Wholehearted Voice Pedagogy

By David Sisco

Welcome to Wholehearted Voice Pedagogy, a podcast dedicated to the art and practice of teaching singers. Host David Sisco knits together current research from a plethora of fields to highlight a stude... more

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FAQs about Wholehearted Voice Pedagogy:

How many episodes does Wholehearted Voice Pedagogy have?

The podcast currently has 17 episodes available.

Wholehearted Voice Pedagogy episodes:

September 03, 2025 Ep. 17 - "Artistry in Western Classical Music" with Elizabeth Mondragon
On this episode of the podcast, we continue our conversation about artistry, this time focusing on it from the perspective of Western classical music. My very special guest is my dear friend and colleague, Elizabeth Mondragon, an in-demand DC-based mezzo soprano. I have written more art song for Elizabeth than any other singer. She is innately musical and has some wonderful insights on balancing artistry with technique and fostering artistry in young performers.

Elizabeth Mondragon's Contact Information:
http://www.elizabethmondragon.com
IG: @emondragroff

Stay engaged!!
Subscribe to this channel and find this podcast on all platforms
Email: [email protected]
IG: @wholeheartedpedagogy @siscosongs
TikTok: @wholeheartedvoice @siscosongs
...more
56min
August 20, 2025 Ep. 16 - "Equity-Centered Teaching" with Alex Shevrin Venet
In this episode of the podcast, we focus on equity-centered teaching and how it intersects with trauma-informed practices. Our special guest is Alex Shevrin Venet, who is an educator and professional development facilitator. She is also the author of Equity-Centered Trauma Informed Education and Becoming an Everyday Changemaker.

Alex Shevrin Venet's Contact Information:
https://www.unconditionallearning.org
IG: @unconditionallearning
Books: Equity-Centered Trauma Informed Education, Becoming and Everyday Changemaker

Stay engaged!!
Subscribe to this channel and find this podcast on all platforms
Email: [email protected]
IG: @wholeheartedpedagogy @siscosongs
TikTok: @wholeheartedvoice @siscosongs
...more
38min
August 06, 2025 Ep. 15 - "Queering Vocal Pedagogy" with Dr. William Sauerland
On this episode, we consider ways to co-create safe, student-centered learning spaces for transgender and genderqueer students. My special guest is Dr. William Sauerland, Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies for the School of Music at Purdue University Fort Wayne. He is the author of Queering Vocal Pedagogy (Roman & Littlefield) among many other published articles and chapters. Billy brings such humanity to this work. You don't want to miss this episode!

Dr. William Sauerland's Contact Information:
https://www.pfw.edu/visual-performing-arts/music/william-sauerland-biography
Amazon Author: https://www.amazon.com/stores/William-Sauerland/author/B0B36LC71J?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Stay engaged!!
Subscribe to this channel and find this podcast on all platforms
Email: [email protected]
IG: @wholeheartedpedagogy @siscosongs
TikTok: @wholeheartedvoice @siscosongs
...more
51min
July 23, 2025 Ep. 14 - "Sex Hormones and the Singer" with Dr. Vindhya Khare
In this episode, we discuss the importance of continuing to expand our island of knowledge as voice teachers. My very special guest is Dr. Vindhya Khare, who teaches me a tremendous amount about female sex hormones and their impacts on the singing voice. I am so grateful for her vulnerability and tremendous knowledge, and can affirm you will learn so much from this episode!
Dr. Vindhya Khare's Contact Information:
https://carta.fiu.edu/music/vindhya-khare/
IG: @vindhyamusica & ⁨@TheSheSingsPodcast⁩
Show Notes:
Sex Hormones & The Female Voice (Journal of Voice): https://www.jvoice.org/article/S0892-1997(99)80048-4/abstract
Birth Control Changes Who You Are & How You Feel About Your Partner (Diary of a CEO - Interview with Sarah Hill): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGposaKNJKQ
This Is Your Brain on Birth Control (Sarah Hill): https://www.amazon.com/This-Your-Brain-Birth-Control/dp/0525536035
Sex Hormones and the Female Voice: Communication in the Voice Studio (Kimberly Mullendore Brown) - NATS Journal of Singing (Vol. 71, Issue 4, p. 447)
Mary Claire Haver, OB/GYN, MD, FACOG, MCP
https://maryclairewellness.com
Dr. Stacy Sims - Women Are Not Small Men
https://www.drstacysims.com
Dr. Vonda Wright - Expert in Aging & Longevity
https://www.drvondawright.com
Stay engaged!!
Subscribe to this channel and find this podcast on all platforms
Email: [email protected]
IG: @wholeheartedpedagogy @siscosongs
TikTok: @wholeheartedvoice @siscosongs
...more
49min
July 09, 2025 Ep. 13 - "The Book Launch Episode" with Justin Petersen, Dr. Felix Graham, Dr. Luvada Harrison, and Adalynn Eller
Wholehearted Voice Pedagogy has officially been published by Routledge Press and is now available wherever books are sold! To celebrate, I had some wonderful conversations with previous guests Justin Petersen and Dr. Felix Graham, my colleague Dr. Luvada Harrison, and former student, Adalynn Eller. Listen to find out more about what's in the book and how this wonderful array of pedagogues are thinking about teaching voice.
Contact Information for Justin Petersen
https://petersenvoicestudio.com
https://justinpetersen.substack.com
IG: @justinpetersensings
Contact Information for Dr. Felix Graham
https://www.felix-graham.com
IG: @singwithdrfelix
Contact Information for Dr. Luvada Harrison
https://theatredance.ua.edu/people/luvada-harrison/
IG: @lahcanta
Contact Information for Adalynn Eller
https://www.adalynneller.com
IG: @adylnn.eller
Stay engaged!!
Subscribe to this channel and find this podcast on all platforms
Email: [email protected]
IG: @wholeheartedpedagogy @siscosongs
TikTok: @wholeheartedvoice @siscosongs
...more
59min
June 18, 2025 Ep. 12 - "Lessons Learned" with host David Sisco
In this last episode before my book release, I share three lessons I learned while researching, writing, and trying to get the book published. No guests this week—it's just you and me. I hope this story inspires your own journey toward creativity, passion, and truth.
David Sisco's Contact Information:
www.davidsisco.com
Stay engaged!!
Subscribe to this channel and find this podcast on all platforms
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @wholeheartedpedagogy @siscosongs
TikTok: @wholeheartedvoice @siscoscongs
...more
28min
June 04, 2025 Ep. 11 - "Trauma-Informed Care in the Voice Studio" with Megan Durham
What is trauma? How do we assess trauma and activate a trauma-informed response? And how do we balance this with self-care? In this episode, I have a wonderfully rich conversation with voice teacher and vocologist Megan Durham about engaging trauma-informed care in the voice studio. Megan shares some fantastic resources and insights. See show notes below.
Megan’s Contact Information:
https://www.respirevocalwellness.com/
@respirevocalwellness
Resources discussed during the episode:
https://www.whitesupremacyculture.info/
My Grandmother’s Hands (https://www.amazon.com/My-Grandmothers-Hands-Racialized-Pathway/dp/1942094477)
Trauma-Informed Care: Better Care for Everyone (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5851387/)
Focusing the Scope: The Voice Practitioner’s Role in Trauma-Informed Care (https://www.nats.org/_Library/JOS_On_Point/JOS-080-4-2024-455.pdf)
Stay engaged!!
Subscribe to this channel and find this podcast on all platforms
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @wholeheartedpedagogy @siscosongs
TikTok: @wholeheartedvoice @siscoscongs
...more
54min
May 21, 2025 Ep. 10 - "Exploring Artistry with the Student" with Amer Khosla
In this episode, I have an in-depth conversation with Amer Khosla, whom I had the pleasure of working with while he completed his degree at NYU Gallatin, and now as a singer/songwriter based in India. Amer and I discuss how to help students explore artistry through the lens of his own evolution as a performer and creator.
Amer Khosla's Contact Information:
IG: @indeedamer
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7IwCEvKKd3pLEYrbU1llo8?si=n-U19rpYS-ibT19ExJ54Dg
Stay engaged!!
Subscribe to this channel and find this podcast on all platforms
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @wholeheartedpedagogy @siscosongs
TikTok: @wholeheartedvoice @siscoscongs
...more
51min
May 07, 2025 Ep. 9 - "Setting Healthy Boundaries with Students" with Dr. Harriet L. Schwartz
In this episode, I talk to Dr. Harriet L. Schwartz, author of Connected Teaching, about the importance of setting healthy, flexible boundaries with students. Using the framework of Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT), Dr. Schwartz offers helpful ways to think about the student-teacher relationship and offers real-life examples of how boundaries and clear communication can support connection.
Dr. Harriet L. Schwartz's Contact Information:
https://harrietschwartz.com/
Check out her fantastic book on Amazon
Stay engaged!!
Subscribe to this channel and find this podcast on all platforms
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @wholeheartedpedagogy @siscosongs
TikTok: @wholeheartedvoice @siscoscongs
...more
49min
April 23, 2025 Ep. 8 - "Curiosity" with Maurice Goodwin, SLP
Curiosity is central to our work as voice teachers. But how do we express curiosity and encourage students to engage their own? How can it create a value added in the voice studio? Join me for a great conversation with Maurice Goodwin, SLP who illuminates how curiosity can be useful in both clinical and academic arenas.
Maurice Goodwin's Contact Information:
https://www.mauricegoodwin.com/
Also check out: @voiceproed on Instagram
Stay engaged!!
Subscribe to this channel and find this podcast on all platforms
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @wholeheartedpedagogy @siscosongs
TikTok: @wholeheartedvoice @siscoscongs
...more
39min

FAQs about Wholehearted Voice Pedagogy:

How many episodes does Wholehearted Voice Pedagogy have?

The podcast currently has 17 episodes available.