Would a cardboard cutout of our Jenevora help your singing? đŁđ¶
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We joked about exactly this with the wonderful Maurice Goodwin on a recent 'Thinking Voice' podcast, because years ago the choir master at Westminster Abbey told Jenevora, âI donât know why, but they sing better when youâre in the room.â
Itâs funny because thereâs truth in it. So much of what we do is simply being there: holding the space, staying quiet, and trusting people to find it for themselves. Do less, trust more.
But really, we think the only way to test the theory is the real thing. Join us in person on the 14th July! (đ Booking link in comments)
đ§ Full conversation on the 'Thinking Voice' podcast.
PS. Do we need to commission some life-sized Jenevoras? đ
Dr Jenevora Williams
Voice science PhD & singing teacher sharing evidence-led practical tools for singers, teachers and practitioners. Focus on young voices, vocal health and rehab.
Work with me via 1:1 sessions, Evolving Voice courses, or Vocal Health Education training. Dr Jenevora Williams has been training teachers for fifteen years. She has worked with teachers at all levels: with music teachers on INSET days to supervising those undertaking MA and PhD studies in Vocal Pedagogy. Her courses can be bespoke in length and in content, depending on what is going to be the mos
Booking closes Wednesday!
This course is a compulsory module for Vocal Health Education students on the VRS pathway, but anyone who works in the field of voice and vocal health is welcome.
06/06/2026
What exactly is your role in voice rehabilitation?
Join us for a thought-provoking weekend exploring Scope of Practice, professional boundaries, collaboration and the biopsychosocial approach to voice.
Led by Psychotherapist Stephen King, Speech Pathologist Maurice Goodwin, Executive Coach Nicki Kennedy and Dr Jenevora Williams, alongside a community of curious voice practitioners.
A space for discussion, reflection and growth alongside fellow voice practitioners.
đ Becoming Biopsychosocial for Voice Practitioners
đ
11th & 12th July 2026
05/06/2026
When people come to me worried about their voice, they are often carrying a lot of fear and uncertainty about what might be happening.
Jenny came to me feeling very despondent and convinced she had damaged her voice. What we were able to do was listen carefully, explore what was actually going on, and begin to make sense of it together.
There is rarely a single explanation for voice difficulties and it is not helpful to assume the worst too quickly. Sometimes the most important step is not finding a quick fix, but understanding what is really happening.
If you would like support with your voice, or simply a clearer understanding of what might be going on, I'd be delighted to help. đ€
01/06/2026
There are still 3 places left on this summer's vocal pedagogy course! Get in touch with Jonathan May ([email protected]) if you have any questions.
Have a look if you are an experienced career singing teacher or performer interested in vocal science and mastering new techniques with world-class faculty.
For more information, visit https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/music/all/short-courses/vocal-pedagogy/ (link in bio)
01/06/2026
You donât have to be a professional singer to work with me.
A lot of us use our voices every day in a professional capacity and maybe donât even realise it.
Maybe youâre a teacher looking forward to the summer holidays who talks all day every day, inspiring their students.
Maybe youâve been singing with your local choir for the past 10 years and want some support to hold your own a little more confidently.
The truth is that I love working with anyone who is curious and willing to explore other possibilities. Age, experience, ability donât matter one jot. Whatâs important is openness, and a desire to learn or find things out.
If youâre a professional singer, youâre very welcome too đ€
Which comes first: confidence or competence? đ€đ
We often talk about them as if they're separate. Or worse, as if one matters more than the other. Competence gives us the ability. Confidence gives us the belief to keep going when things don't go to plan.
Whatever your field, developing your skills is only part of the story. How you respond to setbacks and trust your abilities matters too.
The goal isn't confidence or competence. It's learning to nurture both đ«¶
What do you think? Does confidence grow from competence, or does confidence help us build competence in the first place?
What does singing with an âopen throatâ actually feel like? đ€
We often hear singers being told to âopen the throatâ for a bigger or warmer sound. But in reality, itâs often less about creating more space, and more about the sensation of letting go.
No tightening, no stretching⊠just release.
You can watch the full 'Running Commentary No.9' on YouTube.
21/05/2026
Earlier this week Stephen King and I joined a session for the Laryngology Society of Australasia on chronic laryngeal pain, alongside wonderful colleagues from pain medicine and physiotherapy â a multidisciplinary conversation.
Together we presented the work behind our paper, The Guarded Larynx: the paradox of protection.
When we're in pain, or expecting it, the muscles around the larynx brace. It's protective, it's clever, and it usually happens without us noticing. But guarding that lingers can become part of the problem. Limiting the voice rather than safeguarding it.
What's stayed with me is how much the language matters. When we treat guarding as a fault, we add blame and shame, and very little changes.
When we treat it as the body doing its best to keep us safe, there's room to be curious. And curiosity is where the change happens.
You can read the full paper, The Guarded Larynx, in the Journal of Voice (2025).
17/05/2026
Maurice Goodwin is visiting the UK, so we're making the most of it - https://mailchi.mp/jenevorawilliams/the-guarded-larynx-6750679
11/12th July Becoming Biopsychosocial
14th July Collaborative Teaching and Learning - a new kind of masterclass
17-19 July AOTOS Summer Conference
19-25 July St Andrews Voice Pedagogy Course
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