Summary

In this conversation, Aimee Geddes interviews Matt Edwards, an associate professor at Shenandoah University, about his innovative work in voice pedagogy, particularly focusing on pop rock music. They discuss the development of unique degree programs, the importance of diversity in music education, and the challenges faced by contemporary music educators. Matt shares insights into the curriculum for both master's and doctorate programs, emphasizing the need for inclusivity and the integration of various musical styles. The conversation also touches on the decline in music enrollment and the implications for the future of music education. In this conversation, Matt Edwards discusses the evolving landscape of music education, highlighting the rising costs of higher education, the impact of technology, and the importance of quality control in online learning. He emphasizes the need for adaptability in musical theater training and the role of voice science in teaching. The conversation also touches on the significance of embracing diversity in vocal expression and the necessity of understanding the human experience through song.

Find us at:  

www.ivtom.org

https://www.su.edu

https://www.edwardsvoice.com

www.breakthrough-studios.com

Takeaways

MattEdwards has been instrumental in developing a pop rock program at Shenandoah University. The first master's degree in contemporary commercial music voice pedagogy was established at Shenandoah. Shenandoah's doctorate program is open to singers of all styles, promoting inclusivity. The curriculum includes anatomy, pedagogy, and technology classes for voice training. Students are encouraged to explore diverse methodologies in teaching voice. The master's program offers a flexible format for in-person and online learning. Diversity in music education is crucial for connecting with various communities. Cultural elitism has historically influenced music education in the U.S. There is a concerning decline in enrollment in music programs nationwide. The conversation around the value and cost of higher education is becoming increasingly important. Rising costs in higher education are often unrelated to education quality. Technology has created new opportunities for music education outside traditional institutions. Quality control in online music education is crucial for student success. Voice science should inform teaching but not dominate the learning experience. Musical theater training must adapt to current industry trends and demands. Unique vocal qualities are essential for marketability in the music industry. Singers should be taught to communicate the human experience through song. There is no absolute truth in vocal pedagogy; biases from the past must be reevaluated. Diversity in vocal expression enriches the learning environment for all singers. Mental health and vocal health improve when singers receive instruction aligned with their goals.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Nat Edwards and Shenandoah University 03:11 Building a Pop Rock Program at Shenandoah 06:04 Innovative Degree Programs in Voice Pedagogy 09:09 Curriculum Overview for Masters and Doctorate Programs 12:06 Flexibility in Learning: In-Person and Online Options 15:01 The Need for Diversity in Music Education 17:56 Researching Cultural Elitism in Music Education 21:08 The Decline of Music Enrollment and Its Implications 24:11 Future Directions for Music Education 27:38 The Rising Costs of Higher Education 29:43 The Impact of Technology on Music Education 34:00 The Role of Voice Science in Teaching 37:10 Adapting to Trends in Musical Theater 41:20 Embracing Diversity in Vocal Expression

Learn the ins and outs of the NEW American Idol audition process! Kyle Khou is a Casting Producer for American Idol and he gives the inside scoop into what to expect with auditioning for the show, how to help your students to succees in the process and how to encourage authenticity in your singers. This is a MUST Listen!

In this episode we are joined by the brilliant voice teacher and entrepreneur John Henny. We talk about...

• Getting started with teaching
•  Egos
• Peaks and Valleys
• Imposter syndrome
• Show people how you can help them
• Writing books
• Pomodoro technique
• Finishing big projects
• Investing in yourself
• Connecting with groups bigger than yourselves

Reach John at https://johnhenny.com/

Find more about Sam Johnson at: www.vocalease.net and Aimee Geddes at www.breakthrough-studios.com

Find the International Voice Teachers of Mix at: www.ivtom.org

Intro and outro theme song: No Qualms. https://asharicrecords.com/studio and Maz Mazak www.mazmazak.com

Download past IVTOM conference recordings to catch up on any knowledge you may have missed! www.ivtom.org/events

Aimee and Sam define Mix in their own way and use Beyonce and Krysta Rodriguez as prime examples. 

Highlights include: 

What is mix? What is not Mix? 

The “Mix Tent” 

The 0-10 scale

Sam talks about the subtle transitions that happen on every note and how each note can be considered a bridge. 

Krysta Rodriguez sings “Safer” and Aimee and Sam analyze her technique and point out how she handles using her mix on the higher notes without falling out. 

Beyonce sings “Love on Top” and Sam and Aimee discuss her ability to ascend gradually, gaining intensity without falling out of place. 

Really bad singing jokes that Sam and Aimee attempt. 

Please like, subscribe and leave a 5 star review wherever you are listening to this!

Find more about Sam Johnson at: www.vocalease.net and Aimee Geddes at www.breakthrough-studios.com Find the International Voice Teachers of Mix at: www.ivtom.org

Intro and outro theme song:  No Qualms. https://asharicrecords.com/studio and Maz Mazak www.mazmazak.com 

Download past IVTOM conference recordings to catch up on any knowledge you may have missed! www.ivtom.org/events

Aimee shares how helping a student use vocal fry and breathiness contributed to getting the student to sound more authentic. 

Sam shares ideas on using natural sounds, even UGLY ones, to help students discover sounds that work for them. 

The importance of teaching students to listen objectively to the sounds they make and label them without judging. 

Awesome funny/ugly faces that students make. Sam and Aimee try to copy!

Helping students use anxiety to tap into their character and feel real emotion. 

Chip and Joanna Gaines inspired Aimee to strip away the “stuff” covering the voice, and restore the natural beauty just like the couple does with houses on “Fixer Upper.” 

Why sounding just like Rhianna or Justin Timberlake or Pavoratti is pointless. 

Loving your own voice for what it is. Teach your students to do the same. 

Please like, subscribe, and leave a 5-star review wherever you are listening to this!

Find more about Sam Johnson at: www.vocalease.net and Aimee Geddes at www.breakthrough-studios.com Find the International Voice Teachers of Mix at: www.ivtom.org

Intro and outro theme song:  No Qualms. https://asharicrecords.com/studio and Maz Mazak www.mazmazak.com 

Download past IVTOM conference recordings to catch up on any knowledge you may have missed! www.ivtom.org/events

Aimee got to improv for an 80s night and found out just how much she didn’t know! 

Sam reminds her it’s ok to not know everything, and they have a lively discussion about how important it is to help students be ok with making ALL the sounds, not just the ones they think are “OK.”

The difference between classically trained singers and pop singers when the improv. 

Getting over the feeling of always having to do it “right.”

False science and how we use it, regardless of whether or not it has been scientifically proven.  

Helping students identify sounds and accepting them. 

The similarities between cheerleading and singing (from a performing perspective.)

How to let go and just be in the moment when you are singing. 

How extremes make for more interesting singing. 

Find more about Sam Johnson at: www.vocalease.net and Aimee Geddes at www.breakthrough-studios.com  Find the International Voice Teachers of Mix at: www.ivtom.org

Intro and outro theme song:  No Qualms. https://asharicrecords.com/studio and Maz Mazak www.mazmazak.com 

Download past IVTOM conference recordings to catch up on any knowledge you may have missed!

Sam and Aimee share insights into helping students make breakthroughs when you feel stuck. 

Highlights include: 

What to do when students become “unteachable” and stop listening to you.

Is it ok to suggest students take a lesson from another voice teacher? 

Sometimes you have to keep doing what you are doing and it just needs more time. 

Validating a student's desire to learn and sing even when little “talent” is apparent. 

Aimee- Helping a Student who struggles matching pitch.

Sam- Helping a student struggling to connect to the bottom and find emotion. 

Recognizing how difficult it may be for a student to open up emotionally and honoring that. 

Aimee’s Cheerleading moment for all voice teachers! 

Sam and Aimee have a Mini Sondheim Debate. To be continued…

Find more about Sam Johnson at: www.vocalease.net and Aimee Geddes at www.breakthrough-studios.com Find the International Voice Teachers of Mix at: www.ivtom.org

Intro and outro theme song:  No Qualms.

https://asharicrecords.com/studio and Maz Mazak www.mazmazak.com 

Download past IVTOM conference recordings to catch up on any knowledge you may have missed! 

Jon Shares his journey to becoming a Performance Psychologist and tools for teachers to successfully navigate lessons when they feel less than stellar

Mentioned on the show:

Imposter Syndrome

Dealing with your first response and how to let it go

The 5 Ands

It’s not about Mastery, it’s about running a “Practice” like a doctor

Ask yourself “How will this go?” Bring curiosity into your teaching. 

Enjoying the journey

Moving the conversation forward as opposed to getting stuck with one answer.

Creating and stepping into your “Voice Teacher Character” 

Success is students getting what they want from the experience. 

Bridging the gap between expectation and reality. 

Find Dr. Jon Skidmore at: https://www.jonskidmore.com/

Find more about Sam Johnson at: www.vocalease.net and Aimee Geddes at www.breakthrough-studios.com Find the International Voice Teachers of Mix at: www.ivtom.org

Intro and outro theme song:  No Qualms.

https://asharicrecords.com/studio and Maz Mazak www.mazmazak.com 

Download past IVTOM conference recordings to catch up on any knowledge you may have missed!

Aimee feels distraught after Sam’s IVTOM Master Class and Richard’s brilliant (yet moronic;) podcast. 

Sam and Aimee discuss the fears that come along with teaching voice as well as being surrounded by incredible minds. 

Dealing with anxiety and how it plays into teaching voice. 

Finding strength when you feel weak. 

“Choose your comparisons wisely” from: 

The 100 Simple secrets of Happy People by David Niven

Find more about Sam Johnson at: www.vocalease.net and Aimee Geddes at www.breakthrough-studios.com Find the International Voice Teachers of Mix at: www.ivtom.org

Intro and outro theme song:  No Qualms.

https://asharicrecords.com/studio and Maz Mazak www.mazmazak.com 

Download past IVTOM conference recordings to catch up on any knowledge you may have missed! 

Transitioning to teaching online after thinking of himself as an “In-person” kind of guy. 

How the voice and spirit are connected. 

 The tweak, proceed, tweak, proceed then retreat as needed process. 

Getting the correct setup. 

Benefits to using the full range of your voice throughout your life.

The “Octave Rule.”

Hormonal changes and how they affect our perception of the voice.

What makes a voice “big” or “small”: strength of the signal, vocal elasticity, size and density, Position of larynx. 

Mechanics of the vocal fold tissue.

Medicines and their effect on the voice. 

Maintaining the voice you’ve got to make it last. 

The most impactful things Richard learned from the most impactful people in his life: To Have JOY!

Find out more about Richard at: 

Singing Voice Science workshop: www.singingvoicescience.com, June 7-9, 2023 Online

Find more about Sam Johnson at: www.vocalease.net and Aimee Geddes at www.breakthrough-studios.com Find the International Voice Teachers of Mix at: www.ivtom.org

Intro and outro theme song:  No Qualms.

https://asharicrecords.com/studio and Maz Mazak www.mazmazak.com 

Download past IVTOM conference recordings to catch up on any knowledge you may have missed! 

Episode 12: Voice Teacher Insecurities

Aimee feels distraught after Sam’s IVTOM Master Class and Richard’s brilliant (yet moronic;) podcast. 

Sam and Aimee discuss the fears that come along with teaching voice as well as being surrounded by incredible minds. 

Dealing with anxiety and how it plays into teaching voice. 

Finding strength when you feel weak. 

“Choose your comparisons wisely” from: 

The 100 Simple secrets of Happy People by David Niven

Find more about Sam Johnson at: www.vocalease.net and Aimee Geddes at www.breakthrough-studios.com Find the International Voice Teachers of Mix at: www.ivtom.org

Intro and outro theme song:  No Qualms.

https://asharicrecords.com/studio and Maz Mazak www.mazmazak.com 

Download past IVTOM conference recordings to catch up on any knowledge you may have missed!