GENDER-AFFIRMING VOICE TRAINING

The gender binary in traditional voice pedagogy has mostly gone unchallenged, leading to a long-standing link between gender and voice in vocal training. This connection has shaped the practices in singing education and the music business as we know it. Today, however, we are witnessing (and enjoying!) a growing presence of diverse voices across all levels and genres of the music industry. As a voice teacher, I find it essential to rethink and update the vocabulary, tools, repertoire, and personal approach we use in our lessons, creating a more trans* inclusive, gender-diverse space where everyone can learn and express themselves.

The voice plays a key role in gender expression, both in artistic forms like singing and in everyday speech. If you are seeking gender-affirming voice training, we can safely work with the technical and expressive aspects of sound production. We’ll use specific exercises centred on pitch modification, resonance, articulation and inflection to help you find your own feminine/masculine/non-binary voice. During this process we’ll make sure to avoid vocal strain by finding the most sustainable setting for the sound you desire, so you can feel comfortable with it and use it consistently.

If your session is focused on singing, we’ll work through your song selection and apply the techniques we practiced. For speech, we can use various types of texts, or mimic real-life conversations. This will help build muscle memory, balancing what you’re saying with how it sounds. Typically, it takes no more than six sessions to cover the basics, after which you can choose to continue discovering even more about your voice. Understanding how your voice functions is just as important as adopting a positive learning mindset, and being open to exploring new sounds, which is a never ending process!

Trans* voice training is often seen as a medical issue and, in many cases, speech therapy is indeed a valuable route to follow. Complementing it with sessions focused on exploring your singing voice can add significant value and insight to your journey. Especially if you’re a singer, you may find my approach to be a comprehensive experience, as we’ll not only work on the sound of your voice, but also refine your style, stage presence, interpretation, and performance techniques. Stepping away from the clinical model can be empowering, allowing for a supportive, personal and fun path tailored to what feels right for you.

I bring extensive experience and technical training, much of which overlaps with the expertise of a speech therapist. Working outside the clinical framework, my sessions are not covered by medical insurance. However, I am committed to making my lessons accessible and I’m always open to discussing discounts based on your financial circumstances.

Completed

• B.Sc. in Cultural Anthropology, University of Siena, Italy.
• 3-year CVT Singer/Singing Teacher Diploma Course – Complete Vocal Institute, Denmark
• Voice Rehabilitation for Authorized CVT teachers (NCFE/Cache accredited) – Complete Vocal Institute, Denmark.
• Masculinize your voice without testosterone – Renee Yoxon, online course.
• Vocal Educator Toolkit Course – Elle Holiday, VocaLab Australia.
• Cursus logopedie voor transgender personen: trans vrouwen, trans mannen en non-binaire personen – Logopedie Flevoland, the Netherlands.
• Gender-Affirming Speech and Singing for Voice Teachers and SLPs – Liz Jackson Hearns, The Voice Lab Chicago.
• Verdiepingscursus Logopedie voor transgender personen – Logopedie Flevoland, the Netherlands.