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 and workshops. I do not do group lessons in the studio.

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 most ages, usually from 12 years up, although I have some younger students. I teach students who are involved in singing with their schools. 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 church singers. 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.  I teach grandparents and I teach children.

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 $35 per half hour and $70 per hour. These fees are subject to change with the new year.

What experience do you have?

I have teaching singing privately since 1999. I have been performing for 30 years, studying voice for 23 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.

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

I have a piano and keyboard, a mirror for you to admire your star-like qualities – no really for checking alignment! I record all the 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.

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 major) from UNSW, a CERT IV in Adult Workplace and Assessment Training, and in 2008 I completed a Graduate Diploma in Musical 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 voice science and art. In 2007 I received the Griffith Award for Academic Excellence.

I am currently enrolled in a Master of Music Studies (Voice Pedagogy – Contemporary) at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University which will be finished in 2011.