Singing Teachers Talk

Hosted by BAST Training expect interviews and conversations to inspire and inform singing teachers and singers who are ready to teach. ABOUT BAST TRAINING We are here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills, understanding and qualifications required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill. Start with the Foundition course or level up into a Level 5 qualification. https://basttraining.com | info@basttraining.com | FB & IG @basttraining

Singing Teachers Talk is a education podcast hosted by BAST Training, with 277 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

BAST Training hosts Singing Teachers Talk, a education show with 277 episodes published.

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  Singing Teachers Talk

  Ep.279 On Vocal Crashes, Career Lessons and Sustainable Singing with Chris Killik

  Sep 29, 202641 min

  What does it really take to build a sustainable career as a performer? In this episode, Alexa is joined by performer and vocal coach Chris Killik for a warm, funny and refreshingly candid conversation about life in the performing arts. From memorable auditions and unexpected career opportunities to versatility, vocal health and the lessons that only come from experience, Chris shares stories from a career spanning musical theatre, Shakespeare, television and stages across Europe. They also explore how our priorities can shift over time, what it means to truly understand your voice, and why sometimes the most important career moments are the ones you never planned for. WHAT ’ S IN THIS PODCAST? 0:44 What makes a good audition experience? 1:44 Auditions gone wrong 5:49 Chris’ journey into performing arts 9:29 What did higher education not teach you? 11:45 What does it mean to be versatile? 16:28 The vocal crash 26:57 Performing in the UK Vs Europe 31:16 Setting up The Educated Voice 35:30 Performing and being a Dad 38:20 The remainder of 2026 About the presenter HERE RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS Royal Academy of Music Mary Hammond Jack Shepherd Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.112 Helping Musical Theatre Singers Build a Reliable Toolbox Physio Ed Chris Johnson Vocal Coach Jeremy Ryan Mossman Tom Burke Anne Marie Speed Maureen Scott Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.241 Is Your Pelvic Floor Affecting Your Voice? A Deep Dive Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.263 The Creative Juggler: Singer, Songwriter and Teacher Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.197 Backing Adele and Beyond: The Art and Craft of Backing Vocals Singing Teachers Talk - Ep. Ep.69 Understanding Pregnancy for the Singer and the Self-Employed Associated Studios ABOUT THE GUEST Theatre credits include: Freddie Mercury in Friday Night Fever! (O2 Arena); Wish You Were Dead (National Tour); How to Build a Better Tulip and Return to the Forbidden Planet (Upstairs at the Gatehouse); Redemption Room and Iconfidant (Online); Andrew Lloyd Webber Gala (European Tour); Twelfth Night , A Midsummer Night's Dream and Much Ado About Nothing (Park Theatre); The Wind in the Willows (Kew Gardens); Private Lives (Playhouse Theatre, Stockholm); Chicago (City Theatre Stockholm); Jesus Christ Superstar (Turku City Theatre, Finland); The Hired Man (Old Laundry Theatre, Windermere); Love Story (Duchess Theatre); Ash (Arcola Theatre); Sail Away (Lost Musicals, Lilian Baylis Theatre, Sadler's Wells); Closer Than Ever (Cheltenham Playhouse); Closer (Helsinki Fringe) and Merrie England (Finborough Theatre). Concert credits include: Backing Singer for Elton John's Concert for Diana (Wembley Stadium) and Chess in Concert (Royal Albert Hall). Recording credits include: 12 Tenors ; Love Story (the musical); and his own original music, of which his debut song 'Who Will You Burn For?' reached no. 3 in the iTunes charts. Vocal Coaching Alongside performing, Christopher is a vocal coach who has studied a wide range of vocal methodologies over the years, weaving together the best of each into a rich, multifaceted approach to teaching singing. He previously founded The Educated Voice , a company that ran five-day intensive courses across Scandinavia, bringing over top West End vocal teachers to deliver cutting-edge training in voice technique to international students. He now runs his own vocal coaching practice from his studio in Walthamstow, London. Website Instagram: @christopherkillik Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training , we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW basttraining.com | Stay Updated

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  Singing Teachers Talk

  Ep.278 Behind Vocalzone: Singers, Stories, and a Century of Vocal Care with Vocalzone's Maria & George

  Sep 22, 202647 min

  What’s the story behind one of the best-known vocal products on the market? In this episode, Alexa is joined by Maria and George from Vocalzone to uncover the fascinating history behind the century-old family business, and why its distinctive pastilles have become a backstage staple for performers around the world, including Tom Jones, Katherine Jenkins and Michael Ball. They also get into some of the debates that have divided singers and singing teachers over the years- including the ever-contentious question of menthol - tackling myths, misconceptions and strongly held opinions around vocal care. Expect fascinating history, practical insight and plenty of brilliant behind-the-scenes stories along the way. WHAT ’ S IN THIS PODCAST? 1:55 The history of Vocalzone 5:37 What’s it like working with family? 7:45 What are the Vocalzone products? 11:32 Safety checks 16:54 What do Vocalzone products actually do? 23:34 The menthol argument 28:10 The other ingredients: myrrh tincture & peppermint oil 31:46 How to properly use the Vocalzone pastilles 38:07 What should singing teachers understand about Vocalzone? About the presenter HERE RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS Vocalzone, Saviours or Destroyers? Line Hilton ABOUT THE GUEST Vocalzone is a vocal care brand with a history stretching back more than a century. Originally formulated in 1907 by William Lloyd for legendary Italian tenor Enrico Caruso, Vocalzone’s distinctive throat pastilles first went on sale in 1912 and have since become a familiar part of the toolkit for singers and professional voice users around the world. Today, Vocalzone produces a range of pastilles, teas and throat spray designed to support hardworking voices, utilised by everyone from singers and actors to broadcasters, teachers and public speakers. With its roots firmly in the performing arts, the brand continues to combine its remarkable heritage with a focus on the needs of modern voice users. Website Social Media: @vocalzonehq Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training , we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW basttraining.com | Stay Updated

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  Singing Teachers Talk

  Ep.277 Identity, Self-Worth and Burnout in the Performing Arts with Claire Cannon

  Sep 15, 202645 min

  What happens when being a singer becomes more than what you do, and starts to define who you are? In this episode, Alexa is joined by vocal coach Claire Cannon to explore the connection between burnout, identity and life in the performing arts. They unpack the idea of identity foreclosure, the pressures of tying self-worth to success, and why burnout is about far more than simply feeling tired. From external validation and industry expectations to the importance of developing a sense of self beyond your work, this conversation offers plenty to reflect on for singers, teachers and anyone whose passion has become their profession. WHAT ’ S IN THIS PODCAST? 3:04 What is burnout? 12:29 Burnout and the self-employed 19:41 Identity foreclosure 26:01 How long does it take to feel burnt out? 29:31 Language and identity 38:15 Burnout and peer pressure About the presenter HERE RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.72 Become a Vocology in Practice Authorised Teacher with Claire Cannon & Kaya Herstad Carney Vocology in Practice Mental Health UK Burnout Report 2026 ABOUT THE GUEST Claire Cannon is a professional vocal coach, mentor and performer based in Cheshire, UK, working with aspiring and professional singers both in person and online. A graduate of the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), Claire holds a Diploma in Song and a Degree in Performing Arts (Music). She began her teaching journey with BAST in 2014 and has continued to develop her expertise in vocal pedagogy, achieving a Certification in Contemporary Vocal Coaching, becoming a Vocology in Practice (ViP) Authorized Instructor, Vocal Health First Aider and Mental Health Informed Practitioner. She also holds a Level 2 qualification in counselling and a master’s degree in Vocal Pedagogy, specialising in efficient, evidence-based approaches to vocal health and occupational wellness. Alongside her coaching, Claire brings more than two decades of professional experience across live performance and session work. Her professional credits include multiple single releases as lead vocalist and co-writer for electronic dance group ‘Flip & Fill’, as well as recording the female vocals for the Emerald Storm international tour. Through her private studio, Claire Cannon Voice, and her work in higher education, she specialises in developing healthy, resilient and authentic voices that can meet the demands of a career in the music industry. Claire has a particular passion for musical theatre and enjoys working with performers on repertoire selection and audition prep. Claire’s approach considers the whole performer, combining vocal technique with wellbeing, psychology and artistry. She believes effective coaching should help singers not only develop their voices, but also understand their instrument, build confidence and develop an authentic identity that can support them throughout their careers. Website Social Media: @clairecannonvoice Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training , we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW basttraining.com | Stay Updated

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  Singing Teachers Talk

  Ep.276 Inside a Singer's Larynx: Live Laryngeal Scoping With Dr Jennifer Rodney

  Sep 8, 202651 min

  What’s really happening inside the larynx when we sing? In this fascinating episode, Alexa is joined by laryngologist and singer Dr Jennifer Rodney - aka Singing Surgeon MD - for a rare look inside the voice in action. From vocal registers and tension to vibrato, breathiness, vocal fry and more, Jennifer brings vocal anatomy to life - and even scopes herself live to show us what’s happening in real time. Whether you’re a singer, voice teacher or simply fascinated by how the voice works, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Listen to the full episode, or head over to YouTube to watch the live demonstrations. WHAT ’ S IN THIS PODCAST? 3:19 Who does Dr Jennifer Rodney see in her clinic? 5:44 The difference between rigid and flexi laryngoscopy 7:46 Does flexi laryngoscopy hurt? 10:51 Live scope! 42:26 Why can some people sing well when others cannot? 44:36 Does ‘everyone’ have a laryngeal abnormality? 46:33 What does Dr Jennifer wish singers knew more about? About the presenter HERE RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS Sin City Laryngology Jennifer’s Laryngeal Karaoke Singing Teachers Talk - Ep. With Nick Gibbins Vanderbilt University Medical Center Baylor Scott & White Health ABOUT THE GUEST Dr. Rodney grew up in Saint Petersburg, FL, and has sung professionally throughout her life. Her background in music led her to become a laryngologist. Dr. Rodney’s practice welcomes patients with voice, airway, and swallowing disorders. Her areas of expertise include medical and surgical care of disorders that affect the voice, professional voice, benign and malignant laryngeal lesions, and vocal cord paralysis. Dr. Rodney also has expertise in neurolaryngological disorders, such as spasmodic dysphonia. She works collaboratively with speech-language pathologists in The Voice Center to provide multidisciplinary care. She also enjoys training young physicians and has published many articles in the field of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. In her spare time, Dr. Rodney enjoys singing, attending live performances, kayaking, traveling with her husband and spending time with her children. Social Media: @singingsurgeonmd Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training , we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW basttraining.com | Stay Updated

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  Singing Teachers Talk

  Ep.275 Starting the New Academic Year on the Right Note with Alexa Terry

  Sep 1, 202613 min

  As September rolls around and a new academic year begins, Alexa reflects on what it means to return to singing, teaching and learning with a fresh perspective. She shares some gentle reminders for singers and singing teachers alike about progress, curiosity, collaboration and being a little kinder to ourselves and each other along the way. Whether you’re heading back into the studio, starting something completely new, or simply wondering what you want to take into the new academic year ahead, this episode is an encouraging listen to help you step into September feeling inspired, grounded and ready for what’s next. About the presenter HERE RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS Lori Sonnenberg Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.199 The Truth About Muscle Tension Dysphonia Line Hilton Gemma Sugrue ABOUT THE GUEST Alexa is the Deputy Head of Singing at one of the UK’s leading performing arts schools - Italia Conti, and she also runs a private singing tuition practice in the South of England. In addition, Alexa is the host of BAST Training’s Singing Teachers Talk podcast, and acts as both unit tutor and mentor for their level 5 vocational singing teaching qualification, as well as mentoring on their foundation course.[Text Wrapping Break][Text Wrapping Break]After graduating with a BA Musical Theatre degree, Alexa Terry donned her sailor’s cap and performed as a lead soloist on cruise ships travelling the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Baltic seas. She trod the boards in London’s West End as the protagonist in a new Musical Theatre project, studied as a librettist with Book, Music and Lyrics (BML), and has written for the likes of BritishTheatre.com as a reviewer. Alexa has also presented on topics of Musical Theatre repertoire, authentic Musical Theatre performance, and imposter syndrome for Vocology in Practice and The Sing Space; and at the BAST Intensive Weekend of Summer 2026, Alexa delivered talks in diagnosing and assessing voices and choosing repertoire to build technique. Website Instagram: @AlexaTerryVocalCoaching Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training , we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW basttraining.com | Stay Updated

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