Singing Teachers Talk

What do we really know about breathing for singing? Breathing specialist Barbara Tanze returns to explore the evolving science of airflow and pressure regulation in the singing voice. We discuss what research tells us about the diaphragm and respiratory muscles, and why what singers feel may not reflect what is actually happening physiologically. Barbara also introduces the Flexiflow, a tool that gives singers immediate feedback on airflow and pressure, helping them explore breath coordination without complicated anatomical instructions. Along the way, we question what “breath support” really means, whether breath should always come first in vocal training, and how a more individual, exploratory approach could help singers better understand their voices. Here we go! 

WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST?  

0:56 What’s changed since 2022?  

3:10 What we do know about the body, pressure and airflow  

6:30 Barbara’s burning question 

8:07 Common breath management issues in singing  

11:18 What is typically happening in the body during exhalation?  

20:33 Where does ‘breathing’ sit in the hierarchy of vocal training?  

24:41 Using balloons as props  

33:40 The Flexiflow 

About the presenter HERE

RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS 

Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.45 Discovering Optimal Breathing 

Ingo Titze 

Johan Sundberg 

Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.253 The S-Word: Why It’s Time to Rethink ‘Support’ in Singing Teaching 

Janice Chapman  

Ian Howell 

Ken Bozeman  

A Copernican Shift: Reframing How We Think About Breath in Singing by Heidi Moss Erickson 

Singing Teachers Talk Podcast - Ep.271 Singer & the Self: Rethinking Singing Teacher CPD 

MDH Breathing Coordination by Robin De Haas 

Oren Boder 

ABOUT THE GUEST 

A professional singer and vocal pedagogue, Barbara Tanze works at the intersection of voice, movement, physiology and learning. Drawing on a background in opera, vocal pedagogy, manual therapy and breathing coordination, she takes a functional, individual approach to helping singers, speakers and professional voice users understand and develop their voices. Barbara teaches at the Akademija za glasbo, Univerza v Ljubljani, and is currently pursuing doctoral research into expiratory pressure regulation in singing. Her work brings together biomechanics, motor learning and inquiry-based exploration, bridging research with everyday vocal practice. Barbara is also the creator of Flexiflow, a patented airflow-feedback tool, and the author of the interactive children’s book Take a Deep Breath, Charlie!  

SEE FULL BIO HERE (Add link to the podcast website page) 

Website 

Instagram: @btbreathing & @the.flexiflow 

🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice.  >>> DOWNLOAD HERE

At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion.

“The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK

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In this episode, Alexa shares her experience of attending the very first Singer & the Self Singing Teacher CPD Holiday in Slovenia before sitting down with organiser Becky Gillespie to discuss how the event came to life. From voice science, business and wellbeing to spa days, cultural adventures and meaningful conversations, they explore why combining professional development with a holiday created such a unique and inspiring experience for singing teachers. If you've ever wondered what a singing teacher CPD holiday is really like—or whether it's worth it—this episode takes you behind the scenes.

About the presenter HERE

RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS

Presenters: Becky Gilhespie, Louisa Barry, Lindsay Dalton, Rachel Lynes, Michael Rasmussen, Mel Toy, Lydia Hart, Alien Partjilic, Veronica Hodgson, Barbara Tanze, Gemma Sugrue, Cat Ogden 

Singing Teachers Talk Podcast - Ep.55 Teaching Singing for Mental Health and Wellbeing

Singing Teachers Talk Podcast - Ep.69 Understanding Pregnancy for the Singer and the Self-Employed

Singing Teachers Talk Podcast - Ep.46 How to Develop Lasting and Positive Habits

Singing Teachers Talk Podcast - Ep.118 Mastering Mix Voice and Belt 

Singing Teachers Talk Podcast - Ep.28 Finding the Fundamental Truths of Singing 

Singing Teachers Talk Podcast - Ep.179 From 1 to 40 Choirs and Touring with Gareth Malone 

Singing Teachers Talk Podcast - Ep.166 Overcoming Self-Consciousness in Singing

Singing Teachers Talk Podcast - Ep.45 Discovering Optimal Breathing with Barbara Tanze 

Singing Teachers Talk Podcast - Ep.58 Understanding the Speaking Voice

Singing Teachers Talk Podcast - Ep.90 - Help! I’ve Got a Voice Problem

Ken Bozeman 

Chadley Ballantyne 

Ian Howell

Focus on Vocal Technique: Update! Breath Management - Shirley Emmons  

Book your place at the 2027 Voice Conference Spa Holiday

ABOUT THE GUEST

Singer & The Self was founded by Rachel Lynes and Becky Gilhespie, leading vocal coaches based in the UK but working with artists and singers all over the globe.

Their retreats combine expert voice coaching with yoga, breath work and mindfulness to unlock each participant’s unique sound and self-expression. Rachel and Becky came together in 2021 to bring their vision of The Singer & the Self to life - their shared belief that to develop your singing voice you must work on the mind and body, and equally,  that the voice is the most powerful route into the ‘self’. They know that each singer is wonderfully unique - not only in the human anatomy that makes up one’s personal sound but in the expression, which comes from the stories, the rich life experiences and perspective each person has on the world.

Together, they have hosted sell-out retreats in the UK countryside and are now bringing their holistic approach to singing and self-care internationally. Their retreats are open to all levels, whether you are interested in exploring finding your voice for the first time or whether you are a professional, looking to advance your singing and creativity.

Website

Instagram: @beckygilhespievocals & @singerandtheselfretreats

🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice.  >>> DOWNLOAD HERE

At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion.

“The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK

Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW

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What happens when a singer desperately wants to sing, but fear, self-doubt and past criticism keep getting in the way? In this episode, Alexa is joined by vocal coach and Sing Anyway author - Linor Oren, to explore singing confidence, stage fright and mindset, questioning what happens when we stop chasing a ‘good’ sound and start exploring what the voice can actually do? Plus, before the conversation begins, Alexa shares her honest review of Sing Anyway and reflects on some of the book’s key ideas, ready for your bookshelves.  

WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST?  

0:00 ‘Sing Away’ by Linor Oren: Book Review  

9:29 The catalyst for ‘Sing Anyway’ 

12:04 The writing & publishing process  

20:41 Paralysing fear & singing  

23:40 Performance exercises for mindset  

32:52 Linor’s teaching methodology  

38:25 The power of group lessons 

41:55 Is the singer actually ready?    

49:32 What teaching provided that lessons didn’t 

55:00 Round up 

About the presenter HERE

RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS 

Grinberg Method  

Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.261 Managing Performance Nerves: Tools For Singers & Singing Teachers with Laura Dumbleton 

ABOUT THE GUEST 

Linor Oren is a singer, voice teacher and author who knows what it is to go from 'I can't sing' to singing in a hall full of strangers. As a shy kid who didn't take her first singing lesson until she was 21, she graduated from the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance and went on to study and perform in Germany. In 2017 she moved to the Netherlands, where she runs her voice studio and leads The Merry Poppins Musical Choir. Her teaching method blends vocal technique with bodywork and mental practice to help shy singers find their voice. 

The traditional method of vocal coaching often starts with the assumption that mastering vocal technique is the only way to enjoy singing. In this approach, the teacher jumps straight into technical work, which can feel overwhelming. Her approach flips this on its head. She believes that enjoyment is the key to unlocking your true potential. Instead of diving headfirst into technique, Linor begins by addressing mental blockages— fear, hesitation, and self-doubt — so that singing feels joyful right from the start. Once a student feels comfortable and confident, the systematic work on vocal technique can start. 

Website 

Instagram: @linororenvoiceteacher  

🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice.  >>> DOWNLOAD HERE

At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion.

“The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK

Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW

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In this fascinating conversation, performance psychologist Noa Kageyama explores what learning science really tells us about effective practice, mindful learning, and why repetition alone isn't enough. Discover practical, research-backed strategies that can transform the way you plan lessons, deliver them, and help singers structure practice more efficiently, giving you and them fresh ideas to reach those goals.  

WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST?  

1:30 What are elite institutions actually looking for? 

2:49 Reflection: The shift in musicians needs/desires  

6:28 Mindful Vs Mindless learning 

14:26 Learning in the beginner Vs the advanced  

19:20 Achieving positive change 

28:18 When is the best time to give instruction, feedback and praise?  

36:49 The thing about repetition…  

45:37 Rest  

49:55 What makes an excellent teacher exceptional?  

52:35 Bulletproof Musician  

About the presenter HERE

RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS 

Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.242 Understanding Motor Learning: How It Can Help Us Give Better Singing Lessons 

Line Hilton  

Alexander Technique  

Arnold Jacobs 

Gabrielle Wolf  

A Way to Amplify (or Weaken) the Effect of Self-Talk on Performance  

John Wooden  

The Perfect Wrong Note by William Westney  

Micah Killion 

Pablo Casals 

ABOUT THE GUEST 

Performance psychologist Noa Kageyama is on the faculty of The Juilliard School and Cleveland Institute of Music. A violinist with degrees from Oberlin and Juilliard before completing a Ph.D. in counseling psychology at Indiana University, Noa specializes in teaching performing artists how to utilize sport psychology principles to more consistently perform up to their full abilities under pressure. 

He has conducted workshops for institutions including Curtis, Eastman, Peabody, New England Conservatory, and the U.S. Armed Forces School of Music, programs such as the Starling-Delay Symposium, the Perlman Music Program, and Meadowmount, and for organizations like the Music Teachers' National Association, Performing Arts Medicine Association, and the Association for Applied Sport Psychology. 

Noa's work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, NBC News, CNN, Forbes, Slate, and Lifehacker. He has taught over 10,000 musicians, educators, and learners through his online courses, and authors The Bulletproof Musician blog and podcast, which reaches over 45,000 subscribers every week. 

Website 

Youtube 

🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice.  >>> DOWNLOAD HERE

At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion.

“The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK

Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW

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Alexa is joined by singer, songwriter and vocal coach Grace Hancock to explore the relationship between music and craft. Together, they have honest conversations about the moments when making music hasn’t felt good and when it has stopped being joyful for them. They discuss burn out, self-worth, comparison and perfectionism, and how singers can reconnect with their craft in a healthier, more authentic way. As ever, we’re keeping it real on the Singing Teachers Talk podcast.  

WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST?  

0:55 Memories of travelling as a performer  

4:06 Best and worst advice Grace has received as a singer  

5:32 Grace’s mission 

6:46 Working on cruise ships 

12:55 When you fall out of love with performing 

17:10 How can a difficult relationship with music influence teaching?  

21:49 How to build a healthy relationship to music as a singer 

33:23 What conversations should we be having more of as singing teachers?  

35:14 Grace’s work  

About the presenter HERE

RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS 

Singing Teachers Talk - Ep 100 The Truth About Singing and Dairy with Nutritionist Duncan Rock 

Singing Teachers Talk - Ep 267. Acting Through Song: Practical Tools for Singing Teachers with Molly Marie Walsh 

Amie McNee 

Singing Teachers Talk - Ep 245. Technique Meets Artistry: Working with Contemporary Singers with Juliet Russell 

Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers  

Singing Teachers Talk - Ep. 261 Managing Performance Nerves: Tools For Singers & Singing Teachers with Laura Dumbleton 

ABOUT THE GUEST 

Grace is a seasoned singer-pianist, vocal coach and composer. Over the past decade she has dedicated her life to music and creativity, performing around the world aboard luxury cruise ships and composing for theatre and short films. Her original compositions have been recognised by festivals such as the Paris Film Awards and Only the Best International Film Awards. She now hosts her podcast for singers: Curious Vocalists, where she talks to industry professionals exploring ways for singers to build a more fulfilling and sustainable career in the arts. 

Email 

Website 

Instagram 

Facebook 

🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice.  >>> DOWNLOAD HERE

At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion.

“The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK

Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW

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What makes a performance truly believable? In this episode, Alexa is joined by fellow BAST teammate Molly Walsh to explore acting through song and the power of gesture mapping. Together they unpack practical acting techniques that help singers communicate emotion authentically, make purposeful physical choices, and create performances that are both vocally sustainable and dramatically compelling. From Meisner and SAVI techniques to storytelling and practical teaching strategies, this episode is packed with insights for singing teachers, vocal coaches, performers, and musical theatre students looking to bring any song to life. 

WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST?  

2:58 Different acting techniques   

7:34 Considerations for method acting  

11:24 Inside-out vs Outside-in (& the SAVI technique)  

14:01 Where you can find ‘acting through song’ clues 

20:19 Gesture mapping  

38:45 The SAVI cards  

47:42 Consonants  

51:48 Facial expression & neurodiversity  

About the presenter HERE

RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS 

Practitioners Mentioned: Konstantin Stanislavski; Stella Adler; Uta Hagen; Sanford Meisner; Rudolf Laban; Lee Strasberg; Arthur Lessac; Viewpoints  

Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.221 How Knowing Musical Theatre History Makes You a Better Performer 

Ernie Losso 

The Savi Singing Actor by Charles Gilbert  

Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.109 Mastering ‘Acting Through Song Techniques to Elevate MT Performance  

Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.266 8 Tips to Make Belt Sound More Impressive  

Teach Voice by Chris Johnson  

Heidi Moss Erickson  

Kaya Herstad-Carney 

Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.155 Part One: Building Neurodiversity-Inclusive Voice Studios 

Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.156 Part Two: Building Neurodiversity-Inclusive Voice Studios 

ABOUT THE GUEST 

Molly Marie Walsh (BFA (Hons) Musical Theatre - Molly has had a professional performing career across the US and the UK. As a professional Musical Theatre Performer in the US: the National Tour of DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, and productions of WHITE CHRISTMAS, 42nd STREET, FORBIDDEN BROADWAY, OKLAHOMA! and INTO THE WOODS. and in the UK: Alan Menken's A CHRISTMAS CAROL, JEWISH LEGENDS, and THE MIKADO. She has been a Vocalist with a classical crossover group, ANCORA, and close-harmony Andrews Sisters trios THE MANHATTAN DOLLS (US), and currently in the UK, THE HONEYBIRDS. She has also been a creative consultant with writing team KANSLEY & LIDERT on their original musicals, CONFESSIONS and AUTUMN RHYTHM. She holds both a BFA in Musical Theatre from University of the Arts (US) and a BAST Level 5 Extended Diploma in Singing Teaching Skills. She is a singing tutor at Italia Conti, and a lecturer of history of dance and musical theatre at Urdang Academy, She has a passion for focusing on equality, inclusivity, curiosity, and decolonising the voice studio and our understanding of theatre history. 

Website 

🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice.  >>> DOWNLOAD HERE

At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion.

“The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK

Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW

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Want a more impressive belt? Before you search for another vocal exercise, you might want to question what you think makes great belting in the first place. In this episode, Alexa Terry shares eight thought-provoking ideas - some that might surprise you. 

About the presenter HERE

RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS 

Amanda Flynn 

Voice Study Centre 

Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.133 Mastering Belt in Musical Theatre  

Emily Kristen Morris 

Singing Teacher’s Talk - Ep.200 The Secret to Powerful Belting and Seamless Mixing  

Sing Like Never Before by Justin Stoney of New York Vocal Coaching  

Hadestown by Anaïs Mitchell 

Kerrie Obert 

Singing Teacher’s Talk - Ep.151 How to Sing with Twang  

ABOUT THE GUEST 

Alexa is a singing teacher and vocal coach who runs her own singing tuition practice in the South of England. She is also a 1-1 singing tutor at one of the UK’s leading performing arts schools – Italia Conti, where she regularly panels auditions and assessments. Alexa is the host of BAST Training’s Singing Teachers Talk podcast, and is one of the mentors for their level 5 singing teaching qualification. [Text Wrapping Break][Text Wrapping Break]After graduating with a BA Musical Theatre degree, Alexa Terry donned her sailor’s cap and performed as a lead soloist on cruise ships travelling the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Baltic seas. She trod the boards in London’s West End as the protagonist in a new Musical Theatre project, studied as a librettist with Book, Music and Lyrics (BML), and has written for the likes of BritishTheatre.comas a reviewer. Alexa has also presented on topics of Musical Theatre repertoire, authentic Musical Theatre performance, and imposter syndrome for Vocology in Practice and The Sing Space; and at the BAST Intensive Weekend of Summer 2026, Alexa delivered talks in diagnosing and assessing voices and choosing repertoire to build technique.  

Website 

Instagram: @AlexaTerryVocalCoaching  

🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice.  >>> DOWNLOAD HERE

At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion.

“The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK

Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW

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In this episode, Alexa is joined once again by physiotherapist Emer Tully to explore the jaw. They unpack why jaw tension isn't always about the jaw itself, how posture, breathing, hypermobility and stress all play a role, and what singers and teachers can do to improve jaw health and function. Whether you struggle with clenching, clicking, or simply want to better understand the biomechanics behind a free and efficient voice, this conversation is packed with practical insights you'll be able to apply straight away. 

WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST?  

2:11 How do we know when the jaw is functioning well? 

3:32 Hypermobility P1 

6:55 Assessing opening and closing of the jaw 

14:21 Release vs strengthening   

28:34 Biomechanics vs aesthetics  

31:52 Hypermobility P2  

33:41 Acupuncture and the jaw  

36:01 Jaw red flags  

36:54 Clicking jaw & TMJ 

42:39 Three things to look after your jaw health   

About the presenter HERE

RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS 

Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.241 Is Your Pelvic Floor Affecting Your Voice? A Deep Dive with Physiotherapist Emer Tully 

Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.110 Articulation and Singing: Assessing Jaw Behaviour With Chris Johnson 

Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.201 Working with Hypermobile Singers with Sarah Algoet 

Evolve  

Bone Prop 

ABOUT THE GUEST 

Emer Tully is a physiotherapist specialising in hypermobility, TMJ dysfunction, breathing mechanics, and vocal health. She works closely with singers, performers, and individuals with complex chronic symptoms, exploring how the jaw, airway, voice, and whole-body movement patterns influence health and performance. Her clinical approach focuses on connecting the dots between biomechanics, breathing, the nervous system, and long-term symptom management. Based in Blackheath, South East London.  

Website 

Instagram: @core_points 

🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice.  >>> DOWNLOAD HERE

At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion.

“The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK

Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW

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In this episode, Alexa is joined by researcher, musician and founder of The F-List, Vick Bain, for an important conversation about gender equality in the UK music industry. Drawing on her PhD research and years of experience, Vick explores the barriers that women and gender-diverse musicians continue to face, from pay gaps and career progression to representation, discrimination and the realities of building a sustainable career in music. It's a thought-provoking discussion that challenges assumptions, shares the evidence behind the headlines, and asks what role we can play in creating a more inclusive future for the artists we teach. Just to let you know some listeners may find some of the topics discussed distressing - take a pause, and we will be right there waiting when you’re ready.  

WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST?  

1:28 About Vick’s PhD: Women's Careers in the UK Music Industry 

2:02 What are some of the biggest gender inequality issues currently?  

5:50 Age discrimination and pay gap statistics  

15:55 The ‘what about Adele’ question 

25:06 Where are women missing?  

27:13 What happens when women ‘over-represent’ in a field?  

29:44 Being a freelancer  

32:57 The red flags 

36:11 Political landscapes  

40:15 The F-List 

About the presenter HERE

RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS 

The UK Music Diversity Taskforce 

Musicians Union 

Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.263 The Creative Juggle: Singer, Songwriter and Teacher 

Musician Census of 2024 

Government pay gap reports  

Intellectual Property Office 

Gov Misogyny in Music 

PRS for music 

Independent Society of Musicians 

Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.117 The ISM: What Singers and Singing Teachers Need to Know 

Reform Our Contract With You 

ABOUT THE GUEST 

Vick Bain is an EDI and Research Consultant with nearly 30 years' experience in the music and creative industries. Formerly CEO of the Ivors Academy and Past President of the Independent Society of Musicians, she now leads a consultancy specialising in strategic research, impact evaluation, and diversity and inclusion. A Henley Business School MBA graduate, Vick is completing a PhD at Queen Mary University of London on women's careers in music. She is the Founder of The F-List for Music CIC, a not-for-profit supporting women and gender diverse musicians across the UK and serves as a board director of the ISM. Her clients include IMPALA, Counterculture, Beggars Group, UK Music, Beatport and Attitude is Everything. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and Companion of LIPA - appointed by Sir Paul McCartney - she is included in both the Music Week Women in Music Roll of Honour and the BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour Music Industry Powerlist. 

Vick trained as a classical singer in the early 1990s, holding Grade 8 singing, an HND in Classical Music (Voice) and a BA in Performing Arts. She recorded and performed with experimental artist Rapoon, sang for many years with the London Bulgarian Choir – during whose time they were runners-up in the BBC Choir of the Year and performed alongside numerous pop and rock acts. She recently joined a Cornish choir, continuing a lifelong relationship with singing.  

Website 

The F List 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice.  >>> DOWNLOAD HERE

At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion.

“The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK

Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW

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This week, Alexa chats with artist, songwriter, choir leader, and vocal coach India Bourne about life beyond the stage. From touring the world with Ben Howard to building a thriving teaching career, India shares how completing the BAST Foundation Course deepened her understanding of the voice, transformed her songwriting, and enriched her work with singers. She also opens up about balancing creativity, teaching, and motherhood, revealing how life as a mum has shaped her artistry, sharpened her instincts, and helped her to continue creating a sustainable, fulfilling career in music. 

WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST?  

1:08 What venues are India’s favourite to play? 

3:38 What has India learnt through touring and being a human in the music industry? 

6:06 Does teaching ever feel in tension with being an artist?  

12:37 India’s experience with BAST 

14:50 How has being a classically trained cellist influenced artistry and teaching? 

18:10 Songwriting and creative ideas 

25:07 Singing and training emotion in music 

30:02 Being the creative juggler  

33:26 Protecting your own creativity  

35:35 India’s new music 

About the presenter HERE

RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS 

Ben Howard 

Man and Superman by George Bernard Shaw 

Why Doing Nothing Can Change Your Life by Joseph Jebelli 

Heidi Moss Erickson 

Singing in the Brain: Ep.2: The Spaces in Between - Part1 Rest 

Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.256 The Neuroscience of Singing: What the Singer’s Brain Needs 

Middle Farm Studios 

Outside venue 

ABOUT THE GUEST 

India Bourne is a classically trained musician, songwriter and vocal coach whose voice has travelled the world as a long-time member of Ben Howard's live band. Singing and playing cello, bass and percussion, she has spent years immersed in shared stages and shifting landscapes. Alongside this, she has released music as Tender Central, where electronica and folk intertwine in songs that echo the emotional depth of Massive Attack, Lamb and Joni Mitchell. 

Now, India returns to releasing music under her own name. This new collection is shaped by long-standing musical relationships, featuring collaborators Mickey Smith, Nat Wason and Rich Thomas alongside her all-female choir, The Big Skirts. Recorded live to tape at Middle Farm Studios with producer Peter Miles, these are songs of initiation and becoming - of motherhood, grief, nature, and new life - held together by the rare chemistry of old friends playing in the same room.  

At the heart of the record is the voice, or rather voices. India writes with her women vocalists in mind, weaving their lines together as a living fabric from which melodies emerge. The result is music that feels both grounded and expansive, rooted in collective breath, resonance and connection. 

Website 

Instagram 

The Big Skirts 

🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice.  >>> DOWNLOAD HERE

At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion.

“The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK

Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW

basttraining.com | Stay Updated