Abstract

Supporting Singers with the Transmasculine Changing Voice: Considerations for Music Educators

Supporting Singers with the Transmasculine Changing Voice: Considerations for Music Educators, focuses on adolescent and young adult singers with the transmasculine changing voice in the general music classroom, voice studio, and choral ensemble setting. There is insufficient research regarding how hormone replacement therapy (HRT) affects transgender vocalists, therefore music educators continue to seek further guidance to enhance this aspect of their teaching approach. 

Due to fear of vocal damage or loss of progress in vocal technique, many transgender vocalists are hesitant to pursue HRT treatment that could benefit their overall quality of life. This presentation will highlight several social and artistic challenges for transmasculine vocalists. Discussion will include the impacts of hormone replacement therapy on vocal tone, range, and intonation throughout the presenter’s voice change process. Vocal techniques to encourage a healthy development for trans vocalists will be modeled along with a discussion regarding characteristics of developmentally appropriate repertoire suitable for a changing voice. 

Video

An aural example of a transmasculine vocal change, following my vocal change from Pre-T to 3 years on testosterone with noticeable changes in range, tessitura, and timbre.

Range

A visual example of a transmasculine vocal change using my personal range and tessitura Pre-T to 2 years on testosterone.

*red only addresses chest voice range Pre-T