The Singing Teacher's Guide to Transgender Voices

Now in its second edition, The Singing Teacher’s Guide to Transgender Voices, Second Edition remains the first comprehensive resource dedicated to the training and support of transgender and non-binary singers. In this fully revised second edition, the text deepens its commitment to ethical, student-centered voice pedagogy while expanding its examination of the cultural, institutional, and physiological realities that shape the singing lives of trans and gender-diverse students.

Singing education has traditionally been organized around rigid gender binaries, and these structures can create significant barriers for students whose identities fall outside them. This book addresses the emotional, social, and physical challenges these singers face—particularly during transition—and equips teachers with the tools needed to foster healthy, joyful, and sustainable singing experiences. Through evidence-based pedagogy, reflective critique of traditional systems, and authentic first-person narratives, readers are challenged to reimagine voice education as inclusive, responsive, and humane.

Designed for educators in academic, studio, and independent teaching settings, The Singing Teacher’s Guide to Transgender Voices, Second Edition sets a new standard for culturally competent, evidence-informed voice training and advocacy.

New to the Second Edition

• Updated guidance for ethical, student-centered voice pedagogy
• Deeper examination of institutional and pedagogical systems in voice education
• New first-person narratives from trans singers and students
• Expanded discourse on the intersections of gender and singing
• New research and perspectives on singing through testosterone hormone therapy
• Interviews with industry professionals on building a career while trans, contributed by Dr. Jay Marchand Knight
• Technique suggestions for singing voice masculinization and feminization
• Vocal exercises with accompanying digital ancillary material

PluralPlus Online Ancillaries

Interview Transcripts, Activities/Exercises

Reviews

"The tone and explanations are approachable for singing teachers, including those newer to working with trans and gender-expansive singers. Complex ideas are broken down in accessible, nonjudgmental ways without oversimplifying."
—Jae Bernado, BM, MS, SLP (they/she)

"This book is a heartfelt and informative text that will be an asset to any voice teacher. It helps teachers see the nuance in the transgender experience and prioritizes a student-led teaching experience where consent and safety are always present."

—Renée Yoxon, BSc, BMus, MA (they/them)

"This book excels at explicating and contextualizing broad sociological considerations about gender and navigating cis-normative fields (e.g. music, speech-and-language research) as a trans person. I appreciate the multitude of interview excerpts which center trans and gender-expansive perspectives. The sociocultural discussions feel appropriately nuanced and thorough. I find the practical suggestions for application in the voice studio to be very clear, helpful, well-presented, and justified. I think this is an excellent and timely update to the first edition and one of the most comprehensive and practical resources on the subject of working with transgender singers."

—Klo Vivienne Garoute, BM, Post-Bacc in Speech-Language Pathology (she/her)

"As a practitioner who works with nonbinary and gender-nonconforming clients and performers but does not specialize solely in the community, I personally found the book to strike an excellent balance between “not enough” and “too much” information. At no point did I find myself overwhelmed or as though the material being presented was irrelevant to the intention at hand, nor did I find myself wanting more than was presented."

—Adam Roberts, MM, PAVA-RV

"The content is fantastic and well-researched. The collection of vocal exercises is thorough, and the inclusion of quotes from students throughout strengthens the overall argument."

—Shayna Isaacs, DMA, PAVA-RV (they/them/theirs)

"The academic research between the last edition and this one is thorough and impeccable. The inclusion of feedback from trans singers/students is enlightening for teachers to understand the humanness of this target audience and many of the unique aspects of voice training specific to them. The text emphasizes meeting trans singers where they are, rather than forcing them into traditional vocal categories (and subsequently traditional pedagogy) that may not fit. The text emphasizes creating a safe space for trans singers to express their shared humanness, as who they are, rather than forcing them into a “mainstream” box. The authors balance the ideas of embracing the assigning of rep that expresses the trans singer’s experience (regardless of the gender tradition of that rep), with an understanding of realistic expectations of careers within a primarily traditional system (at least in the opera world). The authors also note that opportunities for trans singers are opening more in CCM singing and non-opera classical venues."

—Eric R. Bronner, MM, MS, CMVT-MT, CSVW-III

"This text is a powerful and much-needed resource that champions inclusive, gender-affirming voice teaching. The authors do an outstanding job of blending advocacy with practical pedagogy, keeping their focus on empowering teachers to work confidently and compassionately with transgender and gender-diverse singers. The visuals, especially the charts and graphics, make complex vocal and physiological concepts easy to understand and useful in the studio or classroom."

—Nicholas Klein, DMA, SVRS-VT (he/him)

"This second edition is not just a subtle refresh – it is an ongoing conversation and update that urges gender-inclusive singing training forward by examining its historical roots in binary voice training. The inclusive language the authors use throughout the text is as instructive and impactful for the reader as the actual methods described. Feedback from gender-diverse singers is woven throughout each chapter, enhancing the research-backed training approaches and clinical expertise of the authors that is introduced with first-person perspectives of students themselves. I appreciate that there is a dedicated chapter for vocal exercises but that practical tools are woven throughout the book whenever it is relevant to mention them. The book strikes an excellent balance between educational content, student perspectives, and singing voice tools."

—Kaila J. Harris, MS, BM, CCC-SLP (she/her)

"This book contains sorely needed cutting-edge information, practical tools, effective personal narratives, and evidence-based material that centers, elevates, and celebrates a historically marginalized population."

—Sarah Maines, DMA (she/her)

"I appreciate the expansion and definitions on new terminology that wasn’t available 10 years ago. I am a huge fan of the testimonials from individuals in the trans community. I think it strengthens the arguments made by the authors under each specific topic. The discussions of outdated tropes in certain genres of classical music and how to best move forward were insightful and important. I do believe the authors make a good point by saying that music and pedagogy in academia are changing (for the better). I am a firm believer that this progress will continue in the years to come as we allow students to have more agency in their studies."

—James D. Rodriguez, DMA

Foreword by Samson Joy Darling
Introduction
Contributor
Reviewers
Acknowledgments
Singers Who Shared Their Voices

Chapter 1
Foundations
Introduction
What Even Is Gender?
The Singer and the Singing
Gender Euphoria in the Studio
List of Terms and Language
Trans and Gender Expansive–Identifying Stage Singers, Conductors, and Composers
     Operatic Singers
     Musical Theater Singers
     Choral, Musical Theater, Opera Directors and Conductors
     Composers
References

Chapter 2
Inclusive Communication Practices
Introduction
The Impact of Gender Bias in Vocal Pedagogy
Voice Pedagogy Terminology That Dances Around Gender
     Biology of Singing: Hormonal Environments and Histories
     Vocal Function: Range, Tessitura, Registration, Timbre, Style
     The Human Using the Voice: What Stories Do We Want to Tell?
Consent in Gender-Inclusive Voice Study
     Safeguarding Trans Students and Trans Teachers: U.S. Specific Guidance
Student History
Conscientious Communication
References

Chapter 3
Voice and Transition
Introduction
In Pursuit of Comfort
Elements of Transition and Voice
     Social Transition
Legal Transition
Medical Transition
     Masculinizing Hormone Therapy
     Feminizing Hormone Therapy
Honoring and Supporting Students Through Vocal Transitions
Excerpts from First Edition With Kelly George, LCPC
References

Chapter 4
Exogenous Testosterone and Singing
Introduction
     The Decision to Start Testosterone Hormone Therapy
     Challenging Old Narratives
Predictable Changes to Expect With Testosterone
     Laryngeal Changes to Expect With Testosterone
     Stages of Voice Change
Singing Through Testosterone Hormonal Transition: Everything Is New
     No Longer Entrapped
Repertoire
     Selecting Repertoire: A Collaborative Process
     Preparing the Repertoire and the Singer
     Change the Key
Research Questions Still to Be Addressed
     Questions of Acoustic Phenomena
     Questions of Biology and Accompanying Vocal Function
     Questions of Neurology
     Questions of Culture
Final Thoughts: What Could Go Right?
References

Chapter 5
Voice Gender Expression and Perception
Introduction
Gender-Affirming Voice and Communication Therapy
Vocal Expression and Perception
     Deference and Dominance
     Pitch and Registration in Voice Gender Perception
     Resonance, Formants, Prosody, and Articulation in Voice Gender Perception
Approaches to Aligning Vocal Expression and Influencing Gender Perception
     Mimicking Biology to Influence Psychology
     Masculinization of Voice Quality
     Feminization of Voice Quality
Releasing Gendered Expectations in Teaching
References

Chapter 6
Voice Classification, Repertoire, and Casting
Introduction
Voice Classification
Repertoire
     Suggested Strategies for Repertoire Selection
Choral Considerations
Casting
Implications for Future Research
References

Chapter 7
Strategies and Implementation for the Singing Voice Studio
Introduction
What’s In a Voice?
     Natural, Authentic, or Naked
     Gender Markers in Voice
Respiration
     Instructional Touch
The PIRA Scale
     Pitch and Registration
     Inflection, Emphasis, Rhythm, and Dynamics
     Resonance and Articulation
     Application of the PIRA Scale for Singers
Voice Health
     Vocal Hygiene
     Hydration During Medical Transition
     Nutrition
     Voice Recovery and Cooldowns
     Potential for Voice Disorders
Developing Practice Routines
Vocal Exercises
     Releasing Physical Tension and Increasing Body Awareness
     Building Stamina and Control in Breathing
     Balancing Subglottic Pressure, Phonation, and Improving Pitch
     Exploring and Managing Registration
     Finding and Strengthening Head Voice
     Finding and Strengthening Chest Voice
     Coordinating Mix
     Activating the Articulators
     Exploring Forward and Back Vowel Positions
References

Chapter 8
Building a Career While Trans
Jay Marchand Knight, PhD, McGill University
Introduction
Participants
     Lucas Bouk (he/him)
     Deonté L. Warren (he/they)
     Alexandra Enyart (she/her)
     Devin Dolquist (he/him)
     Dr. William Sauerland (he/they)
     Katherine Goforth (she/her)
     Camille Rogers (they/them)
     Dr. Cee E. Adamson (she/they)
     Patricia Yates (she/her)
     Mike Fan (they/them)/范祖铭/Tanya Smania (she/they)
     Eve Parker Finley (she/her)
     Dr. LJ White (he/him)
Seeing Is Believing
Leaving a Legacy: Trans Singers Make Voice Performance a More Hospitable Place
Unresolved Issues in Particular Communities
Final Thoughts
References

Chapter 9
Messages From The Students
Introduction
Survey Responses
References

Appendix
Index
 

The Singing Teacher’s Guide to Transgender Voices, Second Edition comes with access to supplementary resources on a PluralPlus companion website.

The companion website is located at:
https://www.pluralpublishing.com/publication/stgtv2e

The resources include vocal exercises and interview transcripts. To access the resources, you must register on the companion website using the access code provided on the inside front cover of your book. If you purchase the ebook version of this book from the Plural website, you will receive automatic access with your ebook.

*Note for students: If you have purchased this textbook used or have rented it, your access code will not work if it was already redeemed by the original buyer of the book. Plural Publishing does not offer replacement access codes for used or rented textbooks.