The Sounds and Ornamentations of Indian Classical Music
Tuesday 13th August 2024, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)
Indian Classical Music (ICM) is an ancient oral tradition that dates back to around 500 BC. Despite its evolution over the centuries, it has managed to maintain its unique style and cultural significance. Until recently, this style of music has been largely overlooked in voice research. Given the global presence of the Indian community, it is essential for both teachers and singers to understand and learn from this style to better serve Indian students while staying true to the authentic form of the music while also gaining insight on how to diversify and cross-train within your own singing practice. Indian Classical Music is split into two major styles: North Indian (Hindustani) and South Indian (Carnatic). The workshop will primarily focus on Carnatic Music.
This workshop first explores the ‘authentic’ sound of ICM. The questions we will explore are:
- What is the authentic ICM sound? Is there only one?
- What have singers and teachers experienced as the authentic ICM sound quality?
- What the ranges and acoustic features of an authentic sound are, and some ways to train these sounds
Next, you will get an introduction to various vocal ornamentations, which is one of ICM’s key stylistic features. To execute these ornamentations, the singer requires a great deal of vocal agility. Accordingly, we will explore:
- The various types of vocal ornamentations in ICM
- Trying out these ornamentations in your voice
- Ways to train these ornamentations
Finally, we will discuss some of the habits that could hamper the ICM style - what some of the vocal function hurdles are that ICM singers face and how to approach these in a culturally sensitive way.
The workshop will include interactive components, such as singing and listening to ICM singers, and there will be plenty of time for questions.
Samyukta Ranganathan
Samyukta is an award-winning singer of Indian Classical Music (ICM) with an active teaching and performance career in New York City.
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.
Tuesday 4th November 2025
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday 11th November 2025
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday 18th November 2025
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday 25th November 2025
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday 2nd December 2025
5:00 PM - 6:30 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 11th November 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
The Art of Teaching the Female Musical Theatre Voice!
Dr. Christianne Roll
The female musical theatre belt sound originated on the Broadway stage in 1930, mostly associated with Ethel Merman and her vocal performance of the song “I Got Rhythm,” in the Gershwin musical, Girl Crazy. In the almost 100 years since the origin of the female musical theatre belt voice, the sound has become almost synonymous with Broadway itself. Join Dr Christianne Roll as she discusses the up-to-date strategies and techniques to create this exciting vocal production for each specific singer.
Wednesday 12th November 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Demystifying and Utilizing Nasal Resonance in the Voice Studio
Dr Melissa Treinkman
Nasal resonance, achieved by lowering the soft palate and allowing sound energy to resonate through the nasal passages, has recently gained attention for its potential benefits to singers. Join Dr Melissa Treinkman, as she explores the science and practical application of nasal resonance, taking participants through a step-by-step process of identification and utilization of nasal resonance in singing and speech!