The VoicePed UnDegree
no ivory towers required
A ten-month Teacher Certification for #StayPutScholars who are ready to get super-real about their teaching (aka pedagogy) in an all-hands-on-deck, feet-to-the-fire kinda’ atmosphere.
What kind of teacher they want to be,
Where they are in their journey to being that teacher,
What they need in order to make that journey easier (and more fun), and
How to assess their own danged progress on that journey.
Pedagogy For Real Life:
You know the kind of pedagogy I’m talking about—the kind that works for all singers, not just those who are already well-coordinated, who know exactly what they want to express, or who stick to western-classical styles. Not just for singers in formal education systems, or for those who are able-bodied, white, neurotypical, cis-gender, male, heterosexual, or adults (but not too old), and certainly not just for those with socio-economic privilege.
Yeah. THAT kind of pedagogy.
The kind you need to be an effective voice teacher even when you’re not teaching in an academic institution. Especially when you’re not.
Student-Centred Pedagogy:
You know the kind of pedagogy I’m talking about—the kind you’ve been striving for your entire teaching journey, precisely because you didn’t experience it yourself as a student. The kind that kicks disengagement and disinterest to the curb. That encourages critical thinking and fosters autonomy. That doesn’t ‘teach to the test’ (or the next performance) or rely on rigid external assessments. The kind that frees you from feeling responsible for your students’ learning outcomes.
Yeah. THAT kind of pedagogy.
The kind that creates engaged, motivated, creative, passionate, and empowered singers who have everything they need to take control of their learning, their message, and their voice.
Pedagogy For Life:
You know the kind of pedagogy I’m talking about—the kind you think other teachers must have because they always seem so confident and like they’ve got it all figured out. The kind that means you’re no longer left wondering why an exercise, an image, or a directive worked (or didn’t work). Or why it worked this time but not last time. The kind that lets you create your own values-based assessments of your teaching, so you’re not relying on external, inconsistent, or irrelevant measures like student retention, high exam scores, or acceptances to arts schools or tertiary institutions.
Yeah. THAT kind of pedagogy.
The kind you can build a lifetime of teaching on—effective, empowering, passionate, engaged, and full of ease.
Co-Developed Learning & Outcomes
Customised Learning Goals: We work together to set learning goals, ensuring outcomes are directly relevant to your teaching practice and personal growth.
Self-Assessment Protocols: We co-create criteria for evaluating your progress through reflection and ongoing dialogue so you have real ownership of the learning process.
Facilitated Teaching: Mentored teaching sessions (either in-studio or asynchronous) are built on the co-developed outcomes, so you have the opportunity to practise, reflect on, and further refine your teaching skills.
Interactive Learning Experiences
Application Labs: Live labs where we apply all the fancy, philosophical stuff to real-world teaching scenarios, focussing on pedagogy principles, and agency-supporting assessment strategies.
Collaborative Group Engagement
Cohort-Directed Seminars: Regular group discussions tailored to the collective needs of the cohort. These sessions provide space for peer learning, sharing experiences, and reflective dialogue, and are adapted to the unique dynamics of each group.
24/7 Online Discussion: Ongoing access to a dedicated platform where we discuss topics, ask questions, and share insights at any time, ensuring continuous learning and community building (featuring no small amount of memes).
Support & Feedback
Reflection Seminars: Monthly group sessions in which participants reflect on progress and make adjustments to self-assessment protocols and goals as needed.
This is the program I have been waiting for! I am a passionate learner and I do so through reading and by doing. Going back to the political landscape of university is not an option for my fragile heart, so the VPUD Undegree seems like the perfect fit for me!
“I’ve attended a bunch of workshops and obtained several certifications but I feel like the VPUD is my next step on the journey toward becoming the best teacher I can be… I don’t have time to waste on courses I don’t need for a piece of paper I don’t care about. I just want to continue learning and then do the best job I can as a teacher.”
“I’ve joined the VPUD because I’ve been wanting to take my pedagogy to the next level but didn’t want to seek out a masters through academia, for many reasons. I’ve actually had the privilege of watching Dr. Shannon Coates build this incredible program from behind the scenes and I believe what she is doing is revolutionary.
I can’t wait to be a part of it.”
“I’m a newbie teacher serving a small rural community. I’m confident the VPUD will give me the training I need to complement the real life know how I’ve gained.”
Invest Your Time
First off, dive into The VoicePed UnDegree by engaging with insightful lectures each month. You’ll join lively discussions that spark new ideas and connect during office hours and open studios. Prepare for and participate in impactful seminars and labs, and don’t forget to record and review your lessons to track your growth. You’ll commit up to 4 hours a week for synchronous sessions, plus another 3 to 4 hours for flexible, asynchronous activities.
Invest Your Emotional Capital
Next, you’ll invest in your own growth. At The VoicePed UnDegree, you’ll recognize your strengths and build on them while also honestly reflecting on what might be holding you back. Explore ways to change those obstacles and learn how to apply your insights in a way that feels right for you. Celebrate the journeys of your fellow learners by offering and receiving support along the way. With humility, you’ll learn while confidently carving out your space in the voice community. It’s all about investing in your emotional capital and watching your teaching flourish!
Invest in the Industry’s Future
Join us in shaping the future of voice pedagogy! By participating in The VoicePed UnDegree, you’ll support agency in the singers you work with and prioritize student-led learning in your studio and beyond. Together, we’ll create inclusive voice spaces where everyone feels welcomed. Leave behind outdated external teaching assessments and embrace a more meaningful approach with self-assessment and agency-informed pedagogy. Your investment helps us build a vibrant, supportive voice community where both teachers and singers can thrive!
Invest Financially
Finally, consider your financial investment in The VoicePed UnDegree. You’ll commit to a total of $10,000, starting with a down payment of 15 to 20% of the registration fee by 20 November. After that, you can set up monthly payments ranging from $500 to $1,000 over 8 to 13 months, keeping it manageable. We also have various no-penalty payment plan options that we can discuss during our Discovery Call. This is your chance to invest in your future and elevate your voice teaching career!
“Shannon Coates challenges voice teachers to take note and do better by sharing transformative pedagogy based on student-led approaches and building intentionally inclusive voice spaces. And she does it in the most delightfully heart-felt and humorous way.”
– Nikki Loney
“I’m in the lesson space with you, gently reminding you about how to be the teacher you told me you want to be.”
– It Me!
“Shannon Coates is not only a brilliant educator, she is also down-to-earth, funny, and delivers high-level concepts with easy-to-understand language. In this episode, John and Shannon discuss practical voice pedagogy and how knowledge can help singers flourish.”
– John Henny