Bridging Styles: Reverse Crossover Techniques for Musical Theatre and CCM Voices
With the development of more contemporary styles throughout the 20th century, the classical voice community began to explore crossover techniques to meet the demands of a more versatile repertoire. This approach to vocal “cross training” has centered the classically-trained singer and offered them the opportunity to develop their instrument in a way that unlocked their full potential. From a physiological and acoustical perspective, the “classical” instrument benefited from exploring a variety of musical styles. What if we could offer the same opportunity to musical theatre and CCM singers? What are some of the skills these singers could acquire through exploring the classical technique? This interactive workshop aims to answer these questions and offer tools for a “reverse crossover” to classical. The audience members will join the presenters in experiencing exercises designed to address breathing, phonation, resonance, and articulation, and guide the musical theatre and CCM singer toward a healthy classical vocal foundation.