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Singing

I have been fortunate to sing all around the world with many of the world’s leading vocal consort groups. I continue to work as a singer as and when the other avenues in my life allow.
I enjoy being able to convey what is on the page to an audience, regarding myself as merely a vehicle for the music. For me, singing is an external expression of an internal emotion and I have been fortunate enough to see this approach help to encourage others to express themselves both through my teaching experiences and working with choirs made up of people of all ages.
Please look at www.fezeka.com to watch a short trailer for a documentary that is being made about a visit I was privileged to help host with a choir from a township just outside Cape Town, Gugulethu. This amazing choir sings from the soul with a passion, energy and enthusiasm that is humbling, moving and incredibly powerful. I think this encapsulates my feelings totally about how singing can change not only the individual but also those who come into contact with it.
It’s the cheapest instrument you will ever have to buy!

Choir Leading

I did a bit of choral directing on my degree course at the Royal Academy of Music but I had NO idea how exciting it is to stand in front of a group of singers and help them to achieve singing standards they thought were beyond them.
Due to a number of personal difficulties I went through two years of being unable to sing at all - even along with the radio - and I believe that this has given me the most amazing opportunity to use this experience to help others who have, for one reason or another, lost contact with their voice.
All too often (and it still happens!) people are told to ‘stand at the back’, or ‘you can’t be in the choir’, or worst of all ‘you can’t sing’ at a young age - at any age! This leads to them spending the rest of their lives with the most accessible instrument laying dormant. I believe that everybody can sing, some of us take a bit longer to find out how to use our voices. Through workshops, regular singing lessons and/or choir practises I have watched timid singers turn into the most confident people who launch into anything with their voices which bears also fruit in other parts of their life. I feel deeply that we as Choral Leaders need to nurture the voices in front of us, nobody makes a mistake on purpose and 120 people are NEVER unanimously wrong. It is my job to interpret what is on the page to make it make sense and to give people the confidence to ‘give it a try’.
If you would like me to come and help with any vocal issues within your choir, lead a workshop of timid singers, lead a workshop of non-timid singers, then please contact me. I would be delighted to help in whatever way I can.

Music Teaching

I have now taught singing for over 10 years putting hundreds of pupils through Associated Board singing exams. I have never had anybody fail an exam and I would not enter anybody for an exam if I believed it was going to be an awkward or unpleasant experience for them. Often reluctant pupils are thrilled beyond words when they have taken an exam which has a knock-on effect for other aspects of their lives.  I believe it is important to encourage a pupil in any way possible and help them to understand any aspect of written music.  However, I try to do this with sensitivity so that nobody feels blinded by science.
I love watching how singing can help to develop the individual. At a recent choir practise I was told by a young person that they felt ‘more confident in many situations and much bolder to talk about lots of new things’. This confidence is such a great thing to observe and I feel fortunate beyond words to be part of the process.
I currently teach at Bryanston School, Salisbury Cathedral School and take a school choir club at St Osmund’s School, Salisbury. I also have a few private pupils.
I have always turned to those in the singing/music profession who I admire to ask for help and have been astonished by their kindness and support. I enjoy travelling around the country observing other choir leaders and how they work.
If you would like to discuss anything to do with any aspect of singing lessons please contact me.