VOICE STUDIES

"How wonderful is the human voice .. but the soul reveals itself in the voice only."
                                                                                     H W Longfellow

"Life is in the breath: therefore he who only half breathes, half lives."
                                                                                     Yogic Proverb

"The sound must seem an echo to the sense."
                                                                                       Alexander Pope

Actors must learn to develop rich, expressive and flexible voices that can adapt to both the needs of the character and the nature of the medium: acting in a large theatre or the more intimate technique of acting to a camera. The Voice Studies course trains teachers and consultants who go on to facilitate this valuable process.

Voice students work closely with actors not only in the classroom, but also on play productions as voice consultants or dialogue coaches.

There are two courses offered at NIDA in Voice Studies, the Graduate Diploma of Dramatic Art and the Master of Dramatic Art. Both are one year full-time courses. For details see below. The Voice Studies streams of these courses will not be offered in 2009.

Graduate Diploma of Dramatic Art | Voice Studies

The Graduate Diploma of Dramatic Art specialising in Voice Studies is a one-year full-time course. This specialisation is not being offered in 2009.

AIM

The Voice Studies course aims to provide teachers with the skills and ability to release the full vocal potential of professional voice users. The course is also designed to provide graduates with the skills to meet the needs of communicators in every area of society, including those whose native language may not be English, and to meet the needs of teachers, young people, actors, media presenters, public speakers and the corporate sector in the area of voice and speech.

The purpose of voice teaching is to release the full range and vitality of the human vocal instrument and to develop and improve communication skills. The course is intended for people with suitable educational and professional experience in the voice and communication areas.

APPROACH

Voice Studies provides specialist study in voice teaching. Areas of study include text interpretation, communication skills, English as a second language, voice pathology, corporate needs, accent and dialect.

All work is carried out in small groups and there is a considerable amount of individual tuition.

The course encourages a close interaction between theory and practice. Mornings are devoted to formal classes, conducted by NIDA staff and guest lecturers, and to voice classes with students of NIDA's Acting course. During the afternoons and some evenings students are assigned to productions in the NIDA Play Production Program, where they learn to apply theory to practice.

Towards the end of the course, each student is expected to assume supervised responsibility for some voice classes for the Acting course. Students work with NIDA voice teachers coaching student actors during the rehearsal process and in the final term Voice Studies students are assigned to a production to provide vocal and text coaching. At an appropriate time during the year, Voice Studies students are normally seconded to other teaching institutions, production companies or organisations which deal with communication skills.

All students are expected to develop a special interest in one aspect of voice work, culminating in a major research paper and an oral examination conducted by a specialist in the field.

Subjects are Voice Studies, Anatomy and Pathology, Language and Literature, Teaching Voice, Accents and Dialects, Repertoire, Acting, Music, History of Theatre, Play Production, and Professional Development.

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ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants seeking admission must:

have reached the age of 22 before the commencement of the course (in exceptional circumstances this may be waived)
hold a degree or diploma from a tertiary arts course, or have appropriate professional experience in theatre, film, television, radio or education
at an interview, which is part of the application process, demonstrate authority, tact and artistic sensitivity and the ability to work with other people
be fluent in spoken and proficient in written English language and demonstrate knowledge of literature at the graduate level
demonstrate a good speaking voice and the ability to critically evaluate other voices
show evidence of a serious commitment to a career in voice teaching.

All subjects are compulsory. NIDA students are required to complete a confidential health questionnaire to demonstrate their medical fitness to undertake the course and to assist NIDA in its duty of care to students.

The primary criterion for admission to the Voice Studies course is evidence of the applicant's ability and potential to make a career as a voice teacher in the arts entertainment industry or in education.

For more information about applying to the Voice Studies course, click here.

HOW TO APPLY

AUDITIONS AND INTERVIEWS

Applicants for the Graduate Diploma of Dramatic Art are required to attend an interview. Interviews take place in November and early December in all capital cities of Australia except Canberra. Applicants must attend the interview in person, especially if it is the first application to NIDA. Some applicants may be asked to attend a second interview. For overseas applicants an initial interview by webcam could be considered.

Preparation for the interview requires completion of a project. Project information is available on the website or can be provided by request by mail following receipt of an application. At their interview applicants may be required to work with applicants for NIDA's Acting Course or work with NIDA students in the rehearsal and presentation of short scenes.

FEES

All students are required to pay tuition fees. These fees can either be paid in full at the commencement of each year or eligible students can receive a FEE-HELP loan from the Australian Government up to the FEE-HELP limit to cover all or part of their tuition fees. The FEE-HELP limit is indexed each year.

Students repay their loan through the tax system once their income is above the minimum level for compulsory repayment. For more information on FEE-HELP see http://www.goingtouni.gov.au/

For more information please refer to the Fees section of the website.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Eligible NIDA students can apply for assistance under Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY.

Title of Qualification: Graduate Diploma of Dramatic Art

Head of Course: Bill Pepper

Age: Recommended 22+

Commencement date: This Voice Studies stream is not being offered in 2009

Location of Course: NIDA

Contact Details:
215 Anzac Parade
KENSINGTON NSW 2033
Tel: +61 2 9697 7600
Email: contact form

CRICOS Provider Code: 00756M

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Master of Dramatic Art | Voice Studies

AIM

The Voice Studies stream of the Master of Dramatic Art is designed to assist students to master the skills required of a professional voice teacher. The course involves an in-depth knowledge of the discipline, advanced teaching skills and experience of the process of working creatively with actors and directors in theatre, film and television as well as others in the community who wish to improve their vocal and communication abilities and skills.

The Voice Studies stream of the Master of Dramatic Art is not being offered in 2009.

APPROACH

The course consists of four components:

practical work which involves teaching voice classes; voice work on play productions; and dramatic presentations focusing on heightened speech
a research thesis requiring an in-depth study of voice and speech in the industry or in education
a secondment to a theatre, film or television production or to an appropriate educational institution for experience in the field
taking the subject, Teaching Voice, over the full teaching year

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The standard educational qualification for entry to the Masters Degree, Voice Studies stream is the NIDA Graduate Diploma, Voice Studies stream. Applicants should also meet the criteria (i) to (vii) listed below. NIDA also encourages applications for admission from graduates of other institutions who have an arts related degree and a basic knowledge of voice, who can demonstrate at least two years working in the profession as an actor or voice teacher and who can meet the criteria (i) to (vii) listed below.

It is expected that no more than two students will be admitted to the Voice Studies stream of the Master of Dramatic Art in any one year.

In order to gain admission to the course, applicants must demonstrate:

(i) exceptional communication and/or teaching/directing skills relevant to vocal performance
(ii) a special aptitude in the field of voice studies or exceptional insight into the theory and practice of voice production or a related field
(iii) the ability to work harmoniously in the theatre co-operative
(iv) a working knowledge of performance in singing or acting and advanced knowledge of contemporary voice theories
(v) a strong imaginative view of theatre and its place in history and society
(vi) a working knowledge of professional practices in drama, musicals or opera
(vii) the potential to contribute significantly to the NIDA teaching program.

If you are interested in applying for the Master of Dramatic Art specialising in Voice Studies, please complete our contact form for initial discussions on your experience and interests.

HOW TO APPLY

AUDITIONS AND INTERVIEWS

Applicants for the Master of Dramatic Art are required to attend an interview. Applicants must attend the interview in person, especially if this is the first application to NIDA. Some applicants may be asked to attend a second interview. For overseas applicants an initial interview by webcam could be considered.

Preparation for the interview requires completion of a project. At their interview applicants may be required to work with applicants for NIDA's Acting Course or work with NIDA students in the rehearsal and presentation of short scenes.

FEES

All students are required to pay tuition fees. These fees can either be paid in full at the commencement of each year or eligible students can receive a FEE-HELP loan up to the FEE-HELP limit from the Australian Government to cover all or part of their tuition fees. The FEE-HELP limit is indexed each year.

Students repay their loan through the tax system once their income is above the minimum level for compulsory repayment. For more information on FEE-HELP see http://www.goingtouni.gov.au/

For more information please refer to the Fees section of the website.

Title of Qualification: Master of Dramatic Art

Head of Course: Bill Pepper

Location of Course: NIDA

Contact Details:
215 Anzac Parade
KENSINGTON NSW 2033
Tel: +61 2 9697 7600
Email: contact form