Q & A

Feel free to email me with YOUR questions!

What do you teach?

Well, it depends on what the student needs. Some students have great basic technique, a great voice, but need help with performance nerves. Others are starting from scratch, have never had a lesson and would like to know how they can improve their voice. Some students need help changing their sound from a “classical” sounding voice to a modern sound. Others just don’t understand why their voice cuts out, or hurts, or has no power. These are all issues I deal with, one on one, in the studio.

Do you teach in groups?

I am available for group lectures, masterclasses and workshops.

How often should I come?

Lessons should be on a regular basis (weekly / fortnightly). Weekly is always best for continual improvement. The best results come from weekly one hour lessons combined with regular practice.

Who do you teach?

I teach students who are involved in singing with their schools from high school age up. I only teach under 14s by audition. I teach grade 12 students who are doing music extension with voice performance. I teach musical theatre performers preparing for auditions. I teach university students preparing for auditions for places in the various performance courses around Australia. I teach professionals who are performing in bands around the south east of Queensland. I teach locals who perform in Music Theatre. I teach singer / songwriters. I teach absolute beginners, and I teach professionals. I teach people who are passionate about singing, and those just wanting to see if they have a voice.

What style of singing do you teach?

I teach contemporary voice. I teach students R&B, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Musical Theatre (legit and belt, and everything in between) and Country.

How much do you charge?

All fees must be paid on the lesson date or in advance. I charge $40 per half hour and $75 per hour. These fees are subject to change.

What experience do you have?

I have teaching singing privately since 1999. I have been performing for 30 years, studying voice for 24 years, and I can’t see how I can give it up now! I have taught hundreds of students from children to adults, beginner to professional. I have taught in private schools and am experienced with the changing teenage voice. I have taught professional dancers who need voice for employment purposes. I have taught teachers whose voices are struggling with the demands of talking all day. I have taught older students (over 50s) who are singing for their own pleasure after years of working in other professions. I am regularly working with students in later high school years preparing for year 12 extension music exams and auditions for university courses.

I spent a year teaching at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University’s Young Conservatorium program as part of my Master of Music Studies and I have interned under Dr Irene Bartlett ( Coordinator Contemporary Voice
Head of Jazz/Contemporary Vocal Studies / Lecturer in Jazz/Contemporary Voice and Vocal Pedagogy Co-ordinator Contemporary Voice (Open Conservatorium)Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University ). I work with students after vocal surgery and with therapists to rehabilitate damaged voices. I am experienced at taking singers from amateur to professional singers, and also at working with professional performers to protect the longevity of their voice.

What is your studio like? What equipment do you use?

I have a piano and keyboard, a mirror (for technique monitoring) and a guitar. I record all lessons which you can put on a CD or MP3 player (preferred). I have microphones to teach microphone technique. I have a little mixing desk for mixing your singing practice and teaching EQ for performances. I use video and photography for feedback for students.

Do you have a Blue Card?

Yes- it’s the law.

Where are you located?

I am at  Bunya (between Albany Creek and Ferny Hills, close to Samford) in the northern suburbs of Brisbane.

What are your qualifications?

I have Bachelor of Arts (Music / English Literature major) from the University of New South Wales, and a Certificate IV in Adult Workplace and Assessment Training. I have also studied choral conducting as a post graduate through the University of Queensland.

In 2007 I received the Griffith Award for Academic Excellence for my postgraduate voice pedagogy studies. 2011 I completed a Masters in Music Studies (Voice- Pedagogy – Contemporary) at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University. I am committed to ongoing education in the field of Vocal Pedagogy and regularly attend seminars and conferences run by ANATS (see www.anats.org) in order to keep up to date with the latest information on vocal pedagogy.

What are some of your successes?

Students have gone on to:

Singer / songwriter recording artist

Musical Theatre performers on the West End and in Sydney and Melbourne.

Regular performers in bands / duos around Australia

Television performers

Touring Musical Theatre companies for Asia

Backing vocalists

Worship leaders.

I mentor a number of singing teachers, and have trained students who have gone on to be accepted into Post Graduate Vocal Pedagogy courses.

Students have been accepted to: Waapa (Acting, Music Theatre) , University of Ballarat (Acting, Musical Theatre), University of Melbourne, QUT, Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University (Musical Theatre, Music Education), JazzWorx, Harvest Rain Internships.