Soul-Training: Riffs, Runs, & R&B Singing
Tuesday 2nd September 2025, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)
In this interactive workshop, participants will have an opportunity to explore soul singing and R&B vocal styles with deep roots in the African American musical tradition (Rhythm & Blues).
After a brief history detailing how African-American music laid the foundations of soul and R&B vocal techniques, we’ll be focusing on the R&B styles that emerged from the 1960s through early 2000s. Lisa Popeil will share insights gained from her years of study and practice, with singers, voice teachers, and anyone interested, guiding participants through the techniques of this style. And no discussion of Soul-Singing would be complete without exploring the art of “vocal runs, riffs or licks”, which are a core improvisational language within the tradition.
Other vital topics related to singing soulfully regard having a particular relationship to “the beat”, compared to how classically trained singers might consider core beats and rhythms in general. R&B singing exhibits rapid dynamic, adduction, and resonance shifts as well as specific resonator shapes that help produce the most authentic sound.
The movement of the body and how that relates to soulfulness in singing will be explored, so dress comfortably!
Finally, we’ll be studying many great artists and their methods such as Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, James Brown, Luther Vandross, and Aretha Franklin to see what we can learn and model from their individual approaches to this vocal style.
🏷️ Price £30 (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
Lisa Popeil
Lisa Popeil, MFA in Voice, has studied voice for 60 years and has taught professionally in a variety of styles of singing for over 40 years. Based in Los Angeles, California, Lisa is the creator of the Voiceworks® Method, the Total Singer DVD and the Total Singer Workshop.
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.
Tuesday 18th August 2026
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 25th August 2026
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 1st September 2026
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 8th September 2026
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 15th September 2026
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 22nd September 2026
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
(London Time)
Musical Theatre Vocal Pedagogy Certificate
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Join Kevin Wilson for this six-part certificated course, offering an in‑depth, practical exploration of contemporary voice teaching for musical theatre. Across six focused classes, participants develop a systematic approach to vocal technique, diagnosis, and repertoire selection that reflects the stylistic, physical, and emotional demands of the genre. The curriculum integrates vocal science, embodied voice work, registration theory, and stylistic awareness across the five major sub‑genres of musical theatre.
Thursday 10th September 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Dalcroze Eurhythmics in the Voice Studio
Dr Tish Oney
The Dalcroze Method taught by Swiss music teacher Émile Jaques-Dalcroze (1865-1950) has long been valued as a tool for teaching music in group settings (ensembles, choirs, music classes, etc.) But what about its one-on-one use in the applied voice studio? Join Dr. Tish Oney for this interactive short course and learn about the history and principles of this important method of music education. Through the employ of Dalcroze movements and concepts, singers and teachers explore music in ways that can reduce tension and increase the fun of music making, while encouraging discovery of technical and theoretical skill-building practices.
Tuesday 15th September 2026
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
(London Time)
Games & Gadgets: Building Vocal Skills Through Movement & Play!
Naomi Lewandoski
How can simple tools such as exercise balls, bubbles, stretchy bands, straws, ribbons and even toilet rolls transform the way singers learn? Naomi Lewandoski is a singing teacher, voice educator, performer and workshop presenter with a passion for helping singers explore the voice through movement, curiosity and evidence-informed practice. In this interactive course she explores how games, gadgets, movement and play can help build vocal skills by creating greater awareness of how the body coordinates for singing.