Certification

Estill Voice International is rightfully proud of the Certified Master Teachers and Certified Course Instructors who represent the mission and philosophy of Estill Voice Training in their work as voice teachers, coaches, and therapists.  These gifted individuals work with singers and actors in private studios, in music and drama schools and institutes, and in conservatories, colleges and universities.  Some work with voice-injured singers and actors in hospitals, clinics, and private practices.  Our certified teachers are recognized internationally for their extensive knowledge of the voice and for the innovative teaching techniques they employ. 

Read on to learn more about how our dedicated teachers became Certified Master Teachers and Certified Course Instructors.   

Estill Voice Training Certification Program

Overview

Estill Voice International™ oversees the Estill Voice Training™ Certification Program. The central mission of this program is to protect the integrity of Estill Voice Training™ by educating and mentoring highly motivated individuals to become skilled Estill Voice Training educators and coaches.  Certification procedures are governed by the Estill Voice International™ Certification Advisory Board and applied consistently in all countries where Estill Voice Training™ is taught. The value of certification through Estill Voice International™ is enhanced by the rigor of its examination standards. Because the Estill Voice Model™ was developed through extensive research and based upon scientific principles, it continues to be refined as research becomes available. As such, certified Estill Voice Training™ representatives must fulfill continuing education requirements to assure consistent quality and expertise in the delivery of the Estill Voice Model™ concepts and exercises.

Estill Voice International™ offers three sequential levels of certification in Estill Voice Training™: Certificate of Figure Proficiency (CFP), Certified Master Teacher (CMT) and Certified Course Instructor (CCI).  Each level, and all of its requirements and procedures, are explained in the Certification Manual, Version 4.0 (see links for download and purchase below).

The Certificate of Figure Proficiency (CFP) is awarded to individuals who can demonstrate the basic options for voice control taught in Estill Voice Training™ Level One (Figures for Voice Control), and Level Two (Figure Combinations for Six Voice Qualities) courses. This certificate is for option performance proficiency only (not teaching) and motivates individuals to devote the practice time and energy required to successfully demonstrate the options for each Figure and Quality in recordings made in the Estill Voiceprint Plus CFP certification protocol.  As of October 2012, the Certificate of Figure Proficiency became an obligatory prerequisite for our more advanced certification levels.  

A list of the names of our Certificate of Figure Proficiency recipients can be viewed here.

The Certified Master Teacher (CMT) must first demonstrate mastery of the Estill Voice Model™, including the Figures for Voice taught in Level One and the Six Voice Qualities taught in Level Two through formal written and advanced Estill Voiceprint Plus protocol examinations. The CMT must then demonstrate the ability to teach Estill Voice Training™ to individuals and/or small groups through observations of teaching of Estill Voice Training™ concepts and Figures in course practice sessions, private studios or classroom settings.

Biographical and contact information for each of our CMTs - and our CCIs -- can be accessed through the "Find an Instructor" button here on this webpage.

Certified Course Instructors (CCIs) are Certified Master Teachers who have continued to study the anatomy, physiology, acoustics, and research that are the foundation of Estill Voice Training™ with the intent of qualifying to teach Level One and Two Courses to the public.  They first demonstrate advanced understanding of the science of voice production and the Estill Voice Model™ through formal written and oral examinations.  They then prove their presentation skills under CCI supervison as they are observed and rated while teaching Estill Voice Training concepts and Figures in public courses.  

All of these certification levels, additional honors and privileges, and course administration procedures are detailed in the Estill Voice International Certification Manual, Version 4.0., available for purchase at the Estill Store.

The Certification Manual, Version 4.0 can also be download in PDF format here.