Short Courses & Events / Archive

Perceptual-Motor Learning In Voice Training

Thursday 28th July 2022, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)

This course will provide an introduction to fundamental theoretical and empirical issues in perceptual-motor learning with specific applications to voice training.

The review covers the past 50 years of essential work in the motor learning domain, much of it garnered in sports psychology, and  now emerging as a critical framework for the way we approach voice training and therapy.

A fundamental distinction that will be used to organize this body of literature has to do with a distinction between declarative and procedural learning and the cognitive mechanisms involved in each.

New research will be presented from my lab that challenges one of the assumptions in the existing body, and that has to do with the conclusion that an external, outcomes-oriented focus of attention facilitates learning in the motor domain over an internal, biomechanical focus.

Dr Kittie Verdolini Abbott

Katherine Verdolini Abbott, PhD, CCC-SLP, Mdiv, is Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Linguistics and Cognitive Science at the University...

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.

Inspired Sound: Unlocking the Science of Choral Acoustics
Tuesday 16th December 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
(London Time)

Inspired Sound: Unlocking the Science of Choral Acoustics

Professor Helena Daffern

In this session, Professor Helena Daffern will explore the fascinating science behind choral sound, offering choir singers and directors valuable insights into achieving a cohesive and expressive ensemble, no matter what their standard. The concept of choral blend will be examined —what it is, how it can be cultivated, and the roles of intonation and vibrato will be analysed. The decisions that have to be made around intonation when tuning thirds or dealing with modulations over the course of an a cappella piece will be explained in the context of existing research and different singing styles such as barbershop singing and solo voice ensembles.

Unclenching the Jaw: Options from the Physio Lens
Tuesday 16th December 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)

Unclenching the Jaw: Options from the Physio Lens

Walt Fritz

“Jaw tension” is one of many potential problems facing the singer, and can cause a direct negative impact on the performance in both direct and indirect ways. The underlying cause of jaw issues is attributed to numerous factors (technique, posture, strength, range of motion, etc.), making it often difficult to identify common denominators. Join Walt Fritz as he examines the evidence supporting stretching, strengthening, and manual therapy interventions to address jaw-related concerns in vocal performers, taking into account their unique needs.

Improving Lyric Italian Diction for Classical Singers
Thursday 18th December 2025
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
(London Time)

Improving Lyric Italian Diction for Classical Singers

Professor Conroy Cupido

Join Professor Conroy Cupido as he offers an in-depth exploration of the most frequent pronunciation errors made by classical singers in Italian lyric diction. Designed for both emerging and advanced singers, the course provides a structured and practical approach to mastering Italian pronunciation as used in opera, oratorio, and art song.