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In-Person Foundational Courses 2024
In-Person
Session 1: Establishing the Foundation (MUPP-555-F2F CCM Vocal Pedagogy: Level I)
July 13-15, 2024
Taught by Matt Edwards and the CCM Institute Faculty with Special Guests Wendy LeBorgne and Marci Rosenberg.
In session one, we examine how to cultivate what the singer brings to the table and how to merge their artistic goals with functional voice training. You will learn how to tell when it's time to build the voice and when it's time to follow the artist. Most importantly we will show you how to mentor artists both functionally and artistically through numerous small group and experiential learning activities. Participants will also have the opportunity to visit the SU cadaver lab for hands-on experience with a human larynx and respiratory system (optional). This powerful experience consistently brings new clarity to the delicate work we do as voice teachers.
Through a combination of pre-recorded lectures and live sessions, participants will learn to balance vocal function, vocal health, authenticity, and artistry.
Evidence-Based approaches to:
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Coordinating the structure and respiratory system for the constantly changing requirements of CCM styles
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Coordinating and developing the heavy and light mechanism to give singers the full use of their voice
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Coordinating and developing the "Mixed-Voice" in multiple ways (including with SOVTs)
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Teaching the fundamentals of belting
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Applying exercise physiology and motor learning principles to improve student outcomes
Artistry Topics Including:
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Teaching with an artist-centered mindset
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Understanding the individual artist’s point of view
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Cultivating the artist’s vision
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Creative problem solving skills to align stylistic demands with technique
In-Person
Session 2: Shaping the Voice and the Artist (MUPP-556-F2F CCM Vocal Pedagogy: Level II)
July 16-18, 2024
Taught by Matt Edwards and the CCM Institute Faculty with Lifetime Achievement Award Keynote Speaker, Dr. Kenneth Bozeman
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After you have established the foundations of function and artistry, you will refine the vision and technique. CCM performers come from diverse backgrounds, life experiences, and points of view. In Session II, you will learn about the Black roots of American popular music and how history and culture influence vocal quality. We will use that information to show you how to use stylistically appropriate functional exercises to coordinate the vocal tract. This will train your students’ voices to respond automatically to their artistic intent. Participants also have the opportunity to visit the SU cadaver lab for hands-on experience with a human vocal tract (optional).
Through a combination of pre-recorded lectures, and live experiential learning participants will learn:
Evidence-Based approaches to:
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Pharyngeal Constriction
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Laryngeal depression and elevation
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Soft palate function and “nasality” vs. “twang”
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Vowel and timbre issues
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Interactions of the tongue, jaw, and lips and how to identify the difference between tension and lack of coordination
Artistry Topics Including:
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Honoring and supporting the artists’ roots
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Connecting culture and history with vocal style
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How to teach any style by listening and doing
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Identifying the “blocks” that prevent artistic vulnerability
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Guiding an artists’ metamorphosis with intention setting
Advanced techniques for developing the belt voice including:
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How singers can develop a wide variety of mix and belt qualities
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Differences to consider when working across genres
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Building Stamina
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Shaping sustained notes
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Story based approaches that elicit changes in vocal quality
In-Person
Session 3: Polishing, Fine Tuning, and deepening (MUPP-557-F2F CCM Vocal Pedagogy: Level III)
July 19-21, 2024
Taught by Matt Edwards and the CCM Institute Faculty
To reach their full potential, artists must learn to deep-dive into bringing songs to life through custom tailored polishing work. The needs will vary both technically and artistically depending on the style. For example, advanced musical theater performers train for vocal flexibility so they can audition for a variety of roles. In contrast, singer-songwriters train to maintain their signature sound. In Session III, participants will learn how to adjust their approach to accommodate these and other needs. You will also learn about the history of common musical styles and how to teach them in a way that honors the cultural traditions that created them. Through a combination of pre-recorded lectures, and live experiential learning participants will explore:
Approaches to technical fine-tuning including:
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Training artists to listen and analyze CCM styles at the micro-level
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The differences in the needs of musical theater and commercial artists
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How to let the microphone do some of the work
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Adapting the belt voice for amplified and unamplified settings
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Using vocal effects (straight tone, fry, growl, etc.)
Artistry Topics Including:
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Teaching the rhythmic and melodic ingredients of all vocal styles
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Building upon your artists’ roots
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Guiding an artists’ metamorphosis by developing a larger point of view
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Helping others tell stories from the soul
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And genre bootcamps in jazz, musical theater, folk/country, pop/R&B, and rock.
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Expanding the artist’s vision with a spiraling template
Concurrent In-Person Continuing Education Courses
In-Person
Musical Theatre Styles (MUPP-506-F2F CCM Styles I: Musical Theatre)
July 19-21, 2024
Taught by Edrie Means-Weekly
The demand today is for musical theatre singers to be trained in a variety of music styles. Musical theatre productions may encompass blues, country, jazz, rock and even rap all in one show. Frequently in the 21st century one character is required to sing equally well in multiple styles within the same show. This course will explore principles and techniques for the commercial styles found in musical theatre, identifying the mechanical, physiological differences and the vocal ingredients while maintaining healthy vocal function. This course will break down the various vocal styles found on Broadway in a way that will be useful for the professional singer and in the studio. Participants will learn exercises to cross train their vocal production muscles creating laryngeal flexibility to switch back and forth between registers and styles by making different interior shapes or positions to allow changes in the resonance to serve the styles found in musical theatre such as blues, country, jazz, pop, R&B, rock, etc. The course will also include masterclasses working on individual song styles, with Edrie
Course topics include:
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The vocal ingredients for various musical theatre styles, including Pop/Rock, Jazz/Blues, Country/Bluegrass, R&B, Gospel, Belt/Character, Legit.
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How the larynx, soft palate, tongue, jaw, and lips function in these various styles.
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Treatment of vowels and consonants.
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Vocal exercises (laryngeal flexibility, riffing, etc.)
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How to sing/teach onsets, releases, and vocal stylisms effects (bends, cry, fry, growls, screams, slides, etc.) while maintaining healthy vocal function.
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Explore through songs various styles.
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Tools for acting the song borrowed from traditional acting approaches
In-Person
Working with Audio Technology (MUPP-595-F2F Sound Tech Singers)
July 16-18, 2024
Taught by Golder O'Neil
Participants will become familiar with the various elements used to create a “professional” sound and how those elements can be utilized when training professional CCM performers. Each participant will have the opportunity to work on both sides of the microphone and the opportunity to explore the possibilities of using various audio equipment.
This course will provide an overview of:
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microphone techniques
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basic live sound setup and controls
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selecting equipment for your student’s live sound reinforcement system
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understanding and using recording studio equipment including equalization, compression, and reverb
