Right to Sing: Stories, Research & Reflection

  For most of my professional life, I’ve been in and around singing—on stage, in the studio, in rehearsal rooms, and now, in the messy and meaningful work of research. Over the last few years, one theme has risen again and again in my teaching, my studies, and my own story: shame . Quiet shame. Loud shame. Tiny micro-shames that accumulate over time. The shame of not sounding good enough. Of losing your voice. Of caring too much. Of being replaced. This blog is part of my ongoing work—both personal and academic—into understanding shame and objectification in the lives of singers. As a PhD researcher, I’m diving deep into the emotional worlds of professional vocalists. But this space isn’t just about research—it’s a conversation. A place to reflect, wonder, challenge, and reimagine what it means to teach and be taught in this field. What to Expect You’ll find a mix of things here: 💭 Noisy thoughts and vulnerable reflections from my own experiences 📚 Syntheses of academic rese...

Being a singer often begins with a spark—a moment when someone notices your talent, when you’re told you have a “gift.” From there, a singer identity starts to take shape. But this identity isn’t formed in isolation. It is crafted through relationships with teachers, peers, institutions, audiences—and through the unspoken rules about what counts as "good," "worthy," or "successful." This construction of identity can be exhilarating and affirming. But it is also fragile—because it often hinges on acceptance or rejection from others. That’s where shame begins to creep in. Through reading countless articles and books on this subject I came to recognise my own vocal shame which crept up on me over time and culminated in the painful aftermath of vocal injury and a failed operation. For years, I had worked on my craft and career—not just because I loved singing, but because my identity felt contingent on it. I didn't quite see that my voice and "singer ...

For many singers, singing is far more than just a skill or job. It is deeply tied to identity, purpose, and even belonging. But with that deep connection comes a relentless, often invisible threat to the singer's sense of self. Unlike many other professions, singing demands the exposure of something deeply personal: your body, your emotions, your sound. And it places that exposure under near-constant scrutiny, it's no wonder that putting ourselves out there can feel risky and and knock- backs are taken personally. Singers live with a level of vulnerability that is rarely acknowledged. Our instrument is our body, and we carry it with us all day and everywhere - we are inseparable "musical-body-subjects". Any perceived or pointed out imperfection or inconsistency can feel like a personal failure, not just a professional one. And for many of us, these threats are ongoing, cumulative, and internalised. I want to take a moment to break down just a few of the potential thre...