Nowadays, with the increasing acceptance of CCM (commercial contemporary music) voice pedagogy in music schools and colleges curricula, it is the right time to find alternative interesting options to the most taught CCM genres (musical theater, pop and jazz), so teachers and students alike can not only be presented with a remarkable, though little understood, repertoire, but also help decolonize the popular voice curriculum.

The objective of this workshop is to show through active and passive learning the rich variety of South-American vocal styles and music genres, to help build the bridge between outsiders and insiders.

Initially, we will focus on listening, watching and discussing a few seminal examples of some important Latin-American genres. We will talk about how genres as different as Brazilian bossa nova, MPB and baião, Argentine tango and chacarera, Paraguayan guarania and Venezuelan joropo can be taught in the classroom with the help of cross-training pedagogy and hybrid singing techniques.

In the second half of the workshop, the focus will shift to exercises and practical tips. Participants will vocalize and sing short phrases in Spanish and Portuguese, with guidance on adjusting the vocal tract accordingly. The specifics of style will be presented in conjunction with technique and practical exercises. Finally, the group will perform short pieces in three contrasting styles: one bossa nova, one tango, and one baião, demonstrating the application of these adjustments in current Latin repertoire. Cross-training is an effective method for achieving optimal performance levels and mitigating the risk of injury in athletes and singers, who are indeed "vocal athletes." When applied to popular genres, this pedagogical approach has demonstrated highly positive outcomes in preparing professional singers for a diverse musical career.