The Voice Within the Room

An Investigation of Female Adolescents’ Experiences Within Their Singing Lessons

Janine’s research examines the experiences of female adolescents (aged 12–18) who participate in one-to-one singing lessons in the United Kingdom. Using data from semi-structured interviews with three groups—adolescent singers, former singing students, and singing teachers—this qualitative study aims to triangulate these overlapping perspectives to reveal the complex, layered nature of the singing lesson space and its potential importance and value for the well-being, self-identity, and agency of female adolescent singers.

More than a room for vocal training, the singing lesson emerges as an emotional, pedagogical, and relational environment where identity, confidence, and vocal development and exploration intersect. The findings of this study highlight how factors such as agency, gender, adolescence, and the student–teacher relationship potentially shape learning experiences and personal growth.

Six interconnected themes—lesson structure, student agency, external and personal influences, gender, and the student–teacher relationship—illustrate how both teachers and students navigate the singing lesson space both physically and cognitively. The participants often described lessons that fostered autonomy and collaboration as more personally meaningful. Conversely, several participants expressed a lack of engagement, value, and motivation in overly prescriptive singing lessons.

Using data provided by these three participant groups, Janine’s presentation will explore how singing lessons may serve as a space for both vocal and personal growth in young female singers. It will emphasise why these settings may be especially crucial for female adolescents in fostering and developing agency, autonomy, and self-direction. Furthermore, it aims to provide insights for singing teachers aiming to create environments that are not only technically effective but also emotionally and vocally supportive, inclusive, and empowering for young female singers.

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Janine Paula Magnin

Originally from South Africa and now based in the UK, Janine Paula Magnin is nearing the completion of a PhD in Vocal Pedagogy at the University of Limerick. She works as both a researcher and a children’s singing teacher, combining academic insight with practical teaching experience.

Her academic qualifications include an MA in Music Education from University College London, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of Cape Town, a Trinity/Guildhall LTCL in Musical Theatre Performance from the Waterfront Theatre School, and a BMus in Voice and English Literature from the University of Cape Town.

Her current doctoral project, ‘The Voice Within the Room,’ is a qualitative investigation into the lived experiences of female adolescent singers during their lessons. It aims to enhance the field of voice education by exploring the perspectives and reflections of both the singers and their teachers.