Introduction to gender-affirming voice coaching
Tuesday 21st January 2025, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM (London Time)
This introductory short course is aimed at those who work in voice coaching and/or therapy who wish to develop some basic knowledge and skills in working with trans and gender-diverse people to support voice and communication exploration. The course outline has been co-created with an expert by experience and it is anticipated that there will be a short contribution during the session. We will begin with the cultural context and how vocal coaches, voice teachers and voice and communication therapists can build a gender-affirming practice.
We will explore broader aspects of vocal identity and expression before considering:
- The vocal parameters within power, source and filter, for example pitch, resonance, vocal weight, including a brief look at apps and measuring pitch.
- The principles of gender-affirming voice exploration, for example motor learning, contrastive practice, hierarchy and feedback, play.
The course will offer a blend of theoretical discussion and practical demonstration and participation, encouraging participants to explore their own voices within the context of gender, identity and behaviour change.
Finally, we will broaden out again to explore transferring vocal behaviours into social interactions, and the challenge of sustaining change in more complex communication settings, such as the telephone and assertive skills. We will include the value of both individual and group work, and using improv and role-playing methodology.
We will look at some recommended resources including online sites.
Suggested course pre-reading:
Jackson Hearns L. 2018 One Weird Trick: A User's Guide to Transgender Voice. The Voice Lab Inc.
Mills M. & Pert S. 2024 Working with Trans Voice: A Guide to Support and Inspire New, Developing and Established Practitioners. Routledge.
Mills M. & Stoneham G. 2021. Voice and Communication Therapy for trans and Non-Binary People: Sharing the Clinical Space. Jessica Kingsley.
Mills M. & Stoneham G. 2017 The Voice Book for Trans & Non Binary People. Jessica Kingsley.
Gillie Stoneham
Gillie has many years experience as a lecturer and specialist practitioner in voice & communication and counselling skills. She began practicing in the field of gender affirming voice and communication in 2006 and established a voice service at the West of England Gender Identity Clinic in 2021 as Consultant SLT.
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.
Wednesday 22nd October 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
(London Time)
Singing for Health (Research and Practice) - what's new?
Professor Stephen Clift
Join Professor Stephen Clift for an international overview of recent and current research initiatives in singing for health research. A focus will be on the value of randomised controlled trials for assessing the contribution that group singing for the wellbeing and health for people affected by mental health challenges, dementia, Parkinson's, chronic obstructive lung disease, aphasia and long Covid.
Wednesday 22nd October 2025
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
(London Time)
Prosody in conversation – crucial for effective communication?
Beatrice Szczepek Reed
In this course, we will take an introductory look at what prosody is and consider its functions in natural everyday dialogue. Prosody refers to the rhythm, stress, and intonation of speech. It's the musicality of language that helps convey meaning, emotion, and emphasis in conversation!
Thursday 23rd October 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
(London Time)
Vowel Modification and Authenticity in Classical Singing
Dr John Seesholtz
This presentation and discussion is an introduction to Sound Spectrum, Amplitude, Formants, Overtones, the Overtone Series, Vowel Formants, and how they work together (Formant Tuning) to create acoustic boosts in classical singers.