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Some of the first issues that a cisgender voice teacher of transgender and gender nonconforming singers faces is finding role models and repertoire for the student. After all, with most students we have well established ideas of what their musical niche might be. But transgender or gender nonconforming singers might seem to bring an entirely blank slate, as if nobody had ever developed a following or composed songs as a transgender singer. Thankfully, that is not the case. There are talented transgender singers in almost every genre, and many people have cut paths for our students to explore.
Few people have more expertise on music of transgender performers than JD Doyle, archivist of music of LGBTQ performers spanning the last hundred years. His websites, Queer Music Heritage and JD Doyle Archives, are both sources of understanding, appreciation, and exposure for LGBTQ singers. JD has an uncomplicated way of shining light on appropriate repertoire: "[W]hat is queer music, and what makes it different, and the same, from what straight artists write and sing about? It's the same because of course LGBT people write about relationships, falling in love, wanting to be in love, and losing love..."
Doyle offers a number of recommendations of artists to consider that I have supplemented. It is exciting to hear the authentic and meaningful music of these artists, some who sing from their hearts with insightful, serious lyrics about their transitions, some who perform songs that say nothing specific about their transitions, and others who use comedy and bring up the edgier side of their lives.
Namoli Brennet is a folk-rock singer/songwriter based out of Iowa. Her poetic lyrics have been described as insightful, moody, and inspiring. I find her ballads to be heartbreaking and her up-tempo music to be nothing but fun. Her music has been featured on the radio and in films. Namoli tours for part of every year and uses a combination of acoustic instruments and digital gadgets to create a rich tapestry of music (www.namolibrennet.com).
Joe Stevens of the folk duo, Coyote Grace, is another immensely talented singer/songwriter who pours his experiences and emotions into brilliantly crafted songs. Many of Coyote Grace's songs lean toward Americana with beautifully flowing melodies and poetic lyrics. One exception is...