Examining the empathic voice teacher

Abstract

Empathy enables successful communication and connection between teachers and their students, yet few studies have investigated its specific use in teaching singing. Addressing this gap, we interviewed voice teachers to discover how they articulate their pedagogy in terms of empathic practices and observed one-to-one lessons for evidence of the same. A sample of 27 classical and music theater voice teachers in Australia (70% females, 30% males), aged 35 to 75 years old ( M = 55) were interviewed. Of this cohort, seven teachers were observed in their one-to-one teaching practices. Interviews and observations were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results indicated that voice teachers tailor their practices to the needs of students and demonstrate characteristics of teacher empathy identified in previous literature: effective communication, positive relationships, care, welcoming learning environment, trust, morality, and listening. Empathic teaching facilitates an individualized approach in which singing students are supported and motivated in their own autonomous learning environment. These findings have implications for voice pedagogy that features the use of empathy to benefit future students.