The Value of Continued Education with Tom and Heather

Professional development. Continuing education. Ongoing training. Whatever you choose to call it, regularly assessing and improving your skills as a teacher and performer is something every good voice coach needs to do. 

For some, adding to your skillset is a way to increase your value and charge higher rates. For others, learning how different people understand voice helps you communicate better with multiple audiences. 

Whatever your reasons, at the Institute for Vocal Advancement, we’re committed to supporting our students in their professional development. Join Tom and Heather as they discuss the challenges of continuing your education and the rewards that come from being an eternal student. 

In this episode, you’ll discover:

1. (1:49) Why self-employed voice teachers can find professional development more of a challenge than other educators. 
2. (2:52) The challenge of finding reputable sources of information to build your skillset.
3. (6:23) The importance of deciding whether you want to focus on improving your general expertise or becoming an expert in a key niche. 
4. (8:10) The value of understanding your preferred learning method — and when it can be useful to step out of this comfort zone. 
5. (11:15) Why part of your professional development needs to focus on self-marketing. 
6. (12:17) Why “learning how to learn” is often the most valuable skill teachers can develop.
7. (14:20) How investing in your professional development allows you to charge higher rates.
8. (18:00) How learning how to teach a subject lets you learn that subject in greater depth.
9. (21:30) The value of “learning by doing” — and how to learn by observing others.
10. (25:40) Additional ways of approaching professional development when you begin to teach instinctively.
11. (28:30) The importance of learning vocal theory and practical application — and how to build a balance between the two.
12. (33:02) How to better communicate vocal concepts to students, teachers, scientists, and singers by expanding your own understanding of voice.
13. (37:10) How being willing to self-reflect on your own lessons can help you better understand your strengths and weaknesses.
14. (39:43) What to look for when assessing teachers and programs for your continued professional development.

How do you manage your professional development? Do you have a formal way of scheduling continued education into your regular routine? Or do you just squeeze it in where you can?

We want to know! Send us an email at [email protected] and let us know how you hone your skills. Share your learning resources and tell us if you know of a teacher, performer, or researcher we should interview on the show.

And learn more about our teachers and professional connections by following us on the Vocal Advancement Podcast and subscribing to our YouTube channel! 

About the Institute for Vocal Advancement

Are you a professional seeking to build expertise in a specific field or a voice coach who wants to learn more about a particular subject? At the Institute of Vocal Advancement (IVA), we offer resources and support for everyone who’s enthusiastic about music and singing. Our trainers teach from the empathic mindset and provide you with the best teaching tools and strategies to advance your own career.

Check out our webinars in our list of upcoming events and learning how our Teacher Training Programs can help advance your career. Use the code “iva20percent” to get 20% off your first year’s course membership fee!