From Broadway to the West End: Teaching Musical Theatre in a Modern Era
Tuesday 21st January 2025, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)
As the world of musical theatre evolves, voice professionals face the unique challenge of preparing singers for an industry that demands not only vocal excellence but also stylistic versatility and resilience. In this engaging two-hour workshop, Melanie Tapson - a professional performer, interdisciplinary voice specialist and clinical voice therapist - focuses on equipping voice educators with practical tools to help their students thrive at every stage of their career, all the way to Broadway, the West End, and beyond.
Through a voice-centred lens, this workshop will explore:
- the essential vocal techniques shaping contemporary musical theatre, from belting and pop/rock mixing to strategies for vocal conditioning (and re-conditioning, too)
- current trends in vocal styles and sound preferences across genres, and what they reveal about industry shifts
- practical approaches for bridging the gap between classical and contemporary musical theatre training, helping singers build versatility with a priority focus on vocal health
Melanie will blend practical pedagogy with voice science, sharing research-backed insights into anatomy, physiology, and acoustics. You’ll discover:
- how to teach singers to connect technical choices with emotional storytelling in song analysis and acting through song.
- how to prepare students for real-world challenges, such as adapting quickly to new material, managing vocal demands during long contracts, and auditioning with confidence.
- tools you can use to help analyse resonance and optimize vocal production.
Interactive exercises and case-based discussions will guide participants in developing actionable teaching strategies tailored to the needs of today’s performers. Whether you’re helping singers identify their “hit” roles, expand their stylistic range, or sustain vocal excellence under pressure, this workshop will provide the insights and tools to make your teaching more effective and impactful.
Join us for a practical, research-driven exploration of musical theatre pedagogy designed specifically for voice professionals, and leave inspired to help vocalists take centre stage!
🏷️ 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
Melanie Tapson
Melanie Tapson is a professional singer, Singing Voice Specialist and clinical voice pathologist with a busy hybrid voice practice in Toronto. She holds a BFA (jazz performance, voice/drums), a BEd (senior vocal music/drama), and an MSc in speech pathology. She has performed on international stages including for Disney Cruise Line and touring with Juno Award winning groups, and she continues to sing and do voiceover work when time permits.
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.
Monday 3rd August 2026
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Tuesday 4th August 2026
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Wednesday 5th August 2026
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Thursday 6th August 2026
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Friday 7th August 2026
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
(London Time)
Level Two Certificate in Accents and Phonetics with Louisa Morgan
Louisa Morgan
Build on your foundational knowledge of accents and phonetics in this week‑long lunchtime course designed specifically for voice teachers. Whether you have completed our Level 1 Certificate or already possess a basic working knowledge of phonetics and accent work, this Level 2 course will help you deepen your skills, sharpen your analytical ear, and expand your practical toolkit for teaching.
Monday 3rd August 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Meisner in Music: Merging Beautiful Singing with Emotional Acting
Jillian Paige
In our workshop with the Voice Study Centre, participants will learn the foundational tool of the Meisner Technique, 'repetition', and gain insight into additional aspects of the technique that are particularly useful for singers such as emotional preparation and 'the physical impediment'.
Thursday 6th August 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Sex Hormones and Voice: From Puberty to Gender-Affirming Therapy
Dr Silvia Ciancia
How do sex hormones define the human voice? Join Dr Silvia Cianca as she offers a comprehensive exploration of the vocal apparatus as a hormone-sensitive organ, analysing the physiological changes occurring at puberty as well as the changes induced by gender-affirming hormones initiated during adolescence. This session is specifically about the fascinating research on the influence of sex hormones on the voice, and the physical outcomes of gender-affirming care delivered to adolescents; it does not focus on vocal training itself.