Fellowship Diploma in Music Education (Singing)

In partnership with the National Vocology Institute (NVI), the Australian College of Vocal Arts (ACVA) offers an exciting professional course with certification that is designed to train, examine and accredit advanced studio singing teachers.

This expert-level program integrates the complex artistic, health and scientific aspects of advanced singing voice production and performance. It is highly interdisciplinary and spans multiple professions that research, train, and care for singing voices.

Due to its topic breadth, this course is well-suited for experienced singing teachers, speech pathologists, singing voice researchers, choral conductors, vocologists and performers. Each module consists of practical and written components. You will be presented with the most recent evidence-based pedagogical research, teaching and learning frameworks, techniques and methods to significantly expand and improve your capability to teach capable singers.

Fellowship Diploma in Music Education (Singing) - FMusEd

  • 8 months.

    Course can be completed earlier than this timeframe, dependant on your available committed time to work on the materials.

  • 8 comprehensive modules focused on advanced singing voice, pedagogy, vocology and practical topics

    Specialist seminars with guest lecturers

    2× 1:1 mentoring sessions with a Senior Teaching Fellow

    Access to ACVA’s monthly live lectures on specialised topics related to the voice

    Supervised teaching (or clinical practice if allied health) working with students at advanced skill levels (e.g. AMusA/AACVA/ATCL or higher) focused on voice optimisation, interpretation and/or vocal habilitation strategies (vocology).

    Co-development of a professional strategies, techniques and tools teaching portfolio to enhance your teaching/clinical practice

    Supported production of assessment that may include:

    1) a concise research or conference presentation, paper, research poster or similar, on a relevant topic; or,
    2) two 30-minute recorded instruction videos that demonstrate your comprehensive understanding of at least five (5) specific strategies, techniques or tools explored in this course; or,
    3) a 60 minute live presentation (conference style) on a relevant topic of your choosing, that again must demonstrate your comprehensive understanding of at least five (5) specific strategies, techniques or tools explored in this course.

    Guided instruction to support you through all assessment items

  • Online / Virtual (with live instructors).

    Language: English.

  • Apply & enrol anytime, all year round.

  • Aged 25 years or over.

    Must hold an existing qualification in any of these areas at an Associate Diploma level or higher (refer to ACVA recognised bodies below): singing performance, musical theatre performance, singing teaching, acting voice or performance, choral conducting or music direction. A Bachelor Degree or higher in a relevant field including Speech Pathology will also be accepted.

    Provide evidence of professional singing voice capabilities in the form of a recorded audition of 2 contrasting songs of your choice in any genre/style. As a guide only, you should be able to sing at a Licentiate Diploma level or higher.

    Completed Application Form with submitted CV (resume)/copies of any existing qualifications/awards.

    Successfully complete an interview with an ACVA academic leader (online).

    ACVA RECOGNISED BODIES

    This list is not exhaustive, so please contact us directly if the awarding body of your qualification is not listed here, for advice, prior to application.

    ACVA recognises qualifications and qualification equivalences from the following bodies and institutions:

    • Universities, TAFES and RTOs

    • Other professional certification-awarding bodies including AMEB, Trinity College, London College of Music, ABRSM, ANZCA, Con Brio and similar.

  • This course is fully inclusive.

    The total cost is $2,600 (GST inclusive).

    Fees must be paid prior to commencement.

 

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Topics you might study in depth

Depending on our seasonal guest lecturers and presents, in this advanced singing voice education course you can expect to study a combination of the following topics, all delivered intensively through online live and pre-recorded lectures, seminars, workshops, and 1:1 sessions with global experts.

  • Vocal habilitation/mobilisation techniques, tools and approaches

  • Differences between the singing and speaking voice, and how to optimise both

  • Critical singing voice pedagogy

  • Advanced voice anatomy, physiology and function including:

    • Biomechanics and muscle physiology

    • Breathing and Aerodynamics

    • Laryngeal changes through the lifespan 

  • Perception and Instrumentation:  

    • Basic Acoustics

    • Fundamental frequency, register, and vibrato

    • Instrumentation for voice analysis

    • Perception of vocalisation/psychoacoustics

    • Phonetics 

  • Voice Training & Habilitation:

    • Amplified singing in contemporary styles 

    • Bodywork

    • Choral and ensemble voice

    • Skill acquisition and perceptual motor learning

    • Unamplified singing in classical styles

    • Voice habilitation and hygiene

    • Voice for the singer-actor 

  • Vocal and voice-related pathological presentations and management

  • How to work effectively with a multidisciplinary treatment team (MDT) to habilitate singing voices

  • Repertoire selection and rehearsal methods to support singing voice habilitation

  • Specialist curriculum design and lesson planning for voice disorders

  • Transgender voice changes and development strategies

  • Teaching singing voice to people living with a range of different disabilities (in depth exploration)

  • Primal and animal vocalisation 

  • Audition, exam and performance preparation strategies

  • Contemporary practices to protect your own voice as a voice practitioner at work

  • Working with other vocal deficiencies and technique disturbances.

Your Career Opportunities

There is an identified shortage of professionally trained and skilled vocal performers and singing teachers throughout Australia. At the same time, there is an increasing number of live productions and bands being toured, providing an ever-increasing demand for vocal arts product.

As a successful graduate, you will have honed your skills in advanced singing teaching and singing voice habilitation strategies, methods and tools approaches. You will be able to safely and effectively teach students with complex vocal needs.

As a graduate, you will continue to reflect the high professional standards you strive for in your specialist teaching practice. You will effectively advance your ability to teach specialist lessons to individuals and small groups, within a variety of settings.

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