Queering Vocal Pedagogy - by William Sauerland

About the Book

This book presents a new vision of gender-affirming vocal music education by exploring the experiences and training of trans and genderqueer singers. It presents practical and theoretical knowledge for teachers, choral directors, and educators, addressing topics such as teachi...

Book Synopsis

Queering Vocal Pedagogy presents a new vision of gender-affirming vocal music education and richly explores the experiences, perspectives, and vocal training of trans(gender) and genderqueer singers.
This groundbreaking text weaves together singers' narratives with the practices and pedagogies of their teachers to provide a model for training gender expansive vocalists. William Sauerland promotes a two-fold action: first, cultivating gender-affirming practices for teaching trans and genderqueer singers, and second, disentangling vocal pedagogy from practices and traditions that have historically promoted cisgender narratives.
Through case studies representing various identities within the gender expansive population, this book provides an insider's view to lesson pacing, vocal exercises, repertoire, and processes toward vocal development. Sauerland provides a wealth of practical and theoretical knowledge for teachers, choral directors, and music educators, including:
Impacts of gender and identity in teaching singersInclusive language especially for voice classificationsStrategies for teachingRepertoire considerationsProfessional responsibility and socio-emotional support in the studio

Review Quotes

"Queering Vocal Pedagogy is a powerful call to action for artists and teachers to create lasting change for gender-affirming vocal music education--an essential text. William Sauerland stirringly inquires gender issues inherent in vocal performance and the studio, inviting educators to re-conceive historical, generalizable music-making spaces in more inclusive ways." --Cara Bernard, assistant clinical professor, music education, University of Connecticut

"This is an important book for those of us who have devoted ourselves to helping others find their voice. William Sauerland reminds us that the important word in that phrase is "their", encouraging us to examine our own implicit biases while working towards true collaboration with our students. It is both a practical and an inspiring reminder of what our relationship with students should be." --Nicole Hanig, director of vocal studies, University of Portland

"This book contains crucial information for singing teachers who work with trans and genderqueer singers. William Sauerland strikes a dynamic balance of personal connection, literature review, case studies, and examples of practical application, and he invites personal reflection." --Sarah Maines, instructor of voice, University of Portland, Reed College; The Mainestudio

"Queering Vocal Pedagogy is as practical as it is compassionate, offering invaluable insights and descriptions of best practices designed to encourage teachers to see every student, as Sauerland states, "as a whole, emotional, worthy human." Voice teachers who approach the book with an open mind and an open heart are bound to find ways to make their studios more inclusive, their teaching more impactful, and their worldviews more accepting." --Classical Singer Magazine

"Queering Vocal Pedagogy is indeed an insightful contribution providing endless vocal strategies to assist TGQ singers, reinforcing student-centered education, and fostering affirming environments in vocal studios. It is highly organized and provides multiple case studies and interviews that highlight diverse vocal journeys. By scaffolding pedagogy with constructive tools to strengthen the vocal mechanism, this compilation becomes a prominent resource for vocal pedagogues and singers, encouraging an everlasting reflection of pedagogical practices." --Voice and Speech Review

Queering Vocal Pedagogy is indeed an insightful contribution providing endless vocal strategies to assist TGQ singers, reinforcing student-centered education, and fostering affirming environments in vocal studios. It is highly organized and provides multiple case studies and interviews that highlight diverse vocal journeys. By scaffolding pedagogy with constructive tools to strengthen the vocal mechanism, this compilation becomes a prominent resource for vocal pedagogues and singers, encouraging an everlasting reflection of pedagogical practices.

Queering Vocal Pedagogy is a powerful call to action for artists and teachers to create lasting change for gender-affirming vocal music education--an essential text. William Sauerland stirringly inquires gender issues inherent in vocal performance and the studio, inviting educators to re-conceive historical, generalizable music-making spaces in more inclusive ways.

Queering Vocal Pedagogy is as practical as it is compassionate, offering invaluable insights and descriptions of best practices designed to encourage teachers to see every student, as Sauerland states, "as a whole, emotional, worthy human." Voice teachers who approach the book with an open mind and an open heart are bound to find ways to make their studios more inclusive, their teaching more impactful, and their worldviews more accepting.

This book contains crucial information for singing teachers who work with trans and genderqueer singers. William Sauerland strikes a dynamic balance of personal connection, literature review, case studies, and examples of practical application, and he invites personal reflection.

This is an important book for those of us who have devoted ourselves to helping others find their voice. William Sauerland reminds us that the important word in that phrase is "their", encouraging us to examine our own implicit biases while working towards true collaboration with our students. It is both a practical and an inspiring reminder of what our relationship with students should be.

About the Author

William Sauerland (he/they) is an assistant professor of music and director of choral studies at the School of Music of Purdue University Fort Wayne. He also has ten years of experience in directing community choruses, including the Oakland Gay Men's Chorus and the Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco.