Singing Teachers Talk

We’re wrapping up 2025 with a conversation that will change the way you think about the voice forever. Physiotherapist Emer Tully from Neuro Tour joins us to unravel the vital — and often underestimated — role of the pelvic floor in singing. From breathing mechanics to alignment, from recognising tightness vs. weakness, to understanding why singers, dancers, teachers and performers of all kinds should care about this powerhouse of stability, this episode is packed with practical insights and surprising - the perfect finale to a year of rich conversations.  WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST?0:38 Thank YOU!5:20 Why is the pelvic floor so intriguing?7:59 The 5 diaphragms12:01 The function of the pelvic floor13:53 Pregnancy & performance16:48 Signs of a tight or weak pelvic floor & the impact on singing21:16 Helping a singer with a tight or weak pelvic floor30:07 Advice about the gym and methods of ‘support’ in singing39:32 Pelvic floor & stress45:25 Recommended resources About the presenter HERE RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKSSinging Teachers Talk - Ep. 201 Working with Hypermobile Singers with Sarah AlgoetJennie MortonSinging Teachers Talk - Ep.69 Understanding Pregnancy for the Singer and the Self-Employed with Sarah Joyce & Cat OgdenFeldenkraisSinging Teachers Talk - Ep.183 How to Fix Your Inhale and Transform Your Singing with Lucinda AllenSinging Teachers Talk - Ep.191How to Set Up the Best Exhale for Singing with Lucinda AllenDuncan RockSinging Teachers Talk - Ep.120 Understanding Singing and Fitness with Duncan RockAnatomy of Voice by Blandine-Calais-Germain & François GermainDr Sara ReardonMichelle Edminson @mvmt.101Jane AppABOUT THE GUESTEmer is NEURO TOUR’s London Associate Director of Education. She qualified from Manchester University with a BSc Physiotherapy degree, and is HCPC accredited as well as a member of the CSP. She is a Vocal Specialist and a Certified Women’s Health Practitioner. She has an advanced medical acupuncture certification; APPI Matwork & Reformer Pilates training & specialises in vocal/ TMJ physiotherapy. Website Instagram: @physio.emer 🎁 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 | Updates | Email Us | Free Group

Thinking about taking your teaching to the next level, diving deeper into your specialist interests, or even writing a degree of your own? In this episode of Singing Teachers Talk, Alexa is joined by educator, performer, and MA creator Kaya Herstad-Carney, who pulls back the curtain on what a master’s degree in the performing arts really offers. From choosing the right pathway and understanding learning outcomes to balancing study with real life, Kaya shares how her own master’s shaped her career, the unexpected opportunities it opened, and what she’s learned from writing not one but two MA programmes. Whether you’re a singing teacher, performer, or creative professional considering postgraduate study, this conversation is packed with insight, encouragement, and the honest realities behind levelling up your education.WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST?2:27 Why did Kaya do a masters degree?5:37 What is the advantage of studying for an MA?10:10 How to choose an MA course19:19 Juggling a part time MA21:46 What If I’m not very academic?26:11 Writing an MA degree34:22 Marking degree assessments39:07 Common errors in MA submissions41:13 Making your MA decisionAbout the presenter HERERELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKSWaterBear The College of MusicSinging Teachers Talk - Ep.154 Managing Imposter Syndrome, Low Confidence and Overwhelm as Singing Teachers with Alexa TerrySinging Teachers Talk - Ep.222 The Rise of AI: What It Means for Singers & Teachers with Rachael DrurySinging Teachers Talk - Ep.226 The Rise of AI: Practical Tools and Strategies for the Singing Teacher with Rachael DrurySinging Teachers Talk - Ep.56 Taking the Academic Route with Debbie WinterVoice Study CentreArts CouncilABOUT THE GUEST Kaya is a higher education leader, vocal pedagogue, and award-winning artist. From September 2025 she becomes Head of Education (Online) at WaterBear College of Music. With an MA from LIPA/Hope and Fellowship of the HEA, she specialises in student-centred learning and CCM vocal habilitation, and has taught at ACM, LIPA, University of Liverpool, and BAST Training. She sits on the Vocology in Practice Advisory Board, researches voice, wellbeing, and sustainable careers, and performs internationally as a singer-songwriter, including with John Grant and Ringo Starr.SEE FULL BIO HereWebsiteInstagram: @kayamusic🎁 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 | Updates | Email Us | Free Group

Thinking about becoming a singing teacher but not sure what’s holding you back? In this episode, Alexa and Line break down the most common barriers aspiring singing teachers face. Learn how to get started with what you already know, build confidence step by step, choose the right training, and grow your teaching practice with clarity and purpose. If you’re ready to take the next step in your singing teaching journey, this conversation will help you move forward with confidence.  WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST? 0:31 How did Line become a singing teacher?  4:22 I don’t know enough & imposter syndrome 11:26 There’s too much choice 18:26 I don’t have the piano skills 23:37 I don’t have confidence in my own voice  28:25 I’m just not qualified  31:26 What about money?  36:51 My schedule is already busy  40:59 I don’t know how to start a business  46:10 What if I hurt a student’s voice?   About the presenter HERE RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS   Line Hilton  Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.237 Beyond the Vocal Tract: How the Brain Shapes What We Hear with Ian Howell Hearing Singing - A Guide to Functional Listening and Voice Perception  Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.111 Essential Piano Skills for Singers and Voice Teachers with Brenda Earle Stokes  Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.158 How Music Theory and Keyboard Skills Can Transform Your Singing Teaching with Amy Walton  Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.88 Pros and Cons of Singing Teacher Qualifications with Line Hilton Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.229 Ways to Make More Money as a Singing Teacher with Zoe Stibi Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.227 Following Your Bliss: How to Align your Life and Business with Gemma Sugrue  Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.220 Time Management: Making Time When There Isn't Any with Line Hilton & Alexa Terry Chris Johnson 🎁 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 | Updates | Email Us | Free Group

Alexa Terry unwraps ten fresh, fun, and fabulously festive Christmas songs to help singing teachers bring new sparkle into their studios, offering a mix of musical theatre treasures, modern pop tunes, heartfelt ballads, and powerful rock renditions that give both students and teachers a welcome break from the usual overplayed holiday hits. With vocal range guidance, technical teaching opportunities, and stylistic notes for each song this episode provides a studio-ready repertoire list designed to keep spirits high and festive performances inspired throughout the busy holiday season.  About the presenter HERE RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS ABRSM musicnotes.com ‘A Most Remarkable Fella: Frank Loesser, and the Guys and Dolls in His Life' by Susan Loesser  ABOUT THE GUEST Alexa runs a singing tuition practice in the South of England, and is a singing tutor at one of the UK’s leading performing arts schools – Italia Conti, where she also regularly panels auditions and assessments. Alexa is the host of the BAST Training Singing Teachers Talk podcast, mentors for the BAST Training Level 5 qualification, and has presented on topics of Musical Theatre repertoire, authentic Musical Theatre performance, and imposter syndrome for Vocology in Practise and The Sing Space.   SEE FULL BIO HERE  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 | Updates | Email Us | Free Group

This week, Alexa chats with the brilliant Ian Howell to explore how we really hear the singers we work with. From psychoacoustics and functional listening to timbre, bias and intention, Ian unpacks the hidden processes behind vocal perception—and how understanding them can transform the way we teach. A deep, fascinating conversation for any singing teacher wanting sharper ears and smarter tools. WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST?  1:53 What is psychoacoustics?5:28 How is sound perceived by us?12:38 What impacts the way we perceive sound?20:46 Separating function from bias25:48 Belt scenario35:36 How do singers hear themselves?40:59 How to listen and observe with skill1:05:27 The relationship between intent and perception1:15:15 Using spectrograms1:19:57 The way Ian teachesAbout the presenter HERERELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKSHearing Singing - A Guide to Functional Listening and Voice Perception by Ian HowellJohan SundbergThe Acoustics of the Singing Voice by Johan SundbergScience of the Singing Voice by Johan SundbergIngo Titze‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ by Sarah BareillesJeannie LoVetriFeldenkraisSinging Teachers Talk Podcast - Ep.63 Developing a Singer’s Self Awareness and Clarifying Intention with Robert SussumaCornelius ReidVoce VistaAdvice for Young Musicians by Ian HowellStructure of Singing by Richard Miller ABOUT THE GUESTDr. Ian Howell is the Founder and Chief Educator of the Embodied Music Lab, offering professional development and consulting for musicians and teachers. He is the author of Advice for Young Musicians (2023) and Hearing Singing: A Guide to Functional Listening and Voice Perception (2025). From 2013–2023, Ian served on the voice faculty at the New England Conservatory, directing the graduate voice pedagogy program and leading research in the NEC Voice and Sound Analysis Lab, where he and his students presented widely and contributed vital work during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.SEE FULL BIO HEREWebsite🎁 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 | Updates | Email Us | Free Group