'Mal canto' and the cultural politics of voice pedagogy: provocations from a critical disability studies (CDS) perspective
Thursday 14th November 2024, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)
‘Mal canto’ and the cultural politics of voice pedagogy: provocations from a critical disability studies perspective.
Critical disability studies (CDS) is a growing field of academic enquiry that has gained considerable traction over the past two decades. Encouraging us to think beyond typical medical and legal definitions, CDS analyses disability as a complex cultural, historical, political and relational phenomenon.
In this short course, I apply the insights of CDS to voice pedagogy and the academic discipline of voice studies, more broadly. I suggest that disability is highly relevant to our field in significant (and potentially surprising) ways.
In his book, Shakin’ All Over: Popular Music and Disability (2013), Georgie McKay coins the phrase ‘mal canto’ in opposition to the historico-pedagogical notion of idealised singing, ‘bel canto’ (lit. beautiful singing). In this course, I use McKay’s critical concept as a starting point for identifying and disrupting the potentially ableist norms that are often sustained within the field of voice studies and vocal pedagogy.
Key topics: Critical Disability Studies, access, inclusion, disability justice
🏷️ 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
Dr David Cane
David is a lecturer, researcher, singer, singing teacher and choir director. He is a former choral scholar of King’s College, Cambridge where he studied for a degree in Theology and Religious Studies.
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.
Thursday 15th January 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Thursday 22nd January 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Thursday 29th January 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Thursday 5th February 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Thursday 12th February 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Trauma-Sensitive Voice Professional Certificate with Dr Elisa Monti
Dr Elisa Monti
Updated for 2026, this five-part certificate course is designed to help participants learn the theory and practice of trauma-sensitive approaches. The concepts and activities included are tailored to meet the needs of voice specialists who want to acquire more specific tools to navigate the space with their students and colleagues.
Wednesday 11th February 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Shifting Gears from Classical to Broadway: Making the Vocal Switch!
Edrie Means Weekly
As stylistic demands in the vocal world continue to evolve, classical singers are increasingly expected to perform in genres such as Musical Theatre and Commercial Music (CM). Yet, for many classically trained singers, the transition from operatic technique to speech-based, microphone-amplified styles can present significant technical and artistic challenges. Join internationally renowned pedagogue Edrie Means Weekly as she provide singers and teachers with practical, research-informed strategies for healthy, authentic crossover.
Tuesday 17th February 2026
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
(London Time)
Simultaneous Singing and Dancing in Musical Theatre: A Cross-Disciplinary Evidence Review
Debbie Winter
This short course invites participants to critically examine the latest cross-disciplinary evidence on the physical and vocal demands of musical theatre performance. Drawing on a comprehensive literature review conducted by Debbie Winter and Claire Thomas (Voice Study Centre, University of Essex), the course explores research from voice science, dance medicine, sports science, and performance pedagogy.