Translucent Voices: Creating Sound Pedagogy and Safe Spaces for Transgender Singers in the Choral Rehearsal

This dissertation by Gerald Dorsey Gurss addressed the lack of pedagogical tools for choral conductors working with transgender singers, focusing on creating safe and inclusive learning environments. It explored the historical context of gender nonconformity in Western art music and examined the challenges faced by transgender singers during vocal transition, particularly due to hormone therapy. The study included a survey of 154 singers, highlighting the impact of language use in rehearsals. It provided exercises to aid vocal transition and suggested inclusive programming choices to support transgender singers and normalize their experiences within choral settings.