Song a day keeps the doctor away!
Thursday 6th June 2024, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)
Dr Yoon Irons will give an overview of research into group singing involving people living with longer-term health conditions, such as chronic pain, cystic fibrosis, and Parkinson’s. These conditions are chronic, or deteriorating over time, and no cure has been found. Yet, people with these conditions were reported to experience improvements in their health following group singing. Based on research evidence, Yoon will discuss the science behind of singing, which serves as rationale for developing group singing interventions targeting these health conditions. Specific health outcome measures will be discussed alongside the specific health conditions.
Participants will learn about the latest research evidence of group singing and will gain new knowledge which they can apply in their singing practice.
Dr Yoon Irons
Dr Yoon Irons is Associate Professor of Arts for Health and Wellbeing at University of Derby, where she is director of singing research lab.
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.
Wednesday 29th October 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
A neurodiversity-affirmative approach to the voice!
Hilary Davies
In recent years, the music therapy profession has begun to consider the application of the neurodiversity paradigm to music therapy practice, in particular In relation to autism, and an increasing amount of literature embracing this perspective has been published. This lecture, delivered from a lived experience perspective, will provide an explanation of the key concepts around neurodiversity - particular consideration will be given to the use of the voice, both one's own but also to the neurodivergent individual’s particular ways of using language, song and vocal sounds.
Thursday 30th October 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Creative Articulation
Annie Morrison
Most of us have little idea of HOW we speak, or what to do to make speech more muscular. Join Annie Morrison (creator of the 'Morrison Bone Prop') for this two hour session on Creative Articulation, a holistic and haptic approach to the touchings and feelings of the articulators in the dance of speech. Seeing articulation as a purely mechanical skill is detrimental to an actor's process: it is crucial to understand what language is doing on a biological level.
Tuesday 4th November 2025
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
(London Time)
The Belt Voice in R&B/Soul Singing: Vocal Characteristics & Physiology
Dr Matt Allen
The belt’s got soul! This course offers a deep dive into the vocal artistry and biomechanics of R&B/soul singing, with a particular focus on the belt voice—a powerful and expressive vocal technique central to the genre. Drawing from over 80 years of stylistic evolution, the course explores how R&B/soul singing has shaped contemporary commercial music and investigates the unique vocal traits that define its sound.