Thinking Outside The Voice Box: Adolescent Voice Change In Music Education
Thursday 5th May 2022, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)
The goal of this workshop is to encourage new and holistic ways of thinking about the [assigned at birth] female and [assigned at birth] male adolescent changing voice.
We will step away from typical considerations of voice change and explore the experience within the bigger picture of adolescence.
Conversation will include topics of physical development during adolescence, including the body, brain, and auditory system; vocal anatomy and physiology in general, as well as during male and female voice change; the impact of hormones on the adolescent voice, especially for female singers; ideas of resolve and perseverance that are essential to adolescent navigation of voice change; and the influence of a voice change simulacrum that influences societal thinking about the voice change phenomenon.
A brief examination of voice classification systems and other foundational ideas in choral music education, as well as emerging considerations of adolescent voice change beyond classification systems, provide new food for thought about working with the adolescent changing voice.
Dr Bridget Sweet
Bridget Sweet 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).
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.
Monday 6th July 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Friday 10th July 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Monday 13th July 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Friday 17th July 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Monday 20th July 2026
7:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Friday 24th July 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Certificate in Foundations of Vocology with Adam Roberts
Adam Roberts
This 30-hour Vocology Cohort Intensive provides a comprehensive overview of basic vocal anatomy, physiology, and theories of voice production & perception, fundamentals of vocal health, pathology, evaluation, performance, and habilitation of the speaking and singing voice, and a survey of research, resources, and professional opportunities. Each week, advanced students contribute to cohort-centred learning with additional resources, discussion facilitation, and critical analysis. The course assessment will also be useful for those who wish to prepare for the PAVA recognised designation.
Tuesday 21st July 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Understanding and Working With Low Self-Esteem in Voice Users
Dr Luke Aldridge-Waddon
Join Dr Luke Aldridge-Waddon as he introduces a cognitive-behavioural approach to understanding and working with low self-esteem. Low self-esteem is associated with a range of psychological and physical health difficulties, including issues relevant to voice disorders and vocal performance. The presentation will first define low self-esteem before discussing psychological factors relevant to its development and maintenance. Luke will review existing research which characterises low self-esteem as a commonly reported experience across voice use and voice disorder groups, with some suggestions for how this might then be approached within a voice clinic and voice coaching context.
Friday 24th July 2026
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
(London Time)
In Conversation With… Dr Tracy Bourne
Dr Tracy Bourne
Join us for the next conversation in our public interview series exploring vocal health and sustainability in musical theatre performance, this time with music theatre voice specialist, Dr Tracy Bourne! Free and open to all!