Short Courses & Events / Archive

Jazz Pedagogy - through the vocalist's lens!

Friday 23rd January 2026, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM (London Time)

Jazz pedagogy, when viewed through the lens of the vocalist, offers a unique and vital perspective on the development of both technical skills and musical expression.

For vocalists, jazz singing involves more than just mastering the fundamentals of melody and harmony; it encompasses the ability to navigate improvisation, phrasing, and vocal technique in a genre that values creativity and spontaneity. One key aspect of jazz pedagogy for vocalists is understanding the importance of vocal phrasing, which is often informed by the rhythmic and harmonic patterns established by instrumentalists. In this context, the vocalist’s ability to "speak" through their voice, mimicking the improvisational language of the jazz ensemble, is crucial. This short course will focus on the voice in speech quality phrasing in a very conversational way.

Additionally, jazz vocalists must develop a deep understanding of jazz standards, often interpreting them in a way that reflects their own personal style while honouring the tradition of the genre. This balance between tradition and innovation is central to jazz pedagogy for vocalists, as it encourages students to explore their unique vocal identity while still respecting the foundational elements of jazz music. The study of scat singing, for instance, is another important pedagogical component. This technique not only enhances the vocalist's improvisational skills but also facilitates a deeper connection to the music's inherent rhythms and phrasing. We will discuss the important synergy between the singer and the pianist and how to develop that as a band leader in the jazz trio context.

🏷️ 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

Claire Martin OBE

Claire Martin OBE has established herself as a tour de force on the UK jazz scene, gaining many awards including winning the British Jazz Awards eight times during her career which spans over three decades. In 2018, she was the proud recipient of the BASCA Gold Badge Award for her contribution to jazz.

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Attend this course for as little as £22 as part of the Voice Professional Training CPD Award Scheme.

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Sorry, 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.

MA Voice Pedagogy: Online Information Session & Q&A
Tuesday 13th October 2026
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
(London Time)

MA Voice Pedagogy: Online Information Session & Q&A

Debbie Winter

Considering our MA Voice Pedagogy? Join our Director for a focused online presentation and discussion to explore the course, ask questions, and discover whether postgraduate study at Voice Study Centre is right for you.

Musical Theatre Singing Pedagogy: A Framework for Teaching Musical Theatre Singers!
Tuesday 13th October 2026
2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
(London Time)

Musical Theatre Singing Pedagogy: A Framework for Teaching Musical Theatre Singers!

Amanda Flynn

Join Amanda Flynn for this extended 2.5 hour session on the the pedagogy of teaching musical theatre singing. She will begin by exploring the flexibility needed for musical theatre singing through definitions, listening exercises, and some historical context.

Thinking Outside the Voice Box: Adolescent Female Voice Change
Wednesday 14th October 2026
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
(London Time)

Thinking Outside the Voice Box: Adolescent Female Voice Change

Dr Bridget Sweet-Manternach

Join Dr Bridget Sweet for this 2 hour session as she unpacks this fascinating topic. The purpose of this course is to bring attention to adolescents who experience an estrogen-dominant voice change and to encourage new and holistic ways of thinking about [assigned at birth] female voices. While considering physical changes during adolescence, we will unpack basic vocal anatomy and physiology and then discuss what happens to the vocal mechanism during voice change for females vs. [assigned at birth] males.