Short Courses & Events / Archive

The Race of Sound – Why Do We Think We Can Hear Race Vocally?

Thursday 24th October 2024, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)

Why and how do we make assumptions about a person’s race, gender, or age based on the timbre of their voice? Within the context of the United States, we will examine historical precedents for racialized listening to voices as well as contemporary realities, utilizing a framework for critically interrogating the racializing processes embedded in vocal and listening practices. The case studies we will draw on range from classical voices (such as Marian Anderson’s) to jazz (Jimmy Scott) and voice technologies (the vocal synthesis software Vocaloid). In considering the physiological basis for voice, we learn that there are actually no racial markers. And in taking the power of formal and informal voice lessons seriously, we can begin to deconstruct how voices and listening strategies are shaped within a racialized world.

This session will draw from my book The Race of Sound: Listening, Timbre, and Vocality in African American Music (Duke University Press, 2019).

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

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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.

Introduction to statistics and working with quantitative data for Voice Professionals: 8-Session Online Bootcamp
Monday 7th July 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday 8th July 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday 9th July 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Friday 11th July 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Monday 14th July 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday 15th July 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday 16th July 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Friday 18th July 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
(London Time)

Introduction to statistics and working with quantitative data for Voice Professionals: 8-Session Online Bootcamp

Dr David Cane

This certificated statistics course is ideal for individuals interested in laying a solid foundation in quantitative research methods. By focusing on essential statistical principles, you will be equipped with the tools to understand and apply quantitative research techniques effectively. Statistics is a crucial component of quantitative research; mastering it will enable you to grasp quantitative methods more confidently and precisely.

Exploring the roots of the tongue: Ideas for performance
Tuesday 15th July 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)

Exploring the roots of the tongue: Ideas for performance

Walt Fritz

As a relative outsider looking into the voice and performance world, I witness the bell curve of thoughts and actions on how the tongue contributes to voice problems and how best to tame that tension. Traditional ways of taming tongue tension seem adequate (or would seem so, based on feedback), so what is different and new? In this short course for the Voice Study Centre, Walt Fritz will introduce the learner to variations on self-applied tongue stretches and exercises.

Emotion and Performing Accents and Dialects: why does Emotion Get in the Way?
Wednesday 16th July 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
(London Time)

Emotion and Performing Accents and Dialects: why does Emotion Get in the Way?

Louisa Morgan

At points of heightened emotion, it is common for actors working in an accent to default to their natural speech. How do we help performers to avoid this issue and provide them and their directors with the confidence they need regardless of the emotional demands of the piece? What can we learn from research in vocal expression of emotion to help actors to embody the emotion and keep control of their voice and accent? Our very own Louisa Morgan will guide participants through the latest research and offer practical suggestions for working with performers needing to navigate this challenge.