Once upon a time, there was a woman called Susan Payton who was passionate about helping fellow business owners to clearly articulate their value to their ideal customers with a simple messaging strategy. Susan wrote an Amazon bestseller called "The Business of Stories," knocking Diary of a CEO and Dragon Steven Bartlett off the top spot. She joins the host of the Singing Teachers Talk podcast Alexa Terry to share her experiences and to talk about her free five-day challenge, starting 4th of Sep...
Aug 29, 2023•41 min•Ep. 126
Choral leader, singer, teacher, composer and now author Olivia Sparkhall is joining Alexa this week to discuss her book, ‘A Young Person’s Guide to Vocal Health’. The book is a simple guide to help you understand what's good (and what's bad!) when looking after your 'vocal instrument', and how you can keep your voice in great shape. It shows you the best ways to maintain good vocal health and how to avoid or deal with problems that young people will face. KEY MOMENTS There wasn’t something aimed...
Aug 23, 2023•35 min•Ep. 125
Alexa is joined by Jono McNeil, a seasoned vocal coach, arranger and producer with more than 15 years of experience. Jono’s background includes working on popular TV shows like The Voice UK , The Masked Singer and The Voice Kids , and providing coaching for touring acts such as JLS and New Rules. Jono is also an accomplished artist and singer and has performed with Michael Bublé, Paloma Faith and Jamie Cullum. In this episode of the podcast, you’ll gain insights into the world of TV vocal coachi...
Aug 15, 2023•21 min•Ep. 124
Alexa is joined by Jono McNeil, a seasoned vocal coach, arranger and producer with more than 15 years of experience. Jono’s background includes working on popular TV shows like The Voice UK , The Masked Singer and The Voice Kids , and providing coaching for touring acts such as JLS and New Rules. Jono is also an accomplished artist and singer and has performed with Michael Bublé, Paloma Faith and Jamie Cullum. In this episode of the podcast, you’ll gain insights into the world of TV vocal coachi...
Aug 08, 2023•32 min•Ep. 123
Joining Alexa this week is Sarah Summers, who is a musical director, choir leader and vocal health first aider based in Swindon, UK. Sarah runs four choirs, including one for unpaid carers and another for staff and retired employees of the Great Western Hospitals Trust. She is currently studying on the MA Vocal Health pathway with the Voice Study Centre and has published some of her work with the Singing for Health Network. Sarah's research focus lies on the emotional well-being benefits and eth...
Aug 01, 2023•27 min•Ep. 122
Alexa is joined by Michele Weir, a renowned figure in vocal jazz education and arranging. Michele is the founder of the online school Music Habit and the creator of the app ScatAbility. Additionally, she has written several books on jazz, so who better to talk you through the topic of how to sing and teach this genre? KEY MOMENTS ‘No two jazz singers are alike’ ‘Jazz comes in different packages, it’s not always about a well trained voice’ ‘Phrasing is a bigger deal in jazz than it is in other st...
Jul 26, 2023•49 min•Ep. 121
Joining Alexa Terry for this episode is the wonderful Duncan Rock who spoke to Alexa in our 100th episode on the topic of the voice and dairy. He’s just returned from performing in Benjamin Britten’s 'The Rape of Lucretia' at Toulouse’s Théâtre du Capitole. In addition to being a professional Baritone, Duncan is a nutritionist and physiotherapist. He’s on the podcast to discuss singing and fitness, the do’s and don’ts, myths and facts. KEY MOMENTS Exercise is one of the best things you can do to...
Jul 18, 2023•52 min•Ep. 120
In this episode, Alexa dives into the common struggles of imposter syndrome, low confidence, and feeling overwhelmed that many singing teachers face. As an experienced voice instructor and singer herself, Alexa shares personal stories and insights on managing these challenges in your teaching career and life. Learn how to overcome negative self-talk, build your confidence both in and out of the studio, and avoid burnout through self-care and planning. "Sometimes, I am completely overwhelmed by t...
Jul 11, 2023•48 min•Ep. 119
The incredible Gemma Sugrue joins Alexa this week to take a deep dive into the world of mix voice and belt techniques. We’re thrilled to explore this topic with Gemma, especially after our enlightening conversation with John Henney in episode 101. KEY MOMENTS ‘I call it entering into the option area’ ‘A mix is anything that’s connected and still in mode one’ ‘I like to start with refining the engine first before adding the gas’ ‘As you sing, there’s a different pressure quality to each note’ ‘We...
Jul 04, 2023•44 min•Ep. 118
Alexa is joined by Ruth McPherson, the head of charity development at ISM, the Independent Society of Musicians. Since joining ISM in 2016, Ruth has been dedicated to promoting the organisation's work among musicians and ensuring gold-standard service delivery. She currently spearheads the development of ISM's sister charities, the ISM Trust and the ISM Members Fund, which provide crucial support in professional development and health and well-being services to music professionals. Ruth is here ...
Jun 28, 2023•29 min•Ep. 117
Alexa is in the company of composer, musical director, pianist, arranger and app creator Rowland Braché. Rowland has worked as an MD for productions such as 'West Side Story', 'The Last Five Years', 'Into the Woods' and 'A Chorus Line'. He joined Book Music and Lyrics in London in 2015 and was a finalist for the Stars and Drew Best New Song Prize in 2017. Rowland created the UK’s premier female vocal rock group called 'Rock Goddess' and is the creator of the Warble app, which helps singers find ...
Jun 20, 2023•30 min•Ep. 116
BAST Trainer and founder, Line Hilton joins Alexa Terry to continue the Best Vocal Exercises series. Following previous episodes on chest voice and head voice, today the pair will be tackling the subject of the area between these two registers, the transition (aka passaggio, bridge, register break). Find out where the transition occurs in male and female voices, the problems singers face going through the transition, and some useful exercises you can use to help the singer navigate it. KEY MOMEN...
Jun 13, 2023•19 min•Ep. 115
BAST trainer and founder, Line Hilton, returns to the show, this time to discuss 'head voice' and some of the exercises that singing teachers can use when working with a student on this particular vocal register. As well as that, you’ll find out the vocal range covered by head voice, the importance of head voice and what actually goes on in your body when singing in head voice. ‘It could be loud and piercing or lighter but is distinct from falsetto’ RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS Artists/shows me...
Jun 06, 2023•29 min•Ep. 114
BAST trainer and founder Line Hilton joins Alexa for another instalment in the ongoing series ‘The Best Vocal Exercises for’. This week they are discussing "chest voice", the lower part of a vocal range. Find out what a vocal register is, how many we have, why this is a heavily debated topic, how to identify and access the "chest voice" and how singing teachers can create the best vocal exercises for accessing it. KEY MOMENTS ‘A register is just an area of your range’ ‘Anything from G4 down for ...
May 30, 2023•37 min•Ep. 113
Today we’ve got a professional voice coach and vocalist who has been working for over 15 years in the music industry. Hannah Smikle is back on the podcast after 61 episodes, in her last appearance she spoke to Alexa about how to boost a singer’s confidence. Hannah is on Singing Teachers’ Talk this week to talk all about helping musical theatre singers build a reliable pop toolbox. 'It’s difficult, we’re asking singers to be vocal chameleons.' RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS Singing Teachers Talk E...
May 23, 2023•49 min•Ep. 112
Today Alexa is joined by the person otherwise known as the Piano Skills for Singers Woman. Brenda Earle Stokes is an internationally recognised pianist, vocalist, and educator who has taught keyboard and musicianship skills to hundreds of singers. She is the creator of The Versatile Musician, a membership that includes the likes of piano training, music theory improvisation, and lots more. Brenda is here to chat about how to build piano skills as a voice teacher and singer. KEY MOMENTS ‘I like t...
May 16, 2023•37 min•Ep. 111
Chris Johnson is a professional singer turned vocal coach who has worked with major label artists, West End leads, backing vocalists, singer/songwriters and vocal coaches. He is also the creator of Teach Voice, a programme that helps singing teachers up-skill and develop their technical and business acumen. He joins Alexa on Singing Teachers Talk to discuss all things articulation and singing when it comes to assessing jaw behaviour. KEY MOMENTS ‘The jaw's function and range of movement is unres...
May 09, 2023•50 min•Ep. 110
Alexa is joined by guest Louisa Morgan who teaches singing, spoken voice, and audition prep with a specialism in acting through song. She is the main voice teacher for the full-time acting students at the Cygnet Theatre in Exeter and teaches musical theatre students at Italia Conti. Louisa is a Vocal Process accredited teacher and is currently studying part-time for her master’s degree in Vocal Pedagogy with the Voice Study Centre. Louisa is here to talk about her specialist subject of acting th...
May 02, 2023•44 min•Ep. 109
Alexa’s guest this week is Wendy Rolls, who divides her time teaching singing at two Brisbane girls’ secondary schools and at her own private studio, conducting a chamber choir for middle school girls. Wendy completed a Masters where her thesis focused on the pedagogical needs of adolescent female singers and is currently tracking the development of nine girls for her PhD. She is the creator of the female voice change pamphlet and post packs and is here to discuss how we can best navigate the ad...
Apr 26, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 108
Kimberley George is a singer-songwriter and topliner for DJs. She joins Alexa today on Singing Teachers Talk to tell you everything you need to know about songwriting for electronic music styles. Listen in to find out what happens when a DJ contacts a vocalist, the problems in communicating creative ideas, the advantages of doing your own production, and what you, as a singing teacher, can do for a student wanting to get into that industry. KEY MOMENTS ‘By being versatile I can adapt to what peo...
Apr 19, 2023•35 min•Ep. 107
BAST founder Line Hilton joins Alexa Terry today on Singing Teachers Talk to discuss giving student-led singing lessons. We’ll be talking about the different types of questions to ask and how you can get students to expand on their answers, reflect back on lessons, and set their own goals. KEY MOMENTS ‘It’s not about how good or bad I was, it’s about if I achieved what I wanted to achieve or not’ ‘I’ve always felt the role of the teacher is to become redundant so a student can teach themselves’ ...
Apr 11, 2023•37 min•Ep. 106
Joining Alexa today is Jo Sear, a rock, pop and soul singer, and teacher of CCM singing styles. Jo completed her MA in Voice Pedagogy through the Voice Study Centre and will soon begin her PhD at The Royal Northern College of Music. She’s here to discuss teaching popular music styles, the topic of her recently published final MA dissertation project. ‘The whole basis of popular music is authenticity’ RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS Voice Study Centre British Voice Association The Journal of Popula...
Apr 05, 2023•44 min•Ep. 105
Joining Alexa today is Colin McGee, who is trained in psychoanalytic and humanistic therapy and hypnotherapy. Colin McGee works at the National ADHD charity ADDISS as a psychotherapist, supervisor, and trainer, and also has his own personal clinical practice specialising in behaviour management, ADHD and autism. He’s the perfect guest for this episode as we’re looking at teaching neurodivergent singers. KEY MOMENTS ‘ADHD is not deliberate, they’re not late on purpose’ ‘People with ADHD are visua...
Mar 29, 2023•44 min•Ep. 104
Kaya Herstad-Carney joins Alexa to tackle the subject of how to measure a singer. That doesn’t mean marking their height on the wall in pencil; it’s about understanding someone’s limitations and exceptions. Kaya is creative with a wide skill set, ranging from powerful performances of her original music to vocal coaching, singing teacher training, and artist development. KEY MOMENTS ‘Measure but don’t mention the physical appearance of someone and what we can expect from their sound’ ‘People’s id...
Mar 22, 2023•33 min•Ep. 103
Today Alexa is joined by the wonderful Joanne Bozeman who has been a voice teacher for almost 50 years. Joanne is a singer herself and was a faculty member at Lawrence University’s Conservatory of Music in the state of Wisconsin. She is a frequent presenter for organisations such as the BVA, NATS, and PAVA and is a coauthor of Singing Through Change: Women’s Voices in Midlife, Menopause, and Beyond . Joanne is on Singing Teachers Talk to share her expertise on singing through the stages of menop...
Mar 15, 2023•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 102
Internationally renowned voice teacher John Henny returns to chat with host Alexa Terry on this episode of Singing Teachers Talk. John has taught thousands of vocalists, including Grammy winners and top background and session singers. He has also trained hundreds of voice teachers, including many industry leaders. We’ve got a belting episode for you this week, quite literally, as Alexa and John will be discussing how to belt. KEY MOMENTS ‘Belting, I know it when I hear it’ ‘Most contemporary mus...
Mar 08, 2023•42 min•Ep. 101
This episode is very special! It marks 100 episodes of the BAST Singing Teachers Talk podcast! We just wanted to take a second to do a massive shout out to all of the incredible guests we’ve spoken to and also you, our amazing listeners! To thank you for joining us, we’re running a special giveaway to win over a thousand pounds worth of educational videos, knowledge and singing teacher goodness! All you need to do to enter is take a screenshot of this episode of the podcast playing on your devic...
Mar 01, 2023•40 min•Ep. 100
'Ask Me Anything' is where listeners can pose questions to BAST Training founder and trainer, Line Hilton. In this episode Line gives advice on creating cancellation policy, optimal booking systems, when you might need to use a debt collection agency and what to do if a student complains about aches and pains around the larynx. KEY MOMENTS ‘We need to overcome the awkward feelings that come up when talking about money’ ‘Don’t let yourself get into a bad situation, stop it before it happens’ ‘If ...
Feb 22, 2023•25 min•Ep. 99
Today Alexa is joined by a singer and voice coach who was the first artist to perform at London’s O2 Arena. She has taught music to more than 4,000 children and has worked on ITV’s The Voice Kids . In 2019 she was awarded an MA from the Voice Study Centre where her work focused on the benefits of singing and songwriting on mental health. Author of The Creative Songwriting Journal and If You Can’t Say It Sing It! Sophie Garner is on Singing Teachers Talk. KEY MOMENTS ‘It enables people to literal...
Feb 15, 2023•33 min•Ep. 98
Alexa is joined on Singing Teachers Talk this week by osteopath and former ballet dancer and singer, Jennie Morton. Jennie works as a performance coach for singers and actors, focusing on anatomical efficiency, the embodiment of artistry, movement education and rehabilitation from vocal injury. She is here to tell you how you can elevate your performance through your anatomy. KEY MOMENTS ‘We call instrumental musicians the athletes of the small muscles’ ‘People’s bodies actually develop around t...
Feb 08, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 97
