Alexa welcomes UK tax accountant, Andy Muckett, to the podcast, to demystify the complexities of tax for self-employed vocal coaches and singing teachers in the UK. They discuss why taxes can feel overwhelming for creative professionals, the differences in tax responsibilities between employed and self-employed individuals, and practical tips for managing tax-related challenges. The conversation offers insights on estimating tax liabilities, understanding taxable income, and navigating the transition to self-employment.

QUOTE

‘If you were to take 20% of all your top line income before any expenses…and put it away in a savings account, then in theory that would give you more than enough money than you need to pay your tax when it comes around.’

Link to presenter bios: Click Here

RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS

HMRC: gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs
Companies House: gov.uk/government/organisations/companies-house
(Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.159 How Toys and Props Can Create Dynamic Singing Lessons with Kaya Herstad-Carney
Vibrant Voice Technique: vibrantvoicetechnique.com
Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO): ico.org.uk/for-organisations/data-protection-fee
DEXT Solo: info.dext.com/welcome-to-dext-solo
MyMusicStaff: mymusicstaff.com
(Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.93 How to Organise Your Singing Studio Business with My Music Staff
The Musicians Union: musiciansunion.org.uk
Independent Society of Musicians: ism.org
(Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.117 The ISM: What Singers and Singing Teachers Need to Know with Ruth McPherson

ABOUT THE GUEST

Andy has been involved in the tax world since he left school as a 16 year old. He originally worked for the Inland Revenue (now HMRC) for 5 years before moving into the accounting profession where he specialised in personal taxation and gained accreditation as a Chartered Tax Advisor. He set up AKM in 1992, mainly supporting individuals with their tax compliance needs and always with an eye towards finding opportunities to reduce client tax bills within the confines of the law. Andy loves performing on stage (mostly local panto) when the opportunity arises and when time allows.

Website akmaccountingsolutions.co.uk

BAST Training is here to help singers gain the confidence, knowledge, skills & understanding required to be a successful singing teacher.

Website: basttraining.com | Subscribe | Email Us | Join the Free FB Group

"I am so glad I took the course! It has given me the confidence to move forward in my teaching knowing that I am practising safely, with a wealth of knowledge and support that I simply didn't have before! The training is comprehensive, immediately applicable, massively informative and so engaging! LOVED it!" Hayley Ross, UK...more testimonials

Join us as we sit down with Dr Reena Gupta, a renowned laryngologist, to explore the world of vocal health. In this episode, we dive into common vocal injuries identified in clinic, the misconceptions of injury, and how injury forms, as well as the vocal impacts of the common cold, allergies and acid reflux. This episode is packed with practical insights and tips as Dr. Gupta shares her expertise on identifying and managing these conditions, offering invaluable advice for singers, teachers, and anyone who relies on their voice.

KEY MOMENTS

• ‘I would say the commonest findings are kind of mild inflammation… it's just inflammation that leads to secondary muscle tension.
• Carbonated beverages are a current common acid reflux trigger in singers.

RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS

(Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.161 From Speech to Song: Training the Spoken Voice Vs the Singing Voice with SLP Elle Holiday

(Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.75 Vocal Rehabilitation for Singers with Dr Jenevora Williams

Dr Jenevora Williams: jenevorawilliams.com & @jenevorawilliams

(Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.87 How to Manage Allergies and Upper Respiratory Infections with Laryngologist Declan Costello

The OHNI Voice Book: Straight Talk with Dr Reena Gupta

(Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.60 The Best Nutritional Do’s and Don’ts for Singers with Stephanie Moore

Stephen King: voicecarecentre.co.uk/stephen-king

Lydia Flock: oxfordvocalmassage.co.uk

Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA: artsmed.org

Mindy Pack: www.mindypack.com

Chris Johnson: chrisjohnsonvocalcoach.com

ABOUT THE GUEST

Dr. Reena Gupta is a laryngologist (voice doctor and surgeon) in Beverly Hills, CA. She was led to this specialty of a love for the voice, which was fostered through singing lessons starting at the age of 11. When she entered medical school, her passion for the voice led her to seek a residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at NYU. She then did an additional year-long fellowship in Laryngology/Care of the Professional Voice. Dr. Gupta opened her own practice, Center for Vocal Health, as the only Laryngologist-led private voice centre in Southern California. Dr. Gupta is published in numerous journals and textbooks and has been invited to speak at universities and conferences locally and internationally. She volunteers locally and globally and runs educational conferences to empower professional voice users to seek the best vocal care.

Guest Website(s) centerforvocalhealth.com

Book a Ticket to The SVARA Project Voice Summit: svaraproject.com

BAST Training is here to help singers gain the confidence, knowledge, skills & understanding required to be a successful singing teacher.

Website: basttraining.com | Subscribe | Email Us | Join the Free FB Group

"I am so glad I took the course! It has given me the confidence to move forward in my teaching knowing that I am practising safely, with a wealth of knowledge and support that I simply didn't have before! The training is comprehensive, immediately applicable, massively informative and so engaging! LOVED it!" Hayley Ross, UK...more testimonials

Vocal pedagogy expert Ken Bozeman returns to the podcast, joining Alexa to explore laryngeal vs. acoustic registration, how vowel modification impacts vocal range, and the role of sensory feedback in refining vocal technique.

KEY MOMENTS

"Laryngeal registration deals with how the vocal folds are shaped for pitch, while acoustic registration is determined by the relationship between the pitch being sung and the potential harmonics of that pitch."

"In non-classical styles, the goal is to keep the entire range as speech-like as possible, which may involve compromises due to the different paint set of each pitch."

"Open timbre in acoustic terms is more oral. You feel it in the mouth."

"Attitude, is it an emotion or is it an attitude?”

RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS

• (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.146 How to Understand and Apply Vocal Acoustic Pedagogy with Ken Bozeman
• The work of Ingo Titze
• The work of Ian Howell
• (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.167 Understanding Nasality and Perception in the Singing Voice with Dr Nicholas Perna
• Wolfgang Saus: https://www.oberton.org/en/
• (Book) Voice is FREE After SOVT by Karin Titze Cox & Ingo Titze
• (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.170 Understanding the Science of SOVTs: In Conversation with Ingo Titze & Karin Titze Cox
• Approximate First Formant Locations from Ken Bozeman: http://www.kenbozeman.com/formant-location.php
• Kaya Herstad-Carney: kayamusic.com
• (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.103 How to ‘Measure’ a Singer with Kaya Herstad-Carney
• Voce Vista: https://www.vocevista.com/
• The work of Donald Miller

ABOUT THE GUEST

Kenneth Bozeman, BM, MM, is a Professor Emeritus of Music, having taught at Lawrence University for 42 years. He holds degrees from Baylor University and the University of Arizona and studied in Munich. He authored "Practical Vocal Acoustics" and "Kinesthetic Voice Pedagogy." Bozeman’s students have performed with major opera companies worldwide. He is a noted expert in vocal acoustics and continues to present at international conferences.

Guest Website http://www.kenbozeman.com/

• Get Ken’s book ‘Practical Vocal Acoustics’ here: https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781538174647/Practical-Vocal-Acoustics-Pedagogic-Applications-for-Teachers-and-Singers
• Get Ken’s book ‘Kinesthetic Voice Pedagogy 2’ here: https://www.voxped.com/KVP2.html

BAST Training is here to help singers gain the confidence, knowledge, skills & understanding required to be a successful singing teacher.

Website: basttraining.com | Subscribe | Email Us | Join the Free FB Group

"I am so glad I took the course! It has given me the confidence to move forward in my teaching knowing that I am practising safely, with a wealth of knowledge and support that I simply didn't have before! The training is comprehensive, immediately applicable, massively informative and so engaging! LOVED it!" Hayley Ross, UK...more testimonials

Robert Price is a voice teacher, director, and level five advanced clinical massage therapist specialising in the voice and jaw. He trained in voice studies at the Central School of Speech and Drama before teaching and directing in many drama schools and currently serves voice users at his Vocal Massage London and at the Voice Care Centre. Robert teaches vocal massage to other teachers, osteopaths, physiotherapists, and SLTs, and he's here to help us understand how we can perform massage on ourselves and guide our clients in self-massage in the studio.

KEY MOMENTS

"The fundamental value of massage is to move people from a sympathetic state to a parasympathetic state."

"The benefits of vocal massage are subjective. It usually helps people, but quite what's happening within that is about the person."

"Consent and safety are at the heart of manual therapy. The person should have agency over the touch and feel comfortable throughout the session."

RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS

• (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk Ep.32 The Bio-Psycho-Social Model with Stephen King
• (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk Ep.90 Help! I’ve Got a Voice Problem with Lydia Hart and Stephen King
• Voice Care Centre: https://voicecarecentre.co.uk/
• Stephen King at the Voice Care Centre: https://voicecarecentre.co.uk/stephen-king/
• (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk Ep.74 Understanding Manual Therapy with Walt Fritz
• (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk Ep.65 The Top Benefits of Vocal Massage with Lydia Flock
• Feldenkrais Method: https://feldenkrais.com/about-the-feldenkrais-method/
• Qigong Practice

ABOUT THE GUEST

Robert is a voice teacher, director, and Level 5 Advanced Clinical Massage Therapist specialising in the voice and jaw. He trained in voice studies at the Central School of Speech and Drama and has taught at RADA, LAMDA, ArtsEd, Central, East 15, Rose Bruford, and The Lir. He works at the Voice Care Centre in Soho and runs Vocal Massage London. Robert also teaches vocal massage to professionals globally.

Guest Website(s) https://www.vocalmassagelondon.com https://voicecarecentre.co.uk
https://voicecarecentre.co.uk/vocal-massage-training/

Social Media Instagram: @robertprice1969 robert@vocalmassagelondon.com

BAST Training is here to help singers gain the confidence, knowledge, skills & understanding required to be a successful singing teacher.

Website: basttraining.com | Subscribe | Email Us | Join the Free FB Group

"I am so glad I took the course! It has given me the confidence to move forward in my teaching knowing that I am practising safely, with a wealth of knowledge and support that I simply didn't have before! The training is comprehensive, immediately applicable, massively informative and so engaging! LOVED it!" Hayley Ross, UK...more testimonials

Join voice scientist, Dr Ingo Titze and Speech and Language Pathologist, Karin Titze-Cox as they discuss their book 'Voices Free after SOVT', exploring the science and application of Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract exercises. They delve into the benefits, implementation, and clinical applications of SOVTs, including using straws and tools to improve vocal health and performance. The interview is preceded by a brief review of the book from singing teacher and podcast host, Alexa Terry.

KEY MOMENTS
When you pick up a book by Ingo Titze and Karen Titze-Cox, you know you're entering academic territory.
The material doesn't really matter much. That's our first conclusion.

RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS
Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.131 Mastering Research Papers: How to Read with Ease and Extract Knowledge with Kate Cubley
Chris Johnson’s Teach Voice: Click Here
John Henny: Click Here
The Intelligent Vocalist: Episode 356: SOVTs with Karin Titze Cox & Ingo Titze
The work of Marco Guzman
The work of Anne-Maria Laukkanen
Lessac-Madsen Resonant Voice Therapy
Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.164 Music and the Brain: The Science of Learning & Practice with Dr Molly Gebrian Part One
Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.165 Music and the Brain: The Science of Learning & Practice with Dr Molly Gebrian Part Two
Journal of Speech and Hearing Research: Click Here
The work of Kitty Verdolini Abbott
(Singer) Renee Flemming
Vocal Tubes: Click Here
Belt Box: Click Here
Mindy Pack: Click Here
Resono Straw by Oren Boder: Click Here

ABOUT THE GUEST
Ingo R. Titze, known as the father of vocology, coined the term with George Gates in 1989 and developed the original vocology curricula in 1990. He has held various appointments and written over 500 publications and six books on voice production.

Karin Titze Cox, SLP-CCC, specialises in vocology and voice habilitation. She received her BA from BYU and MA from University of Iowa. She's worked in research, private practice, and clinic director roles in Salt Lake City. She's served on the Pan American Vocology Association board and National Center for Voice and Speech executive board.

ncvs.org

Get your copy of ‘Voice is FREE after SOVT’ HERE

Further watching:

• Why Straw – NCVS
• High Resistance Straw
• The Science Behind the Straw Exercise: Video 1 NCVS.org

BAST Training is here to help singers gain the confidence, knowledge, skills & understanding required to be a successful singing teacher.

Website: basttraining.com | Subscribe | Email Us | Join the Free FB Group

"I am so glad I took the course! It has given me the confidence to move forward in my teaching knowing that I am practising safely, with a wealth of knowledge and support that I simply didn't have before! The training is comprehensive, immediately applicable, massively informative and so engaging! LOVED it!" Hayley Ross, UK...more testimonials

Heather Baker, Founding Director of the Institute for Vocal Advancement, explains how gestures enhance vocal training by providing an additional modality for the brain to learn new vocal skills. She explores the connection between gestures and the brain, sharing examples of personalised and meaningful gestures.

KEY MOMENTS

"Observing gesture can impact the way singers breathe and produce sound"

"Performing the gesture oneself is more effective than just observing"

"Gesture is something I have always used in my teaching"

ABOUT THE GUEST

Heather Baker, a Contemporary Voice Teacher in Northern England, is the Founding Director of the Institute for Vocal Advancement (IVA) and an IVA Ambassador. With an MA in Vocal Pedagogy, her research spans cognitive and neuroscience of singing, pitch problems, and vocal pedagogy. She presents globally, runs adult choirs, and co-hosts the Vocal Advancement Podcast, sharing her expertise and passion for voice teaching.

EPISODE RESOURCES

Guest Website:

• thesingingteacher.biz
• vocaladvancement.com

Social Media:

• facebook.com/heatherbakersingingstudios
• instagram.com/heatherbakersingingstudios
• YouTube.com/the.singingteacher
• TikTok.com/the.singingteacher

Relevant Links & Mentions:

• Kerrie Obert: Click Here
• Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.59 Top Tongue Tips for Boosting High Frequency Energy with Kerrie Obert
• Julia Nafisi: Click Here
• Jenna Brown: Click Here
• Lisa Popeil: Click Here
• Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.155 & 156: Building Neurodiversity-Inclusive Voice Studios with Dr Shannon Coates
• The work of Ko

BAST Training is here to help singers gain the confidence, knowledge, skills & understanding required to be a successful singing teacher.

Website: basttraining.com | Subscribe | Email Us | Join the Free FB Group

"I am so glad I took the course! It has given me the confidence to move forward in my teaching knowing that I am practising safely, with a wealth of knowledge and support that I simply didn't have before! The training is comprehensive, immediately applicable, massively informative and so engaging! LOVED it!" Hayley Ross, UK...more testimonials

Alexa is joined by Line Hilton to discuss the concept of quick fixes in singing. They explore when it might be appropriate to use a quick fix, such as in auditions or performances, and when it might not be advisable, such as when dealing with a sore throat. They also discuss the importance of understanding the underlying principles and working towards long-term solutions.

KEY MOMENTS

"If you had the power to just snap your fingers and have a particular life chore completed immediately, what would that be?"

"A quick fix can be a really useful tool. They can make us get something a little bit more with immediacy and feel like things are even more accessible to us in the singing world."

"Quick fixes can be a valid strategy if it's going to help you deliver what you need to deliver and get through safely."

EPISODE RESOURCES

Guest Website:

linehilton.com

Social Media:

• @basttraining

Relevant Links & Mentions:

• Line Hilton: https://linehilton.com/
• Dr Molly Gebrian: mollygebrian.com
• (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: Ep.164 Music and the Brain: The Science of Learning & Practice with Dr Molly Gebrian Part One
• (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: Ep.165 Music and the Brain: The Science of Learning & Practice with Dr Molly Gebrian Part Two
• Dr Dan's Voice Essentials: https://www.youtube.com/@DrDanRobinson
• Justin Stoney & New York Vocal Coaching: https://www.youtube.com/@NewYorkVocalCoaching
• (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: Ep.48 Getting Started as a Teacher, Creating Content & Vocal Versatility with Justin Stoney
• Emily Kristen Morris: https://www.emilykristenmorris.com/
• Emily Kristen Morris Instagram: @emilykristenmorris
• Robert Sussuma: https://thesingingself.com/
• (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.63 Developing a Singer’s Self Awareness And Clarifying Intention with Robert Sussuma
• (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.166 Overcoming Self-Consciousness in Singing with Becky Gilhespie
• (Article) ‘Steamer or Nebuliser?’ By The Naked Vocalist: https://www.thenakedvocalist.com/upgrade-your-vocal-steamer/

BAST Training is here to help singers gain the confidence, knowledge, skills & understanding required to be a successful singing teacher.

Website: basttraining.com | Subscribe | Email Us | Join the Free FB Group

"I am so glad I took the course! It has given me the confidence to move forward in my teaching knowing that I am practising safely, with a wealth of knowledge and support that I simply didn't have before! The training is comprehensive, immediately applicable, massively informative and so engaging! LOVED it!" Hayley Ross, UK...more testimonials

Alexa is joined by Dr Nicholas Perna to talk about nasality. They discuss and unravel the mysteries of the nose’s role in vocal production. From debunking myths about nasal resonance to exploring the benefits of nasal airflow, Dr Perna’s insights will challenge your assumptions and expand your understanding of vocal technique. Whether you’re a singing teacher or a curious vocalist, this episode offers a fresh perspective on an often misunderstood aspect of voice production.

KEY MOMENT

"The easiest observation you can obviously make, just to know whether there's anything happening or not, is to simply sustain a tone, pinch your nose shut, and see if, you notice any difference.”

EPISODE RESOURCES

• Voice Study Centre
• (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.151 How to Sing with Twang with Kerrie Obert
• (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep. Dr Matt Edwards
• (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep. Aaron Johnson
• Journal of Singing: Click Here
• (JoS) Nasality Deconstructed by Nicholas Perna: Click Here
• Heidi Moss:
• Spectrum Effects of VPO in Singing by Gill, Lee, La, Sundberg: Click Here
• Effects of Nasalance on the Acoustics of the Tenor Passaggio and Head Voice by Nicholas Perna
• Celine Dion: An NBC News Special with Hoda Kotb (Full Interview): com/watch?v=ncwhU70I3T4
• The work of Christian Herbst: Click Here
• University of Colorado Boulder: Click Here
• The work of Berton Coffin: Click Here

ABOUT THE GUEST

Dr Perna is Associate Professor and Director of Vocal Pedagogy at the University of Colorado at Boulder. He has publications in the Journal of Singing, Journal of Voice and VOICEPrints. A Presser Music Foundation awardee, he has presented research on four continents at events such as the Voice Foundation’s Symposium, ICVT, NATS National Conference, and Physiology and Acoustics of Singing (PAS). Perna is currently Vice President for Outreach for the National Association of Teachers of Singing and is the creator and co-host of the VocalFri Podcast. Perna holds graduate degrees from the University of Miami & the University of Houston. In 2024 Perna began his tenure as Executive Director of Opera Mississippi. Previous faculty positions include Mississippi College, West Virginia University, and he has been a voice research associate at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Guest Website: nicholasperna.com

BAST Training is here to help singers gain the confidence, knowledge, skills & understanding required to be a successful singing teacher.

Website: basttraining.com | Subscribe | Email Us | Join the Free FB Group

"I am so glad I took the course! It has given me the confidence to move forward in my teaching knowing that I am practising safely, with a wealth of knowledge and support that I simply didn't have before! The training is comprehensive, immediately applicable, massively informative and so engaging! LOVED it!" Hayley Ross, UK...more testimonials