Short Courses & Events / Archive

Singing and the Brain: A Harmonious Connection

Thursday 3rd October 2024, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (London Time)

Friday 4th October 2024, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (London Time)

Unlock the transformative power of music with our two-part lecture series that delves deep into the fascinating intersection of neuroscience, music education, and music therapy. This comprehensive exploration will expand your horizons in the following key areas:

  1. Neuroscience and Music: Gain insights into the fundamental mechanisms underlying the profound connection between music and the brain. Uncover the intricate ways in which music impacts cognitive and emotional well-being, leading to remarkable changes in brain structure and function.

  2. Neuroscience of Music Education & Music Therapy: Discover how music education and therapy serve as catalysts for neuroplasticity, enhancing cognitive abilities and promoting lifelong brain health. Learn about the myriad benefits of these practices, from fostering healthy aging to their overall positive impact on well-being.

  3. The Science of Singing Throughout the Lifespan: Uncover the science behind the human voice and its evolution from infancy to later years. This segment provides a solid foundation of research on the art and science of singing, offering valuable insights for educators, practitioners, and researchers.

This course aims to achieve three distinct objectives: to demonstrate the multifaceted benefits of music training and therapy, to equip you with a neuroscience-informed perspective for teaching, practice, and research, and to provide a comprehensive understanding of the science of singing across all stages of life. Join Dr Patricia Izbicki on this captivating journey and unlock the secrets of music's impact on the brain and human development.

🏷️ Price £50 (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 Patricia Izbicki

Dr Patricia Izbicki is a neuroscientist and medical science liaison at Octave, as well as a classical pianist and harpsichordist. Her research focuses on understanding the brain mechanisms of complementary therapies, such as music training, in aging adults and persons with Parkinson's disease.

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

Learn More

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.

Certificate in Acting Approaches for Singing Teachers
Tuesday 5th August 2025
1:00 PM - 12:00 PM
Tuesday 12th August 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday 19th August 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday 26th August 2025
1:00 PM - 12:00 PM
Tuesday 2nd September 2025
1:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Tuesday 9th September 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday 16th September 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday 23rd September 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
(London Time)

Certificate in Acting Approaches for Singing Teachers

Louisa Morgan

Are you a singing teacher looking to elevate your students’ performances? Join our very own Louisa Morgan, as she takes a deeper dive into acting approaches that singing teachers can use to integrate powerful acting techniques into singing lessons. This 8 session course is perfect for those who want to help their singers connect deeply with the story behind the song. Gain practical tools and techniques that you can immediately apply in your teaching! Come along live for an interactive experience, or watch on playback at your leisure.

Choral Pedagogy and the Older Singer: Strategies for Lifelong Singing!
Tuesday 9th September 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)

Choral Pedagogy and the Older Singer: Strategies for Lifelong Singing!

Dr Brenda Smith

There is intrinsic value in lifelong singing. Singing with others is a noble deed that brings immeasurable satisfaction. Singing together involves teamwork and offers myriad rewards. It can enhance personal well-being, develop skill sets, and promote friendship. At any age, singing improves mental agility and calms an agitated mind. It is an activity everyone can include in daily life anywhere and at any time. Singing should have no expiration date. Lifelong singing should not be a lofty ambition, but rather a way of life. Our interactive workshop will involve choral vocal exercises (warmups and cooldowns) as well as skill building strategies for tone quality and range that are age and size appropriate for older singers.

The Tongue as a Gateway to Voice, Resonance, Style and Intelligibility
Thursday 11th September 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)

The Tongue as a Gateway to Voice, Resonance, Style and Intelligibility

Dr Angelika Nair

Healthy vocal production depends on a finely tuned, athletic apparatus—a symphony of muscular interaction engaging the respiratory system, the laryngeal mechanism, and the resonance spaces of the pharyngeal, oral, and nasal cavities. Among these, the tongue stands out as one of the most critical yet least understood contributors to voice production. Join Dr Angelika Nair as she unpicks the essential anatomical insights that reveal the tongue’s role in shaping sound, influencing resonance, and impacting style and intelligibility!