We’re wrapping up 2025 with a conversation that will change the way you think about the voice forever. Physiotherapist Emer Tully from Neuro Tour joins us to unravel the vital — and often underestimated — role of the pelvic floor in singing. From breathing mechanics to alignment, from recognising tightness vs. weakness, to understanding why singers, dancers, teachers and performers of all kinds should care about this powerhouse of stability, this episode is packed with practical insights and surprising - the perfect finale to a year of rich conversations.

WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST?

0:38 Thank YOU!

5:20 Why is the pelvic floor so intriguing?

7:59 The 5 diaphragms

12:01 The function of the pelvic floor

13:53 Pregnancy & performance

16:48 Signs of a tight or weak pelvic floor & the impact on singing

21:16 Helping a singer with a tight or weak pelvic floor

30:07 Advice about the gym and methods of ‘support’ in singing

39:32 Pelvic floor & stress

45:25 Recommended resources

About the presenter HERE

RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS

Singing Teachers Talk - Ep. 201 Working with Hypermobile Singers with Sarah Algoet

Jennie Morton

Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.69 Understanding Pregnancy for the Singer and the Self-Employed with Sarah Joyce & Cat Ogden

Feldenkrais

Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.183 How to Fix Your Inhale and Transform Your Singing with Lucinda Allen

Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.191How to Set Up the Best Exhale for Singing with Lucinda Allen

Duncan Rock

Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.120 Understanding Singing and Fitness with Duncan Rock

Anatomy of Voice by Blandine-Calais-Germain & François Germain

Dr Sara Reardon

Michelle Edminson @mvmt.101

Jane App

ABOUT THE GUEST

Emer is NEURO TOUR’s London Associate Director of Education. She qualified from Manchester University with a BSc Physiotherapy degree, and is HCPC accredited as well as a member of the CSP. She is a Vocal Specialist and a Certified Women’s Health Practitioner. She has an advanced medical acupuncture certification; APPI Matwork & Reformer Pilates training & specialises in vocal/ TMJ physiotherapy.

Website

Instagram: @physio.emer

🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE

At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion.

“The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK

Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW

basttraining.com | Updates | Email Us | Free Group

Thinking about taking your teaching to the next level, diving deeper into your specialist interests, or even writing a degree of your own? In this episode of Singing Teachers Talk, Alexa is joined by educator, performer, and MA creator Kaya Herstad-Carney, who pulls back the curtain on what a master’s degree in the performing arts really offers. From choosing the right pathway and understanding learning outcomes to balancing study with real life, Kaya shares how her own master’s shaped her career, the unexpected opportunities it opened, and what she’s learned from writing not one but two MA programmes. Whether you’re a singing teacher, performer, or creative professional considering postgraduate study, this conversation is packed with insight, encouragement, and the honest realities behind levelling up your education.

WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST?

2:27 Why did Kaya do a masters degree?

5:37 What is the advantage of studying for an MA?

10:10 How to choose an MA course

19:19 Juggling a part time MA

21:46 What If I’m not very academic?

26:11 Writing an MA degree

34:22 Marking degree assessments

39:07 Common errors in MA submissions

41:13 Making your MA decision

About the presenter HERE

RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS

WaterBear The College of Music

Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.154 Managing Imposter Syndrome, Low Confidence and Overwhelm as Singing Teachers with Alexa Terry

Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.222 The Rise of AI: What It Means for Singers & Teachers with Rachael Drury

Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.226 The Rise of AI: Practical Tools and Strategies for the Singing Teacher with Rachael Drury

Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.56 Taking the Academic Route with Debbie Winter

Voice Study Centre

Arts Council

ABOUT THE GUEST

Kaya Herstad-Carney is a higher education leader, vocal pedagogue, and award-winning creative artist. From September 2025 she becomes Head of Education (Online) at WaterBear College of Music, overseeing MA and BA programmes in songwriting, performance, and music education. A specialist in student-centred learning and vocal habilitation within CCM, she holds an MA from LIPA/Hope and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Kaya has taught across leading institutions including ACM, LIPA, University of Liverpool, and BAST Training, and serves on the Advisory Board for Vocology in Practice. Her research interests span performance anxiety, singing for wellbeing, voice science, and sustainable creative careers. Alongside academia, she is an award-winning singer-songwriter whose work has appeared on stage, TV, and film, performing internationally and alongside ar

🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE

At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion.

“The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK

Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW

basttraining.com | Updates | Email Us | Free Group

Thinking about becoming a singing teacher but not sure what’s holding you back? In this episode, Alexa and Line break down the most common barriers aspiring singing teachers face. Learn how to get started with what you already know, build confidence step by step, choose the right training, and grow your teaching practice with clarity and purpose. If you’re ready to take the next step in your singing teaching journey, this conversation will help you move forward with confidence.

WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST?

0:31 How did Line become a singing teacher?

4:22 I don’t know enough & imposter syndrome

11:26 There’s too much choice

18:26 I don’t have the piano skills

23:37 I don’t have confidence in my own voice

28:25 I’m just not qualified

31:26 What about money?

36:51 My schedule is already busy

40:59 I don’t know how to start a business

46:10 What if I hurt a student’s voice?

About the presenter HERE

RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS

Line Hilton

Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.237 Beyond the Vocal Tract: How the Brain Shapes What We Hear with Ian Howell

Hearing Singing - A Guide to Functional Listening and Voice Perception

Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.111 Essential Piano Skills for Singers and Voice Teachers with Brenda Earle Stokes

Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.158 How Music Theory and Keyboard Skills Can Transform Your Singing Teaching with Amy Walton

Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.88 Pros and Cons of Singing Teacher Qualifications with Line Hilton

Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.229 Ways to Make More Money as a Singing Teacher with Zoe Stibi

Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.227 Following Your Bliss: How to Align your Life and Business with Gemma Sugrue

Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.220 Time Management: Making Time When There Isn't Any with Line Hilton & Alexa Terry

Chris Johnson

🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE

At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion.

“The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK

Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW

basttraining.com | Updates | Email Us | Free Group