VSC Lecturer and Alumna Named Finalists for the Van Lawrence BVA Award
Wednesday 10th December 2025
Voice Study Centre
Congratulations to our much-loved Senior Lecturer, Dr Claire Thomas, who has been selected as a finalist for the Van Lawrence British Voice Association Award. Claire will be presenting her research, Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) in Singers: Developing Tools to Bridge Therapy and Performance.
We would also like to extend our congratulations to our wonderful alumna Jenna Brown, who has likewise been selected as one of the four finalists. Jenna will present her research, Female Voices After Laryngectomy: Vulnerability, Stigma, and Psychosocial Impact.
All four finalists will share their research at the online BVA Research Forum 2026 on Saturday 24th January, where the prize winner will be chosen.
Good luck to you both!
Dr Claire Thomas
Claire is a singer, singing teacher and voice researcher. She currently lectures in singing on the Musical Theatre programmes at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and runs a private singing studio just outside Edinburgh.
Jenna Brown
Jenna Brown is a mezzo-soprano performing as a soloist in concert and recital, as well as in choirs. She teaches singers of all ages 1:1 and in groups, working as teacher, vocal coach and conductor.
Recent Posts
After The Session
After The Session: Introduction to Vocal Acoustics for Spoken and Sung Voice with Gökçe Kutsal
Voice Study Centre
Wednesday 21st October 2026How can understanding the science of sound help us become more effective voice teachers, singers and researchers? In our recent two-part course, Introduction to Vocal Acoustics for Spoken and Sung Voice, Gökçe Kutsal explored the fascinating relationship between the physics of sound and the way we produce, hear and understand the human voice.
Read More...
After The Session
After The Session: Thinking Outside the Voice Box: Adolescent Female Voice Change with Dr Bridget Sweet-Manternach
Voice Study Centre
Thursday 15th October 2026In our recent short course, Thinking Outside the Voice Box: Adolescent Female Voice Change, Dr Bridget Sweet-Manternach explored how voice teachers can better understand and support singers experiencing the changes of adolescence. Adolescence is a period of significant physical, psychological and emotional development. However, voice change is not always straightforward, and the experiences of singers whose voices are often overlooked in traditional discussions of puberty deserve greater attention.
Read More...
Student Interviews
Before We Change: Practicing Presence in Vocal Transformation
Voice Study Centre
Wednesday 14th October 2026Just because we can change a singer’s voice doesn’t necessarily mean we should. For Voice Study Centre MA student Chris Harbison Borgelt, meaningful voice teaching begins with a different question: who is the change really for?
Read More...