209 | Student-Centred Voice Teaching with Dr. Shannon Coates

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⭐ Find links mentioned in this episode here: https://www.fullvoicemusic.com/podcast/209/ ⭐

“Student-centred teaching” is a catchy term in education, but the shift from teacher-led to student-led instruction can feel unsettling. For many voice teachers, this approach challenges long-held ideas about their role and identity as educators. In this episode, Dr. Shannon Coates clears up the misunderstandings surrounding student-centered learning and shares inspiration, encouragement, and best practices. Teachers will leave this conversation equipped to adopt a model that fosters autonomy, creativity, and deeper engagement for every singer.

**Podcast preview bonus**: Nikki also shares an exclusive **sneak peek** of the brand-new podcast *How to Run Your Business Without Hating Your Boss,* hosted by **Michelle Markwart Deveaux** and **Sarah Campbell**. If you love the FULL VOICE Podcast, you’ll definitely want to check out their smart and encouraging business conversations for music educators.

🔹[10:04] What is student-led learning?

🔹[12:03] Student centered vs student led

🔹[18:52] Educator identities

🔹[23:52] Our experience as students

🔹[29:19] Simple examples of student-led

🔹[38:50] Teach students to know what they need

🔹[45:02] Clip from “How to run your business without hating your boss” podcast

🔹[47:20] Students taking agency over their choices

🔹[50:27] Performance practice

🔹[55:00] Stepping back as a teacher

🔹[1:03:40] Giving Feedback

🔹[1:23:36] Conclusion

⭐ ABOUT OUT GUEST:

I’m Dr. Shannon Coates, a Canadian voice educator who somehow turned a career of singing loudly in public into teaching other people how to teach other people how to sing loudly in public. I run The VoicePed UnDegree (because who needs more degrees when we can just DO THE THING), and I spend a lot of time poking holes in compliance-based teaching so we can build something better. My specialty? Helping voice teachers stop pretending they’re the boss of their students and start teaching singers how to boss themselves. Also: lattes, cats, and a lotta hairstyle variety.

🔹website: https://drshannoncoates.com/

🔹instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voiceped/

🔹youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@drshannoncoates

🔹facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VoiceAndTheArtofTeaching

🔹substack: https://substack.com/@voiceped

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ℹ️ Hosted by Nikki Loney; Edited and Theme Music by Shawn Trotter; Released September 26, 2025

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