By only working with quality, professional music teachers, we can guarantee the highest standard of music education.
About Helen M.
Helen has more than 25 years' experience as a solo performer and 18 years as a teacher, teaching all levels and genres, particularly specialising in advanced classical training. Whether an adult, child, beginner or more experienced, Helen likes to find a balance between structured learning and "play". Learning music is dynamic, imaginative, transformative and fun! It is immensely enriching for both children and adults, alike.
A bit about Helen’s journey:
Helen was launched into the public eye at a young age when she won the BBC Radio 2 Choirgirl of the Year competition. She found herself in a variety of professional environments, including television and radio, live broadcast and, of course, concert appearances. While she quickly realised her love for performing, she also discovered that not having a solid vocal technique was taking a heavy toll. After painfully having to cancel multiple television, radio and concert engagements and ‘rest’ from singing for over a month to recover from the effects of vocal fatigue, Helen set her compass firmly on mastering vocal technique to become ‘bombproof’!
Having sung a lot of music theatre, folk and popular music, she went on to study at the Royal College and Royal Academy of Music, acquiring a BMus and PGDip, respectively in Classical singing and opera. She then went on to study at Masters level at the Welsh International Academy of Voice with Dennis O’Neill. All in all, she studied at internationally acclaimed music conservatoires for a total of 7 years, as well as decades of ongoing private training with top industry professionals in London and Europe.
After some years of study and professional engagements, auditions and touring, she realised there was something missing. She was succeeding in carving a profession for herself as an international soloist, yet she no longer experienced the same passion for singing and performing that had launched her into the world of music in the first place. Music was now ‘work’ and there was no joy in singing anymore.
After some serious reevaluating and soul-searching, she has rekindled her original passion, plus more! Passion is not something to be taken for granted, though technique and discipline are clearly important. Finding the balance between these essential elements is a core value - both in her performing and teaching practice.
What will you learn?
Elements of vocal technique:
- Alignment, breath and body-awareness
- Natural voice production and projection
- Understanding of vowels and how they are the ‘vessel’ of your sound
Interpretation and delivery:
- Connection with and understanding of the text (in multiple languages)
- Making it personal to you
- Expression through phrasing and vocal ‘colour’
The psychology of your singing:
- Non-judgemental learning environment - top level coaching does not need to ‘break’ you!
- Help you make friends with your own sound and ‘play’ with your voice
- Accept and work with the very real fears that almost everybody experiences. You’re not alone.
For new students, Helen offers a first session of 90 minutes for the same cost of 1 hour. This gives a better opportunity to get acquainted without too much time pressure.