This is the audio version of the blogpost you can find at AllThingsVocal.com.

Today I interview Mark Thress… classical singer and teacher, voice science researcher, entrepreneur and colleague. He and I have been trading vocal lessons for about a year. Listen to this episode to hear us share our explorations and findings concerning the similarities and differences in contemporary and classical singing and teaching, as well as how cross-training can help both.

This podcast is now playing at iTunes , Google Play, TuneIn Radio, . Subscribe and don’t miss an episode… and please leave a review where you like to listen! REVIEWS ARE MUCH NEEDED and APPRECIATED!

If you want the best contemporary vocal training proven to maximize vocal ability and conquer strain, try Power, Path and Performance vocal training, available at www.JudyRodman.com in vocal lessons and on CD courses.

Find Mark Thress and his services at his Facebook page, Instagram @MarkThress and website.

Links mentioned in this podcast include:

• A video of one of our vocal lesson exchanges. (Watch us teach each other!)

Subjects covered in this episode include:

• How we met and our intention behind trading lessons.
• Similarities and differences between the genres of classical and contemporary singing.
• How all art is about effectively and authentically communicating a message to the one heart.
• Subtle technical differences in formal and contemporary genres in performance focus, creating volume, using self-compression, facial expressions, vowel lengths, vibrato, the need for mic technique or to fill the hall acoustically, conveying emotion without pushing.
• How “less is more” in contemporary music, while continuity in sound is important in classical music.
• Ways cross training can benefit both contemporary and classical voice.
• Issues students typically have when trying to cross these genres and perform them authentically.
• Using tools such as a trampoline or bosu ball to loosen the body and increase access to breath and tone, as well as a coffee straw or balloon for warming up.
• How ‘pulling’ helps both contemporary and classical singing.
• How both coaches have improved each other’s voices.

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Judy Rodman Vocal Coach

I'm an award-winning vocal coach, recording artist, live performer, public speaker, published author, songwriter, musician, studio producer, blogger, podcaster and vocal consultant with over 50 years of success in the music and voice industry.

As vocal coach online globally, I help develop, maximize and protect voices of singers & speakers who seek to make the world better with their messages and artistic influence. My students and recording clients have appeared on The Today Show, Letterman, Ellen DeGeneres, The Voice, American Idol, America's Got Talent, Grammys, CMA, ACM & MTV Awards Shows, New York Times Best Seller list. They include major and indie recording artists and labels, artist development companies, touring and studio background singers, national public speakers, radio & TV personnel, teachers and voiceover actors.

My career credits include being voted ‘Best Vocal Coach' by Nashville Music Pros, 'Vocal Coach in Residence' by TC Helicon's VoiceCouncil Magazine, #1 and other top-10 Billboard singles as artist on MTM Records, winner of Billboard's and ACM's 'New Female Vocalist' award, BMI 'Million Air' award.

I'm a published author with several vocal training packages on disc and as online video courses. My blog and podcast ‘All Things Vocal’ have received over 2 million views and plays.

With thousands of studio credits, I produce country, pop, rock, singer/songwriter and r&b projects, working in the studio online and in-person. I also specialize as vocal producer on teams headed by other studio producers, and create arrangements and sing background vocals.
Member of SAG-AFTRA, BMI, AFM Local 257, ACM, NATS, I'm based in Nashville, Tennessee.