Why do so few boys take voice lessons—and how can we change that?

In this episode, voice teacher and pedagogue Timothy Wilds joins Drew to unpack the science, strategy, and sensitivity required when training a boy’s voice. From understanding vocal fold changes during puberty to choosing repertoire that fits—not just vocally, but emotionally and developmentally—we explore what it means to meet boys where they are.

You’ll learn:

• What happens to the male voice during puberty—and why it matters for training
• Why thin fold/head voice is essential for pre-pubescent boys
• How to support vocal development without pushing too far, too fast
• Repertoire pitfalls to avoid—and what to choose instead
• The role of gender, identity, and storytelling in young singers’ repertoire
• Song suggestions across genres: art song, folk, musical theatre, and more

Whether you’re a voice teacher, choir director, or a parent supporting a young singer, this episode offers grounded, research-informed guidance for working with AMAB students in the crucial years before and during puberty.

🎧 VoSci Academy is launching July 2025!

Want science-backed training for singers and teachers? Join the interest list: https://voicescience.org/academy

Resources & Mentions:

• Art Song: Edward MacDowell’s Eight Songs, A Child’s Garden of Verses settings
• Folk/Familiar Tunes: Shenandoah, Lean on Me, Let’s Go Fly a Kite
• MT Roles for Boys: Oliver, Billy Elliot, The Secret Garden, Les Mis (Gavroche)
• Lesser-Known MT: Hook, Working, A Bronx Tale, Lost in the Stars

You wouldn’t teach swimming without water—so why are we still training contemporary commercial music (CCM) singers without microphones or amplification?

In this episode, Timothy Wilds (writer) and Drew Williams-Orozco (host) unpack the disconnect between traditional voice pedagogy and the real-world demands of CCM styles like pop, rock, country, jazz, and modern musical theatre. From the essential role of microphones to the need for new technical and stylistic frameworks, this episode challenges voice teachers to reexamine how we prepare singers for today’s amplified, genre-diverse performance landscape.

We discuss:

• Why amplification isn’t optional in CCM
• How mic technique affects vocal production and artistry
• Equipment setups for teachers on a budget
• Why unplugged training creates a gap between rehearsal and performance
• What it actually takes to train a well-rounded CCM singer in 2025

Whether you’re a teacher stuck in classical defaults or a singer seeking training that reflects your actual goals, this episode breaks down the problems—and offers a path forward.

🔗 VoSci Academy launches this summer with voice science-based courses for real-world singing. Get notified: https://voicescience.org

🎧 Mentioned Episode: #4 – Ring & Twang: https://podcast.voicescience.org/episode/4

Episode Summary:

Legato is one of the most frequently requested—and least clearly defined—skills in singing. In this episode, we unpack what it really takes to sing legato well. From managing airflow to shaping vowels and navigating consonants, we’ll guide you through practical strategies you can apply today.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why breath support alone won’t get you legato
• How to develop continuous vowel connection
• Where singers unintentionally “break the line”
• Exercises to build awareness, precision, and flow

👀 Coming Summer 2025: VoSci Academy

Structured courses, expanded Skill Labs, and monthly Q&As to help you train smarter—not just harder.

👉 Join the waitlist: https://www.voicescience.org/academy/

🔗 Links & Resources:

• Episode on Breath Support: https://www.voicescience.org/2025/02/podcast/ep-1-unlocking-breath-support-sing-powerfully-without-more-air/
• All Podcast Episodes: https://www.voicescience.org/vosci-podcast/
• Contact or Leave a Question: https://www.voicescience.org/contact