Wholehearted Voice Pedagogy

On this episode of the podcast, I have the pleasure of talking to Dr. Elizabeth Ann Benson and Kate Rosen about Fat Liberation in the Voice Studio. I am so grateful to both Elizabeth and Kate for being so open and offering  actionable steps for supporting all bodies in the studio. I personally took so much from this episode and hope you will as well! 

Dr. Elizabeth Ann Benson
Website: https://elizabethannbenson.com/benson-music-studios-llc
IG: https://www.instagram.com/elizabeth8ann

Kate Rosen
Website: https://www.katerosenstudio.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/katerosenstudio, @fatfolksdetroit

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IG: @wholeheartedpedagogy @siscosongs
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On this episode of the podcast, I have the pleasure of talking to Dr. Noélia Luna Archambealt de Hernández about the power of culturally-responsive teaching in the voice studio. She shares some very insightful examples of how we can engage this teaching modality in a way that supports student growth. 

Noélia's Contact Information:

Website: https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/cas/units/departments/school-of-music/our-people/noel-archambeault/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/noeliasvoice/

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IG: @wholeheartedpedagogy @siscosongs

TikTok: @wholeheartedvoice @siscosongs

In this episode of Wholehearted Voice Pedagogy, David takes a thoughtful dive into the science behind self-care—and why it's not just beneficial, but essential for voice teachers. Drawing from current research, we’ll unpack the proven benefits of meditation, journaling, boundary-setting, and strategies for cultivating a healthier work-life balance. Whether you're feeling burnt out or simply curious about how to support your own wellbeing, this episode offers evidence-based tools to help you teach—and live—with more intention and heart.

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IG: @wholeheartedpedagogy @siscosongs
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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 

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IG: @wholeheartedpedagogy @siscosongs

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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

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IG: @wholeheartedpedagogy @siscosongs

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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

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IG: @wholeheartedpedagogy @siscosongs

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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

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IG: @wholeheartedpedagogy @siscosongs
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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

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IG: @wholeheartedpedagogy @siscosongs
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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

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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)

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Subscribe to this channel and find this podcast on all platforms
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @wholeheartedpedagogy @siscosongs
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