Dr Matt Allen is a professional singer active on the Australian music scene, having worked with renowned artists such as Guy Sebastian, Tina Arena, Drapht, and Christine Anu. He has toured nationally and internationally, performing at events like Canadian Music Week, the Americana Festival, and in the UK, New York, and Singapore.
Matt also worked in London at the Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM), expanding his artistic portfolio through top-line songwriting and recording for dance artists, including projects for BBC and Sony. He is the Academic Coordinator of Contemporary Music at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) at Edith Cowan University (ECU), and has grown the department to over 100 vocalists. As the founder and director of the WAAPA Gospel Choir, Matt has built one of WAAPA’s flagship ensembles. Matt recently completed his PhD on the physiology of R&B/soul belting and aims to contribute to the pedagogy of contemporary singing, particularly in the teaching of belting techniques.
Upcoming Short Courses
Tuesday 4th November 2025
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
(London Time)
The Belt Voice in R&B/Soul Singing: Vocal Characteristics & Physiology
Dr Matt Allen
The belt’s got soul! This course offers a deep dive into the vocal artistry and biomechanics of R&B/soul singing, with a particular focus on the belt voice—a powerful and expressive vocal technique central to the genre. Drawing from over 80 years of stylistic evolution, the course explores how R&B/soul singing has shaped contemporary commercial music and investigates the unique vocal traits that define its sound.