Transgender Voices

Many choruses include individuals who identify as transgender, cross-gender or gender nonbinary. The resources on this page offer information about trans and nonbinary gender experience and voice transition. If you are a trans or nonbinary singer, this page is for you!

Hoping to make your own chorus a more inclusive space? Download Creating Inclusive Choirs to share with your chorus director and encourage them to explore the Teacher section of this Resource Center.

Voice Range Transition

Singers who were assigned female at birth and take testosterone will experience a vocal transition similar to the transition that occurs in cis-gender, endosex boys during puberty. During puberty, the vocal folds both lengthen and thicken, but an adult taking testosterone will only experience vocal fold thickening, not lengthening. A singer may transition from soprano or alto range as far down as bass range, and the transition will occur over many months. Many singers have begun to document their vocal transitions on YouTube

Singers whose voices were changed by testosterone at puberty will have a different experience, as the vocal structure has already lengthened and thickened. Estrogen does not reverse the thickening of the vocal folds. Some trans feminine singers continue to sing in the tenor/bass range, while some train with vocal coaches to sing in a higher soprano/alto range.

Transgender Voice Training

Regular vocal health is important during gender transition especially for singers taking testosterone. Hydration, rest and gentle use of the voice will help a singer to transition smoothly.

Check out the videos workshops below by Lisa Butcher, Anita Kozan, and Mari Esabel Valverde.

Your Lessons Now is a collective of teachers (including trans and non-binary teachers - please see individual bios) working with transgender voices.

Check out GALA's Singer Voice for more warm-ups and vocal care tips.

Resources

Transgender Glossary - PDF

If you are a conductor, music teacher or voice teacher be sure to check out the Teacher section.

Transgender GALA

GALA offers a discussion group for transgender individuals and allies interested in conversations regarding trans experience, gender language and helping to create a trans-friendly community within GALA choruses. Send a request to subscribe.

Expanding Definitions of Woman - PDF
Mari Esabel Valverde’s workshop note from the Transgender Voices Festival.

Trans Vocal Function and Modification - PDF
Erin Donahue’s workshop for transgender vocal performers includes lots of great detail on the physiology behind trans voice. Entire workshop video coming soon!

There are a number of online forums that can provide support and education for Trans voices including Teachers of Trans/GNC singers

Video Central - Workshops

Heights and Depths of Vocal Liberation (59 min)
Wendy Vastine

Raising All Voices (67 min)
Creating and Facilitating Gender Inclusive Spaces – Alex Iantaffi

Nurturing the Voice (87 min)
Techniques and Exercises for a Healthy Transition – Lisa Butcher, Anita Kozan

Expanding Definitions of 'Woman' (65 min)
Singing Authentically (coaching session) – Mari Esabel Valverde

More videos on the Teacher page.

Video Central - Shorts

Harmonies Inside (2:37 min)
Original music video with songwriter Osprey Huffsmith, featuring Transgender Voices Festival singers.

Joselyn’s Story (7:58 min)
Singer, composer, and parent – meet Joselyn!

Exploring Trans Voice (4:06 min)
Trans and nonbinary singers on the topic of voice.

The Reason for the Festival (7:08 min)
A conductor’s journey to learn about trans voices and the birth of the Transgender Voices Festival!

Transgender Voices Festival Montage (5:55 min)
Trans Voices Festival wrap-up and sizzle!