Singing Tuition
"I would like to thank you for all your help with my singing. You're the best teacher I have ever had and I really enjoyed all my lessons with you!" (C.P. student auditioning for music college)
Gillian Rae-Walker is both a professional soprano soloist and experienced singing teacher and is based in North Yorkshire. She specialises in teaching classical singing technique and has a holistic approach, which recognises that the voice is influenced by many factors, especially physical and emotional. She aims therefore to help you increase in confidence and to be as relaxed as you need to be.
Alongside her own singing career, she has always taught singing and began to do this more intensively in 2005, when she participated in singing teaching training run by the Association of Teachers of Singing. As well as having her own private practice she worked at Windermere School, Abbotsholme School and Abbott's Bromley School. She has also acted as an adjudicator at the Birmingham Conservatoire.
As a member of the Association of Teachers of Singing, she has attended many of their conferences and study days looking at technical information on the voice and attending masterclasses taken by some of the world's finest singing teachers. She was mentored by Hazel Wood, late Professor of Singing at Trinity Laban Conservatoire and by Ashley Stafford, counter-tenor and osteopath. Ashley's work focuses on the physical nature of singing and sound production and has informed her view that our body is our instrument. After lessons with Catherine Pope, soprano, Gillian began studying the Swedish-Italian school of Bel Canto as expounded by David L. Jones, New York and many of his insights are integrated into her practice.
A typical lesson begins with a few physical stretches or exercises, followed by work on posture, breath management and some vocal exercises to encourage an open throat, flexible tongue and balanced formation of vowels and consonants. There would then be work on one or two classical songs or arias. As a fluent speaker of German and French, with a good knowledge also of Italian, Gillian is able to give expert help in this area. She can also help you improve your sight-singing.
If students are preparing for an audition or performance it is best to start lessons at least several months before the event. Daily practice is necessary to allow for your technique to become automatic, so that you can concentrate on communicating your song to the audience, when the time comes.
The minimum age for lessons is 16 years. Lessons are open to all, from beginner to professional singer. Please email Gillian to find out more.
Further testimonials:
The singing lessons that I have had the privilege of enjoying with Gillian Rae-Walker have been nothing short of a life-changing experience. Gillian has the ability to touch on, and release something deep inside. As a result of her own professional experience and ongoing personal development, I am convinced that all students benefit from tuition that is entirely appropriate, up to date and unlocks the potential that you didn't even know was there. A truly professional inspiration with a rare and unique ability. (J.S. mature student)
I would recommend Gillian’s lessons for all singers, whether beginners or experienced. Although I have always enjoyed singing informally, I had convinced myself that I had a poor singing voice. But after a series of lessons with Gillian I now feel I have the confidence to practice effectively and to improve my singing. Gillian’s extensive knowledge and experience in vocal technique is exemplified in her lessons, which are both educational and enjoyable. (M.B. mature student)
I have been a student of Gillian's for two and a half years and in that time I feel my voice has developed and grown greatly. Gillian is a superb teacher and under Gillian's supervision my technique and approach has developed immensely. Gillian has a great ability to create an environment within the lesson where learning excels and where you can develop and grow and increase confidence levels. I can only speak highly of Gillian. (K.P. mature student)
Gillian Rae-Walker is both a professional soprano soloist and experienced singing teacher and is based in North Yorkshire. She specialises in teaching classical singing technique and has a holistic approach, which recognises that the voice is influenced by many factors, especially physical and emotional. She aims therefore to help you increase in confidence and to be as relaxed as you need to be.
Alongside her own singing career, she has always taught singing and began to do this more intensively in 2005, when she participated in singing teaching training run by the Association of Teachers of Singing. As well as having her own private practice she worked at Windermere School, Abbotsholme School and Abbott's Bromley School. She has also acted as an adjudicator at the Birmingham Conservatoire.
As a member of the Association of Teachers of Singing, she has attended many of their conferences and study days looking at technical information on the voice and attending masterclasses taken by some of the world's finest singing teachers. She was mentored by Hazel Wood, late Professor of Singing at Trinity Laban Conservatoire and by Ashley Stafford, counter-tenor and osteopath. Ashley's work focuses on the physical nature of singing and sound production and has informed her view that our body is our instrument. After lessons with Catherine Pope, soprano, Gillian began studying the Swedish-Italian school of Bel Canto as expounded by David L. Jones, New York and many of his insights are integrated into her practice.
A typical lesson begins with a few physical stretches or exercises, followed by work on posture, breath management and some vocal exercises to encourage an open throat, flexible tongue and balanced formation of vowels and consonants. There would then be work on one or two classical songs or arias. As a fluent speaker of German and French, with a good knowledge also of Italian, Gillian is able to give expert help in this area. She can also help you improve your sight-singing.
If students are preparing for an audition or performance it is best to start lessons at least several months before the event. Daily practice is necessary to allow for your technique to become automatic, so that you can concentrate on communicating your song to the audience, when the time comes.
The minimum age for lessons is 16 years. Lessons are open to all, from beginner to professional singer. Please email Gillian to find out more.
Further testimonials:
The singing lessons that I have had the privilege of enjoying with Gillian Rae-Walker have been nothing short of a life-changing experience. Gillian has the ability to touch on, and release something deep inside. As a result of her own professional experience and ongoing personal development, I am convinced that all students benefit from tuition that is entirely appropriate, up to date and unlocks the potential that you didn't even know was there. A truly professional inspiration with a rare and unique ability. (J.S. mature student)
I would recommend Gillian’s lessons for all singers, whether beginners or experienced. Although I have always enjoyed singing informally, I had convinced myself that I had a poor singing voice. But after a series of lessons with Gillian I now feel I have the confidence to practice effectively and to improve my singing. Gillian’s extensive knowledge and experience in vocal technique is exemplified in her lessons, which are both educational and enjoyable. (M.B. mature student)
I have been a student of Gillian's for two and a half years and in that time I feel my voice has developed and grown greatly. Gillian is a superb teacher and under Gillian's supervision my technique and approach has developed immensely. Gillian has a great ability to create an environment within the lesson where learning excels and where you can develop and grow and increase confidence levels. I can only speak highly of Gillian. (K.P. mature student)
