What To Expect

I teach at my home in Hitchin Hertfordshire. A typical singing lesson will begin with vocal warm-ups, (exercises for breath control, good diction and tone production) and then some time will be spent on repertoire carefully selected for your range and ability. Advanced students receive language coaching while beginners might play musical games to develop listening and sight-reading skills.

I always adapt my teaching to a pupil’s current needs and choose songs that will encourage expressive singing as well as good vocal technique.
Lessons are usually accompanied by me though I also have a pianist available for hire.

Masterclasses

Performing to an audience is an integral part of a singer’s training and my pupils are offered regular performance opportunities. They have the choice of working in a traditional master class or in a group workshop where everyone learns by listening to each other.

Voice And Piano Workshops

As an experienced recitalist and prize winning Lieder singer, I particularly enjoy the song workshops that I run with pianist Kate Elmitt. Participants study their chosen repertoire with two experienced and sympathetic performers and audience members gain insight into the very specialist art form of the accompanied song.

Audition Preparation

I offer audition practice sessions working on your presentation skills, and discussing choice of repertoire. I give a written assessment of your performance, with suggestions for improvement.

Teaching Beginners

I am happy to take on youngsters if they are committed to learning.  Regular singing lessons will help them to develop  their musicality,  understand their instrument and to develop a technique which will build confidence in their singing voice whatever their chosen repertoire.

Working on the ABRSM syllabus will expand a young singer’s repertoire, and preparing for an LCM Music Theatre exam develops confidence in stage performance using costume, props and movement. Students looking for tangible goals will benefit from working towards graded exams, and the higher grades attract UCAS points.

Theatre Workshops

As an opera singer I worked with leading directors in British theatre, including Sir Peter Hall, Ronald Eyre, Nick Hytner and Phyllida Lloyd.  I offer workshops for music theatre groups to encourage good vocal projection and safe use of the voice in the theatre. 

Choral Repair Kit

I have worked with a number of different choirs, to improve tone, range and diction. A lasting effect in one case is that many months later they are still enjoy hitting the top notes in Bohemian Rhapsody.

My Qualifications

AGSM (Teaching and Performance)
Post grad (2 year Opera course)
Prize winner at Richard Tauber Award, and Walter Gruner International Lieder competition,
30 years solo career and 20 years teaching experience
CRB checked for one-to-one teaching in schools

Testimonials

"Christine's talent as a singer and performer is obvious, but not all excellent musicians are also excellent teachers (and I speak from experience, having been "taught" by a few who fall into that category!). Christine is one of those rare few who is both of these things.  Her ability to pinpoint the essence of a technical point and communicate it to her students in an accessible way is fantastic, and makes for a hugely rewarding learning experience."

"After many years of training and performing, I had reached a critical point in my vocal career where my voice was starting to grow and mature. But despite all of my training I did not have the technical tools to vocalize or exercise my voice properly, and so technical inconsistencies developed and my confidence was very low as a result. I needed guidance, and it was only by chance that a friend-of-a-friend recommended that I contact Christine. Christine helped me re-gain control of my voice and very quickly my confidence was restored. Her ability to pinpoint the precise technical issues was crucial for me, and through working with Christine I was able to correct them and allow my voice to develop properly. Working with Christine on a regular basis since then has helped me enormously, both technically and musically, and I have thoroughly enjoyed learning with her."

Jen Armson

"I've had lessons with Christine for a number of years. Christine has hugely boosted my confidence in my singing through a nicely balanced mix of singing exercises. She is incredibly patient and supportive. But most of all, Christine has made our lessons really good fun!"

Davina Given

 "Learning some of the "tricks of the trade" to overcome some of the issues I had (especially to get the higher notes as a confirmed alto) was also enormously helpful. I will always think of you when I am sirening!!."

Carol Hopper

Master Class feedback
"She managed to engage with the children and made it such fun especially the warm up."

Ben our MD

"I was very interested in the different voices I have and which bits of me they come from."

"She gave me confidence to perform."

"She showed me how to improve my performance."

"I thoroughly enjoyed the master class and learned a lot."