Singing & Piano Lessons
Singing is good for you!
Singing is an enjoyable and beneficial activity—it can be a great way to relax and unwind. While most people can sing, whether your goal is to sing for fun or pursue a professional career, it's essential to learn how to protect and enhance your vocal ability.
As a professional opera singer, I use proven vocal techniques to help you develop your voice safely while giving you the freedom and confidence to explore various musical styles suited to your voice. My expertise spans over two decades of performance, having sung professionally since 2004 and teaching since 2009. I also have a background in piano, which I’ve been playing since the age of 11. I teach from my studio in Torquay and serve as a Visiting Singing and Piano Teacher at The Maynard School in Exeter.
In our lessons, I will guide you (or your child) through gentle physical warm-ups, breathing exercises, and vocal function exercises. Together, we’ll build your repertoire, choosing songs that align with your voice type, musical preferences, goals, and abilities. Whether you're interested in Classical Song (in English, Italian, French, German, or Russian), Disney, Musical Theatre, Crossover, Art Song, Sacred Songs, Film Songs, Ballads, Opera (in English, Italian, French, or German), or Folk Song (in English, French, Spanish, German, Chinese, or Russian), I’ll tailor the repertoire to suit your development.
I hold an Enhanced Disclosure DBS Certificate (Certificate Number 001827120532, dated 18th April 2023) and am a Registered Private Teacher with the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM). I also prepare students for ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) and Trinity College London exams, with a track record of 100% pass rates and 100% Merit or Distinction results for Grades 6-8. I accompany all my students on the piano during lessons and exams and offer training in using backing tracks.
I prioritise creating a comfortable, supportive environment for students of all ages, helping them build confidence while ensuring lessons are both educational and enjoyable.
For those interested in teaching, I also offer mentoring for aspiring or early-career singing teachers seeking guidance. In addition to running a thriving teaching practice, I am a Peripatetic Singing and Piano Teacher at The Maynard Independent Girls School in Exeter and an Approved Associate Teacher with the Torbay Music Hub.
I am an active member of several professional organizations, including The National Association of Teachers of Singing (USA) and The Association of Teachers of Singing (AOTOS) in the UK. I regularly attend conferences and workshops to stay up-to-date with the latest teaching methods. I also participated in piano teaching workshops led by ABRSM examiner Helen Deakin.
Previously, I taught at Razzamataz Theatre School in Plymouth for two years and at Stagecoach Theatre School in Torquay for six months before focusing on my performance commitments.
Many of my students have gone on to be accepted into prestigious institutions such as The Royal Northern College of Music, Trinity LABAN, The Royal Academy of Music, Leeds College of Music, and many others. They have pursued successful careers in opera, the entertainment industry, and the West End, with some earning scholarships to Sylvia Young Theatre School, Italia Conti, and Leeds Cathedral.
Qualifications
My qualifications are as follows:
- MA (Voice Pedagogy) 2024
- LTCL (Vocal Performance) 2019
- DipABRSM (Vocal Teaching) 2018
- ABRSM Grade 8 Theory 2017
- ABRSM Grade 8 Singing 2013
- ABRSM Grade 8 Piano 2013
- TQUK Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism (RQF) 2022
- TQUK Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (RQF) 2024
- Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Children and Young People's Mental Health NCFE CACHE 2024
Continued professional development is a priority for me, and I am deeply committed to expanding my skills and knowledge. In June 2024, I earned an MA in Vocal Pedagogy from The Voice Study Centre and the University of Wales Trinity St David. My research during this program focused on a range of topics, including the effects of hydration on vocal performance, the impact of wind instrument playing on the voice, and the practical application of voice science in teaching. I also explored the influence of hormonal transitions on the cis female singing voice, as well as strategies for managing music performance anxiety. My final thesis, Finding Practical Solutions for Music Performance Anxiety: Do Parasympathetic Tools Work for Singers?, reflects my ongoing dedication to addressing the challenges singers face.
Looking ahead, my research interests encompass belting techniques, trauma-informed voice teaching, the role of the singing teacher as a counsellor, child learning development, SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities), and child-centred teaching methods.
Training Courses/Conferences Attended
A full list of training courses I have attended is detailed at the bottom of this page (click on the text in bold for a direct link).
COVID Secure
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I implemented comprehensive safety measures to protect my students in the studio. These included installing an automatic hand sanitizing station at both entry and exit points, plexiglass screens, and an advanced air purifier featuring a 5-stage filtration process with a HEPA Activated Carbon Filter and UV-C light, which sterilised the air in the studio every three minutes. I also sanitised all touched surfaces after each student, provided hand sanitiser within the studio, and limited the studio occupancy to a maximum of two individuals from the same household (excluding myself). In addition, disposable paper towels were provided in the dedicated studio bathroom, and social distancing was maintained wherever possible.
The air purifier continues to operate in my studio to ensure air quality, and should the need arise, I am prepared to reinstate the additional safety protocols.
On-Line Teaching
I am a fully experienced teacher in offering on-line lessons and have been teaching online since 2017.
Fees
Currently, fees are £37 for 60 minutes (in my Torquay Studio), £27.75 for 45 minutes and £18.50 for 30 minutes.
From January 2025, fees will be £38 for 60 minutes, £28.50 for 45 minutes and £19 for 30 minutes.
Contact Information
Please get in touch with me for more information on 07522 925972 or email me at [email protected].
PIANO - As well as being a Singing Teacher, I also teach piano and follow the ABRSM Syllabus for exams.
Piano teaching rates are also the same as Singing rates.
For full terms and conditions please refer to link on the bottom of my website.
PLEASE NOTE: In July 2020, my husband bought me 2 adorable kittens for my birthday (Bob & Ginge). They are very friendly and very musical cats who, on occasion, like to attend music lessons. Please be aware of this if you or your child has any allergies (although I do have a very effective air purifier that cleans the air every 3 minutes, which has resulted in many students with severe cat allergies being able to continue to have singing lessons in my studio) or phobias. UPDATE: In May 2021, we welcomed a new furry addition to our household - a black/silver Maine Coon called Drax, who adores music. UPDATE: In July 2024, we welcomed another new addition to our feline crew - a Persian called Rosie, who is very vocal and takes after her cat guardian!
Training Courses/Conferences Attended
Evaluation of Voice Disorders with Kerrie Obert - September 2024
Self Care for Singers: How To Protect Your Best Asset with Dr Marisa Lee Naismith - September 2024
Music Reading for Children with Dyslexia and Dyscalculia with Dr Elizabeth Morrow - August 2024
Attention Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Musical Behaviour - the Significance of Context and Implications for Pedagogy with Dr Eva Wilde - August 2024
Teaching the passagio and high range of tenor, baritone, and bass voices in western classical and commercial contemporary genres with John Nix - August 2024
NCFE Level 2 Qualification in Understanding Children and Young People's Mental Health - June to July 2024
TQUK Level 2 in Counselling - May to June 2024
Singing Through Change: Menopause & The Voice with Nancy Bos - October 2023
HM Government Prevent Awareness Course - September 2023
Safeguarding and KCSIE Training - September 2023
An Exploration of Belting with Amanda Flynn - August 2023
Neck, Jaw and Tongue: A Singer's Guide with Dr Julia Neilsen - August 2023
Acoustic Vocal Pedagogy Course with Kenneth Bozeman, Ian Howell and Chadly Ballantyne (Embodied Music Lab) - July 2023
Case Reflections: Diagnosis & Treatment of 4 Professional Performers Attending a Specialist SLT led Performers Voice Clinic at a Tertiary level London Hospital with Torni Burnay - July 2023
Linear and Non-Linear Mechanisms of Human Sound Production with Dr Brad Story and Dr Ingo Titze - June 2023
Helping Your Child with Anxiety (Under 8's) with Dr Naomi Fisher - June 2023
Working with Demand Avoidant Children, The Art and Science of Low Demand Therapy with Dr Naomi Fisher - May 2023
Helping Your Child with Severe Anxiety with Dr Naomi Fisher - May 2023
The Transient Theory of Human Voice Production with Dr. Julian Chen - April 2023
High Notes Masterclass with Dr. Julia Nielsen - April 2023
Common Medical Diagnoses & Treatments in Voice Patients with Dr. Robert Sataloff - April 2023
Fascia 101 for Singers with Jeremy Mossman - December 2022
Voice Pedagogy Masterclass Series with David Jones - September to December 2022
The Tongue as a Gateway to Voice, Resonance, Style & Intelligibility with Angelika Nair - November 2022
Belting: The Pedagogy & Technique with Jeanie LoVetri - August 2022
Singing Voice Science Lectures x 8 with Richard Lissemore - June to August 2022
Voice Pedagogy Masterclass Series with David Jones - June to August 2022
Autism Awareness Level 2 Qualification - April to June 2022
Safeguarding and Child Protection: the essentials - 21st February 2022
Voice Pedagogy Masterclass Series with David Jones - January to April 2022
Registration - the Snake Pit of Voice Pedagogy (with the National Association of the Teachers of Singing USA) - December 2021
Honing Your Voice Pedagogy Skills (with Janice Chapman and James Platt) October 2021
Voice Pedagogy Series (with David Jones) - September to November 2021
The Myofunctional Singer (with Julia Radosz) - June, July & August 2021
Estill For Singing Teachers (The Voice Explained - with Anne Marie Speed) - June 2021
Belt & Mixed Voice (Estill Voice Training - with Anne Marie Speed) - May 2021
Tongue Symposium Workshop (with Julia Radosz) - May 2021
Acoustic Tips and Tricks for the Classical Treble Voice (Voice Workshop - with Kelley Kijleh) - April 2021
Brain, Movement, and Song (Voice Workshop - with Dr Michel Belyk, Ph.D) - April 2021
SOVT Singposium (Webinar organised by AOTOS with Oren Boder, Filipa Martins Baptista, and Ilter Denizoglu) - Association of the Teachers of Singing) - April 2021
Coaching and Mentoring (Voice Workshop - with Theresa Shaw) - April 2021
Acceptance Commitment Training (Voice Workshop - with Dr David Juncos) - April 2021
Vibrato - A Singers Guide (Webinar with Dr Julia Nielsen) - February 2021
Music Performance Anxiety (Voice Workshop - with Dr David Juncos) February 2021
The Use Of Singing Exercises After Vocal Fold Injury (Zoom session with Dr Jenevora Williams and Kittie Verdolini) - January 2021
Effective Learning and Dealing With Fear (Evolving Voice) - July 2020
Hormones And The Voice - March 2020
Safeguarding Young People Level 2 - January 2019
AOTOS (Association Of The Teachers Of Singing) Autumn Conference October 2018 - Preparing students for Classical and Musical Theatre Conservatoire/College Auditions
AOTOS Summer Conference July 2018 - Keynote speakers included Dr Ron Morris and Janice Chapman
Advanced Vocal Anatomy For Professionals (Vocal Process) October 2017
AOTOS Advanced Professional Development For Singing Teachers July 2016
Various Piano Teachers Seminars between 2013 and 2018 run by ABRSM International Examiner and Diploma Examiner Helen Deakin.