Approach
I work with a small number of 1:1 singing and songwriting students, both online and from my home in Central Leeds.
My approach is holistic and influenced by the oral tradition. This means I don't work with notated music and teach using ear. When you come to a session with me I care about all the different things that you bring into the space.
When I begin working with a new student, I offer an initial free session where we work out what you want and if we'd be a good fit. In this session, I think with the student about their goals as an artist, their influences, and what they would hope to gain out of the work we do together.
Fees are on a sliding scale based on income. Sessions range in length from 20 minutes to an hour, depending on what works best for you.
I also facilitate group singing and repertoire classes for organisations such as the English Folk Dance and Song Society. Get in touch via my contact page if you'd like to chat about this.
Singing Lessons
I offer individual singing lessons for singers interested in genres including: folk, pop, unaccompanied and alternative singing. I often work with singers who are focusing on singing their own compositions.
I encourage singing students to set their own musical and professional goals. My areas of interest as a singing teacher include:
-Exploring ornamentation
-The singing of traditional songs
-Unaccompanied singing techniques
-Improving vocal technique for songwriters
-Stagecraft, stage presence, ‘banter’ on stage
-Developing a unique voice and style
-Working with autistic and neurodivergent singers
-Working with trans and non-binary singers.
Though I don't offer trans-vocal training, I am a trans vocalist and work sensitively without gendered singing language. I understand the way voice training can be difficult as a trans person and am able to adapt my language in sessions to what feels comfortable.
Songwriting Lessons
I offer 1:1 and small group songwriting lessons for composers interested in working by ear/without notated music. My approach to songwriting is lyric-led, and heavily influenced by English folk traditions.
I enjoy working with people who've never written songs before, and those who are seasoned songwriters. I also work with students who wouldn't call themselves musicians, but are interested in songwriting and poetry as a creative outlet.
I began songwriting to help process trauma and share my lived experience. Some of my songwriting students have come to me to work with a teacher who won't be ‘scared off’ by songs about difficult experiences.
My areas of experience as a songwriting tutor include:
-Working with songwriting that includes heavy/sensitive material
-Supporting ‘burnt out’ songwriters, or people experiencing ‘writer's block’
-Supporting writers interpreting traditional material, or interested in interpreting traditional material
-Creative approaches to songwriting
-Songwriting for wellbeing
-Working with neurodivergent and autistic songwriters