Navigating Vocal Aging for Singers
Monday 20th January 2025, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (London Time)
As singers approach their senior years, they can benefit greatly from a voice teacher who understands the normal changes involved as they navigate vocal aging. Equipped with knowledge about what affects their voices now, what strategies address the changes, and what vocal limits there may be going forward are important to know. How is resonance affected? Vibration? Respiration? What exercises can habilitate senior voices? What singing concepts carry through? How is musicianship affected? Range? Vibrato? Coloratura? Dynamics? Diction? Vocal color? Some who look for a voice teacher are lifetime amateurs with experience and pride as volunteer singers. Some are professionals who have had careers and are experiencing changes in their abilities that make it harder to meet professional standards. Others may be very new to singing and now have time to try it out as the healthy activity at this point in their lives.
This course will focus on the realities of aging voices for senior singers and what can be done to address vocal production and peripheral issues that can affect the activity of singing. Teachers can help professional and amateur singers understand, accept, and maintain their voices as they age.
Karen Brunssen
Mezzo-soprano, Karen Brunssen is Professor and Co-chair of the Department of Music Performance at Bienen School of Music, Northwestern University.

Attend this course for as little as £22 as part of the Voice Professional Training CPD Award Scheme.
Learn MoreSorry, 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.

Monday 2nd June 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Monday 9th June 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Monday 16th June 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Monday 23rd June 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Monday 30th June 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Certificate in Foundations of Vocology with Adam Roberts

Adam Roberts
This fifteen week (30-hour) Vocology Cohort Intensive provides a comprehensive overview of basic vocal anatomy, physiology, and theories of voice production & perception, fundamentals of vocal health, pathology, evaluation, performance, and habilitation of the speaking and singing voice, and a survey of research, resources, and professional opportunities.

Monday 23rd June 2025
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Tuesday 24th June 2025
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Wednesday 25th June 2025
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Thursday 26th June 2025
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Friday 27th June 2025
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
(London Time)
Introduction to Postgraduate Academic Skills - Join Live!

Debbie Winter
Are you ready to elevate your academic journey? Hosted by our very own Debbie Winter, join our comprehensive Introduction to Academic Skills course, designed to equip you with essential tools and strategies for success in higher education. Perfect for bridging the gap between undergraduate and postgraduate study, this course offers a pathway to our full MA for students without an existing degree. We offer both live, interactive sessions and standalone, pre-recorded content.


Tuesday 24th June 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Mastering Vocal Vibrato: The Science of Production and Perception

Professor Helena Daffern
Is vocal vibrato something that can and should be consciously controlled? What makes a ‘good vibrato’ and is there such a thing as ‘healthy’ and ‘unhealthy’ vibrato? Vibrato is a common musical feature, and yet it remains a controversial topic amongst pedagogues and singers. Join Professor Helena Daffern where she will dive into these and other aspects vibrato!