February 25, 2024

#152. Eliminating Classism and Racism in Voice Training with Matt Edwards and Jacqulyn Zito-Edwards

1 hour 19 minutes

Over the past few weeks, I have been on a teaching tour in the USA, where I have been working predominantly with classical singers and teachers who want to learn more about contemporary commercial music styles. The feedback was overwhelming, and many of the singers expressed they had a deep desire to sing this music, but there was limited opportunity in higher education. Many of the teachers were surprised to learn that many of our philosophies and approaches aligned, but it is just that our teaching is geared towards creating a different aesthetic. I was extremely grateful and humbled by all the positive feedback. I believe it is time for higher education to embrace this music and there needs to be a hierarchical change for this to happen. My trip has inspired to replay segments of a former interview with Matt Edwards and Jacqulyn Zito-Edwards, this week on A Voice and Beyond.

Matt and Jacqulyn have been working together on some ongoing research into the roots of the academic bias against popular music. You can go back and listen to episodes #99 and #101 for a full recap.

Jacqulyn is an adjunct assistant professor of voice for the musical theatre program at Shenandoah Conservatory and serves on faculty at the CCM Vocal Pedagogy Institute. Matt has been working at Shenandoah University since 2010 as an Associate Professor, within the Voice and Musical Theatre departments. He is also the Coordinator of Musical Theatre Voice and Artistic Director of CCM Vocal Pedagogy Institute. In this fascinating episode, Matt and Jacqulyn delve deeply into the history of the classism and racism that has perpetuated the status quo in the training of CCM singers. I will let this interview speak for itself.

In this Episode

02:35 - Introduction to Contemporary Commercial Music in Voice Training
05:36 - Historical Bias Against Popular Music in Academia
13:15- Exploring the Roots of Academic Bias
22:37 - Impact of Historical Racism and Classism on Music Education
32:10 - The Need for Inclusivity in Music Education Today
41:20 - Personal Experiences with Resistance in Academia
52:15 - Moving Forward: Strategies for Inclusive Voice Training

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