BA Hons French Studies, University of Manchester
MA Voice Studies, Central School of Speech and Drama

Subjects

Interview

Which subject(s) do you teach?
I teach all elements of voice - including Relaxation (and Overcoming Public Speaking Nerves), Breathing, Vocal Projection, Articulation and Connecting with an Audience. I can help you find your true voice - the one that's simply waiting to be released from you. My specialist areas are Presentation and Public speaking. I can assist whether your presentation is to Five or Five Thousand people. I can help with Wedding Speeches or Global Conferences. I can help you be the speaker you want to be - the humorous entertainer or the speaker with gravitas. I also work on English Articulation and Accent Reduction - for native and non-native English speakers - as well as Accents for Dramatic Performance. Finally, having a French degree and years of French work experience, I can help native English speakers change the articulatory habits of a lifetime and develop beautiful French accents. And every class I give is FUN.

Tell me about your qualifications.
I have an MA in Voice Studies from the Central School of Speech and Drama. I also have a BA Hons in French Studies from the University of Manchester.

What kind of experience do you have?
In addition to my professional presentation experience (which includes live outside broadcasting, studio/location presenting, serious lectures and humorous after-dinner speeches - see my website), I have taught Voice Skills to Actors, Business People and Prisoners - and members of the Women's Institute. My special interests are Presentation, Public Speaking, Exploring Shakespeare (with the aim of simultaneously exploring the range of the human voice), Accent Reduction and Accents for Performance. I also teach a course called Improved Articulation for Improved Employment Prospects. I have wide experience of helping people overcome public speaking nerves, of helping people assert themselves vocally and of helping public speakers connect to their audience. In addition to my MA in Voice Studies, I have a degree in French and have experience of teaching native French speakers English Presentation and Articulation skills.

How much do you charge?
My standard charge is £50 per hour for lessons in my own studio. However, I am happy to travel all over London and to the South West London surburbs. My travel charge is an additional £10.

Where do you teach?
West Kensington, five minutes walk from Earls Court. But I also travel (see above).

When are you available?
Monday to Friday and occasionally at weekends.

Which ages and levels do you teach?
I generally teach adults but am happy to teach children if parents are present.

Do you have an up-to-date CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) disclosure certificate?
Never got round to it because I generally teach adults and because I've never been based in a single school. However, I have brought up two children alone (see my website) and give ad hoc workshops in schools. So, I have experience of working with children.

Articles

Know Your Audience and Avoid Slow Hand Claps
Subject: Public Speaking
Tags: matthew collins, nightmare speeches, public speaking, public speaking nerves, voice coaching
Created: 14/09/2011