Singing Teachers Talk

• Ep.237 Beyond the Vocal Tract: How the Brain Shapes What We Hear with Ian Howell

  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

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• Ep.236 The Academic Path to Pop-Rock with Becky Morton

  In this episode, Becky Morton, Principal of Further Education at ACM and Alexa explore what the FE academic route can offer young singers stepping into today’s music industry. Becky shares curriculum structure with project-based training, and how this helps students to build both industry awareness and artist identity. The pair dig into why early professional habits matter, how the diploma pathway compares to traditional A-levels, and what young performers gain from learning to work with producers, bands and music businesses in a real-world environment. Becky also talks about current vocal trends, the technical demands of pop-rock singing, and how ACM is adapting its teaching to industry changes, including the rise of AI. WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST?03:50 The role of Principle of FE at the Academy of Contemporary Music5:00 Benefits and challenges of an academic route into music10:13 A look at technique for pop-rock12:50 Defining the pop-rock aesthetic15:14 Artists to study in this genre18:16 How important is music theory and sight singing?22:54 2025 vocal and musical trends30:56 What Becky wishes every singer understoodAbout the presenter HERERELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKSACMUALSinging Teachers Talk - Ep.231 Evolving Vocal Trends: Training Functional Registration in Contemporary Commercial MusicSinging Teachers Talk - Ep.222 The Rise of AI: What it Means for Singers & Teachers with Singing Teachers Talk - Ep,226 The Rise of AI: Practical Tools and Strategies for the Singing TeachersISMSunoUdioFollow Becky’s Bands: The Likeness; Two’s Up; The Hooch TootsABOUT THE GUESTRebecca Morton, Principal of FE at ACM, is a professional musician, vocal coach, and musical director with 20+ years of experience. She has collaborated with artists such as Adrian Smith, Imogen Heap, and Alexander O’Neal, and toured as the solo backing vocalist for Hitomi Yaida across major UK and Japanese arenas. Her work includes recordings with Crispian Mills, Mattafix, cast albums, and dance releases with EMI and Hed Kandi. A vocal coach since 2002, she has supported artists like James Toseland and Marlon Roudette. Holding a Masters in Music Psychology, she champions passion, reliability, and excellence at ACM.SEE FULL BIO HEREInstagram: @acm_ldn🎁 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

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• Ep.235 10 ‘Low Belt’ Songs for Female Singers with Alexa Terry

  In this episode, Alexa shares 10 brilliant songs that sit in the A4–D5 low-belt zone for female singers — a range full of character, energy, and storytelling potential. From Standard Broadway favourites, 90s pop-rock anthems and modern hits this episode is packed with fresh repertoire ideas, stylistic insight, and creative inspiration for singers and teachers alike. WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST 0:38 Why might these songs be helpful? 2:07 10 ‘low belt’ songs for female singers   About the presenter HERE RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.205 10 Songs to Inspire Your Singing Lessons Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.210 10 Songs to Celebrate Pride in Your Studio Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.212 10 Songs to Find Your Pop Style Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.219 10 Songs for Male Contemporary Musical Theatre Singers Amanda Flynn  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

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• Ep.234 How to Motivate Student Singers to Practice with Tessa Smith Whicker

  What if the secret to better singing practice isn’t doing more, but understanding why we avoid it in the first place? Voice educator Tessa Smith Whicker joins Alexa to explore how her master’s research reshaped her view of practice — from battling guilt and distraction to embracing curiosity and compassion. Discover how to get singers excited about their own practice, how teachers can reframe “you need to practice” into empowering questions, and why small, playful tasks can make all the difference. WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST?  3:16 What do you believe practice actually is?  8:10 Common barriers to practice  10:02 Options to manage the barriers  18:31 Playing devil’s advocate  22:18 Holes in the research 25:18 How to effectively set practice   39:18 The role of the singing teacher and rapport 46:23 Measuring progress  53:00 Tessa’s practice hub and podcast  About the presenter HERERELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.164 Music and the Brain: The Science of Learning and Practice with Dr Molly Gebrian Part One Jacob Collier  Singing for the Self Conscious by Becky Gilhespie  Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.166 Overcoming Self-consciousness in Singing with Becky Gilhespie Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.131 Mastering Research Papers: How to Read with Ease and Extract Knowledge with Kate Cubley  Cheryl Porter Kim Chandler Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.70 Coaching Contemporary Commercial Music with Kim Chandler The Singer’s Guide podcast by Tessa Smith  ABOUT THE GUEST Tessa Smith Whicker holds a BA in Jazz Studies, an MA in Vocal Pedagogy, and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Her research explores the likes of performance assessment, stylistic awareness, and the decolonisation of Popular Music singing education. She teaches across Higher Education institutions in the North of England and leads choirs and community singing groups. Passionate about developing self-sufficient, self-compassionate singers, Tessa shares tools for effective and enjoyable practice through her social media, podcast The Singer’s Guide, and membership platform The Singer’s Practice Hub.  SEE FULL BIO HEREWebsites: tessasmith.com & thesingersguide.com 🎁 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

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• Ep.233 How Speech Therapy and Aphasia inspired an Etsy Side Hustle with Sami Wong

  In this insightful episode, Alexa chats with Sami Wong, a speech and language pathologist who helps clients navigate communication challenges such as aphasia. Sami shares her personal journey into speech therapy, inspired by her late father’s recovery from a stroke, and explains what aphasia really is, and the role music and singing can play in therapy. We also dive into Sami’s creative side hustle—her successful Etsy shop where she sells educational anatomy prints for SLPs and voice professionals.  Whether you’re a singing teacher, therapist, or simply curious about language, the brain, and communication, this episode will leave you inspired and informed.  WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST?  2:36 What is aphasia?  5:18 What is neuroplasticity?  7:46 Can you recover from aphasia?  9:53 Compensatory communication activities for aphasia  11:10 Music & aphasia 13:46 What should singing teachers know about the work of an SLP?  15:06 Setting up a side hustle  21:07 Advice on creating an Etsy shop  23:46 Sami’s gift to you  About the presenter HERE RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS Melodic Intonation Therapy  Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.211 Learning Vocal Anatomy through Mindful Colouring with Eimear McCarthy Luddy  GET SAMI’S PRINT WITH THIS BAST DISCOUNT CODE: BAST10  ABOUT THE GUEST Sami Wong is a speech-language pathologist based in the Pacific Northwest, specialising in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and helping clients build confidence, independence, and connection. She recently completed a Ph.D. in Education and Leadership, focusing on return-to-work research for individuals with communication challenges. Inspired by her father’s experience with aphasia after a stroke, Sami is dedicated to advancing awareness and rehabilitation for communication disorders. Alongside her full-time role, she runs Speech+Language, a small business offering free resources, study aids, and digital prints for SLPs and care partners. With a background spanning media, fashion, finance, and education, Sami blends creativity with clinical expertise to empower others and advocate for people with aphasia.  SEE FULL BIO HERE  Website Instagram: @samiwong_ Etsy🎁 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

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