Kremer presents research at Voice Foundation Symposium

Brian Kremer, assistant professor of music theatre, along with his research partner, Liz Jackson Hearns of The Voice Lab in Chicago, presented their research on feminization and masculinization of singing voices: practical tools to shift gender perception, at the 48th Annual Voice Foundation Symposium in Philadelphia.

Held May 29 through June 2, the symposium featured advanced programming presented by leading professionals in the voice care field including surgeons, scientists, speech language pathologists, voice teachers and performing artists. The Voice Foundation says that the symposium is attended by representatives from about 35 states and 30 countries. 

In recent years, the realms of voice training and voice care have rapidly begun to expand research, resources, and conversations to serve the needs of transgender and gender diverse singers. Voice training for transgender individuals requires a refined knowledge of the changes that occur both physically and physiologically during transition and demands the use of effective and appropriate language, as well as the practical application of techniques that influence gender perception in voice.

This presentation aided in providing tools for training singers who are interested in shifting gender perception of their voice through methods in articulation and vowel modification. It reviewed elements of gender perception in vocal timbre and articulatory patterns and presented an interactive exploration of articulation and vowel modification to influence gender perception in singing voices. 

In May 2018, Kremer and Hearns published "The Singing Teacher's Guide to Transgender Voices," the first comprehensive resource developed for the training of transgender and nonbinary singers. Together, they have conducted national and international presentations, workshops, and training sessions on various aspects of transgender vocal pedagogy.