Advancing scholarship and practice in musical theatre
The Musical Theatre Research Alliance exists to foster collaborative research, innovation, and knowledge exchange in the field of musical theatre. Our aim is to bridge academia and industry, supporting scholarship that informs practice and elevates the art form globally. We seek to join together as a community, innovate and create.
Objectives
Our vision is rooted in collaboration and inclusivity. We believe research should be a shared endeavour where subjects are not passive participants but expert contributors. Their insights, experiences, and artistry will shape the research process and be recognised through authorship and co-creation of outputs.
- Promote Interdisciplinary Research: Encourage collaboration across music, theatre, dance, and related disciplines.
- Support Scholars and Practitioners: Provide a platform for emerging and established voices in the field.
- Facilitate Knowledge Exchange: Enable dialogue between professional coaches, health providers, teachers, coaches and performers.
- Facilitate Knowledge Transfer: Co-construct meaningful ways in which practice can inform research and research can inform practice.
- Develop Resources and Publications: Produce high-quality outputs that advance understanding and pedagogy in musical theatre.
Governance Structure
- Chair / Director: Provides strategic leadership and vision. The Chair will adapt the Steering Committee's composition based on the ongoing research initiative, ensuring expertise aligns with each project's focus.
- Steering Committee: A flexible group of 4–6 members selected for their relevance to current research priorities.
- Research Fellows / Associates: Contribute to projects and publications.
- Administrative Support: Coordinates communication, events, and membership services.
Membership
- Eligibility: Academics, practitioners, postgraduate researchers, and industry professionals.
- Benefits:
- Access to a vibrant research network.
- Invitations to events, webinars, and symposia.
- Opportunities for collaborative projects and publications.
- Commitment: Active participation in meetings and contribution to research outputs.
Current Members:
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Abigail is a doctoral candidate, pursuing a Doctor of Education at the University of the West of England. Abigail holds a Master's in Education from the University of the West of England, is a member of the Incorporated Society of Musicians and is an Estill Master Trainer. |
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Abimbola Adetola STEPHEN-ADESINA, has a doctorate in Voice, Speech and Actor Training from the University of Ibadan where she has been teaching since 2009. |
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Amanda is an Assistant Professor and Program Head of Musical Theatre at Pace University and is the owner of a private studio working with professional singers. |
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Anca Ofelia Markos is a Romanian performer with an experience of over 10 years in the industry. She got her certification as a vocal coach at Modern Vocal Training and is also studying with Broadway Vox Studios. |
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Barbara DeMaio is currently an associate professor of voice and vocal pedagogy coordinator at the University of Central Oklahoma, teaching both opera and musical theatre styles, as well as opera history and the voice pedagogy curriculum. |
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Besfort Williams has been teaching singing for almost 20 years. He is a Somatic Voicework ™ Faculty Member, and is a Franklin Method Movement Educator. Besfort is the Voice Rehabilitation Coach at Guy’s Hospital, one of London’s leading Specialist Voice Clinics. |
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Cassie Okenka has been a Broadway performer for over a decade and is a dedicated vocal educator. She holds a Bachelor of Music in music theatre from Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Music and a Certification of Distinction in vocal pedagogy from Boston Conservatory at Berklee. |
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Catherine Kimmance has over twenty years of teaching and industry experience. With a former background as a 'triple threat', Catherine has worked internationally as a lead singer, actress and dancer. |
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Cathrine Hopkins is a South African performer, musical director, and vocal pedagogue with an extensive background in musical theatre and voice education. |
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A Voice Study Centre alumnus, Catherine Ogde is an Associate Lecturer of Music Theatre (specialising in singing) at the University of Lancashire, choir director to The University of Lancashire Chamber Choir and choir leader for Northwich Sing Space Musical Theatre Choir. |
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Christie Valeriano has worked with professional actors, singers, and dancers for over three decades. Christie's clients can be seen on the West End, on TV & Film, and in commercially signed record label contracts. In addition to managing an active private studio, teaches teach on the BA (hons) courses at Arts Ed and Mountview Theatre School. |
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Christine is a singer, voice teacher, and coach. She trained in and taught western classical music and now specialises in musical theatre. |
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Clare Chandler is the Programme Leader for Musical Theatre at the University of Lincoln, UK, and a director. Her research explores feminism and musical theatre and pedagogical practice and performer training. |
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Dan Cassin is a vocalist, performer, and creative strategist with over a decade of experience in musical theatre and live entertainment |
Debbie Winter is the Director of the Voice Study Centre. As the driving force behind the VSC, her vision and passion for accessible learning have significantly shaped its success. |
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Senior lecturer at Voice Study Centre. A singer, singing teacher and voice researcher, she also runs a private singing studio just outside Edinburgh. |
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Tracy Bourne is a singer, teacher, researcher, and Associate Lecturer in Music Theatre (voice) at the Victorian College of the Arts, University of Melbourne, Australia. She was previously Lecturer in Singing at the University of Ballarat (now Federation University) and has maintained a private teaching studio for over 30 years. |
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Ed is a Singing Teacher, Conductor, Baritone and Examiner - well known as an established teacher and educator. He is Head of Choral Music and a Singing Teacher at Tring Park School for the Peforming Arts, a Deputy Vocal Teacher at the Royal College of Music Junior Department and an examiner for Trinity College London. |
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Frances Williams is a Lecturer in Singing at the Guildford School of Acting where she teaches singing across programmes and levels. |
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Genevieve is a MSK Performance Physio with a specialism in vocal physiotherapy. Genevieve has a background in performing arts herself, and in physiotherapy: has worked across NHS; private clinics; and has extensive experience supporting the theatre; TV and music industry. |
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Geoffrey Castles is a leading Musical Director, Conductor, Pianist and Vocal Coach in Australia. Geoffrey holds a Bachelor of Music from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, an AMusA in piano from the AMEB and was awarded the 2002 Young Citizen of the Year for Willoughby City Council. |
Hannah is an accomplished vocal and performance coach whose career spans over two decades of teaching, performing and arts education leadership. Her practice is rooted in a holistic, neuro-inclusive philosophy, integrating voice science, movement and playful, exploratory learning to support each performer as a whole, adaptable instrument. |
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Helen began her artistic journey as a dancer before moving her focus to singing while studying musical theatre at Laine Theatre Arts. She subsequently toured the world as both a singer and a dancer. Helen holds an MA in Vocal Pedagogy from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. |
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Hope McNamara Sear is a technical singing tutor for first- and second-year undergraduate Musical Theatre students at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London. She also works with young musical theatre performers at Stepping Stone Performing Arts in Oxford. |
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Jennifer Michael Matthews is a graduate student at Shenandoah Conservatory, majoring in CCM Vocal Pedagogy. She holds a BFA in Music Theatre from Elon University. |
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Jeremy Ryan Mossman (BM, MM, 500CYT) is a teacher of voice, movement, and wholistic expression. |
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Jennifer Myers is a classically trained soprano whose rich and expressive voice has captivated audiences throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. |
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Kasia is a vocal coach with over seven years' experience running a private practice and training performers at some of the UK's leading drama schools. She holds a BA (Hons) Degree in Musical Theatre from ArtsEd London and is currently in the final year of her Master's Degree in Vocal Pedagogy with the Voice Study Centre. |
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Identifying as a 'Scousewegian' (Norwegian with a home in Liverpool), Kaya Herstad-Carney is an experienced higher education leader, vocal pedagogue, and award-winning creative artist. |
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Louisa Morgan is a lecturer at Voice Study Centre, voice teacher and researcher, with a special focus on spoken and sung emotion. |
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Lydia Froud graduated in July 2025 from Voice Study Centre with an MA in Vocal Pedagogy, and her specialist area of study was in acting through song for the pre-professional musical theatre singer. |
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Mary Saunders Barton is a Penn State Professor Emeritus, currently residing in New York where she maintains a private professional voice studio. She is an adjunct professor in the musical theatre program at Montclair State University in New Jersey. |
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Born in Leeds, Michael Vickers trained at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, graduating with a First Class Honours degree in Vocal Studies and a Distinction in Opera at Master’s level. |
Racheal Owens is a lecturer in Singing at Guildford School of Acting, predominantly teaching across the BA and MA Musical Theatre programmes. |
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Scott Harrison is a highly experienced singing teacher, vocal coach, workshop leader and educator based in London UK. Scott specialises in working with professional (and training professional) Musical Theatre and CCM performers. |
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An Israel-born, London-based librettist, lyricist, composer, poet, director, and vocal coach specialising in musical theatre. He holds two MAs - in Classical Singing from the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, and in Musical Theatre from the Guildford School of Acting (GSA). |
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A native of Melbourne, Australia, Travis Baker is considered to be one of the finest organists of his homeland. Travis is now based in England studying with world-renowned concert Organist, Dame Gillian Weir. |
