Alex Fisher Singing Teaching

Is The Price of Learning Holding the Industry Back?

The Rise of Estill and Other Vocal Methods

Vocal training methods like Estill Voice Training (EVT) have gained popularity for their scientific approach to singing. Are they making quality vocal education less accessible with high costs?

Why Are These Methods So Expensive?

One reason these methods are so costly is branding and exclusivity. They’re built on years of research, and their creators market them as specialized techniques that require expensive certification. Teachers must pay for workshops, exams, and licensing, which drives up the cost of lessons. Another factor is industry reputation. Many singers, especially in musical theatre and contemporary music, feel that training in these branded methods gives them an edge. This demand only reinforces their high price, making it seem like these systems are the “gold standard” of vocal training.

For example, Estill Voice Training certification can cost anywhere from £1,500 to £3,000+ depending on the level and courses taken. Similarly, other training programs come with hefty fees, making them inaccessible to many. If you’re a singer or teacher struggling with costs, organizations like the Musicians’ Union offer resources on pricing and fair pay.

Is Vocal Science Being Gatekept?

Some vocal methods, such as Speech Level Singing (SLS), faced criticism in the 2000’s due to controversial teaching practices and have since fallen out of favour. This raises an important question: When vocal training becomes a business, does it still serve singers’ best interests?

The issue is that vocal science shouldn’t be locked behind a paywall. While Estill offers valuable tools, its exclusivity limits access to quality training. Some singers and teachers simply can’t afford certification fees, creating barriers in an industry that already favours those with financial resources.

Affordable Alternatives for Learning

Thankfully, there are other ways to learn. Books, online courses, and resources from voice scientists like Dr. Ingo Titze and Dr. Johan Sundberg provide excellent information without the hefty price tag. Some recommended books include:

• Principles of Voice Production – Dr. Ingo Titze
• The Science of the Singing Voice – Dr. Johan Sundberg
• Your Voice: An Inside View – Scott McCoy

However, theory will only get you so far, this is why many skilled teachers integrate vocal science into their coaching sessions without relying on expensive certification programs. Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram have become valuable spaces where voice teachers share tips, encourage singers to vary their warm-ups, and help them rethink technique for vocal development.

The Future of Vocal Training

At the end of the day, good singing should be about skill and understanding—not about who can afford the most expensive, popular method. Making voice science more accessible will only benefit singers and teachers in the long run.