Vocal Pedagogy Workshop

Texas Woman’s University is proud to host the 2025 Summer Vocal Pedagogy Workshop, featuring acclaimed vocal coach and author Andrew Byrne.

This interactive workshop will take place on Friday, June 20th and Saturday, Just 21st, 2025, and will provide innovative insights into the connection between neuroscience, athletics, and vocal training.

Workshop Overview

This year’s workshop will focus on The Singing Athlete, Andrew Byrne’s unique approach to vocal training that integrates brain-based learning techniques with physical movement to enhance vocal performance. The event will include interactive presentations, masterclasses, and Q&A sessions designed for choir directors, voice teachers, and students.

Schedule of Events

General workshop notes:

• There will be physical and vocal warm-ups both days of the workshop, so come dressed to move.
• We will take two 10-minute breaks on Friday and one on Saturday.
• For those who are singing in the Friday afternoon master class, choose around 60-90 seconds of a song that you’d like to feel technically easier for you. It doesn’t have to be a finished product, but the piece should be memorized. You may sing with live piano accompaniment (bring appropriate sheet music), with a track (bring your own speaker), or a cappella.

Friday, June 20, 2025
9:30am - 10:00am	Physical and vocal warmup (come dressed to move)
10:00am - 1:00pm	Intro to The Singing Athlete In this session, you will learn the basics of brain-based voice training. Some of the topics you’ll explore are: Neuroanatomy 101: Learn the map of your brain and how to train different areas for optimal vocal performance. The Singing Athlete Assessment Process: Explore a paradigm that will make your singing practice, private teaching, and/or choral conducting feel fresh and exciting. Breath and the Brain: Gather information about your own respiratory habits with simple tests and drills you can do anywhere to instantly improve your vocal production. Vision for Singers: Did you know where you look can make a huge difference in your sound? Walk away with tangible tools to incorporate eye training in your voice work.
1:00pm - 2:00pm	Lunch Break
2:00pm - 5:00pm	Master Class
5:00pm - 5:30pm	Wrap-up/Q&A
5:30pm	End of day
Saturday, June 21, 2025
9:30am - 10:00am	Physical and vocal warmup (come dressed to move)
10:00am - 11:30am	Own the Stage: The Neuroscience of Performance Anxiety Learn a new approach to becoming the master of your nerves. Vagus Nerve: Discover dead-simple exercises you can do to activate this all-powerful nerve on the correct side for you. Stopping Unwanted Thoughts: There is a part of your brain that is responsible for stopping anxious thinking AND controlling certain areas of your body—learn the five muscles that can instantly make you feel calm and grounded. Are You in Tunnel Vision? Get acquainted with an instant test that lets you know when you’re looking at the right things when you’re feeling nervous.
11:30am - 1:00pm	Unlocking the Jaw: Functional Anatomy for Vocal Freedom Understand the interplay between your jaw, your teeth, and your voice. Clicking Jaw: Learn what this means and how to fix it. The only TMJ assessment you’ll ever need: There is a three-part test you need to master to figure out your jaw habits—get it here. Dental History and your Voice Did you know that any type of dental surgery or orthodontic process can directly affect your singing? Explore why that is and what to do about it.
1:00pm - 1:30pm	Wrap-up/Q&A
1:30pm	End of workshop

 

 

 

About Andrew Byrne

Andrew Byrne is the founder of The Singing Athlete, a cutting-edge vocal training system combining neuroscience and movement science. He has coached performers from over 75 Broadway shows and worked with television productions such as America’s Got Talent and Penny Dreadful: City of Angels. Byrne is also a master practitioner of Z-Health, a functional applied neuroscience program for athletic trainers, which he incorporates into his vocal training methods.

Who Should Attend?

• Choir directors

• Voice teachers

• Musical theatre professionals

• Speech-language pathologists

• College and high school voice students

• Singers of all genres interested in expanding their vocal technique

Registration Information

Registration is open now! Please visit https://commerce.cashnet.com/twu.music and select "Camps and Workshops" then "Vocal Pedagogy Workshop Registration" to complete registration and payment. 

The final registration and payment deadline is 11:59pm on June 14, 2025. Partial refunds are provided upon cancellation before the deadline. To request a refund, please email bbalkcom@twu.edu no later than 11:59pm on June 14, 2025. 

For further inquiries, please contact Dr. Jeffrey Tarr, Coordinator of Vocal Studies at jtarr@twu.edu 

Page last updated 3:11 PM, May 30, 2025