Heard as we are

Progress in voice pedagogy can be like a slow moving vehicle. Considering that many techniques for classical singing have literally been practiced and passed down for centuries, the relatively new techniques for singing in contemporary styles have taken a while to earn credibility among some voice pedagogues. Little by little, however, progress is being made and we are catching up with the times.

Another area where vocal pedagogy has been lacking is in providing reliable information related to teaching transgender singers. My studio bookshelf has volumes dedicated to teaching sopranos, blues singers, adolescent singers, aging singers, gospel singers, vocally injured singers, choral singers, and even barbershop singers. But, until quite recently, there were almost no resources available on the specific needs of transgender singers. Thankfully, that has begun to be addressed through a flourish of articles, dissertations, and books. One of those new books is called The Singing Teacher's Guide to Transgender Voices by Liz Jackson Hearns and Brian Kremer. It's an outstanding resource that has had a strong influence on my teaching.

One quote in particular made an impression on me. In the book's foreword, Das Janssen, PhD, wrote:

"Human beings are social animals. We need one another and we need to be heard. And we need to be heard as who and what we are." 

This need seems especially applicable to those in the transgender community, for whom society has been decidedly unwelcoming throughout much of our history. Although, I think we all can relate to the basic human need to be acknowledged for who we are.

I believe music provides us a language to express ourselves when words seem insufficient. Considering that our voices are uniquely our own, when we sing, we reveal ourselves to the world in a way that is intensely personal. As Dr. Janssen implies, as social animals, what we are really hoping for when we sing is to be heard and to be accepted.

To that end, the primary reason we train our voices is so that our souls can more accurately be expressed through the sounds we make. It is not to get jobs. It is not to appear on Broadway. It is not for attention and praise. It is to be heard. Authentically.

When we, in turn, listen to others with the same openness and acceptance with which we ourselves wish to be heard, we build a society that honors individuals while recognizing that our greatest strength is found in community. That is the society we desperately need and absolutely deserve.

Thanks for a great year. I'm so grateful that you all have the courage to do this work.

And please, PLEASE keep sharing your voices as authentically and enthusiastically as you are able, as if the world depends on it. I'm quite certain that it does.