Behind-the-mic at the EWVS 2025:

Sasha Divain (EMT), Vocal Rehabilitation Specialist (VRS), and internationally recognized voice expert, will present “Tools for Working with Transgender and Non-Binary Singers” at the 12th Estill World Voice Symposium.

Based in New York City, Sasha is the Founder & President of the DIVAin International Voice Association and the International Association of Teachers of Singing (DIVA & IATS), the largest voice organization in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. She is also the President and Professor at the American Voice Academy by DIVA in Manhattan, where she leads cutting-edge vocal training programs.

Sasha holds a Master of Music in Music Theatre Vocal Pedagogy from Carthage College, where her research focused on contemporary commercial music (CCM) methods and their application in both vocal training and rehabilitation. As a certified Vocal Rehabilitation Specialist through DIVA & IATS, Sasha has completed clinical practice alongside laryngologists, deepening her expertise in voice anatomy, physiology, acoustics, and pathology.

Sasha is a globally respected educator, having taught and led workshops across the United States, Ukraine, Russia, Europe, and beyond. She has also taught at Carthage College, American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA), and Fordham University at Lincoln Center, where she works alongside renowned experts such as Joan Lader (EMT) and Kimberly Steinhauer (EMCI).

Sasha is also an active supporter of Estill Voice International. She is the only EMT currently serving as a member of both the Estill Certification Advisory Board (CAB) and the EMT Educational Advisory Committee (EMT-EAC).

This year, together with Francesco Mecorio, Sasha will launch the third practice group for future Estill Master Trainers. Additionally, she has organized 8 EFP practice groups, 17 official EVT courses, and 116 Estill masterclasses — all in 2024!

She currently serves as the President of the Eastern Europe & Central Asia Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), which represents 29 countries across the region.

In Ukraine, Sasha pioneered the country’s first LGBTQ+ friendly voice studio, where she began her dedicated work with transgender and non-binary singers. Her presentation at EWVS will focus on practical, evidence-based tools and inclusive strategies for working with gender-diverse voice users — blending scientific understanding with compassionate, student-centered pedagogy.

Sasha is also a published author (Formula for a Successful Voice, 2023), and founder of The DIVA VOICE World Voice Training and Rehabilitation Awards, which have honored leading figures in the voice world, including celebrity vocal coaches for Sting, Taylor Swift, Madonna, and more.

Through more than a decade of work, over 500 international events, and 4000+ students trained, Sasha Divain has made an indelible mark on vocal pedagogy and rehabilitation — and continues to be a powerful advocate for inclusive voice education.

★ Join us at the Estill World Voice Symposium 2025! Come experience inspiring presentations like this one — and so much more — live in Chicago from July 27–29, 2025. Get your tickets here and visit the official symposium page for all the details, including speakers, performers, and schedule. We can’t wait to welcome you!