Music Reading for Students with Learning Disabilities
Thursday 22nd February 2024, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)
There are music students in private studios and school classrooms who are not readily learning to read music through standard instruction. Research into dyslexia gives us insight and guidance to how students with learning disabilities can be taught in a way that effectively builds the neural pathways for literacy. Using the style of teaching first created by the dyslexia researchers Stillman and Gillingham, Multisensory Structured Language (MSL), we can redesign our approach to teaching music reading that follows a strict, logical and effective order to build the neural pathways that are necessary for students with learning disabilities to learn.
Music reading is most often taught as a secondary skill to performing skills, and therefore does not follow its own logical, systematic approach. This negatively effects students who are not neurologically wired to learn through our traditional standard instruction. Applying the principles of MSL instruction to music reading instruction reorganises the steps to learning in surprising and effective ways. Adapting this scientifically researched approach to music reading makes it possible for struggling students to have access to music literacy.
This course will review the research surrounding certain learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dyscalculia and ADHD, and the research-based solutions that have been found to work successfully. We will examine current methods of music reading pedagogy, and then compare that to systems specifically designed to accommodate students with learning disabilities.
Dr Elizabeth Morrow
Dr Elizabeth Morrow, Professor Emerita, was awarded the degree Doctor of Musical Arts in Cello Performance from the University of Southern California. As a recitalist, she has concertized extensively in Europe and North America. An award-winning pedagogue, Dr Morrow has been an active presenter for the American String Teachers Association and Texas Music Educators Conference.

Attend this course for as little as £22 as part of the Voice Professional Training CPD Award Scheme.
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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 2nd July 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
(London Time)
The identity politics of accent learning!

Jenru Wang
Jenru Wang has an MFA in Voice Studies with distinction from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London - in this session, he will begin to explore the complexities accent coaches might face in their work, examining the intersection of language, identity, and cultural sensitivity. Participants will explore how to navigate challenging situations in different contexts and understand what to do—and avoid—when working with diverse clients and materials.


Thursday 3rd July 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Vocal “Decathletes” – inside the hidden world of Session Singing!

Kim Chandler
What is a session singer? Officially it’s a freelance, short-term “singer for hire” brought in to be part of a live or recorded musical project. However, it’s more generally understood to be the “behind-the-scenes” singer who is regularly booked for paid recording work. The type of work (and pay) varies a lot. Session singing is a side of the music industry that is largely hidden from the public and isn’t easy to find out much about, even online. Join Kim Chandler as she unpicks this topic, based on 35 years of session singing!

Monday 7th July 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday 8th July 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday 9th July 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Friday 11th July 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Monday 14th July 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday 15th July 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday 16th July 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Friday 18th July 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
(London Time)
Introduction to statistics and working with quantitative data for Voice Professionals: 8-Session Online Bootcamp

Dr David Cane
This certificated statistics course is ideal for individuals interested in laying a solid foundation in quantitative research methods. By focusing on essential statistical principles, you will be equipped with the tools to understand and apply quantitative research techniques effectively. Statistics is a crucial component of quantitative research; mastering it will enable you to grasp quantitative methods more confidently and precisely.