Short Courses & Events / Archive

Thinking Outside the Voice Box: Adolescent Female Voice Change

Monday 6th October 2025, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (London Time)

The purpose of this course is to bring attention to adolescents who experience an estrogen-dominant voice change and to encourage new and holistic ways of thinking about [assigned at birth] female voices. While considering physical changes during adolescence, we will unpack basic vocal anatomy and physiology and then discuss what happens to the vocal mechanism during voice change for females vs. [assigned at birth] males. Physiological considerations will also include the implication of hormones on the adolescent female voice during puberty, especially as adolescence is when females [typically] begin a menstrual cycle. While time will prevent us from going too far beyond discussion of adolescent females, we will briefly contemplate the larger implication of hormones on voices of people who experience a menstrual cycle at different stages of life and what that means for those of us teaching female voices across the life cycle. We will consider historical misconceptions about the female changing voice and briefly examine voice classification systems and other foundational ideas in choral music education. Importantly, we will explore more recent research on adolescent female voices that provides new food for thought about working with our singers and talk about practical approaches that support female adolescent singers in multifaceted ways.

🏷️ 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

Dr Bridget Sweet-Manternach

Bridget Sweet-Manternach is Professor of Music Education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois. She wrote the books Growing Musicians: Teaching Music in Middle School and Beyond (2016) and Thinking Outside the Voice Box: Adolescent Voice Change in Music Education (2019); she co-edited the book Motherhood in the Music Education Academy (2025).

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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.

Redefining Ethical Practice in Voice Teaching!
Tuesday 11th August 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)

Redefining Ethical Practice in Voice Teaching!

Dr Justin John Moniz

Join Dr Justin John Moniz as he examines ethical practice in voice teaching through a structured, evidence-informed framework for sustainable, student-centered pedagogy. Although voice teaching operates outside formal licensure models common to allied professions, teachers hold significant responsibility for students’ vocal function, artistic development, and long-term well-being. This course addresses that gap through a five-part paradigm grounded in the NATS Code of Ethics, contemporary research, and applied studio practice.

MA Voice Pedagogy: Online Information Session & Q&A
Wednesday 12th August 2026
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
(London Time)

MA Voice Pedagogy: Online Information Session & Q&A

Debbie Winter

Considering our MA Voice Pedagogy? Join our Director for a focused online presentation and discussion to explore the course, ask questions, and discover whether postgraduate study at Voice Study Centre is right for you.

Training the Vocal Athlete: Strategies for Efficient Belting in the 21st Century Market!
Thursday 13th August 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)

Training the Vocal Athlete: Strategies for Efficient Belting in the 21st Century Market!

Dr Wendy LeBorgne

In the fast-paced world of contemporary commercial music (CCM) and musical theatre, belting is no longer a niche vocal effect; it is an athletic requirement. This evidence-informed, interactive workshop bridges the gap between vocal science and studio application. Led by voice pathologist and author Dr. Wendy LeBorgne, participants will dissect the physiological, acoustic, and aerodynamic demands of healthy belting. From establishing baseline vocal fitness to navigating the subtle stylistic differences between Broadway and West End aesthetics, this session will provid an actionable blueprint to build powerful, injury-resistant voices.