Professional coaching versus vocal coaching: similarities and differences

PURPOSE: This Brief Communication describes the professional coaching/coach counterpointed by the vocal coaching/coach. The aim is to introduce and explain these two coaching perspectives for a correct and specific use of the terms. METHODS: Six undergraduate professors, speech language pathologists – SLP and/or professional coaches and/or vocal coaches met and shared their perceptions and experiences in professional or vocal coaching and in teaching coaching strategies to professionals working in the voice field. A chart was set encompassing the similarities and differences between the two attributions, both in terms of the intervention process and professional training. RESULTS: Six fundamental aspects were identified to characterize the two coaching presentations, both professional and vocal, namely: credentials, performance, process, basic knowledge, partnership for results, and professional title. CONCLUSION: Professional coaching involved a structured process that requires certified training with individuals accredited by qualified associations aiming to facilitate positive changes in clients’ lives and improve for the understanding of how personal and professional skills are developed. Conversely, vocal coaching can be characterized as an unstructured function that does not require accredited training, executable by various health or vocal pedagogy professionals for improving voice and/or communicative performance of artistic or non-artistic individuals , sung or spoken voice users. Particularly regarding vocal coaching, it is suggested that the professional is identified throughout the academic training or basic professional performance, thus adding the term vocal coach as a qualifier.