The Contemporary Classical Singer: Incorporating New Music into Vocal Pedagogy!
Thursday 26th June 2025, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)
Tuesday 1st July 2025, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)
Today, vocalists are expected to perform in a variety of styles from bel canto to contemporary classical, musical theater, experimental, pop, etc. This shift from specialized technique to pluralistic embrace has been compelled by a number of factors: increased social awareness and criticism of classical music’s elitist past, growth of minority populations, the reliance of non-profit performance organizations on selling tickets in large venues, habitual programming of canonic “favorites” that may resonate less with younger audiences, and the subsequent decline of audiences.
These factors have seemingly intensified since public performances have returned following the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to show that they are moving beyond the elitism of the past, composers and classical music organizations have begun to brand their projects as “anti-establishment,” more frequently embracing popular music styles, big tech, and more relevant or accessible sounds to draw in new audiences. Traditional approaches to vocal pedagogy in higher education have endured, and with few exceptions, sidelined contemporary classical repertoire or vocal techniques. Ultimately, I argue that voice teachers have an ethical obligation to incorporate contemporary repertoire and pedagogical tools into voice lessons early and often. Because some audiences are drawn to programs of familiar and beloved works, canonic works will continue to be performed. However, an obsession with repertoire of the past can limit the growth of singers in regard to expressivity, flexibility, economic opportunity, and the ability to engage with contemporary music. Performing new music that explores themes that are relevant today, reflect on contemporary social and political issues, and that incorporate a diverse array of styles and genres is not only beneficial to singers, but to contemporary audiences as well.
In this two-part course, I will discuss industry trends, cultural pressures to move beyond the canon, and economic opportunities singers could more widely enjoy if afforded not only pedagogical knowledge related to contemporary works, but also foundational tools for continued research and promotion of these works. Drawing on extended interviews with professional singers, composers, and conductors in the “new music” scene, I will discuss the vocal strengths and deficiencies that working artists in the field observe. In the second class I will provide learning tools for taking on compositional challenges of new music and offer some curricular strategies for incorporating new music into the curriculum for singers.
🏷️ 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
Page Stephens
Page Stephens is a mezzo soprano, voice teacher and arts administrator based in Austin, TX with a soft spot for new music. Stephens has premiered works by Reena Esmail, Matthew Lyons, Donald Grantham, Thomas B. Yee, Katherine Pukinskis, Dana Lyn, Adrienne Inglis, Russell Podgorsek, Mark Kilstofte, and many others.
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.


Thursday 9th October 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
(London Time)
Navigating Vocal Aging for Singers

Karen Brunssen
As singers approach their senior years, they can benefit greatly from a voice teacher who understands the normal changes involved as they navigate vocal aging. This course will focus on the realities of aging voices for senior singers and what can be done to address vocal production and peripheral issues that can affect the activity of singing.


Friday 10th October 2025
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Monday 13th October 2025
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
(London Time)
Introduction to Vocal Acoustics for Spoken and Sung Voice

Gökçe Kutsal
This course is designed to break down the fundamentals of acoustics for both spoken and sung voice in a beginner-friendly, accessible way — so you can easily understand and apply these concepts to your teaching or research.


Monday 13th October 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Water Resistance Therapy and Semioccluded Devices for Voice Training

Dr Marco Guzmán
Several voice devices to perform water resistance therapy (WRT) and some oscillatory positive expiratory pressure devices (OPEP) (e.g. Acapella Choice, Shaker Medic Plus, New Shaker) are now commonly used for both voice training and voice therapy. Are these devices truly good for voice training? Are these devices the treatment by themselves? and how much evidence currently supports the use of these devices?