The Mechanics: Phonetics and Pronunciation!
Wednesday 7th May 2025, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (London Time)
This presentation is an introduction to all things Phonetics, the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), and Pronunciation. This course will cover the professional basics of how to interpret the IPA from a ‘descriptive’ view instead of a ‘prescriptive’ view of right-or-wrong. Participants will also be challenged to investigate personal and social views on Pronunciation.
The content of this course is primarily influenced by publications and the philosophy of Knight-Thompson Speechwork (KTS) “a skills-based approach to speech and accent training for actors that places emphasis on developing the speaker’s detailed awareness of—and deep engagement with—the precise physical actions which make up speech.”
Colton Weiss (he/they) is a professional dialect coach, actor, and lecturer (Ohio State Univ.) based out of Columbus, Ohio. Colton has 10+yrs experience working on and off stage ranging from Broadway level musicals and classic opera to outdoor Shakespeare. His clients range from local middle school/high school students and working adults, to professionals performing regionally and on Broadway. Favorite coaching credits include: Actors’ Theatre of Columbus (Robin Hood, Sense and Sensibility - 2023 season), Columbus Children's Theatre (Disney’s Newsies - Dir. Joe Deer), and A.R.T.@Oberon (Violet the Musical - Dir. Sammi Cannold from How to Dance in Ohio). He is a proud graduate of Ohio State and Harvard University and member of the Voice and Speech Trainers’ Association (VASTA).
🏷️ 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
Colton Weiss
Colton Weiss (he/they) is a professional dialect coach, actor, and lecturer (Ohio State Univ.) based out of Columbus, Ohio. Colton has 10+yrs experience working on and off stage ranging from Broadway level musicals and classic opera to outdoor Shakespeare.
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.