Artist Unbound
Supported agency in the voice studio
The voice studio is more than a space for vocal exercises and repertoire. At its best, it’s a haven where singers learn not only how to use their voices, but how to trust them. This trust between teacher and student, body and sound, vulnerability and growth is where supported agency begins to bloom.
So what is Supported Agency?
Agency is the ability to make choices, express oneself, and act with autonomy. In the voice studio, agency might look like a student choosing a song that resonates with them, experimenting with a vocal approach they’re curious about, or questioning a pedagogical technique. But supported agency goes a step further—it’s agency scaffolded by the teacher’s guidance, care, and respect.
It’s not about tossing students into the deep end with a “figure it out yourself” mindset. It’s about co-creating a space where exploration is encouraged, mistakes are part of the process, and students can assert their own voice, literally and metaphorically. Singers who develop agency in the studio carry it with them into rehearsals, auditions, and performances. They know what their voice can do, and more importantly, they know how to advocate for themselves artistically. This is especially powerful for singers from historically marginalized communities, whose voices, again, both literal and metaphorical, have too often been policed or silenced. By fostering supported agency, teachers help dismantle rigid hierarchies and cultivate a more inclusive, student-centered learning culture.
What It Looks Like in Practice:
Choice and Collaboration: Invite students to participate in choosing repertoire, setting vocal goals, and shaping the flow of lessons. Not every lesson format fits every student so it is important to be flexible to work towards stated goals.
Transparent Teaching: Explain the “why” behind techniques and invite reflection. A simple “What do you notice or experience?” can open rich dialogue. Asking a student about their best learning styles, and creating lesson plans around those styles can help the transfer of information.
Affirming Identity: Encourage students to bring their full selves into the room musically, culturally, and emotionally. A student can be supported in choosing repertoire by asking questions like, “what stories do you want to tell, which composers do you want to uplift, what genres excite you?” We don’t know what we don’t know, so helping students find repertoire that speaks to them in addition to allowing them to choose their own songs, can help in affirming identity.
Respecting Boundaries: Recognize that this work is deeply personal. Sound-making, preference, and emotional expression must always be approached with care, consent, and sensitivity. It is important to be present with the person in the room with you and meet them where they are. Singers are whole humans and we can never know the depths of what an individual is going through. Being ready with a listening ear and asking “how can I support you?” can allow for boundaries to become clearer.
Supported agency doesn’t mean stepping back, it means stepping alongside. It’s about tuning into each student’s unique journey and offering support that empowers, not overpowers. It’s an ongoing conversation, a balance of trust and challenge, support and independence.
In a studio grounded in supported agency, singers grow into more than just skilled technicians. They become confident communicators and expressive artists. They leave not just with stronger technique, but with stronger voices, in every sense of the word.