Exploring the Fullness of Singing and Teaching Experiences Using Indigenist Research Paradigms
Thursday 12th September 2024, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)
Singing is, by its very nature, a complex activity involving physical, emotional, musical, relational, and cultural aspects. Many Western research paradigms, however, limit their engagement to one aspect at a time. Indigenist research paradigms ask researchers to consider multiple layers of relationality within a research process and honour the complex lived experience of co-researchers to better understand the fullness of experience of teaching, singing and researching. Based on the work of Indigenous scholars such as Shawn Wilson and Michelle Pidgeon, I developed a research approach relevant to voice pedagogy research that reflected the principles of an Indigenist relational paradigm: Respect, Relevance, Reciprocity and Responsibility.
This presentation will discuss the principles of Indigenist research paradigms, my experience of using them in my own voice pedagogy research, and the power of using a wholistic, relational paradigm to build understanding of music, singing and teaching. In addition, we will discuss the challenges faced by researchers in carrying out and presenting this research in an academic context.
Emily Bender
Emily Bender is a community-based voice teacher, singer and choral director based in the San Francisco Bay Area who works with diverse students of all ages in lessons, classes, and choirs.
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)
Music Theory Fundamentals for Voice Pedagogues
Dr David Cane
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.
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!
Friday 12th June 2026
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
(London Time)
Learning together: group singing and choral pedagogy
Dr David Cane
The benefits of group singing are well documented and well known. Singing together can foster a sense of social connection and community as well enhancing wellbeing and mood. However, group singing is not only a shared cultural and artistic experience, but can also be a powerful site of learning. While many of the developments in voice pedagogy have tended to centre around the one-to-one model of teaching, this course with Dr David Cane explores the pedagogical (and potentially the political) potential of teaching and learning to sing collectively.