting with Directing and a BA in English Literature. She is a Vocal Process accredited teacher, mentored by Dr Gillyanne Kayes and Jeremy Fisher and has been the editor for AOTOS (the Association of Teachers of Singing) since 2023. Louisa recently presented on ‘A text-based Approach to Acting Through Song’ at PEVoC (the Pan European Voice Conference) in Santander, funded as a recipient of the VASTA (Voice and Speech Trainers Association) interdisciplinary engagement grant.
Louisa Morgan
Louisa Morgan is a lecturer, voice teacher and researcher, with a special focus on spoken and sung emotion. Louisa lectures with Voice Study Centre (spoken voice lead) and teaches Musical Theatre students on the MA/MFA course at the Guildford School of Acting (GSA).
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 25th November 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
(London Time)
Singing In Regional Accents: Introducing a Strategy!
Jennifer Rhodes
Do you find your students lean towards a particular accent when they sing? Is there a discrepancy between their spoken and sung accent, or have they have been instructed to change their accent when they sing? Changing an accent can change the way a song is sung, and may unearth unforeseen technical vocal challenges. Join Jennifer Rhodes as she unpicks the latest research on this topic!
Wednesday 26th November 2025
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
(London Time)
Voice Study Centre Online Symposium 2025
Join us for our very first online symposium, dedicated to bridging the gap between artistic training and athletic conditioning for performers! Bridging the gap between artistic training and athletic conditioning, a diverse group of speakers and researchers will be delivering presentations and papers, focusing on promoting longevity and health of musical theatre performers. This symposium aims to elevate awareness surrounding the unique demands of performers, define best practices for training and care, and bridge the gap between different disciplines.
Tuesday 2nd December 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
(London Time)
Vocal Health, Well-being and Hindustani Classical Music
Dr Sunny Sandhu
Join Dr Sunny Sandhu for a 2-hour course that introduces participants to the ancient practice of kharaj exercises in the Dhrupad tradition, focusing on the deep and resonant lower octave of the voice. Through guided breathing, slow tonal exploration, and sustained notes, students will learn techniques that strengthen the vocal cords, expand range, and develop clarity and stability in sound production!