Teaching singing in musical theatre

Gillyanne Kayes

This workshop is designed for those interested in singing, teaching or coaching for musicals. Singers of musicals often have minimal training as musicians and may not even read music. Their learning process therefore may be very different from singers trained in traditions such as classical music or jazz. Additionally, the performance goals of musical theatre singers may be different, with the focus being on text, characterisation and reality, rather than beauty of tone and phrasing, or of improvisational skills.
During the workshop we will explore an approach to working with singers of musical theatre that is relevant to their practice. Some approaches to pedagogical goals in classical music will form a useful reference point for discussion and exploration of vocal and musical style in three types of musical theatre song:
Narrative
Dramatic
Lyrical
Practical work will focus on breath use, delivery of text (diction and articulation), phrasing, registers and tonal qualities. Please be prepared to explore your own voice during the workshop. There will also be time allowed for discussion of the techniques used and feedback.

Gillyanne Kayes. Singing teacher; author of Singing and the Actor and Successful Singing Auditions; researcher.
Contact: 137 Sunderland Road, London SE 23 2PX, UK
e-mail: gillyanne@vocalprocess.co.uk
Affiliations: Institute of Education, University of London; Vocal Process Limited, London, UK.