Voice Studies

VOICE STUDIES

These courses will not be offered in 2010

"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. These courses will not be offered in 2010.

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 course will not be offered in 2010.

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, Voice Tutoring, Accents and Dialects, Acting Theory and Practice, Music in Performance, Advanced History of Theatre, Play Production. Download the subject descriptions here.

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ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants seeking admission must::

1. Have an undergraduate degree OR at least five years documented professional experience in an area relevant to Voice Studies

AND

2. Demonstrate at interview and through the completion of a short project the practical ability, potential and motivation necessary to undertake work at this level in Voice Studies.

AND

3. Be fluent in spoken and proficient in written English language (equivalent to an overall band score of 8.0 IELTS).

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.

You are also required to bring to your interview proof of your undergraduate degree – this can be in the form of an original testamur or transcript from the awarding institution or a certified copy of one of these documents. If you do not have an undergraduate degree, you must bring documented proof of your five years professional experience in the relevant area .

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

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.

This course is not offered in 2010.

APPROACH

The course consists of the following components:

practical work which involves tutoring voice classes; voice work on play productions; and dramatic presentations focusing on heightened speech
a research project 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
Advanced Voice Studies
Advanced Voice Tutoring

Download the subject descriptions here.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

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:

1. Successful completion of the NIDA Graduate Diploma of Dramatic Art, specialising in Voice Studies with at least an overall assessment of Good across the course and an assessment of Excellent in the subject Play Production

OR

Successful completion of an equivalent postgraduate qualification from another institution at the same level in Voice Studies.

AND

2. Demonstrate at interview and through completion of a project proposal, strong personal creative views of the theatre and potential to develop advanced voice studies skills.

AND

3. Be fluent in spoken and proficient in written English language (equivalent to an overall band score of 8.0 IELTS)

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

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.

You are also required to bring to your interview proof of your postgraduate degree – this can be in the form of an original testamur or transcript from the awarding institution or a certified copy of one of these documents.

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

Location of Course: NIDA

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