This Is A Voice

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What makes a great mentor for singing teachers - and how is mentoring different from teaching, coaching or giving advice?

In This Is A Voice S13 Ep2 Jeremy and Gillyanne explore the thinking behind Vocal Process’s Foundations of Teacher Mentoring course, drawing on over 30 years of working together and supporting singing teachers.

Discover how thoughtful questions, clearer communication and an understanding of individual capacity can help teachers recognise their strengths, untangle challenges and find their own next steps.

We explore:

• The difference between mentoring, coac...

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How much of your singing teacher’s teaching are you still passing on without realising?

The master-apprentice model can turn up in places we don’t think to look: teacher training, choirs, rehearsals and professional organisations. Even in how comfortable we feel asking another teacher for help.

We’re back for Season 13 of This Is A Voice, and Gillyanne has spent much of the past year deconstructing that model for a new book chapter. What have we inherited from our own teachers? What do we value enough to keep? And wh...

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🎙 This Is A Voice with Jeremy Fisher and Dr Gillyanne Kayes
The podcast where we get vocal about voice.

This special finale (Season 12 Episode 12) brings together unforgettable moments from across Season 12, featuring bite-sized excerpts from powerful conversations about singing, voice, performance, creativity, identity, burnout, boundaries, connection and what it really means to use your voice.

From the emotional reveal of “The Secret Singer” to conversations about vocal health, creative resilience, performance psychology and human connection, this episode is a showcase of the insight, honesty and expertise that made Season...

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What does a real week look like when you run a vocal coaching business?

In this episode, we take you behind the scenes of our actual working week, the conversations, the decisions, the small wins, and the moments that don’t usually make it onto social media.

We talk about the reality of being a singing teacher or vocal coach, including the balance between teaching, running a business, supporting a community, and navigating the constant question of value and pricing. We also reveal some of the conversations and techniques we...

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In vocal health and voice rehabilitation, where does the speech language therapist's role end and the singing teacher’s role begin?

In part 2 of this conversation, Jeremy Fisher and Dr Gillyanne Kayes go deeper into the relationship between the singing teacher and the SLT/SLP, exploring where the overlap is helpful, where boundaries matter, and why referral is sometimes the most professional thing you can do.

They unpack some of the practical questions raised while teaching SLTs on a recent course in Northern Ireland, including breath management, phonation, pressure an...

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What's the difference between a speech and language therapist (or pathologist) and a singing teacher? Where do those roles overlap and where should the boundaries be?

In this episode of This Is a Voice, Jeremy Fisher and Dr Gillyanne Kayes explore the similarities and differences between the work of an SLT/SLP and a singing teacher, especially when singers or professional voice users arrive with voice problems, vocal fatigue, or concerns about vocal health. The conversation begins after teaching a course for SLTs in Northern Ireland, where questions about overlap, gaps...

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In this episode of This Is A Voice, Jeremy Fisher and Dr Gillyanne Kayes welcome back psychologist Michelle Robinson for a deeper conversation about the singer-teacher relationship, motivation, wellbeing, and what voice training can learn from sport psychology.

Michelle introduces Self-Determination Theory, breaking down the three psychological needs that help people flourish: autonomy, competence and relatedness. Michelle, Gillyanne and Jeremy explore how these ideas apply to singers, teachers, performance and the learning environment.

The episode also highlights:
*  why external validation never really lasts
* how teaching can support b...

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What if the teacher-student relationship in a singing lesson is not just the backdrop to vocal training, but the engine that shapes confidence, motivation, wellbeing and even performance anxiety?

In Season 12 Episode 7 of This Is A Voice, we’re joined by Michelle Robinson (singer, psychologist and researcher) to explore what the research says about relationship quality in one-to-one music teaching, and why it can determine whether learning feels safe and survivable, or tense and threatening.

We talk about:
Why the teacher–student relationship is mutually influential (it’s not on...

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In this episode of This Is A Voice (S12 Ep6), Jeremy Fisher and Dr Gillyanne Kayes continue the story from “The Secret Singer” (Ep5) and go deeper into what happens when a singer’s path gets interrupted.

Gillyanne shares what came after stopping singing in her late 20s, how she rebuilt confidence (slowly and with care), and why her “happy ending” wasn’t about chasing the stage again. We talk identity, grief, agency and the surprisingly liberating idea that loving singing doesn’t require loving performance.

Then we zoom out into the b...

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In this episode of our This Is A Voice podcast, we do something we've never done before.

We have a “special guest”, not in the studio but on a recording, one that hasn't been played for more than 40 years. You'll have to listen to the first few minutes to discover who the special guest is!

This conversation goes straight into the stuff singers quietly carry:
The feeling that “good enough” is a place you never reach.
How training can install a deficit narrative.
Why the master-apprentice model ca...

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Most singers can learn the notes and the words. That isn’t the part that gets in the way. The real block sits under the surface. It’s the moment where the song should land and somehow doesn’t. You can feel it. The audience can feel it. Something is missing.

In this episode, we dig into that missing piece
How singers learn songs too fast
How the ear follows the recording but not the key
How interpretation can be lovely but still empty
And how inhabiting a song...

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Burnout can creep up quietly - until one day you realise you’ve got nothing left to give.

In this honest, wide-ranging conversation, Dr Gillyanne Kayes, Jeremy Fisher and guest Dr Marisa Lee Naismith (host of A Voice and Beyond) talk about burnout in the performing arts: how it happens, what it feels like, and what recovery really takes.

We explore:

The link between trauma, stress, and burnout

Boundaries and learning to say “I don’t have the capacity”

Why people-pleasing drives exhaustion

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If you’ve ever felt exhausted, cynical or “not good enough,” this episode will help you spot the signs, set boundaries and start recovering - without guilt.

What really causes burnout in musicians, singers, teachers, and students?
In this second episode of This Is A Voice on burnout, Dr. Gillyanne Kayes and Jeremy Fisher discuss the physical, emotional, and systemic roots of burnout - with two special guests offering different perspectives.

Dr Ayan Panja (NHS GP, Saving Lives In Slow Motion podcast) explains why burnout isn’t just “being tire...

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Burnout isn’t just “being tired.” For many musicians, singers, and creatives, it creeps in quietly until suddenly you can’t think clearly, you can’t create, and you feel stuck in cycles of exhaustion.

In Season 12 Episode 1 of This Is A Voice, Jeremy Fisher and Dr. Gillyanne Kayes open up about their own experience with burnout, how it affected their work and creativity, and what they did to recover. 

They’re joined by singer and coach Franka van Essen, who explains burnout through the lens of Polyvagal Theory - and why cre...

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What does it take to be an effective singing leader? 
Why is community music is so vital for social health? 
How can positivity counteract our innate negativity bias?

In this powerful follow-up with Dr Melissa Forbes, we talk about how singing transforms lives far beyond the stage. From rethinking the deficit mindset of traditional music training to leading groups for people with Parkinson’s, Melissa challenges us to see singing through a new lens: 

Connection, not perfection.

Whether you're a singer, teacher, coach, or someone who j...

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Dr Melissa Forbes worked in law for 10 years until the firm's partner told a story about a bucket of water. That speech sent her straight to a jazz conservatorium, then to the research lab, and finally into community halls where group singing is healing real-world isolation. 

In this episode of This Is A Voice, Jeremy Fisher & Dr Gillyanne Kayes chat with Melissa on

 -  the “flight-corrections” that reboot a creative life
 -  how positive psychology reframes practice, strength and burnout
 -  why participatory choirs can out-perform stadium shows in hu...

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This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a five-year deep-dive into the voices, lives and lessons of singers, teachers and coaches around the world.

In this special fifth anniversary episode of This Is A Voice, Jeremy and Dr. Gillyanne revisit the most powerful, personal, and punch-in-the-gut moments from over 100 episodes.
From life-changing reflux wake-ups, to the moment a singer’s voice disappeared on stage, to a viral blog on “Success Amnesia”... this is Dealer’s Choice.

Whether you're a singer, coach, SLP, SLT or voice-curious creative, this episode is a...

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"One of the greatest repositories of knowledge for singing and for performance in existence"

What if you had 700 expert voice teaching tools at your fingertips—any time, any day?

In this episode of This Is A Voice, Jeremy and Gillyanne get personal about the Vocal Process Learning Lounge — a powerhouse online resource designed for singing teachers, vocal coaches, choir leaders, and voice users.

You’ll hear how the Learning Lounge came to life, who it’s for, and why it’s become a go-to CPD (continuing...

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🎭 In this powerful episode of This Is A Voice, we welcome back Kevin Michael Cripps, Head of Singing at Guildford School of Acting (GSA), for a deep conversation about the real challenges - and the hidden joys - of training musical theatre performers today.

💬 From breaking down the myth of "giving 100%" to building stamina, challenging beliefs, decoding "mix", and supporting students' mental wellbeing, this is a masterclass in voice education. 
Kevin, Jeremy, and Gillyanne get honest about what it takes to teach sustainably, integrate acting with technique, and prepare students for an...

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In this powerhouse episode, Kevin Michael Cripps, Head of Singing at Guildford School of Acting, joins Jeremy and Gillyanne for a deep dive into the realities of training musical theatre performers in the 21st century.
Kevin shares what it’s really like to work inside one of the UK’s leading drama schools—and how teaching voice has shifted to reflect individuality, neurodiversity, and longevity.

🎭 Individuality vs Industry Expectations
→ How GSA nurtures authentic vocal identities in a results-driven world
→ Why "cookie cutter" training harms the industry—and the performer
<...

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This is the MOST nervous Jeremy's ever been recording a podcast — and for good reason!

In this deep, honest and funny conversation, Jeremy Fisher and Dr. Gillyanne Kayes share how the world of Artificial Intelligence has changed their careers.
And Jeremy shares an intensely personal moment where he broke ChatGPT — and what it taught him about trust, frustration, and human connection.

   What AI REALLY is (and what it isn't!)

   How ChatGPT works — and how it misled us

   Why understanding prompts is now an essential life skill f...

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What actually happens in a top-tier vocal coach's studio? What is "crack sob" and why is it so common in Broadway belting? What's the deal with voice rehab?
In this episode of This Is A Voice, Gillyanne and Jeremy are joined once again by Mike Ruckles - Broadway vocal coach and Singing Voice Specialist - to explore the fine line between SLPs (SLTs in the UK), ENTs and voice teachers in voice rehabilitation.
From navigating professional boundaries in vocal rehab to decoding the latest Journal of Voice research on "register instability"...

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What does it take to keep a Broadway voice strong, expressive, and injury-free through 8 shows a week?

🎤 In this episode, we’re joined by the brilliant Mike Ruckles — vocal coach, pianist, musical director, and the quiet powerhouse behind Tony, Grammy and Oscar-winning singers and actors.

✅ How Mike balances vocal science and artistic nuance
✅ The real challenges of coaching Broadway performers
✅ Tools for building sustainable technique under pressure
✅ Behind-the-scenes stories of vocal breakthroughs
✅ Moving away from voice training "Models"

Whether you’re a singer, vocal coach, or jus...

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Are you constantly chasing the next goal without celebrating your wins? You might have Success Amnesia—and it could be holding you back. 
In this episode of This Is A Voice, Dr. Gillyanne Kayes & Jeremy Fisher dive into why high-achieving singers, teachers, and performers forget their own success, how this mindset can lead to burnout & imposter syndrome, and—most importantly—how to break the cycle.

We also explore: 
🎤 Why singers, voice teachers, and performers are particularly vulnerable to Success Amnesia
🧠 How this relates to ADHD, burnout, and high-performance careers
🚀...

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How do West End lead singers handle vocal demands, perfectionism, and the pressure of 8 shows a week? 🎤 In this episode of This Is A Voice, we welcome back Claire Underwood, West End resident vocal coach, to uncover more behind-the-scenes realities of training musical theatre stars.

🔹 What you'll discover in this episode:
✔️ How lead performers balance storytelling with vocal technique
✔️ The role of a vocal coach in a West End production
✔️ How to manage conflicting notes from directors, MDs, and coaches
✔️ The secret to vocal safety & longevity in high-pressure performa...

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How do actors and singers deal with performing in long-running shows? And what is the role of a vocal coach - is vocal technique only part of the puzzle?

In this episode of This Is A Voice, we sit down with Claire Underwood — the vocal coach behind Hamilton, Les Misérables, Cabaret, Phantom of the Opera and more in London's West End — to explore:
🎭 How top-level singers stay healthy in high-pressure roles
🎶 Why individuality matters more than copy-pasting a “perfect sound”
🧠 How mindset, belief, and identity impact performance
🗣️ The differe...

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Why are humans naturally drawn to sing together? And why do we need this now more than ever?
Join us as we explore this deeply human experience.

In Season 11, Episode 1 of This Is A Voice, Dr. Gillyanne Kayes and Jeremy Fisher kick off the new season with an inspiring deep dive into the transformative power of group singing.
Explore the often-overlooked role of choir leaders as hidden voice teachers and uncover the profound ways communal singing can strengthen social bonds, combat loneliness, and boost mental well-being.
With contributions...

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Ever wondered how professional vocal coaches, singing teachers, and choir leaders overcome the challenges of their craft? 

In Season 9, Episode 12 of the 'This is a Voice' podcast, Dr. Gillyanne Kayes and Jeremy Fisher take you inside the transformative experiences of six Registered Teachers from different backgrounds, including Amy Housley (actor and singing teacher), Tim Uffindell (gospel singer & choir leader), and Laura Thomas (SLT and singer), Amy Jenkins ( CCM singer/teacher and NLP practitioner), Naomi Lee Schulke (MT singer/teacher and trans voice trainer) and Hannah Grandy (opera singer and MT coach)

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In this thought-provoking and unusual episode of This Is A Voice, Dr. Gillyanne Kayes & Jeremy Fisher sit down with Naomi Lee Schulke, a passionate singing teacher / researcher at Falmouth University. Naomi shares her journey through Vocal Process's Teacher Accreditation Programme and her fascinating work in supporting gender identity in musical theatre training.

🎭 From overcoming imposter syndrome to finding authentic expression in a world of rigid vocal expectations, Naomi opens up about the importance of collaboration, identity, and creating safe spaces for trans and non-binary performers.

🎙 Listen as we dive into t...

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What's changing in musical theatre, and what needs to change? And what is authenticity in performance anyway? In their 100th episode, Gillyanne and Jeremy chat with singer researcher Guro von Germeten on her research into gender, authenticity and musical theatre.
How does taste influence your vocal training? How is gender identity challenging musical theatre casting? 
Guro shares her passion on flexibility of vocal sounds, the role of recordings in musical theatre education, and the importance of providing a safe space for vocal experimentation
If you're passionate about musical theatre, join t...

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Join Dr Gillyanne Kayes and Jeremy Fisher in a fascinating and deep episode on the omnivorous voice, featuring Dr. Guro von Germerten. 
Guro shares the highlights from her PhD on musical tastes and vocal techniques. From her emotional childhood experience as a pianist to her groundbreaking research on the omnivorous voice, Guro discusses the complexities of taste, tradition, and cultural expectations in musical performance. From the process of PhD defence in Europe, to the concept of musical omnivorousness, and the hidden problems of musical taste, this episode is a must-listen for anyone i...

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DJ, singer-songwriter, vocal coach and inspiration Ruth Royall joins Gillyanne and Jeremy to share the amazing story behind the #KeepItReal movement and its impact on the drum and bass community.
In this episode:
The importance of self-confidence for artists and the crucial role of supportive networks.
Insights on artist mentoring and establishing your identity and boundaries in the music industry.
Ruth’s personal journey of touring while seven months pregnant and the unique challenges she faced.
The development and success of her new live dance music project, Royall So...

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In this episode of 'This Is A Voice' podcast, Dr. Gillyanne Kayes and Jeremy Fisher are joined by singer-songwriter Ruth Royall. They discuss Ruth's diverse career journey, her pivot to become a prominent artist in the drum and bass genre during the lockdown, and her personal songwriting process. 
Ruth shares insights on the importance of collaboration in the music industry, particularly within the drum and bass community. We play an excerpt from her song "Help You Stay", created in conjunction with Technimatic, and she shares the story behind the song and its e...

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Jeremy Fisher launches his new book called "Just How Boring Are you? How to be a great podcast guest, captivate your listeners and polish your vocal skills".
In this bonus podcast episode Jeremy is interviewed by Karen Merstik-Michaels - singer, musician, social media manager and podcast host, on why he wrote the book and what potential podcast guests can learn from it

0:00 A bonus podcast episode
01:07 Overcoming crippling shyness
02:49 Applying music skills to spoken voice
03:37 Why podcasting is different from public speaking
05:24 Jeremy's first big radio...

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 This Is A Voice podcast S9 Ep6 focuses on our More Than a Masterclass experience at the Hamburg StimmSymposium last month.
Coaching a singer in the big belt number from the musical Vanara - Prayer To The Moon. How Jeremy changed her style with a single physical instruction. And why she needed less flow, not more to make the belt notes and approaches work.
And we share more highlights from the Symposium including an almost wordless epic warmup class from conductor Craig Anthony Lees, and a truth bomb from osteopath Jacob L...

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In this landmark episode of This Is A Voice (S9 Ep5), Dr. Gillyanne Kayes and Jeremy Fisher take a stroll down memory lane to celebrate a remarkable 25 years since founding their voice education company VocalProcess. From being the UK's first private company to pioneer online voice webinars to sharing insights from their latest experience at the esteemed Hamburg StimmSymposium, this episode is packed with nostalgia, innovation, and forward-thinking in the world of voice education.

What to expect in this episode:
- A heartfelt look back at our journey and key...

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For the second half of our World Voice Day Special edition, we're talking belief systems and diagnostics with one of the most influential GPs in the UK (Pulse Magazine), Dr Ayan Panja. 

Dr Panja is a GP (family doctor), podcaster, presenter on BBC World News and the bestselling author of "The Health Fix"

00:00 What motivates a working GP?
04:01 Putting health into context
06:25 Different cultures and body psychotherapy
08:13 The first lifestyle medicine course
11:11 Beliefs and diagnosis for singers
13:08 Beliefs and diet
15:55 There isn't a s...

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For this World Voice Day Special edition of our This Is A Voice podcast we're delving into the Vagus Nerve and health diagnostics with one of the most influential GPs in the UK (Pulse Magazine), Dr Ayan Panja. Dr Panja is a GP (family doctor), podcaster, presenter on BBC World News and the bestselling author of "The Health Fix"

Voice experts Dr Gillyanne Kayes & Jeremy Fisher share thoughts, stories and advice with Dr Ayan and bust some of the myths about singing, breathing and the vagus nerve.

00:00 A great...

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Dr Gillyanne Kayes and Jeremy Fisher on misunderstandings, misconceptions and personal insights about breathing and breath management for singing. Untrue statements, pressed phonation, relentless twang, breathy versus leaky tone, everything is up for discussion. Plus five areas where we can control breathing, and details on using two contrasting airstreams at the same time (introducing the "Granny Kiss"...
With research from Ian Howell and Heidi Moss Erickson on back pressure and brain function (used with permission)

00:00:00 Breathe Out To Sing
Personal insights on the misunderstood aspects of breath in vocal...

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Celebrating 90 episodes of our This Is A Voice Podcast! Dr Gillyanne Kayes & Jeremy Fisher share how they deal with a bad review - and this one's just plain rude.
And they celebrate 20 years of their groundbreaking voice teacher Accreditation Programme.
Welcome to This Is A Voice Season 9 Episode 1, the podcast where we get vocal about voice.
00:00:00 – Stodgy & Humble – the dynamic duo of voice training
00:01:20 – Unpacking a Cringe-worthy Review
00:04:49 – Dealing with Criticism - a Catalyst for Discussion
00:07:16 – Celebrating 20 years of Training Teachers
00:09:59 – Creating the Accreditation + Our Guest Experts
...