A fascinating deep dive into what really happens inside the singer’s brain, this episode explores the surprising intersection of neuroscience, pedagogy, and creativity. Joined by renowned voice expert Heidi Moss Erickson, the conversation unpacks how singing is both incredibly complex and beautifully instinctive revealing why play, imagination, and even a bit of “crazy” can unlock better vocal performance. This episode challenges singers and teachers alike to embrace a more brain-friendly, joyful approach to vocal training.
WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST?
4:19 Is singing really that complex?
7:58 Nature Vs. Nuture
10:19 Brain data for singing
12:03 The order of things: The Holy Grail P1
23:10 Integral parts to the brain’s prediction for singing
29:42 Neurodiversity inclusivity
34:02 The role of intention
39:12 The order of things: The Holy Grail P2
46:26 The brain and learning expectations
54:29 Who needs to understand ‘singing in the brain?’
About the presenter HERE
RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS
The work of Richard Miller
Erich Jarvis
Heidi’s Singing in the Brain Series
The work of Ingo Titze
Voce Vista
Singing With Your Whole Self by Samuel H Nelson & Elizabeth L Blades
Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.63 Developing a Singer’s Self Awareness And Clarifying Intention
Edward Chang UCSF
Journal of Singing
ABOUT THE GUEST
Heidi Moss Erickson is an acclaimed soprano, educator, and scientist who has performed on major national and international stages and with leading regional opera companies. A strong advocate for contemporary music, she has premiered works by renowned composers and collaborated with artists such as Jake Heggie and Tarik O’Regan.
She has earned top honors in prestigious vocal competitions, including the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Her academic background in voice, biology, and neuroscience has also led to contributions to significant scientific publications.
After a rare nerve injury, Erickson developed an innovative, neuroscience-based approach to vocal pedagogy, now applied across multiple musical genres. She teaches and lectures internationally and shares her work through publications, courses, and her “Singing in the Brain” series.
Committed to accessibility, she founded a non-profit providing voice lessons to underserved communities and continues to connect science and singing through her research and writing.
SEE FULL BIO HERE
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