Can AI Help Voice Teachers? What Vocal Educators Really Think.

Read the article, "A Mixed-Methods Study of Vocal Educators’ Perspectives on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Vocal Education: Exploring Hopes, Concerns, and Strategies for Effective Integration," in the Dibon Journal of Education, Volume 1, Issue 3.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly integrating into many aspects of our daily lives— from using ChatGPT to craft marketing campaigns or proofread assignments, to powering search engines or supporting personalized learning. But what does this mean for vocal education?

As a voice teacher, computer programmer, and researcher, I wanted to understand how vocal educators perceive AI and what is needed for the technology to become useful for them. I conducted a study with 34 vocal educators to explore their hopes, concerns, and ideas for integrating AI into vocal instruction. Here’s what I found.

What is AI?

AI refers to computer systems that simulate human thinking such as recognizing patterns, generating text, or analyzing data. Most AI tools are trained on large datasets: collections of text, images, audio, or other information that help the system learn how to respond to different inputs.

For example, an AI trained on thousands of written documents might learn how to summarize articles or answer questions. This process is called “machine learning,” where the system improves its performance by identifying patterns in the data it’s exposed to.

What Do Vocal Educators Think?

Surprisingly, most educators in the study were cautiously optimistic. On a 5-point scale, their attitudes ranged from 2.59 to 3.44 — leaning positive, but lacking a lot of information on what the technology is capable of creating. Additionally, two key themes emerged:

1. Conditions for Integration

   • Tools must be ethical, transparent, and aligned with real teaching practices

   • AI should serve as a support tool, not a replacement for educators

   • Educators need peer-informed guidance on which tools are most useful

2. Potential Uses

   • Creating individualized lesson plans.

   • Supporting student learning, especially home practice.

   • Discovering and understanding current voice research.

   • Developing tools that visually depict vocal function and technique.

Key Recommendations

1. Community Engagement: Vocal educators should be equal partners with AI developers and researchers in designing and refining AI tools.

2. Ethical Foundations: Issues like privacy, transparency, and access must be addressed from the start.

3. Strategic Integration: Use evidence-based strategies to support meaningful technology adoption in vocal instruction.

4. Peer Networks: Organize educator-led communities to share insights and recommend useful tools.

Final Thoughts

AI isn’t positioned to be a replacement for voice teachers (yet), but it can be a powerful ally. With thoughtful integration and educator input, it has the potential to enhance vocal instruction without compromising artistry or pedagogy.

And, yes, AI did assist me in writing this blog.