Exploring Embodiment: Inclusive Approaches to Singing Teaching

Join us on Saturday 24 October for a day of learning, discussion and practical inspiration. Our Autumn Conference will be SEND-focused, as we explore supporting students with physical and hidden disabilities.

Taking place at St Paul’s Girls’ School, Hammersmith, London, the conference will bring together expert speakers, live teaching demonstrations and opportunities to connect with fellow singing teachers.

As AOTOS continues to champion for Equitable, Equal, Diverse and Inclusive singing teaching and singing teacher training and development, we are delighted to be partnering with our sponsor for this day – Vocal Health Education – to bring you a full day, in-person conference that puts the topic of inclusive teaching centre stage.

In this conference, we will explore embodiment and discover strategies and techniques for working with people living with physical disabilities. The speakers at this event will provide insights not only on how to support your students, but also how you can support your colleagues and yourself, as you uncover possibilities through singing teaching.

The day will cover four key areas of embodiment through a mix of talks, workshops and discussion.

Joanne Reeve, who works closely with Paul Whittaker OBE, will lead us through a practical session on how to support singers and singing teachers with hearing loss.

Following this, UK-based soprano, Victoria Oruwari, will talk to us about her lived experience with sight loss. As well her performance career, Victoria, who is also a Trustee with Amber Trust – a charity championing music for blind children – has featured on BBC TV and Radio, Sky Arts bringing her story and awareness of music education and inclusive practice to millions of listeners and viewers.

We are also delighted that David Stanley BEM will be joining us. David is a disability rights campaigner, musical director, teacher, composer and concert producer. David established The Music Man Project as a national charity to meet growing national and international demand for his accessible music service, not just for the learning-disabled community, but for other vulnerable groups too. He will be sharing his insights, strategies and joys of working with people with Down’s Syndrome and other physical disabilities.

As ever, we continue to be proud to support our members and value their expertise by providing a platform for them to share their knowledge. Joining us at this conference is member Zoe South, who will share her knowledge on living with hidden disabilities; what it is like when your needs are not obvious? How can we, as teachers come to know and support our students? What are the needs of our colleagues teaching with disabilities and how can we come together as a community to support each other?

The day will also include plenty of time for discussion, questions and curiosity. Do come and join us in the brave space.

Vocal Health Education is offering AOTOS delegates a 20% discount on this Certificate in Teaching Inclusively until 31 January 2027. Once registered, you have 365 days to complete the course and submit the assignment for certification.