I studied at what is now the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the Royal College of Music. At both colleges and afterwards I was awarded scholarships and prizes. I went on to study with Winifred Radford and Paul Hamburger in London, Hans Hotter in Munich, was a finalist in the Kathleen Ferrier Competition and won the French Song Prize in the s’Hertogenbosch International Singing Competition. My solo career included performing with conductors such as Sir Roger Norrington and Sir Simon Rattle, major orchestras, song recitals with Malcolm Martineau, over 30 principal opera roles, including Glyndebourne on Tour, The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and Opera North as well as broadcasts and festivals in Europe and USA.
Alongside singing, I began teaching over thirty five years ago, and always felt curious to learn more, both for my own development and to share with those who came to study with me. For nearly two decades I’ve been lucky enough to be an associate teacher of David Jones, New York-based vocal pedagogue. I gave workshops for The Royal College of Music and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music, including adjudicating song competitions at Trinity. I taught on Oxford Song Festival’s Mastercourse for postgraduate students and was a vocal tutor for five years for the Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge under Stephen Layton. My teaching at Oxenfoord International stretches back to 2002.
I also have an abiding interest in personal development, with qualifications as an EFT practitioner (Emotional Freedom Tapping) and as an IFS informed coach.(Internal Family Systems) In the past year, I’ve been exploring Valerie Sorel’s very interesting and effective exercises, which develop brain, body connections for singers.
As well as sharing optimum vocal technique, I am passionate about helping singers and other musicians to have the courage to trust that the world needs them to be who they are, and allow themselves to sing and play from the heart.