Ep.137 Creating Optimal Learning Environments for Children and Young Adults with Roberta Wolff

Singing Teachers Talk

Joining Alexa today is Professor of Performing Arts Pedagogy at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Roberta Wolff. As well as teaching on the Guildhall PGCert programme, she provides professional development on teaching skills to teachers across the performing arts disciplines. Roberta is also a workshop leader, coach, and piano teacher. In this episode, we will discuss how to create optimal learning environments to serve children and young adult singers.

KEY MOMENTS
‘I love it when students challenge me because it shows that they’re really thinking’

‘If the ideas are coming from the student themselves, they’re going to be more likely to remember and more motivated to follow through’

‘I feel we have to manage the impact of our own moods and frustrations so that they don’t damage the environment we’re creating’

‘The quality we bring to our listening can improve the quality of the other person’s thinking’

RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS

• (Book) Time to Think by Nancy Kline
• (Podcast) The Full Voice - Ep.169 Happy Hormones for Learning with Dr Jenevora Williams
• Dr Jenevora Williams: https://jenevorawilliams.com/
• (Book) Introducing Neuroeducational Research by Paul Howard-Jones
• (Book) Grit by Angela Duckworth

Do you have a burning question on the voice or being a singing teacher? Maybe you have a topic you want us to explore or a guest you’d like to hear from? Let us know by completing the Podcast Suggestion Form: https://forms.gle/naUum9N3unzNMPLN8
ABOUT THE GUEST
Roberta is a professor of performing arts pedagogy at Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She teaches on an innovative PGCert programme providing professional development in teaching skills to teachers across the performing arts disciplines. This role has led to staff development work both within Guildhall, and across other institutions such as Italia Conti. She is an experienced workshop facilitator, coach, and piano teacher. A cross-section of these competencies has resulted in a particular interest in learning environments and how to curate these for the maximum benefit of students. This includes a space that is safe, with plenty of time for the student's voice, questions, and mistakes (!); an environment that is enriching and nourishing for both the teacher and student.
EPISODE RESOURCES
https://www.robertawolff.co.uk

https://www.gsmd.ac.uk/study-with-guildhall/pgcert-performance-teaching

Social Media:

• Instagram: @guildhallschool

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