Beyond the Boundaries for the Amplified Vocalist:
A study day for microphone singers, singing teachers, and vocal clinicians

Who to see when breaking the rules breaks you

ABI SIMPSON

Abi Simpson is the Clinical Lead for Voice Disorders at Imperial University NHS Trust in the Complex Laryngology Team and National Centre for Airway Reconstruction, seeing complex issues of the larynx. Alongside Professor Guri Sandhu, she runs the tertiary voice clinic at Charing Cross Hospital. Abi also has her own busy private practice and supports NHS trusts and individuals with external clinical supervision in clinical voice disorders. She has nearly 20 years of experience as a speech and language therapist and specialist training in vocal pedagogy, as well as a background in acoustic voice analysis and dialect coaching. Abi regularly works nationally and internationally with professional voice users in all fields including, but not limited to, singing, acting, broadcasting and those in public service roles. She currently serves on the Education Working Party of the BVA.

APHRODITE IACOVIDOU, FRCS (ORL-HNS) MSc DIC DOHNS

Ms Iacovidou is an Ear, Nose & Throat consultant surgeon currently practising at London’s National Airway Centre located at Charing Cross Hospital, focusing on voice, laryngotracheal reconstruction amongst other laryngology work. Ms Iacovidou has a special interest in voice disorders and runs a weekly clinic in St Mary’s Hospital and an office-based phonosurgery/interventional clinic in Charing Cross Hospital. She is currently working to develop an adolescent to adult transition service between Great Ormond Street and Charing Cross Hospital for young adults with voice and airway issues. Ms Iacovidou completed her speciality training across some of London’s top trusts (GOSH, UCLH, Northwick Park Hospital, Imperial), she has learnt from environments where a multidisciplinary team approach to patient care is paramount. She has continued her professional development through attending international courses - completing the ‘Medical Expert Training in Office-based Phonosurgery’ course with Prof Marcus Hess alongside courses for laryngeal re-innervation with Prof Jean Paul Marie.

TIFFANY MUNROE-GRAY, MBBS BSc (Hons) MRCS-ENT AFHEA MSc DIC

Tiffany has been an Ear, Nose & Throat surgeon since 2014. Having worked at many of London’s top ENT centres she is developing her career as a laryngologist. She has a specialist interest in the singing voice and performance having grown up immersed in music (100% in ‘A’ level music and an offer of a recording contract as a pop singer). Whilst at medical school at Imperial College Tiffany maintained her music passions as director, musical director or lead role for the university’s numerous musical theatre productions as well spending five years running and conducting the 30-piece jazz band. With this musical background, an MSc in Surgical Innovation, and teaching qualifications, Tiffany brings invaluable multidisciplinary experience to the Education Working Party of the BVA.

Vocal warm-ups 1&2

JAMIE READ

Jamie is a singing teacher and vocal coach, and Director of The Voice Teacher. www.thevoiceteacher.co.uk

REBECCA SCHWARZ

Rebecca trained at Queen Mary College (University of London), Central School of Speech and Drama, and Birmingham School of Acting, and worked as an actress in her early 20s. Alongside, she developed her singing craft through vocal lessons and singing her originals and jazz/pop across the UK. She has written and performed several one-woman shows, including her original musical ‘Baby Brained – the Musical’. Rebecca has been teaching singing/choirs for over 18 years using a magpie approach which includes being certified in Estill Training, (CFP), Voice Workshop Advanced Anatomy (Distinction), Counselling, (Level 3), and Master Practitioner in NLP. She is a member of Vocology in Practice. Her students can be found in West End shows and at the top Performing Arts Institutions; she has been called on by Universal Records, the BBC, and Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre. Rebecca is on the Council of the BVA, and also serves on the Education Working Party. www.rebeccaschwarz.co.uk

Learning the rules like a pro, then breaking them like an artist

KAYA HERSTAD-CARNEY

Kaya is a passionate singer, songwriter, and performer with a diverse career in the music industry and academia over the past two decades. She is a qualified vocal habilitation professional and lecturer, specializing in artist development in contemporary commercial music. She is the Senior Programme Manager at WaterBear College of Music running two online BA (Hons) degrees and served as the Director of Education for Vocology in Practice. Kaya has a penchant for performing at festivals and has headlined numerous events, sharing the stage with renowned artists. She is an award-winning singer/songwriter whose original songs have been featured in films and on TV and radio. Kaya's expertise extends to teaching, and she has held positions at various institutions, including Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), Bårdar Academy (Norway), University of Chester, DIME Online, and the Academy of Contemporary Music. Known for her positive and energetic approach, Kaya is a dedicated music industry professional focused on student and person-centered education. www.kayamusic.com

Beatboxing

BELLATRIX

Bellatrix, a former world champion beatboxer, works outside the realms of conventional vocalism, specialising in exploratory play, uninhibited expression, and phat beats. Starting out as the first professional female beatboxer in the UK, Bellatrix - who now identifies as non-binary - has been a trailblazer in their field and is a fierce advocate for those who are under-represented in their communities. Bellatrix has since made their name as both a solo artist and a highly sought after collaborator, touring internationally and performing at many of the top festivals and venues across the world. Bellatrix is currently playing bass for Grammy nominated artist NAO, releasing and performing “avant-punk-pop” music as a solo artist, and hosting a monthly radio show on Soho Radio called “Goldenear”. https://www.bellatrixmusic.co.uk/about

Practical distortion

NICOLE GILL

Nicole is a vocal coach and professional musician based in the UK. Whilst studying for her MA in Vocal Pedagogy Nicole began researching extreme vocal effects. Through this research Nicole has developed teaching strategies to teach extreme voice technique to her students but also developed teacher-training workshops for voice teachers. It is Nicole’s ambition to ensure all extreme vocalists can access evidence- based training to ensure career longevity and to limit vocal injury risks. As a performer Nicole has toured and performed internationally within several projects, most notably with her rock band Snake Eyes. The band, who are signed to Alcopop, recently hit 1 million streams and have supported rock bands such as Don Brocco and Delta Sleep.

Evita.ai – The first AI singing teacher

OREN BODER, BSc(Hons) MBPsS DipLCM(TD)

Oren is an award winning singing teacher, inventor, and serial entrepreneur. His journey started at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama where he trained in singing and vocal technique, as well as studying internationally in Holland in collaboration with the London College of Music, and then with New York Vocal Coaching (NYVC). Oren is also currently developing new AI tools for singers and vocalists. He also holds a degree in Psychology and has studied Engineering part-time at Middlesex University. Oren has authored a #1 Amazon "Most Wished For" book on the physics of singing straws, has several pending- patents for his inventions, and is supported by both the Prince’s Trust and Virgin Startup Programmes. https://www.linkedin.com/in/orenboder/ https://millhillmusiccomplex.co.uk/music-lessons-tuition/vocal-coaching-with-oren-boder/