The Emotional Voice: Past Theories, Present Practice
Thursday 5th February 2026, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM (London Time)
Thursday 5th February 2026, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM (London Time)
Theories of emotion across time and their application to voice practice (a 2-part course)
From the Greek actor Polus of Aegina carrying an urn of his own dead son’s ashes onstage in Sophocles’ Electra (Konjin, 1997) to the so-called American Method acting of Hollywood in the 20th Century, how performers work with and express emotion has been a vital part of their craft and how they are perceived by audiences.
Exactly what emotion is has been a hotly debated topic throughout history. In fact, the first time the word ‘emotion’ was used regularly in literature was the 19th century (Evans, 2019). There are many theories that have developed surrounding its definition, how emotions should be categorised, whether or not they are universal, and how we express them.
In this two-part course, we consider these questions:
How have theories of emotion developed over time?
How could understanding theories of emotion help voice practitioners in their coaching of singers and speakers?
Who is it for?
This course is for voice teachers (spoken or singing) who have an interest in emotion research and would like to know more about the history of the theories of emotion and how a deeper knowledge of these concepts can be applied in the voice studio. The first part of each section will be in a lecture format, but there will be plenty of opportunities for discussion.
Session 1: Theories of emotion, past and present
We will follow a brief history of emotion theories, looking at how the study of emotion has been connected with theology, ethics, art and science. We will consider where we are now in emotion research, and ask whether or not we as voice practitioners need to choose where we land on the topic.
Session 2: Application to practice in the voice studio
We will consider the theories of emotion on a more practical level and look at how these ideas impact our understanding of vocal expression and attitudes towards performance.
🏷️ Price £50 (UK VAT inclusive)
🎥 Recording automatically sent to all who book (even if you cannot attend live)
▶️ Rewatch as many times as you like
📜 Certificate of attendance available
Louisa Morgan
Louisa Morgan is a lecturer, voice teacher and researcher, with a special focus on spoken and sung emotion. Louisa lectures with Voice Study Centre (spoken voice lead). Previously, Louisa taught technical singing for the MA/MFA Musical Theatre students at the Guilford School of Acting (GSA) and Italia Conti, and she was also a spoken and singing voice coach for the Acting students at the Cygnet Training Theatre.
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.
Tuesday 23rd June 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
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This presentation draws on the methods and techniques of Vocal Psychotherapy, a new in-depth model of music psychotherapy developed by Dr. Austin, that incorporates breath work, natural sounds, vocal improvisation, and songs and dialogue within a client and therapist relationship to facilitate intrapsychic and interpersonal change and growth.
Thursday 2nd July 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Unclenching the Jaw: Options from the Physio Lens
Walt Fritz
“Jaw tension” is one of many potential problems facing the singer, and can cause a direct negative impact on the performance in both direct and indirect ways. The underlying cause of jaw issues is attributed to numerous factors (technique, posture, strength, range of motion, etc.), making it often difficult to identify common denominators. Join Walt Fritz as he examines the evidence supporting stretching, strengthening, and manual therapy interventions to address jaw-related concerns in vocal performers, taking into account their unique needs.
Monday 6th July 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Friday 10th July 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Monday 13th July 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Friday 17th July 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Monday 20th July 2026
7:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Friday 24th July 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Certificate in Foundations of Vocology with Adam Roberts
Adam Roberts
This 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. Each week, advanced students contribute to cohort-centred learning with additional resources, discussion facilitation, and critical analysis. The course assessment will also be useful for those who wish to prepare for the PAVA recognised designation.