Science vs Artistry: Key Issues in the Imagery Debate
Thursday 30th January 2025, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM (London Time)
This practical and interactive course will introduce attendees to key issues surrounding imagery-use in singing pedagogy.
Imagery has been, and continues to be, a foundational strategy in the teaching of singing. With advances in understandings of voice science and wider educational theories, imagery strategies have developed to include a range of multi-modal approaches. However, despite these developments, there continues to be antagonism between imagery-based and science-based singing pedagogy.
This course will provide attendees with:
- An overview of imagery-use in the history of vocal pedagogy
- An outline of different imagery strategies available for singing teachers
- An evaluation of the effectiveness of different imagery strategies
- An introduction to the science vs artistry debate in relation to imagery-use
- Suggestions for further research and practice to address issues in the imagery debate
Through practical demonstration, theoretical discussion and peer-to-peer skill sharing, this course will give the audience an opportunity to consider the core issues and assess potential solutions to the imagery vs science debate. The central presentation will be followed by opportunity for Q&A, as well as sharing practical strategies that might be applicable to attendees current practice-based context.
Jenna Brown
Jenna has authored over 20 peer reviewed publications and conference proceedings, with recent publications on voice and choral pedagogy in the Journal of Voice, The Voice and Speech Review and Australian Voice.

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 13th March 2025
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Tuesday 18th March 2025
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
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2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
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Joshua Lee-Cummins
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Tuesday 18th March 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
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Dr. Mary Sandage
If singers are vocal athletes, then muscle physiology considerations should be part of our training and rehabilitation programs. A web search for guidance to train up for a 5k will yield millions of hits, while strength and conditioning requirements for recital preparation yields very little.