Evolving Vocal Trends: Training Functional Registration in Contemporary Commercial

Who decides what’s in when it comes to singing styles and how do voice teachers keep up? In this fun and insightful Ep.231, Alexa Terry chats with voice teacher April Young about how changing trends in pop, musical theatre, and CCM are reshaping vocal training. From falsetto and belt to the science of registers and resonance, we explore how singers can stay healthy, expressive, and ahead of the curve. Perfect for voice teachers, performers, and anyone curious about the ever-evolving art of singing.

WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST?
2:25 What are the current musical trends in 2025?
4:43 Who decides musical trends?
6:20 How does one laryngeal register impact the other?
10:46 Visible, audible and sensory clues of TA dominance
12:43 Does imitation have limitation?
15:05 Visible, audible and sensory clues of CT dominance
16:33 When is the best time to train vocal registers?
20:45 Acoustic register shifts and choosing the best vowel
25:58 Training registers alongside trends
45:16 Changing trends in CCM and impacts on the studio
 
RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS
Journal of Singing: https://www.nats.org/cgi/page.cgi/abo...
‘Mixed Up and Upside Down - Underdeveloped Registers in Men and Women Due to Vocal Trends in Popular Music: Turning Two Pedagogic Challenges into Opportunities in Today's Voice Studio’ by April Young
William Venard
Singing Teachers Talk Ep.152 ‘Tomato, Tomahto’: Understanding Singing Terminology Manuel Garcia
Singing Teachers Talk Ep.133 Mastering Belt in Musical Theatre
Singing Teachers Talk Ep.200 The Secret to Powerful Belting and Seamless Mixing
Singing Teachers Talk Ep.146 How to Understand and Apply Vocal Acoustic Pedagogy
Singing Teachers Talk Ep.172 Understanding Acoustic Registers
Shenandoah University: https://www.su.edu
The Systematic Approach to Voice by Dr Kari Ragan
The Structure of Singing by Richard Miller
Chris Johnson: https://chrisjohnsonvocalcoach.com
Hoberman Sphere
Mary Saunders Barton: https://belcantocanbelto.com
Kerrie Obert: https://obertvoicestudios.com
Singing Teachers Talk Ep.151 How to Sing with Twang
 
ABOUT THE GUEST
April Young maintains a vibrant voice studio in Spokane, WA, specializing in classical, music theater, and Contemporary Commercial Music. She holds a B.A. in Music (Voice Performance) and an MVP (Master of Voice Pedagogy), and has served on the faculty of three area schools.

In addition to teaching, April has been active as a soloist and choral conductor in several local churches. Her performance experience spans recital, oratorio, and music theater, and her session work includes vocals for a title in the Myst computer game series. A published writer, she has contributed to the Journal of Singing through the National Association of Teachers of Singing, writing on vocal trends in popular music and the opportunities these present for teachers.

A lifelong learner, April is interested in how voice teachers support singers recovering from vocal injuries and believes the best teachers never stop being students themselves.

Website: http://young-voice.net
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