The Individual Singing Voice in the Studio and Classroom: An Inclusive eBook Design for Beginning Singers and Their Teachers

Everyone deserves the chance to explore their voice as an expression of individuality and musical fulfillment. There are many considerations for modern voice teachers who desire to create accessible and inclusive paths to vocal study. Inspired by interactions with prospective and beginning voice students in both individual and group class settings, this document examines several of the interests and perceptions that have been most frequently expressed by singers in my studio and classrooms. The application of both student-centered and community-centered approaches within varied learning environments may better meet the needs of diverse groups of singers and welcome more amateur musicians and community music makers as prospective voice students. Confronting and addressing potentially discouraging perceptions may empower more singers to pursue vocal study. Such perceptions include feelings of unworthiness, exposure to standards of unattainable perfection promoted by the use of voice-altering technology, and lack of perceived talent. With these considerations in mind, this study aims to facilitate the creation of a concise basic resource that will benefit the self-guided singer as well as voice teachers who work in individual and classroom settings. This document includes discussions on singing as an aspect of individual identity and community, various pedagogical models of singing instruction, and the impact of technology on the understanding of vocal function. A literature review examines the relevance and effectiveness of the resource material that is frequently used to guide beginning singers. Included are the survey results of “Individual Singer and Teacher Perspectives of Vocal Study,” which gathered perspectives on various topics, such as the use of beginner resource texts, singers’ feelings on talent and worthiness, the use of gender-inclusive techniques in the vocal studio, and the incorporation of somatic practices to vocal study. When provided with a variety of resources, voice teachers can be effective and nurturing guides on every singer’s path to vocal discovery and artistic musical expression. The ultimate goal of this study is to incorporate relevant research on pedagogical techniques and philosophies and the survey results into the design of such a resource—an inclusive and accessible eBook.