Fat Liberation in the Singing Voice Studio

ABSTRACT

In recent years, creating a sense of belonging for marginalized identities within singing voice pedagogy has increased in both visibility and cultural importance. Support and resources on the practice of cultural humility have bolstered the role of social justice in singing voice studios and called attention to the link between affirming students’ identities and their ability to access their fullest artistic expression. However, body size is still often left out of conversations about social justice. If teachers wish to be considered progressive and inclusive, there is a duty to lead the charge for fat liberation within singing voice pedagogy. Through the voices of 66 singers who identify as fat, this article details how anti-fat bias can manifest in the voice studio and identifies common pedagogical practices that have historically failed to serve fat singers. Underpinned by data from 66 interviews, recommendations for dismantling implicit anti-fat bias, working inclusively within the studio and beyond, and advocating for systemic change will be made. The article concludes with specific guidance on how to become a fat liberationist so that students of every body size may find a true sense of belonging in the singing voice studio.

KEYWORDS:

• Fat liberation
• cultural humility
• singing voice pedagogy
• singing voice teacher
• singing voice student
• weight bias
• anti-fat bias

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to offer sincere thanks to the 66 study participants. The authors also gratefully acknowledge the support and advice given by Dr. Dale Cox.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/23268263.2024.2354036

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Elizabeth Ann Benson

Elizabeth Ann Benson, DMA, is recognized as a dynamic scholar, pedagogue, and performer. Her book, Training Contemporary Commercial Singers is hailed as “a remarkable and long-awaited contribution to the world of voice pedagogy” (Journal of Singing). She has published research in Voice and Speech Review, Journal of Singing, and American Music Teacher. Her current research program examines issues of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging within the voice studio. She is an Associate Professor of Music Theatre Voice at Auburn University and the owner of Benson Music Studios, offering voice training for musical theatre, popular, and contemporary singers and teachers.

Kate Rosen

Kate Rosen is a singer, voice teacher, advocate, and researcher. She co-wrote the two-part article “Anti-Fat Bias in the Voice Studio” with Dr. Elizabeth Benson, which appeared in the Journal of Singing in 2023. Together, they have presented on this topic for MTEA, APME, NATS, and PAVA. Kate earned her BM from Oberlin Conservatory and her MM from the University of Michigan. She maintains a private studio in Detroit, and is the founder of Fat Joy Voice, offering specialized training for musical theater students in larger bodies. She is also the co-founder of Fat Folks Detroit.