Testimonials

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Val – Alto (then Soprano) Choral Singer 

I started with Chris as a mature learner, a complete beginner who had never had a music or vocal lesson. From the outset Chris has been patient, encouraging and supportive and lessons are stimulating, challenging and enjoyable.  My confidence and pleasure in singing has increased enormously and I've tackled some wonderful repertoire that I would never have imagined possible.  I have learned so much about singing; learning to pay attention to how I produce sound (not just listening, but also feeling what is happening), and then making adjustments as necessary to produce a better sound, usually with less effort.

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John - Baritone Soloist

I have been studying with Chris for just over a year and the difference is compelling. I arrived with a restricted range and a life-long habit of pushing. Chris’s accurate ear, knowledge of vocal anatomy, targeted exercises, musicality, language skills and extraordinary patience have been the key ingredients in removing tension and allowing my tone to shine through unimpeded. It helps that he is also great fun to work with. Whether in person or via Video Conference his approach is effective and efficient. His ability to demonstrate what he is encouraging you to reproduce is deeply useful. And then there is his singing, which is outstanding. 

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Janet - Soprano Choral Singer

I was very aware that I’d picked up a lot of bad singing habits through the years and had never got to grips with putting these right.  I’d always felt I had breathing issues that caused tension and made me mistrust my voice and I felt the range of my voice was fast diminishing. Discovering Chris and his approach to free-voice teaching has been a true epiphany. I am revelling in the realisation that with the right teacher it’s possible to deconstruct years of bad muscle memory and start to create new, good singing habits.  I’m singing better than I did in my 30s and 40s -and I’m experiencing the genuine thrill of not only making some nice sounds again, but being able to work on coloratura soprano arias I’d always thought were way out of my vocal reach. Chris is an absolute joy to work with and has given me a new lease of vocal life - I cannot recommend his teaching highly enough.

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Keith, Choral singer / former soloist

 it was becoming obvious that the quality and sustainability of my voice was beginning to fall away quite considerably.  After much thought, and trying many teachers, I was about to throw in the towel.  Following a vocal consultation, Chris spoke to me about the fact that my voice was changing, particularly in range, with my age, and I would need to follow his advice on where the voice should be allowed to go.  I became absolutely amazed at his ability to show me where the areas of my problems were,  how the problems could be overcome and at his ability to show me the technique he wished me to employ without any discomfort to the voice. He continues to teach me a great deal about vocal technique with excellent authority, patience and humour. 

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Chris -  Bass Choral singer.  Having sung in choirs all my life, I decided it was probably time to learn how to at least try and do it properly. I've been having singing lessons for more than six months now and am very pleased indeed with progress. Chris varies his relaxed and empathic teaching style to meet your needs and to underpin the theory with practice. He combines his own considerable talent with first-rate teaching/coaching skills (and humour!) to coax out some astonishing sounds. His attention to detail is meticulous and he knows how to extend the voice to help it reach its potential.

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Anna - PhD student and Alto Choral Singer

 I was dissatisfied with my range, and struggled with breathing and phrasing in a manner that I had never been able to sort out alone. I had previously had a demoralising series of lessons with another teacher, whose response to my struggles with notes beyond the alto range was to "relax and really aim for it..." By contrast, Chris could tell me and show me exactly what to do in order to relax and aim, successfully, for those notes. In my first lesson I listened in astonishment as notes that had previously been virtually impossible came out without tightness or discomfort.   Chris is as considerate of his students as he is caring with the voice. His teaching approach is not to find flaws, but to show you ways to make what you can already do better still. In the months that I have been working with him, Chris has made me believe that achieving the singing that I want is possible. It's been great fun!

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Ian - Singer/Guitarist/Performer - Chris has been able to transform the quality and confidence on my voice in a very short amount of time. Knowing exactly which areas to focus us from the start (and doing so in a simple and well-constructed way) he has provided excellent technical information and practise exercises without ever overcomplicating the learning process.

Ben – Final Year High School Student 

I have felt a significant improvement in all aspects of my technique - something which has been noted by those who have heard me recently.  As a teacher, Chris is always successful in creating an environment in which I feel comfortable trying new things and experimenting with exercises. He is always quick to identify any areas for improvement, explaining them sensitively and with clarity. I would highly recommend him to anyone - beginner or advanced!

 Lindsay – Soprano Choral Singer

As a longtime choral singer, now of retirement age, I am extremely grateful to Chris for the recent series of lessons. He immediately diagnosed the source of the vocal problems which had been bothering me for some time and gave me some very helpful exercises to loosen up the whole system. This is enabling me to produce a fuller tone in all parts of my range and delaying the inevitable retreat to the alto section! Chris' approach to lessons is friendly and flexible and I look forward to working with him again in the future. He is thoroughly recommended.