CfP: »PopVoxCon 2026«, mdw Wien, 8.–10.09.2026 (Deadline: 20.04.2026)

Dates: September 8–10, 2026
Venue: mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna | ipop
Registration: Open Soon
Languages: English, German

About the Conference

PopVoxCon is an international 3-day popular voice conference hosted by mdw/iPOP in Vienna dedicated to the evolving world of popular voice. The conference brings together voice teachers, singers, artists, educators, and researchers who are passionate about innovative approaches to popular voice training—both within and beyond academic settings.

Conference Focus

This gathering is practical, creative, and community-driven. The program features hands-on sessions, real-world teaching tools, and a variety of exchange formats:

  • Workshops

  • Presentation

  • Posters

  • Artist interviews

  • Community sessions

  • Breakout groups

  • Integrated performances

PopVoxCon brings together research, artistic practice, and lived teaching experience, creating a shared space where performance and pedagogy meet in open dialogue across disciplines and experience levels.

Program Pillars

  • Practical Tools for Teaching Popular Voice

  • Body, Breath & Embodiment in Popular Voice

  • How Singers Learn (Research-Informed)

  • Creativity, Improvisation & Performance Teaching

Keynote Speakers

PopVoxCon 2026 features two internationally recognized leaders bridging artistry, pedagogy, and voice science:

Dr. Trineice Robinson-Martin
Vocalist and scholar, Chair at Berklee College of Music, advancing popular voice pedagogy in higher education.

Dr. Louise Traser
Scientist and senior physician at the Freiburg Institute for Musicians’ Medicine, specializing in phonation respiration, vocal health, and the physiology of singers.

Artistic and Research Contributions Welcome

We encourage submissions that:

  • Bridge research and practice

  • Highlight innovative pedagogical approaches

  • Explore cross-cultural perspectives

  • Share artistic research or interdisciplinary collaboration
    Present community-based or performance-driven practices

Artistic research, collaborative projects, and emerging voices are especially welcome.

Submission Guidelines

Proposals may be for workshops, presentations, posters, artist interviews, community sessions, breakout groups, or performances in the following formats:

  • Research Presentation 20-minute presentation of research findings or scholarly work, followed by 10 minutes of discussion.

  • Panel Discussion 45-minute session with up to 3–4 presenters offering diverse perspectives on a shared topic, followed by 10 minutes of audience Q&A.

  • Workshop 45-minute interactive session focused on practical skills, creative processes, or embodied experience. High audience participation is expected. Please include a brief session outline describing interactive elements. Followed by 10 minutes of discussion.

  • Poster Session Visual presentation of research, teaching innovations, or creative projects. Designed to encourage direct exchange and informal discussion.

  • Community Session Flexible-format gathering for collaborative exploration, networking, or co-creation around a shared interest or challenge.

  • Performance/Artist Interview Live performance or moderated interview highlighting artistic practice and creative process.

 

  • Please include: title, format, abstract (max 300 words), short bio, and which program pillar(s) your proposal addresses.
    Both English and German submissions are welcome!

  • Deadline: Monday, 20 April 2026

  • Notifications: Monday, 18 May 2026

  • Submit via: popvoxcon.submissions[at]mdw[dot]ac[dot]at.

  • For any questions or to discuss your idea before submitting, contact us at popvoxcon[at]mdw[dot]ac[dot]at.

  • We look forward to your contributions and to a vibrant exchange at PopVoxCon!

For further information please click here.

CFP, NewsHelene Heuser