Teaching Confidence: How Great Teachers Build Bravery in Singers

How do you teach someone to feel confident when they sing? In this episode, we explore the psychology and pedagogy behind building genuine vocal confidence—not through empty praise or forced positivity, but through earned experience and strategic teaching approaches.

In This Episode:

• The anatomy of confidence: why experience matters more than talent or personality
• Creating "safe risk" environments using the zone of proximal development
• Transferring ownership from teacher-dependent to self-sufficient singers
• Common teaching pitfalls that accidentally undermine confidence growth (over-praising, over-correcting, and rushing progress)
• Why confidence is context-specific and what that means for performers
• Practical strategies for voice teachers, coaches, and supportive family members

Whether you're a vocal pedagogue looking to refine your teaching approach, a singer struggling with performance anxiety, or someone supporting a vocalist's journey, this episode offers science-backed insights into how confidence is truly built—one small victory at a time.

Key Topics: vocal confidence, singing pedagogy, performance anxiety, voice teaching strategies, self-efficacy in music, vocal technique, music education, stage fright, vocal coaching methods, growth mindset for singers

Learn more about building evidence-based vocal confidence at voicescience.org/vosci-academy

Credits:

Written by Josh Manuel
Recorded by Drew Williams-Orozco