PRIME MEMBER EXCLUSIVE | 3 Months Free Trial

Auto-renews at INR 199/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime. Offer ends 15 July, 2026.
Singing Teachers Talk cover art

Singing Teachers Talk

Singing Teachers Talk

Written by: BAST Training
Listen for free

Hosted by BAST Training expect interviews and conversations to inspire and inform singing teachers and singers who are ready to teach.

ABOUT BAST TRAINING

We are here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills, understanding and qualifications required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill.


Start with the Foundition course or level up into a Level 5 qualification.


https://basttraining.com | info@basttraining.com | FB & IG @basttraining

© 2026 Singline Limited Art Careers Economics Entertainment & Performing Arts Personal Success
Episodes
  • Ep.264 Gender Equality in the Music Industry: Where Are We Now? with Vick Bain

    Ep.264 Gender Equality in the Music Industry: Where Are We Now? with Vick Bain
    Jun 16 2026
    In this episode, Alexa is joined by researcher, musician and founder of The F-List, Vick Bain, for an important conversation about gender equality in the UK music industry. Drawing on her PhD research and years of experience, Vick explores the barriers that women and gender-diverse musicians continue to face, from pay gaps and career progression to representation, discrimination and the realities of building a sustainable career in music. It's a thought-provoking discussion that challenges assumptions, shares the evidence behind the headlines, and asks what role we can play in creating a more inclusive future for the artists we teach. Just to let you know some listeners may find some of the topics discussed distressing - take a pause, and we will be right there waiting when you’re ready. WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST? 1:28 About Vick’s PhD: Women's Careers in the UK Music Industry 2:02 What are some of the biggest gender inequality issues currently? 5:50 Age discrimination and pay gap statistics 15:55 The ‘what about Adele’ question 25:06 Where are women missing? 27:13 What happens when women ‘over-represent’ in a field? 29:44 Being a freelancer 32:57 The red flags 36:11 Political landscapes 40:15 The F-List About the presenter HERE RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS The UK Music Diversity Taskforce Musicians Union Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.263 The Creative Juggle: Singer, Songwriter and Teacher Musician Census of 2024 Government pay gap reports Intellectual Property Office Gov Misogyny in Music PRS for music Independent Society of Musicians Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.117 The ISM: What Singers and Singing Teachers Need to Know Reform Our Contract With You ABOUT THE GUEST Vick Bain is an EDI and Research Consultant with nearly 30 years' experience in the music and creative industries. Formerly CEO of the Ivors Academy and Past President of the Independent Society of Musicians, she now leads a consultancy specialising in strategic research, impact evaluation, and diversity and inclusion. A Henley Business School MBA graduate, Vick is completing a PhD at Queen Mary University of London on women's careers in music. She is the Founder of The F-List for Music CIC, a not-for-profit supporting women and gender diverse musicians across the UK and serves as a board director of the ISM. Her clients include IMPALA, Counterculture, Beggars Group, UK Music, Beatport and Attitude is Everything. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and Companion of LIPA - appointed by Sir Paul McCartney - she is included in both the Music Week Women in Music Roll of Honour and the BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour Music Industry Powerlist. Vick trained as a classical singer in the early 1990s, holding Grade 8 singing, an HND in Classical Music (Voice) and a BA in Performing Arts. She recorded and performed with experimental artist Rapoon, sang for many years with the London Bulgarian Choir – during whose time they were runners-up in the BBC Choir of the Year and performed alongside numerous pop and rock acts. She recently joined a Cornish choir, continuing a lifelong relationship with singing. Website The F List Instagram LinkedIn 🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HEREAt BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion.“The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UKStart with the foundations >>> ENROL NOWbasttraining.com | Stay Updated
    Show More Show Less
    46 mins
  • Ep.263 The Creative Juggle: Singer, Songwriter and Teacher with India Bourne

    Ep.263 The Creative Juggle: Singer, Songwriter and Teacher with India Bourne
    Jun 10 2026

    This week, Alexa chats with artist, songwriter, choir leader, and vocal coach India Bourne about life beyond the stage. From touring the world with Ben Howard to building a thriving teaching career, India shares how completing the BAST Foundation Course deepened her understanding of the voice, transformed her songwriting, and enriched her work with singers. She also opens up about balancing creativity, teaching, and motherhood, revealing how life as a mum has shaped her artistry, sharpened her instincts, and helped her to continue creating a sustainable, fulfilling career in music.

    WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST?

    1:08 What venues are India’s favourite to play?

    3:38 What has India learnt through touring and being a human in the music industry?

    6:06 Does teaching ever feel in tension with being an artist?

    12:37 India’s experience with BAST

    14:50 How has being a classically trained cellist influenced artistry and teaching?

    18:10 Songwriting and creative ideas

    25:07 Singing and training emotion in music

    30:02 Being the creative juggler

    33:26 Protecting your own creativity

    35:35 India’s new music

    About the presenter HERE

    RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS

    Ben Howard

    Man and Superman by George Bernard Shaw

    Why Doing Nothing Can Change Your Life by Joseph Jebelli

    Heidi Moss Erickson

    Singing in the Brain: Ep.2: The Spaces in Between - Part1 Rest

    Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.256 The Neuroscience of Singing: What the Singer’s Brain Needs

    Middle Farm Studios

    Outside venue

    ABOUT THE GUEST

    India Bourne is a classically trained musician, songwriter and vocal coach whose voice has travelled the world as a long-time member of Ben Howard's live band. Singing and playing cello, bass and percussion, she has spent years immersed in shared stages and shifting landscapes. Alongside this, she has released music as Tender Central, where electronica and folk intertwine in songs that echo the emotional depth of Massive Attack, Lamb and Joni Mitchell.

    Now, India returns to releasing music under her own name. This new collection is shaped by long-standing musical relationships, featuring collaborators Mickey Smith, Nat Wason and Rich Thomas alongside her all-female choir, The Big Skirts. Recorded live to tape at Middle Farm Studios with producer Peter Miles, these are songs of initiation and becoming - of motherhood, grief, nature, and new life - held together by the rare chemistry of old friends playing in the same room.

    At the heart of the record is the voice, or rather voices. India writes with her women vocalists in mind, weaving their lines together as a living fabric from which melodies emerge. The result is music that feels both grounded and expansive, rooted in collective breath, resonance and connection.

    Website

    Instagram

    The Big Skirts

    🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE

    At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion.

    “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK

    Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW

    basttraining.com | Stay Updated

    Show More Show Less
    43 mins
  • Ep.262 Breaking Down Barriers: Making Arts Education Accessible for All with RABBLE Theatre

    Ep.262 Breaking Down Barriers: Making Arts Education Accessible for All with RABBLE Theatre
    Jun 3 2026

    What happens when arts education becomes truly accessible? In this inspiring episode, Alexa speaks with Georgina from RABBLE Theatre about breaking down barriers to participation, building confidence through performance, and creating meaningful pathways for young people and adults in the arts. From nurturing performers to supporting wellbeing, creativity, and community engagement, this conversation is packed with insights for singing teachers, drama educators, arts leaders, and anyone passionate about the transformative power of creative education.

    WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST?

    3:25 What is RABBLE Theatre?

    5:00 The RABBLE mission

    7:27 Education and Youth programmes at RABBLE

    12:07 RABBLE is looking for freelance singing teachers!

    13:31 The wellbeing benefits of the arts

    15:36 Getting financial support from RABBLE

    17:22 Nurturing Performers

    19:53 Fundraising tips

    23:21 Pushback and grants

    25:25 Make a donation

    About the presenter HERE

    RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS

    Seamus Allen (Improvisation)

    Holiday Activities Fund

    Chris Mitchell

    Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.222 The Rise of AI: What it Means for Singers and Singing Teachers

    Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.226 The Rise of AI: Practical Tools and Strategies for the Singing Teacher

    Arts Council

    Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.162 Voices of the South West: Building Community with the Southwest Voice Hub

    Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.224 Your Brain on Art: The Science of Creativity and Healing

    ABOUT THE GUEST

    RABBLE Theatre is an education charity that tells local stories of national significance. They have a large education department, engaging over 2,000 young people and adults every year, 141 of whom access their work through the RABBLE access fund.

    Website

    @rabble_theatre on Instagram

    @rabbletheatre on Tik Tok

    Contact RABBLE to collaborate

    🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE

    At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion.

    “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK

    Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW

    basttraining.com | Stay Updated

    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
No reviews yet