About
In addition to being a professor of vocal studies at the Royal College of Music and the RCM Junior Department I have a busy private studio which includes young and established professional singers. Many of my students have won prizes and awards, and are singing professionally with solo engagements in leading venues.
My wide-ranging experience has included teaching and coaching choral scholars at the University of Cambridge, as well as students from other universities. I was the singing teacher to the choristers of St Paul’s Cathedral for 15 years and am a regular teacher and singing teacher-in-residence for the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain.
I am passionately interested in the healthy development of voices, where my main priority is to assist singers in developing a secure and sustainable vocal technique. At the RCM as well as individual singing students I teach the RCM Principles of Teaching Singing course and also mentor RCM Masters students who are taking a teaching module.
Since 2008, with John Flinders, I have co-directed the Musicfest Vocal Course which is held each summer at Aberystwyth University. I give master classes, talks and lectures and present at voice conferences.
I strongly believe in on-going professional development and am a member of the British Voice Association, where I served as a Director, as well as The Association of Teachers of Singing and the Incorporated Society of Musicians.
I have much experience in teaching the treble and changing voice and have co-authored, with Liza Hobbs, a song- book published by Peters Edition: Changing Voices, repertoire for young male singers during voice change and a second book for older singers entitled Everlasting Voices.
I studied at Trinity College of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama winning prizes at both institutions. I was a finalist in the Kathleen Ferrier Memorial Scholarship Competition and awarded the Worshipful Company of Musicians’ Medal. I continued my studies at “l’Académie Maurice Ravel” and at the Britten Pears School. As a soloist I gave recitals, oratorio and concert performances in leading venues and on television and radio.