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.

Whether you’re a beginner, a returning singer, or a teacher yourself, this conversation reframes singing as a human right, not a rare gift.

🎓 VoSci Academy launches this Friday!

If you’re ready to stop wondering and start training, now’s the time.

Founding Membership is open for just 10 days. Learn more and get started at:

👉 https://www.voicescience.org/academy

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why “talent” is overrated (and often misunderstood)
• How singing became an exclusive, performative skill
• What it means to be vocally proficient—and how to get there
• Why reclaiming your voice matters more than perfection

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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 wrong tempo
• How to prepare your binder, tech, and track
• Why your slate, exit, and even your shoes matter
• The real difference between talent and professionalism

Whether it’s your first or your fiftieth audition, this is your guide to walking in prepared—and walking out proud.

🎙️ Want structured, science-backed vocal training?

VoSci Academy launches July 25 → https://voicescience.org

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’ll explore:

• The natural muscular behavior behind your voice’s “gear shifts”

• Why micromanaging your sound can make things worse

• How science-based vocal habits lead to long-term confidence

• What not to do when your voice “breaks”

• And how to start retraining your voice if it’s stuck in one register

Understanding these core vocal behaviors is the first step to unlocking control, consistency, and range. And it’s exactly the kind of work we do inside VoSci Academy, launching July 25.

🎓 Want structured guidance and tools that actually work? Become a Founding Member of VoSci Academy: https://www.voicescience.org/academy

🎤 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, this episode breaks down the science and strategy of effective vocal learning.

We’ll explore:

• How to vet voice teachers and avoid common red flags
• What separates voice teachers from vocal coaches
• Why credentials and experience both matter (but aren’t enough)
• How student mindset and habits shape results
• The #1 myth about talent vs. training

🧠 This episode is especially relevant for:

• Singers looking for online voice lessons
• Parents researching vocal training for their kids
• Adults returning to singing after years away
• Teachers rethinking their own pedagogy

💡 Learn more about VoSci Academy, our guided learning platform for singers built on vocal science. Enrollment opens July 25 and closes August 4. Become a Founding Member and lock in lifetime access: https://www.voicescience.org/academy

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 where they are.

You’ll learn:

• What happens to the male voice during puberty—and why it matters for training
• Why thin fold/head voice is essential for pre-pubescent boys
• How to support vocal development without pushing too far, too fast
• Repertoire pitfalls to avoid—and what to choose instead
• The role of gender, identity, and storytelling in young singers’ repertoire
• Song suggestions across genres: art song, folk, musical theatre, and more

Whether you’re a voice teacher, choir director, or a parent supporting a young singer, this episode offers grounded, research-informed guidance for working with AMAB students in the crucial years before and during puberty.

🎧 VoSci Academy is launching July 2025!

Want science-backed training for singers and teachers? Join the interest list: https://voicescience.org/academy

Resources & Mentions:

• Art Song: Edward MacDowell’s Eight Songs, A Child’s Garden of Verses settings
• Folk/Familiar Tunes: Shenandoah, Lean on Me, Let’s Go Fly a Kite
• MT Roles for Boys: Oliver, Billy Elliot, The Secret Garden, Les Mis (Gavroche)
• Lesser-Known MT: Hook, Working, A Bronx Tale, Lost in the Stars

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 role of microphones to the need for new technical and stylistic frameworks, this episode challenges voice teachers to reexamine how we prepare singers for today’s amplified, genre-diverse performance landscape.

We discuss:

• Why amplification isn’t optional in CCM
• How mic technique affects vocal production and artistry
• Equipment setups for teachers on a budget
• Why unplugged training creates a gap between rehearsal and performance
• What it actually takes to train a well-rounded CCM singer in 2025

Whether you’re a teacher stuck in classical defaults or a singer seeking training that reflects your actual goals, this episode breaks down the problems—and offers a path forward.

🔗 VoSci Academy launches this summer with voice science-based courses for real-world singing. Get notified: https://voicescience.org

🎧 Mentioned Episode: #4 – Ring & Twang: https://podcast.voicescience.org/episode/4

Episode Summary:

Legato is one of the most frequently requested—and least clearly defined—skills in singing. In this episode, we unpack what it really takes to sing legato well. From managing airflow to shaping vowels and navigating consonants, we’ll guide you through practical strategies you can apply today.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why breath support alone won’t get you legato
• How to develop continuous vowel connection
• Where singers unintentionally “break the line”
• Exercises to build awareness, precision, and flow

👀 Coming Summer 2025: VoSci Academy

Structured courses, expanded Skill Labs, and monthly Q&As to help you train smarter—not just harder.

👉 Join the waitlist: https://www.voicescience.org/academy/

🔗 Links & Resources:

• Episode on Breath Support: https://www.voicescience.org/2025/02/podcast/ep-1-unlocking-breath-support-sing-powerfully-without-more-air/
• All Podcast Episodes: https://www.voicescience.org/vosci-podcast/
• Contact or Leave a Question: https://www.voicescience.org/contact

Why do instrumentalists seem to improve faster than singers? It’s not about talent—it’s about how they practice.

In this episode, Josh explores the deep disconnect between how most vocalists approach their training compared to instrumentalists. From scale drills and arpeggios to muscle memory and voice science, this episode takes a critical look at why singers often rely too heavily on repertoire—and what that’s costing them in long-term growth.

🎯 Topics include:

• Why singers skip skill-building—and the hidden cost
• How historic vocal pedagogy differed from today’s common practices
• The role of muscle memory in singing
• Why generalized skill drills aren’t “boring”—they’re the fast track to expressive freedom
• What Estill Voice Training taught Josh about precise control
• A simple analogy that reveals why singing should be like learning to write

Plus: Learn about the new VoSci Skill Lab—weekly exercises designed to help you isolate, refine, and master the core ingredients of great singing.

Whether you’re a student, teacher, or seasoned pro, this episode invites you to rethink how you train—and why focusing on fundamentals might be the key to unlocking your best voice yet.

🧠 Read more, ask a question, or check out the Skill Lab at VoiceScience.org

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