Graduate Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester
13 years' experience teaching in schools and privately
Full enhanced CRB disclosure certificate
British Voice Association, Association of Teachers of Singing
References are available upon request

Subjects

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Personal Message

Hello to all potential singing students. Welcome to my site on The Tutor Pages. I always answer enquiries and am friendly, informal and very approachable. Should you choose to study with me I will try to make your lessons enjoyable and instructive and hopefully you will want to come back for more. I employ a common sense approach to technique and you will not find any gimmicks here as I do not believe in them. I have been teaching for over 13 years and my pupils have done very well in ABRSM exams, music festivals and entrance auditions. None of my students have ever failed exams and there have been many distinctions, some only dropping a few marks. Many have come along to learn for pleasure with no other aim. Singing should always be joyful and never a grind. Do come along for a trial lesson and see we get along.

Interview

Which subject(s) do you teach?
I teach Classical Singing and Musical Theatre.

Tell me about your qualifications.
I am a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music.

What kind of experience do you have?
I have been a solo performer for over 20 years and have appeared on the international stage in concert and opera. I have commercial recordings on general release and have been heard on BBC Radio 3, Radio Bremen, Radio France a.o. I draw on my vast experience as a performer singing many styles of music from baroque right up to modern day. I have taught privately at home for many years, in 2 Independent schools, for a County Arts Support Service and at a drama school. Pupils have gone on to study at music conservatoires and to perform in the West End.

How much do you charge?
I charge £40 per hour and £20 for half an hour.

Where do you teach?
I am currently taking on new students at my home in Stratton, Cirencester. There is plenty of off-street parking available. I also teach singing at Rendcomb College, an independent day and boarding school just outside Cirencester.

When are you available?
I am currently available early evening, Mon-Fri and most afternoons during the week during school hours, I also teach Saturday mornings.

Which ages and levels do you teach?
I usually start at age 9 if the voice is strong enough and teach up to retirement age. I teach beginners up to professional standard.

Which qualifications do you prepare your students for?
If the pupil is keen then I prepare for ABRSM Grade exams. I teach to Diploma level and beyond. I also prepare for music festival entry and for entrance to music conservatoires. In addition, I coach people for auditions in both opera and musical theatre.

Do you have an up-to-date CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) disclosure certificate?
I have a CRB certificate with full enhanced disclosure.

Describe your arrangements for online tutoring.
N/A

Do you belong to any professional organisations?
Member of the Association of Teachers of Singing www.aotos.org.uk
Member of the Incorporated Society of Musicians
About to rejoin the British Voice Association.

Where and with whom did you train?
Royal Northern College of Music with John Cameron
Audrey Langford in London
Paul Hamburger in London
Janice Chapman in London
Pamela Cook MBE in Mansfield

Tell me about some of your current students.
I currently have 12 pupils at Rendcomb College ranging from 8 years to 18 years old. There is an equal split between boys and girls. At home I teach two 13 year old schoolgirls and about 5 adults. One is an French girl from Italy who is studying at the Royal Agricultural College and is over here for 3 years. Another young adult is thinking of taking her singing more seriously and the other adults are a mixture of professional and retired people singing for enjoyment. I have just had my pupils singing exam results. I entered 9 students in total for Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) exams. There were 4 Distinctions, 4 Merits and 1 pass. The highest Distinction earned 145 marks out of a possible 150!

Do you have a personal message for students?
I am friendly, informal and very approachable. I will try to make your lessons enjoyable and instructive and employ a common sense approach to technique. You will not find any gimmicks here as I do not believe in them. Singing should always be joyful and never a grind.