The Science of Sound: Optimizing Vocal Acoustics for Contemporary Styles!
Tuesday 4th November 2025, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (London Time)
Course Description:
This course explores the scientific principles underpinning vocal production, acoustics, and the care of the singing voice, drawing from both foundational texts and contemporary research. Students will engage deeply with concepts from Titze’s Principles of Voice Production and Bozeman’s Practical Vocal Acoustics, including the nature of sound, pressure waveforms, harmonics, formants, and the spectral envelope. Emphasis is placed on understanding both linear and non-linear source-filter models, highlighting how the glottis produces sound and how the vocal tract selectively reinforces harmonics to enhance vocal power, timbre, and efficiency.
Through analysis of pitch, timbre, spectral slope, and inertive reactance, students will learn how these principles apply to varied vocal styles, from classical operatic singing to theater belting. The course also integrates pedagogic applications, offering strategies for body alignment, breath management, onset, laryngeal posture, vowel tuning, and vocal coordination, emphasizing sustainable and expressive performance.
Practical applications include formant tuning for different voice types, exploration of source-filter interactions, and understanding how acoustic properties of the vocal tract influence vocal fold vibration. By connecting acoustical theory to performance and pedagogy, students will gain the tools to make informed, efficient, and artistically nuanced choices for their own singing and for guiding others in vocal instruction.
Dr Ana Flavia Zuim
Dr. Ana Flavia Zuim is a voice scientist and musical director whose research in vocal dosimetry has earned recognition from CBS and awards including the Van L. Lawrence Fellowship and the NYU Steinhardt Fellowship. With experience directing and performing in over 70 musical theater productions, she has been recognized for her work as a pianist, conductor, and musical director.Her research bridges the art and science of voice, informing both performance practice and clinical applications. This expertise has also made her a sought-after expert witness in forensic voice analysis.
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 13th January 2026
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday 20th January 2026
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday 27th January 2026
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday 3rd February 2026
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday 10th February 2026
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
(London Time)
Introduction to Postgraduate Academic Skills - Join Live!
Debbie Winter
Are you ready to elevate your academic journey? Hosted by our very own Debbie Winter, join our comprehensive Introduction to Academic Skills course, designed to equip you with essential tools and strategies for success in higher education. Perfect for bridging the gap between undergraduate and postgraduate study, this course offers a pathway to our full MA for students without an existing degree. We offer both live, interactive sessions and standalone, pre-recorded content.
Thursday 15th January 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Thursday 22nd January 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Thursday 29th January 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Thursday 5th February 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Thursday 12th February 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Trauma-Sensitive Voice Professional Certificate with Dr Elisa Monti
Dr Elisa Monti
Updated for 2026, this five-part certificate course is designed to help participants learn the theory and practice of trauma-sensitive approaches. The concepts and activities included are tailored to meet the needs of voice specialists who want to acquire more specific tools to navigate the space with their students and colleagues.
Monday 9th February 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Certificate in Applied Voice Pedagogy with Adam Roberts
Adam Roberts
Spring Immersive - live and interactive learning! This 12-week online programme is designed for voice professionals committed to deepening applied voice pedagogy skills and advancing professional practice. The course offers a rich environment to reflect on your teaching philosophy and develop applied pedagogical techniques. It is ideal for voice teachers, coaches, therapists, and performers seeking to bridge foundational knowledge with practical, student-centered applications.