Singing Teachers Talk

What happens when a singer desperately wants to sing, but fear, self-doubt and past criticism keep getting in the way? In this episode, Alexa is joined by vocal coach and Sing Anyway author - Linor Oren, to explore singing confidence, stage fright and mindset, questioning what happens when we stop chasing a ‘good’ sound and start exploring what the voice can actually do? Plus, before the conversation begins, Alexa shares her honest review of Sing Anyway and reflects on some of the book’s key ideas, ready for your bookshelves.  
 
WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST?  
0:00 ‘Sing Away’ by Linor Oren: Book Review  
9:29 The catalyst for ‘Sing Anyway’ 
12:04 The writing & publishing process  
20:41 Paralysing fear & singing  
23:40 Performance exercises for mindset  
32:52 Linor’s teaching methodology  
38:25 The power of group lessons 
41:55 Is the singer actually ready?    
49:32 What teaching provided that lessons didn’t 
55:00 Round up 
 
About the presenter HERE
 
RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS 
Grinberg Method  
Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.261 Managing Performance Nerves: Tools For Singers & Singing Teachers with Laura Dumbleton 
 
ABOUT THE GUEST 
Linor Oren is a singer, voice teacher and author who knows what it is to go from 'I can't sing' to singing in a hall full of strangers. As a shy kid who didn't take her first singing lesson until she was 21, she graduated from the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance and went on to study and perform in Germany. In 2017 she moved to the Netherlands, where she runs her voice studio and leads The Merry Poppins Musical Choir. Her teaching method blends vocal technique with bodywork and mental practice to help shy singers find their voice. 
 
The traditional method of vocal coaching often starts with the assumption that mastering vocal technique is the only way to enjoy singing. In this approach, the teacher jumps straight into technical work, which can feel overwhelming. Her approach flips this on its head. She believes that enjoyment is the key to unlocking your true potential. Instead of diving headfirst into technique, Linor begins by addressing mental blockages— fear, hesitation, and self-doubt — so that singing feels joyful right from the start. Once a student feels comfortable and confident, the systematic work on vocal technique can start. 
 
Website 
Instagram: @linororenvoiceteacher  
🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice.  >>> DOWNLOAD HERE
At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion.
“The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK
Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW
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In this fascinating conversation, performance psychologist Noa Kageyama explores what learning science really tells us about effective practice, mindful learning, and why repetition alone isn't enough. Discover practical, research-backed strategies that can transform the way you plan lessons, deliver them, and help singers structure practice more efficiently, giving you and them fresh ideas to reach those goals.  
 
WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST?  
1:30 What are elite institutions actually looking for? 
2:49 Reflection: The shift in musicians needs/desires  
6:28 Mindful Vs Mindless learning 
14:26 Learning in the beginner Vs the advanced  
19:20 Achieving positive change 
28:18 When is the best time to give instruction, feedback and praise?  
36:49 The thing about repetition…  
45:37 Rest  
49:55 What makes an excellent teacher exceptional?  
52:35 Bulletproof Musician  
 
About the presenter HERE
 
RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS 
Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.242 Understanding Motor Learning: How It Can Help Us Give Better Singing Lessons 
Line Hilton  
Alexander Technique  
Arnold Jacobs 
Gabrielle Wolf  
A Way to Amplify (or Weaken) the Effect of Self-Talk on Performance  
John Wooden  
The Perfect Wrong Note by William Westney  
Micah Killion 
Pablo Casals 
 
ABOUT THE GUEST 
 
Performance psychologist Noa Kageyama is on the faculty of The Juilliard School and Cleveland Institute of Music. A violinist with degrees from Oberlin and Juilliard before completing a Ph.D. in counseling psychology at Indiana University, Noa specializes in teaching performing artists how to utilize sport psychology principles to more consistently perform up to their full abilities under pressure. 
 
He has conducted workshops for institutions including Curtis, Eastman, Peabody, New England Conservatory, and the U.S. Armed Forces School of Music, programs such as the Starling-Delay Symposium, the Perlman Music Program, and Meadowmount, and for organizations like the Music Teachers' National Association, Performing Arts Medicine Association, and the Association for Applied Sport Psychology. 
 
Noa's work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, NBC News, CNN, Forbes, Slate, and Lifehacker. He has taught over 10,000 musicians, educators, and learners through his online courses, and authors The Bulletproof Musician blog and podcast, which reaches over 45,000 subscribers every week. 
 
Website 
Youtube 
🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice.  >>> DOWNLOAD HERE
At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion.
“The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK
Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW
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Alexa is joined by singer, songwriter and vocal coach Grace Hancock to explore the relationship between music and craft. Together, they have honest conversations about the moments when making music hasn’t felt good and when it has stopped being joyful for them. They discuss burn out, self-worth, comparison and perfectionism, and how singers can reconnect with their craft in a healthier, more authentic way. As ever, we’re keeping it real on the Singing Teachers Talk podcast.  
 
WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST?  
0:55 Memories of travelling as a performer  
4:06 Best and worst advice Grace has received as a singer  
5:32 Grace’s mission 
6:46 Working on cruise ships 
12:55 When you fall out of love with performing 
17:10 How can a difficult relationship with music influence teaching?  
21:49 How to build a healthy relationship to music as a singer 
33:23 What conversations should we be having more of as singing teachers?  
35:14 Grace’s work  
 
About the presenter HERE
 
RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS 
Singing Teachers Talk - Ep 100 The Truth About Singing and Dairy with Nutritionist Duncan Rock 
Singing Teachers Talk - Ep 267. Acting Through Song: Practical Tools for Singing Teachers with Molly Marie Walsh 
Amie McNee 
Singing Teachers Talk - Ep 245. Technique Meets Artistry: Working with Contemporary Singers with Juliet Russell 
Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers  
Singing Teachers Talk - Ep. 261 Managing Performance Nerves: Tools For Singers & Singing Teachers with Laura Dumbleton 
 
ABOUT THE GUEST 
 
Grace is a seasoned singer-pianist, vocal coach and composer. Over the past decade she has dedicated her life to music and creativity, performing around the world aboard luxury cruise ships and composing for theatre and short films. Her original compositions have been recognised by festivals such as the Paris Film Awards and Only the Best International Film Awards. She now hosts her podcast for singers: Curious Vocalists, where she talks to industry professionals exploring ways for singers to build a more fulfilling and sustainable career in the arts. 
 
Email 
Website 
Instagram 
Facebook 
 
🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice.  >>> DOWNLOAD HERE
At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion.
“The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK
Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW
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What makes a performance truly believable? In this episode, Alexa is joined by fellow BAST teammate Molly Walsh to explore acting through song and the power of gesture mapping. Together they unpack practical acting techniques that help singers communicate emotion authentically, make purposeful physical choices, and create performances that are both vocally sustainable and dramatically compelling. From Meisner and SAVI techniques to storytelling and practical teaching strategies, this episode is packed with insights for singing teachers, vocal coaches, performers, and musical theatre students looking to bring any song to life. 
 
WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST?  
2:58 Different acting techniques   
7:34 Considerations for method acting  
11:24 Inside-out vs Outside-in (& the SAVI technique)  
14:01 Where you can find ‘acting through song’ clues 
20:19 Gesture mapping  
38:45 The SAVI cards  
47:42 Consonants  
51:48 Facial expression & neurodiversity  
 
About the presenter HERE
 
RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS 
Practitioners Mentioned: Konstantin Stanislavski; Stella Adler; Uta Hagen; Sanford Meisner; Rudolf Laban; Lee Strasberg; Arthur Lessac; Viewpoints  
Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.221 How Knowing Musical Theatre History Makes You a Better Performer 
Ernie Losso 
The Savi Singing Actor by Charles Gilbert  
Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.109 Mastering ‘Acting Through Song Techniques to Elevate MT Performance  
Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.266 8 Tips to Make Belt Sound More Impressive  
Teach Voice by Chris Johnson  
Heidi Moss Erickson  
Kaya Herstad-Carney 
Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.155 Part One: Building Neurodiversity-Inclusive Voice Studios 
Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.156 Part Two: Building Neurodiversity-Inclusive Voice Studios 
 
ABOUT THE GUEST 
Molly Marie Walsh (BFA (Hons) Musical Theatre - Molly has had a professional performing career across the US and the UK. As a professional Musical Theatre Performer in the US: the National Tour of DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, and productions of WHITE CHRISTMAS, 42nd STREET, FORBIDDEN BROADWAY, OKLAHOMA! and INTO THE WOODS. and in the UK: Alan Menken's A CHRISTMAS CAROL, JEWISH LEGENDS, and THE MIKADO. She has been a Vocalist with a classical crossover group, ANCORA, and close-harmony Andrews Sisters trios THE MANHATTAN DOLLS (US), and currently in the UK, THE HONEYBIRDS. She has also been a creative consultant with writing team KANSLEY & LIDERT on their original musicals, CONFESSIONS and AUTUMN RHYTHM. She holds both a BFA in Musical Theatre from University of the Arts (US) and a BAST Level 5 Extended Diploma in Singing Teaching Skills. She is a singing tutor at Italia Conti, and a lecturer of history of dance and musical theatre at Urdang Academy, She has a passion for focusing on equality, inclusivity, curiosity, and decolonising the voice studio and our understanding of theatre history. 
 
Website 
🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice.  >>> DOWNLOAD HERE
At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion.
“The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK
Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW
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Want a more impressive belt? Before you search for another vocal exercise, you might want to question what you think makes great belting in the first place. In this episode, Alexa Terry shares eight thought-provoking ideas - some that might surprise you. 
 
About the presenter HERE
 
RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS 
Amanda Flynn 
Voice Study Centre 
Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.133 Mastering Belt in Musical Theatre  
Emily Kristen Morris 
Singing Teacher’s Talk - Ep.200 The Secret to Powerful Belting and Seamless Mixing  
Sing Like Never Before by Justin Stoney of New York Vocal Coaching  
Hadestown by Anaïs Mitchell 
Kerrie Obert 
Singing Teacher’s Talk - Ep.151 How to Sing with Twang  
 
ABOUT THE GUEST 
Alexa is a singing teacher and vocal coach who runs her own singing tuition practice in the South of England. She is also a 1-1 singing tutor at one of the UK’s leading performing arts schools – Italia Conti, where she regularly panels auditions and assessments. Alexa is the host of BAST Training’s Singing Teachers Talk podcast, and is one of the mentors for their level 5 singing teaching qualification. [Text Wrapping Break][Text Wrapping Break]After graduating with a BA Musical Theatre degree, Alexa Terry donned her sailor’s cap and performed as a lead soloist on cruise ships travelling the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Baltic seas. She trod the boards in London’s West End as the protagonist in a new Musical Theatre project, studied as a librettist with Book, Music and Lyrics (BML), and has written for the likes of BritishTheatre.comas a reviewer. Alexa has also presented on topics of Musical Theatre repertoire, authentic Musical Theatre performance, and imposter syndrome for Vocology in Practice and The Sing Space; and at the BAST Intensive Weekend of Summer 2026, Alexa delivered talks in diagnosing and assessing voices and choosing repertoire to build technique.  
 
Website 
Instagram: @AlexaTerryVocalCoaching  
🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice.  >>> DOWNLOAD HERE
At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion.
“The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK
Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW
basttraining.com | Stay Updated