Individual Singing Lessons (London N8)

"Thanks so much for such a great session today! I feel tons better then when I walked in..."

"Just to let you know that I had my audition for the choir, and I got in! So thank you, thank you, thank you for your brilliant singing lessons!"

"Thank you so much for a brilliant lesson on Saturday.You seemed to understand exactly what was needed!"

• Explore and develop your voice at your own pace in a safe, supportive environment.
• Learn breathing, projection, increase your range and improve tone quality.
• Learn microphone technique (if desired) and work on a wide variety of repertoire and styles.
• Lessons are extremely relaxed and informal.

Current students come from a variety of backgrounds, amateur and professional, from West End, international TV & film/record industry to people starting completely from scratch.

Heather has particular experience working with non-singers and those with confidence issues. They study various genres, from soul, jazz & pop to musical theatre, classical and opera.

Heather's work is featured in:

• The Times
• BBC Radio
• Here's Health Magazine
• Muso Magazine,
• Weight Watchers online,
• Woman & Home,
• Lighter Life

Everyone's goal is unique to them. Recent students personal successes include:-

• Pop Idol
• Mature student accepted for Musical Theatre post graduate.
• Singing in public for the first time at her husband's 50th birthday
• TV news reader overcoming breathing problems
• Despite label "tone deaf" since childhood - passed choir audition!
  
  Lessons last for one hour and are charged at the following rates:

• Lessons requested outside regular teaching times are charged at different rates

Gift lessons - Although singing training can be a wonderful gift, the relationship between client and teacher is important, so the choice of teacher is one a client should make for themselves.

Therefore Heather does not not offer prepaid gift lessons. However, if you are considering giving lessons as a gift please feel free to recommend Heather and perhaps offer the funding as the gift.

Frequently Asked Questions

What experience do you have? 25 years performing on TV, radio, recording & live. Singing pop, jazz, classical, opera oratorio & music theatre. TV acting, radio & voiceover. Over 15 years teaching, voice coach and vocal arranger for bands, celebrities, producers and gospel choirs.

My training includes:

• 5 years full-time at Trinity College of Music and Guildhall School of Music & Drama.
• Hypnotherapy & NLP at London College of Clinical Hypnosis
  
• Arts Practitioner training at Art & Business, London
  
• Certificate of Life Coaching. Newcastle College
  
• Digital Sound Production. City & Islington College, London
  
• Licenciate and Fellow of Trinity College of Music London. FTCL, dipTCL, LTCL

What style do you teach? I have developed a method largely based on the Bel Canto method I trained in, but I have adapted it to suit contemporary styles and sounds, adding elements from various musical genres and disciplines such as Alexander Technique and visualisation.

I believe that strong vocal technique is fundamental to having your voice at your disposal in good condition, allowing you to approach any style you choose from a position of safety.

I encourage vocal freedom & health through controlled relaxation and support. I have worked as a teacher and performer in most styles of music. so I like to encourage pupils to try a bit of everything in terms of genre. I believe singing should be fun and the voice should last a lifetime!

I have produced a practical vocal exercise CD/download "Free Your Voice" which is distributed worldwide.

What happens in your lessons? They are extremely informal and relaxed, with the emphasis on singing as being fun and creative. Everybody's lessons are individually tailored. I use my experience and intuition to design sessions to be as useful as possible to each client. My students seem to enjoy their lessons, and I enjoy teaching! (Singing releases endorphins!)

I usually spend at least 60% of the lesson working through exercises and images to place and extend the voice.

Lessons are structured around breathing and a good vocal warm up, plus plenty of relaxation. This is followed by work on specific songs & repertoire to give the technique a context.

Choice of repertoire is open, although I will suggest songs & styles as I see fit. I also cover audition coaching, presentation, projection, performance skills and microphone technique if appropriate with more experienced singers. There are digital and analogue recording facilities.

Singers working towards demo recording in a studio are offered specific studio preparation training.

How do you accompany songs? Many people use backing tracks to sing with (all styles - including fully orchestrated opera), others sing a-capella and some very brave people give me sheet music - I'll admit to not being a great pianist but we manage!

I have a wide variety of backing tracks available, but encourage students to build up their own collection over time.

You are welcome to bring an accompanist with you. There are pianos, keyboards and guitars available.

It is advisable to buy your own copies of sheet music, scores and/or lyrics as we tend to make copious notes on interpretation and technique to work on between lessons. (I give homework!)

Where do you teach? I teach privately in Crouch End, London N8. The nearest underground is Finsbury Park, Harringay railway station (to Moorgate) is nearby.The area is well served by buses and there is free parking.

My workshops and masterclasses are held around the UK.

When are your lessons? I teach privately on Tuesdays and Fridays (daytime,) Tuesday evenings and every 3rd Saturday from 10am - 5pm.

There are currently no Saturday or evening vacancies so it may be necessary to join a waiting list.

Lesson duration The session lasts one hour including changeovers, allowing the next lesson to start promptly on the hour/half hour. Ideally this means we "wind down" about 5 minutes before the hour is up to sort out homework, payment & diaries before the next student arrives.

Once you have booked the lesson it is your responsibility to arrive on time and make your own travel arrangements. If you arrive late the lesson will still have to end at the agreed time.

Do I have to buy a course of lessons? No, but, when learning technique and/or repertoire it is beneficial to acheive goals over an agreed period of time.

Shared Lessons/band tuition Students sharing lessons will pay the standard rate plus £20 for each additional student.

Under 18's I do not usually offer vocal training to under 18's unless under special circumstances, but can recommend approved theatre schools.

Gift lessons - Although singing training can be a wonderful gift, the relationship between client and teacher is important, so the choice of teacher is one a client should make for themselves.Therefore I do not not offer prepaid gift lessons. However, if you are considering giving lessons as a gift please feel free to recommend me and perhaps offer the funding as the gift.

Frequency Weekly or fortnightly lessons are usual. More frequent lessons are available by arrangement for audition/performance preparation.

Booking I will always try my best to ensure your preferred time is available for you, however, due to the high demand for certain slots I cannot guarantee your preferred time being available unless it is reserved and paid in advance.

Waiting List When I cannot offer you your preferred time you may choose to go on the waiting list. If you are offered a last minute cancellation you are under no obligation to accept it. Should you accept it the usual cancellation criteria will apply.

Professional work Although I am strictly not an agent, I am sometimes approached from within the industry to recommend suitable vocalists for sessions, bands and performances. These are passed on directly, and I do not take commission.

IMPORTANT - CANCELLATION AGREEMENT

Cancellation policy The minimum cancellation notification time required by me is no less than 36 hours. This gives me time to offer your cancelled hour to someone on the waiting list. A student cancelling with less than 36 hours notification FOR ANY REASON WHATSOEVER (including travel problems and illness) will be charged in full for the missed lesson.

However - if I am able to fill your missed lesson time you will not be charged. It is therefore in your best interest to give me as much notice as possible.

If ever I should need to cancel I will give you as much notice as possible and reschedule/make up the lesson.

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