03/05/2025
A two-day Vocal Training Workshop was organised during 28th & 29th April at SCM Programme Centre, Thiruvananthapuram. Swathi Ramachandran, Voice Teacher, Bangalore, led the workshop.
On both days, she introduced the students to the anatomy of the voice and the role of the breath, larynx, and vocal cords in singing. She also touched on the basic of Western musical notation, explaining different note values and expression markings.
Subsequently, she covered basic vocal technique - exploring chest, head, and mix voice, good posture, optimal breathing techniques, pitch accuracy, accents & vowel work, and strategies to enhance vocal flexibility. Several exercises to improve stylistic vocabulary and musicality were also explored - such as staccato & legato, dynamics, straight tone vs vibrato, riffs/runs, and belting.
Finally, tips were given to positively reinforce healthy performance habits, such as the importance of practice, physical health, development of the singer persona, approach to learning new songs/techniques, etc.
The workshop culminated in the learning of a popular American Pop song by singer Christina Perri, 'A Thousand Years', arranged for a 3-part choir. Learning this song allowed for a practical application of the concepts explored in the workshop, while also providing the students with the experience of singing together in harmony.
Students also had the opportunity to share their learnings and reflection - where they expressed that the workshop was beneficial to them in gaining insights and practical tips regarding vocal technique and different singing styles. Further, they shared that Swathi was friendly, interactive, and that her teaching style was creative, engaging and fruitful.
Swathi Ramachandran is a New York Vocal Coaching (NYVC)-certified voice teacher and performance coach with solid experience training singers, actors, bands, and choirs, passionate about music production, technology, composition, and pedagogy. Currently she is heading K-12 music at Inventure Academy, Bengaluru (a Cambridge International school).
The workshop was attended by 25 participants who are students of Resonance School of Music. It was organized & facilitated by Santhosh George Joseph.