Short Courses & Events / Archive

Empowered Singing: Gender-Affirming Singing Voice Training

Thursday 20th March 2025, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)

As a vocal instructor, your ability to support your students in exploring and expressing their authentic voices is at the heart of transformative teaching. This comprehensive workshop is designed specifically for singing teachers who want to deepen their understanding of gender-affirming vocal techniques and create a more inclusive, supportive environment for all singers, regardless of gender identity.

Whether you're working with trans, non-binary, or gender-diverse individuals, or simply seeking to enrich your approach to vocal instruction, this course will equip you with the tools to navigate the complexities of gender-affirming singing voice training.

In this course, we will explore the physiological aspects of the singing voice in the context of gender identity. You’ll learn how to tailor vocal exercises to suit a variety of gender expressions, allowing you to address the unique needs of each student while fostering a sense of empowerment and self-expression.

Through this course, you will:

  • Understand the Science of Gender-Affirming Voice: Gain insight into the physiological changes in the voice and the effects of hormone therapy, voice training, and gender-related vocal shifts.
  • Master Tailored Vocal Techniques: Learn specific exercises that can help students navigate their vocal transitions, whether they are aiming to feminize, masculinize, or find a comfortable and authentic middle ground.
  • Create an Inclusive Teaching Environment: Learn how to cultivate an environment that makes all students feel seen, respected, and heard. Explore effective ways to address challenges like gender dysphoria and voice insecurity in a compassionate, non-judgmental way.
  • Develop Gender-Affirming Teaching Strategies: Discover practical strategies for assessing your students' vocal needs, communicating effectively about vocal goals, and adapting your teaching methods to meet those needs without assuming or imposing any specific gender expression.
  • Address Common Misconceptions: Learn how to break down myths around gender and voice, including concerns about vocal damage, and gain clarity on what vocal changes are possible and sustainable.

If you're ready to elevate your teaching practice and make a lasting, positive impact on your students' vocal journeys, this course will provide you with everything you need to start creating a more inclusive and gender-affirming approach to singing voice training.

🏷️ 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

Emerald Lessley

Emerald Lessley, soprano and voice educator, has a strong background in both performance and research, specializing in transgender voice training.

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
Tuesday 13th October 2026
1:00 PM - 2:00 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.

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Tuesday 13th October 2026
2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
(London Time)

Musical Theatre Singing Pedagogy: A Framework for Teaching Musical Theatre Singers!

Amanda Flynn

Join Amanda Flynn for this extended 2.5 hour session on the the pedagogy of teaching musical theatre singing. She will begin by exploring the flexibility needed for musical theatre singing through definitions, listening exercises, and some historical context.

Thinking Outside the Voice Box: Adolescent Female Voice Change
Wednesday 14th October 2026
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
(London Time)

Thinking Outside the Voice Box: Adolescent Female Voice Change

Dr Bridget Sweet-Manternach

Join Dr Bridget Sweet for this 2 hour session as she unpacks this fascinating topic. The purpose of this course is to bring attention to adolescents who experience an estrogen-dominant voice change and to encourage new and holistic ways of thinking about [assigned at birth] female voices. While considering physical changes during adolescence, we will unpack basic vocal anatomy and physiology and then discuss what happens to the vocal mechanism during voice change for females vs. [assigned at birth] males.