Vocology Courses

In partnership with the National Vocology Institute (NVI), the Australian College of Vocal Arts (ACVA) offers two professional courses with Qualifying Awards that are designed to train, examine and accredit vocologists who specialise in singing voice.

Vocology is a field that is rapidly growing and developing on a global level. Vocologists are voice specialists who are extensively trained in voice habilitation and mobilisation techniques, and vocal health promotion. Vocology integrates the medical, scientific, and artistic aspects of voice habilitation. It is, by its nature, highly multidisciplinary and spans multiple professions that study, train, and care for vocalists.

These are advanced, challenging courses primarily designed for experienced singing teachers, speech pathologists, singing voice researchers, choral conductors and performers. Each course consists of practical and written components, and you will be presented with the most recent evidence-based pedagogical research, teaching and learning frameworks, techniques and methods to significantly expand and improve your capability to improve impaired singing voices.

Certificate in Vocology (CNVI)

This is an entry level Vocology course. It does not assume you have any pre-existing knowledge about Vocology practices, however you are expected to have well-developed knowledge and skills in the singing voice, either as a singing teacher, performer, speech pathologist or similar. You’ll walk away with a deep understanding of the principles of voice production

Advanced Practitioner Diploma in Vocology (APNVI)

The Advanced Practitioner Diploma in Vocology is our most popular course, in which you will explore the global perspectives on Vocology and vocal habilitation practices, vocal pathology states as they relate to the singing voice, and a range of detailed techniques, methods and approaches for use in your practice.

By developing a refined understanding of vocal production and optimisation practices, you’ll gain advanced skills in categorising, measuring and analysing singing voices. You will also be exposed to a range of ‘best practices’ for voice teaching, consolidated from global experts across different singing teaching methods.

Ready to get started?

Vocology Topics You Might Study

Depending on your selected Vocology course, you might expect to study a combination of the following topics, all delivered intensively through online live and pre-recorded lectures, seminars, workshops, and 1:1 sessions with global experts.

• Vocal habilitation/mobilisation techniques, tools and approaches

• Differences between the singing and speaking voice, and how to optimise both

• Critical singing voice pedagogy

• Advanced voice anatomy, physiology and function including:

  • Biomechanics and muscle physiology

  • Breathing and Aerodynamics

  • Laryngeal changes through the lifespan 

• Perception and Instrumentation:  

  • Basic Acoustics

  • Fundamental frequency, register, and vibrato

  • Instrumentation for voice analysis

  • Perception of vocalisation/psychoacoustics

  • Phonetics 

• Voice Training & Habilitation:

  • Amplified singing in contemporary styles 

  • Bodywork

  • Choral and ensemble voice

  • Skill acquisition and perceptual motor learning

  • Unamplified singing in classical styles

  • Voice habilitation and hygiene

  • Voice for the singer-actor 

• Vocal and voice-related pathological presentations and management

• How to work effectively with a multidisciplinary treatment team (MDT) to habilitate singing voices

• Repertoire selection and rehearsal methods to support singing voice habilitation

• Specialist curriculum design and lesson planning for voice disorders

• Transgender voice changes and development strategies

• Teaching singing voice to people living with a range of different disabilities (in depth exploration)

• Primal and animal vocalisation 

• Audition, exam and performance preparation strategies

• Contemporary practices to protect your own voice as a voice practitioner at work

• Working with other vocal deficiencies and technique disturbances.

Your Career Opportunities

There is an identified shortage of professionally trained and skilled vocal performers and singing teachers throughout Australia. At the same time, there is an increasing number of live productions and bands being toured, providing an ever-increasing demand for vocal arts product.

As a successful graduate, you will have honed your skills in advanced singing teaching and singing voice habilitation strategies, methods and tools approaches. You will be able to safely and effectively teach students with complex vocal needs.

As a graduate of one of Australia’s only industry-based professional Vocology qualifications, you will continue to reflect the high professional standards you strive for in your specialist teaching practice. You will effectively advance your ability to teach specialist lessons to individuals and small groups, within a variety of settings.