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.
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Tuesday 5th August 2025
1:00 PM - 12:00 PM
Tuesday 12th August 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday 19th August 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday 26th August 2025
1:00 PM - 12:00 PM
Tuesday 2nd September 2025
1:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Tuesday 9th September 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday 16th September 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday 23rd September 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
(London Time)
Certificate in Acting Approaches for Singing Teachers

Louisa Morgan
Are you a singing teacher looking to elevate your students’ performances? Join our very own Louisa Morgan, as she takes a deeper dive into acting approaches that singing teachers can use to integrate powerful acting techniques into singing lessons. This 8 session course is perfect for those who want to help their singers connect deeply with the story behind the song. Gain practical tools and techniques that you can immediately apply in your teaching! Come along live for an interactive experience, or watch on playback at your leisure.


Tuesday 9th September 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Choral Pedagogy and the Older Singer: Strategies for Lifelong Singing!

Dr Brenda Smith
There is intrinsic value in lifelong singing. Singing with others is a noble deed that brings immeasurable satisfaction. Singing together involves teamwork and offers myriad rewards. It can enhance personal well-being, develop skill sets, and promote friendship. At any age, singing improves mental agility and calms an agitated mind. It is an activity everyone can include in daily life anywhere and at any time. Singing should have no expiration date. Lifelong singing should not be a lofty ambition, but rather a way of life. Our interactive workshop will involve choral vocal exercises (warmups and cooldowns) as well as skill building strategies for tone quality and range that are age and size appropriate for older singers.


Thursday 11th September 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
The Tongue as a Gateway to Voice, Resonance, Style and Intelligibility

Dr Angelika Nair
Healthy vocal production depends on a finely tuned, athletic apparatus—a symphony of muscular interaction engaging the respiratory system, the laryngeal mechanism, and the resonance spaces of the pharyngeal, oral, and nasal cavities. Among these, the tongue stands out as one of the most critical yet least understood contributors to voice production. Join Dr Angelika Nair as she unpicks the essential anatomical insights that reveal the tongue’s role in shaping sound, influencing resonance, and impacting style and intelligibility!