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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This course is designed to break down the fundamentals of acoustics for both spoken and sung voice in a beginner-friendly, accessible way — so you can easily understand and apply these concepts to your teaching or research.


Monday 13th October 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
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Tuesday 14th October 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
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Amanda Flynn
This class will look at the pedagogy of teaching musical theatre singing. We will begin by exploring the flexibility needed for musical theatre singing through definitions, listening exercises, and some historical context.