The Voice Science Podcast

Your voice changes as you age—but 85% of people who get the right help actually improve. This episode covers what really happens to your voice over time and what you can do about it. We break down presbyphonia (age-related voice changes): vocal fold atrophy, tissue stiffness, cartilage calcification, respiratory decline, and hormonal effects. Then we cover Vocal Function Exercises—the intervention...

Stop hunting for notes at the piano. Sight reading is the most practical skill singers can develop—and it's completely learnable with the right approach. We break down what sight reading actually is, why it matters for church musicians, auditioners, and choir singers alike, and compare the main learning systems: neutral syllables, scale numbers, and solfege. Plus the exact resource and diffic...

Struggling to learn songs quickly and accurately? Most singers waste hours repeating the same mistakes. In this episode, you'll discover the 7-step systematic method professional singers use to master songs faster with deeper understanding and fewer errors.   🎤 Ready to level up your singing? Join VoSci Academy for just $1 for 30 days and get instant access to courses that build the technica...

How do you teach someone to feel confident when they sing? In this episode, we explore the psychology and pedagogy behind building genuine vocal confidence—not through empty praise or forced positivity, but through earned experience and strategic teaching approaches. In This Episode: The anatomy of confidence: why experience matters more than talent or personality Creating "safe risk" en...

Discover the science behind extreme vocals, screaming, and growling in metal music. Are harsh vocals safe? How do death metal singers create those intense sounds? In this episode of The Voice Science Podcast, we explore the fascinating biomechanics of extreme vocalizations with insights from Dr. Ingo Titze's Utah Center for Vocology and research on Will Ramos of Lorna Shore. Learn how the sup...

What is head voice, really — and why does it fall apart when you try to sing higher? Most singers are told to “relax” or “place the sound in the mask,” but if relaxing fixed head voice, no one would struggle with it. In this episode, we’ll break down what head voice actually is (and what it’s not), why it fails, and how to fix it fast — using research-backed vocal exercises proven to strengthen an...

Ready to stop chasing rare “breakthroughs” and start building consistent progress? In this episode of VoSci, we dive into how to get 1% better at singing every day by focusing on the foundational daily singing practice and the essential micro-skills for singing that truly move your voice forward. You’ll discover why waiting for inspiration won’t cut it, what often keeps singers stuck, and how smal...

Many singers fear that understanding how singing works will somehow destroy the mystery—that too much knowledge will make the art mechanical. But what if the opposite is true? In this episode of The Voice Science Podcast , we explore why some singers avoid learning the science and musicianship behind their voice, and how deeper knowledge can actually liberate creativity rather than suppress it. Fr...

Most singers think “support” begins and ends with breath control. Ask almost anyone on the street what good singing requires, and you’ll hear it: support your breath . But that answer, while not wrong, is incomplete. In this episode of The Voice Science Podcast , we go far beyond breath management and introduce a critical—but often overlooked—dimension of vocal support: anchoring . Borrowed from E...

Confidence can feel elusive for singers—everyone wants it, but few know how to build it. In this episode of The Voice Science Podcast , we unpack what confidence really means for singers and how to create it from the ground up. You’ll learn why doubt isn’t always the enemy, why true confidence requires both vocal technique and musicianship, and how to fortify your singing with practical strategies...

Is classical training really the best foundation for every singer? For generations, singers have been told that if you can sing classically, you can sing anything. But does that claim hold up? In this episode of The Voice Science Podcast , we break down what “classical singing” actually means—its history, aesthetics, and defining traits—and why it isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. We’ll explore...

Choosing the right songs to sing isn’t as simple as picking a favorite tune. A good choice can motivate practice, support vocal growth, and bring joy. The wrong choice can lead to frustration or stalled progress. In this episode of The Voice Science Podcast , Josh Manuel explores song selection from two perspectives: For singers : how to choose songs that make you happy, challenge you just enough,...

Your thoughts about singing shape how you sing—for better or worse. In this episode of The Voice Science Podcast , written by Timothy Wilds, we dive into the powerful connection between what singers believe about their voices and the actions they take in training. We’ll unpack why so many singers assume that “more” is always the answer—more breath, more pressure, more power—and how these faulty eq...

“You’re singing through your nose.” Some singers hear this as the worst critique possible. Others are told it’s exactly what they should do. So which is it—wrong, right, or something in between? In this episode of The Voice Science Podcast , Drew (with script by Timothy Wilds) untangles the confusion around nasality, nasal resonance, and the role of your nose in shaping vocal sound. You’ll learn:...

Everyone wants to “find their unique voice,” but what does that really mean? In this episode of The Voice Science Podcast , we unpack the idea of vocal uniqueness—what biology, environment, and training contribute, and what people are really searching for when they say they want to sound unique. From fingerprints and phonation to imitation, persona, and style, we’ll separate the myths from the rea...

What does it really mean to live up to The Standard as a singer or teacher? In this episode of The Voice Science Podcast , Josh digs into the philosophical side of excellence in singing. The Standard isn’t about hitting a high note or holding a phrase for twelve seconds — those are just surface measures. Instead, it’s about integrity: showing up honestly in the practice room, holding yourself acco...

Head voice isn’t optional—it’s half your instrument. Yet many singers ignore it, thinking they can get by without ever really developing it. In this episode of The Voice Science Podcast , we break down what head voice actually is, how the concept of vocal registers developed through history, and why voice teachers for centuries have called it essential. You’ll learn: How head voice and chest voice...

Most singers think of the tongue as a source of tension or a problem to fix. But what if the real issue isn’t tension—it’s habit? In this episode, Timothy Wilds dismantles the myths surrounding tongue tension and makes the case for celebrating the tongue’s complexity, agility, and central role in vocal production. You’ll explore how tongue habituation affects vowels, consonants, resonance, and eve...

This week, we took a detour from our usual format to answer real questions from singers, teachers, and curious minds. In this rapid-fire Q&A, we tackle: Whether dairy actually affects your voice The most common (and least effective) things singers do in lessons The one song we recommend leaving out of your repertoire How to adapt your technique for mic singing What to say when students hate th...

Can anyone really learn to sing—or is talent the deciding factor? In this episode of The Voice Science Podcast , Josh reads a powerful essay by voice teacher Timothy Wilds that challenges one of the most pervasive myths in vocal education. From cultural conditioning to vocal pedagogy, we explore why so many people have been told they “can’t sing”—and what it really takes to reclaim the voice. Whet...

The Audition Isn’t Just the Song—so why do so many singers only prepare the music? In this episode of The Voice Science Podcast , we break down the non-singing elements that make or break your audition: your entrance, demeanor, professionalism, preparation, and how you handle the unexpected. You’ll learn: Why most casting decisions happen before you sing What to do when the accompanist plays the w...

Ever wonder why your voice flips, cracks, or shifts gears when you sing? This episode breaks down why that happens—and why it’s not a mistake. Hi, I’m Drew, and on this episode of The Voice Science Podcast , we’re unpacking one of the most misunderstood behaviors of the human voice: register transitions. Whether you call it flipping, cracking, or passaggio, this reflex is built in —not broken. We’...

🎤 What actually makes voice lessons effective? It’s not just about finding a great teacher—it’s also about being the kind of student who improves. In this episode of The Voice Science Podcast , we dive into the real factors that drive vocal progress. Whether you’re searching for your first voice teacher , returning to lessons after a break, or wondering how to make the most of your time and money...

Why do so few boys take voice lessons—and how can we change that? In this episode, voice teacher and pedagogue Timothy Wilds joins Drew to unpack the science, strategy, and sensitivity required when training a boy’s voice. From understanding vocal fold changes during puberty to choosing repertoire that fits—not just vocally, but emotionally and developmentally—we explore what it means to meet boys...

You wouldn’t teach swimming without water—so why are we still training contemporary commercial music (CCM) singers without microphones or amplification? In this episode, Timothy Wilds (writer) and Drew Williams-Orozco (host) unpack the disconnect between traditional voice pedagogy and the real-world demands of CCM styles like pop, rock, country, jazz, and modern musical theatre. From the essential...