Vocal Pedagogy Professional Workshop
July 19–21, 2013
The Vocal Pedagogy Professional Workshop (VPPW) is designed to provide collegiate and private voice instructors and vocal music educators with unique learning opportunities in both musical theater and classical voice pedagogy.
Topics will include: anatomy and physiology of the singing mechanism, developmental repertoire, comparative pedagogy, musical theater belt/mix and vocal health. Courses are taught by Boston Conservatory faculty, guest faculty and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Voice Center doctors and staff.
In addition to earning 18 Professional Development Points (PDPs), participants will leave with an enriched and functional understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the singing mechanism, knowledge of current developments in voice and speech science and a systematic practical approach to both classical and musical theater technique.
2013 Faculty
- Kevin Wilson, director
- Tara Stadelman-Cohen, CCC-SLP
- Patty Thom, Chair of Voice and Opera
- Sara Goldstein
- Mary Saunders
- Dr. Thomas Gregg
- Bill Cotten
2013 Tuition and Fees
Tuition: $650
Housing (Optional): $150
Boston Conservatory Student & Alumni Discounted Tuition: $500
Meals not provided.
Registration Deadline
June 30, 2013
2013 Schedule of Events:
Friday, July 19, 2013
12 p.m. Dorm Check-In for participants staying on campus
12:30 p.m. Registration/Welcome/Orientation
1:30 p.m. Anatomy and Physiology of the Singing Mechanism
3:30 p.m. Vocal Health Seminar with Massachusetts General Hospital Voice Center
5 p.m. Q&A with MGH Voice Center Doctors and Staff
Saturday, July 20
9 a.m. What is Belting? Teaching Musical Theater and Contemporary Voice
11 a.m. Comparative Voice Pedagogy- Mary Saunders
12 p.m. Comparative Voice Pedagogy- Bill Cotten
1 p.m. BREAK FOR LUNCH
2 p.m. A Systematic Approach to Voice Teaching
4:30pm Historic Classical Voices; Re-introducing historic singers
Sunday, July 21
9 a.m. Alexander Technique in the Voice Studio
11a.m. Comparative Voice Pedagogy- Patty Thom
12 p.m. Comparative Voice Pedagogy- Tom Gregg
1 p.m. BREAK FOR LUNCH
2 p.m. Repertoire for the Teaching Studio
4 p.m. Teaching breathing: Concepts and Exercises
2013 Course Descriptions
Anatomy, Physiology, and Voice Science Courses
Anatomy and Physiology
This introduction to the Vocal Pedagogy workshop is an in-depth overview of the anatomy, physiology, and body systems used in singing. Led by Senior Speech Language Pathologist and Singing Voice Specialist Tara Stadelman-Cohen of the Massachusetts General Hospital Voice Center, this session will lay the basic groundwork for the workshop.
Vocal Health Seminar
Massachusetts General Hospital Voice Center Doctors and Speech Pathologists discuss up-to-date developments in vocal hygiene, singer specific pathologies, surgeries, and rehabilitation. This is a fascinating look into the medical profession of caring for the professional voice.
Question and Answer with the MGH Voice Center will follow.
Special Topics in Voice Courses
What is Belting? Teaching Musical Theater and Contemporary Voice
Kevin Wilson, Professor of Voice and Director of Vocal Pedagogy Studies will lecture and lead a discussion on vocal registration and current pedagogical trends in teaching musical theater. Participation is welcome and encouraged as you discover or secure your ideas of teaching contemporary voice. This lecture will include live teaching demonstration.
Alexander Technique in the Voice Studio
Led by Sara Goldstein, Professor of Voice and Alexander specialist, this workshop will explore the principles of the Alexander Technique via discussion and group activities. There will be opportunities for short individual performances as well. The Alexander Technique is a method for exploring human reaction with the potential for learning new ways of responding, often with greater ease. The work is experiential. Please come in comfortable clothing and with an open mind!
A Systematic Approach to Voice Teaching
Led by Kevin Wilson, Professor of Voice and Director of Vocal Pedagogy Studies, this workshop discusses the major body systems in singing; Posture, Respiratory, Phonatory, Resonatory, and Articulatory in a step-by-step clear and methodical approach to teaching voice. Discussion will focus on discovering and differentiating between symptom and cause in technical voice teaching.
Teaching breathing: Concepts and Exercises
This workshop led by Kevin Wilson, Professor of Voice and Director of Vocal Pedagogy Studies will discuss teaching breathing in the studio. There will be discussion of the breathing process, the variations in breathing techniques, and securing language for teaching these concepts. Exercises for developing and securing breathing will be discussed and practiced. Please be prepared to discuss your breathing techniques and exercises with the group on a volunteer basis.
A History of Great Singers - Icons: From Caruso to Callas to Sills
Enrico Caruso, arguably the greatest tenor ever, was the first classical singer to become famous in large part due to recordings. Maria Callas followed with a controversial career that changed how singers approached roles dramatically, and Beverly Sills with her All-American personality and media savvy brought classical music to the masses. Getting back to great singing and great singers these icons (and more) will rejuvenate or instigate your passion for great singing! Taught by Professor of Voice, Bill Cotten.
Repertoire Courses
Repertoire for the Teaching Studio
Repertoire instructor, pedagogue, and Professor of Voice Dr. Thomas Gregg will present familiar and lesser known repertoire for the classical and contemporary teaching studio. Discussion will detail how to select repertoire as a teaching tool for developing technical abilities, and how to build a successful personal music library.
Comparative Teaching Courses
Musical Theater Comparative Pedagogy
Master teachers Bill Cotten and Mary Sanders will each instruct a 45 minute demonstration lesson. The lesson process will be complete with warm-ups, vocal exercises, breath and posture work, and potential technical song work. A brief discussion with the instructors will follow.
Classical Comparative Pedagogy
Master teachers Dr. Thomas Gregg and Patty Thom (Chair of Voice and Opera) will each instruct a 45 minute demonstration lesson. The lesson process will be complete with warm-ups, vocal exercises, breath and posture work, and potential technical song work. A brief discussion with the instructors will follow.
