VoSci Articles
Looking for practical insights, deep dives, and research-backed guidance? You’re in the right place.
This is where we explore the science and art of singing through written content—ranging from how-tos and myth-busting breakdowns to reflections on pedagogy and technique. Some articles expand on podcast episodes, others stand alone. All are here to help you think more clearly, teach more effectively, and sing with confidence.
Whether you’re here for a quick tip or a deep read, this space is designed to help you grow.
How to Breathe While Singing
Everyone knows that the proper way to breathe while singing is diaphragmatic, belly breathing. Except is it really? If you are a classical singer singing opera or art songs, yeah, it really probably is. If you are singing modern musical theatre, rock, pop, folk, or anything else, the answer gets much more vague. To understand this, we need to look at the costs and benefits of how we can breathe.…Read More
Opinion: Modes, Mix Voice, Head Voice… What?
The world of singing is fraught with overlapping and misleading terms thrown about, typically with little or no explication. This can create a lot of confusion for beginning students and even for professional teachers. I am fortunate to have weekly chats with a mentor and colleague of mine to discuss our teaching and various pedagogical queries we might have. Most of the time, questions come up because of an article…Read More
Are Online Singing Lessons Good?
I like to think that online lessons are good; I have been teaching students online for years. However, many students and teachers believe that online lessons are somehow less successful than in-person lessons. Let’s take a look together at the pros and cons of taking and teaching singing lessons online.Read More
The Vocal Athlete: Part 3
The Vocal Athlete: Cool Down You did it! You just sang through a whole show, it was amazing, you were amazing. But now what? Well, looking at our elite athletes it is now time to cool down and stretch. The verdict is still out on this one, some research is suggesting that a cool down routine can help alleviate vocal fatigue, tension, and swelling the next day; conversely, if you are…Read More
The Vocal Athlete: Part 2
The Vocal Athlete: Practice Practice, practice, practice. One of the most important things a vocal athlete does is practice; consistent, focused, and planned practice. This is one of the areas where the correlation between athlete and singer makes the most sense. Elite athletes are always training through strength and cardio training as well as mental training. This is all without the time spent practicing their specific sport. There are no…Read More
The Vocal Athlete: Part 1
You are a Vocal Athlete; just ask the internet! Over the past decade or two, this concept of a vocal athlete has become increasingly mainstream for many reasons. There are many ways in which being a singer, and especially training to be a singer, is similar to being a baseball player, football player, or any other athlete. There are, unfortunately, also many ways where this comparison falls short, which can…Read More
I Am Biased
Bias (n): a particular tendency, trend, inclination, feeling, or opinion, especially one that is preconceived or unreasoned(1) I am biased. I am biased in a great many ways; right now, I am talking, as I usually am, about singing. Like the vast majority of voice teachers, probably you, I come from a background in classical singing. I grew up singing in church choirs, and then I took lessons from a…Read More
Vocal Warm-Ups & Cool-Downs Do We Need Them?
Everyone talks about vocal warm-ups… students talk about them, teachers talk about them, researchers talk about them, and everyone is trying to say the same thing. A vocal warm-up routine is essential for many reasons (health, flexibility, endurance, etc.). Interestingly, despite a tremendous number of questionnaire studies, there is very little evidence that a vocal warm-up routine is beneficial for the reasons singers believe. Now in case you do not…Read More
