Short Courses & Events / Archive

Motor Theory of Articulation: Optimising Efficiency in Diction And Language

Thursday 13th January 2022, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)

This short course will view our articulator mechanism from the top-down.

A deeper understanding of how the brain executes a complex, coordinated task like speech and singing, will enable singers and teachers to design more targeted approaches with greater efficiency.

Recent research in neuroscience, using bold in vivo approaches to dissect how the tongue, lips, and jaw are coordinated in the brain, reveal a dynamic relationship between timing, location, and order.

We will also revisit some historical ideas from linguistics which complement the newer data and further refine our understanding of singing.

In addition to the science, practical pedagogical applications will be explored that open the door to simplicity in our view of these processes.

Heidi Moss Erickson

Heidi Moss, is a Bay Area performer, educator, and scientist. Noted for her “rich and radiant soprano” (Edward Oriz, Sacramento Bee) has performed on national and international stages...

Sorry, this is an archived short course...

We have plenty of upcoming short courses coming soon. See details of some of them below or look at the full list of short courses.

Music Theory Fundamentals for Voice Pedagogues
Tuesday 5th May 2026
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday 12th May 2026
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday 19th May 2026
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday 26th May 2026
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday 2nd June 2026
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday 9th June 2026
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
(London Time)

Music Theory Fundamentals for Voice Pedagogues

Dr David Cane

Voice pedagogy has advanced significantly in the last decades in relation to knowledge of the vocal apparatus (anatomy and mechanics), acoustics, and performance psychology (to name just a few subfields) – this is a wonderful thing! Nonetheless, musicianship and the foundations of music theory are still relevant to the teaching and coaching of singers and this course aims to empower voice teachers and coaches with skills to support the fundamental musicianship development of their students.

Prosody in conversation – crucial for effective communication?
Tuesday 12th May 2026
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
(London Time)

Prosody in conversation – crucial for effective communication?

Beatrice Szczepek Reed

In this course, we will take an introductory look at what prosody is and consider its functions in natural everyday dialogue. Prosody refers to the rhythm, stress, and intonation of speech. It's the musicality of language that helps convey meaning, emotion, and emphasis in conversation!

Feldenkrais Method® - its application in speech and song!
Thursday 14th May 2026
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
(London Time)

Feldenkrais Method® - its application in speech and song!

Marina Gilman

The Feldenkrais Method® is a form of somatic education that uses gentle movement and directed attention to improve physical and mental functioning, including singing and speaking. Since we are not always aware of the source of tension or discoordination, it is difficult to make the necessary adjustments to ensure optimal use of the voice!