Our Singing Lessons for Beginners provide an excellent foundation for absolute beginners, as well as for those who have had some basic vocal training but want to develop their singing technique and vocal skills.
Don’t worry if you’re a little nervous - this singing course focuses on singing as a group and building your confidence. And it doesn't matter if you don't get it right first time round; it's all about practising and enjoying singing!
WHAT WILL BE TAUGHT ON SINGING LESSONS FOR BEGINNERS?
During the Level 1 course you will learn to control your voice. We will give you practical exercises to help you gain confidence using a varied repertoire - from pop to musical theatre to jazz, blues and soul.
Course content will include:
- Practising a series of varied vocal warm ups and technique exercises to improve your vocal range
- Learning about body awareness through focus on posture and alignment.
- How to develop a secure breathing technique
- Group singing and developing good listening and blending skills
- Learning how to achieve a good quality vocal performance while using your voice in a safe and healthy manner
Students will typically learn 3-6 songs during the course and will receive friendly feedback from your tutor throughout the course.
Drawing on material from the world of Musical Theatre, there's something for everyone in our Musical Theatre Singing Lessons - Level 3. The course is open to those who have completed any Singing - Level 2 classes, or equivalent, who wish to further their skills while focusing on a wide range of Musical Theatre repertoire.
This advanced level singing course digs deeper into the performance elements of these genres. You will develop more confidence in solo, ensemble and singing in harmony as well as further understanding of the origins and development of these vibrant singing genres. The course will culminate in an informal showcase of individual solos and group ensemble.
WHAT WILL BE TAUGHT ON MUSICAL THEATRE SINGING LESSONS - LEVEL 3?
The course will cover a range of carefully selected material to ensure it is challenging, varied, and above all, enjoyable.
Course content will include:
- Developing a deepened knowledge of the musical theatre genre.
- Extensive vocal warm-ups and introducing more advanced singing technique and technical terminology.
- Exploring challenging ensemble work with a focus on harmony, musicianship and dynamics.
- Solo Masterclasses - focusing on acting through song and musicianship skills with personal feedback about vocal technique, performance and style.
- Performing in an informal showcase at the end of the course.
Discover how to return your body to its natural state of balance and poise in this beginners' guide to the Alexander Technique. Learn how to relieve stress by becoming mindful of muscular and mental tension.
What is the course about?
This course is a general introduction to Alexander Technique, which is concerned with how a person uses themselves as a whole - mind and body - in everything they do. The technique can help you move and breathe with less effort, improve posture, be more focused and efficient, cope with stress better and be calmer and more confident. The Alexander Technique involves no specific exercises, requires no special equipment and can be practised wherever you are. It is suitable for people of all ages and levels of physical fitness.
What will we cover?
- How to become mindful of and how to use your body better during everyday activities, including sitting and standing, walking, lifting, bending, sitting at desks, lying down, speaking and breathing.
- Spatial awareness, balance, co-ordination, developing powers of observation and focusing.
- Anatomy and physiology where applicable.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Identify the Alexander principle that the way you use yourself influences how you function in everyday life
- Recognise at least two habitual patterns of posture and movement which may be causing excessive tension, aches and pains, shallow breathing, restricted movement or stiff joints.
- Recognise how applying the Alexander Technique can help eliminate tension habits that interfere with poised natural body alignment and overall functioning and well-being
- Practise the Alexander Technique in the classic semi-supine lying-down position.
How to speak with confidence and authenticity in a North American (or Broadcast Standard) accent as well as a couple of other regional American accents This course will be taught in the college.
What is the course about?
Learn how to speak with confidence and authenticity in a North American Broadcast Standard or General American Accent. This course will give you an effective framework, based in simple Phonetics, for studying and learning a North American accent for audition or performance. Acouple of regional American accents wil be included, and the choice of these can be negotiated with the tutor.
What will we cover?
North American Broadcast Standard plus a couple of regional American accents. Knowledge of phonetics is ideal but not essential.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
Break down an accent into its component parts for self-study.
Significantly increase your confidence with American accents.
Increase flexibility of articulators and improve ear training.
Investigate the role and function of Dramatherapy as a working model on this intensive course. Looking at a range of drama tools that can be used in therapeutic settings, you will develop some of the essential skills and use a range of methods to engage with others. Fun and insightful and packed with tools you can use, this is a great introduction to applying theatrical processes to therapy.
What is the course about?
An introductory course in Dramatherapy which gives you a clear and concise insight into the profession. A very practical course which aims to make you feel comfortable enough to explore Dramatherapy for yourself.
Dramatherapy is a form of psychological therapy in which all of the performance arts are utilised within the therapeutic relationship. Dramatherapists are both artists and clinicians and draw on their trainings in theatre/drama and therapy to create methods to engage clients in effecting psychological, emotional and social changes. The therapy gives equal validity to body and mind within the dramatic context; stories, myths, play-texts, puppetry, masks and improvisation are examples of the range of artistic interventions a Dramatherapist may employ. These will enable the client to explore difficult and painful life experiences through an indirect approach.
What will we cover?
• Introduction to Dramatherapy as a profession.
• Storytelling and Story Enactment in dramatherapy.
• How carl Gustav Jung's Archetypes plays a major role in the way we work with storytelling and story enactment in dramatherapy.
• Working with story in dramatherapy, using relevant themes, topics, and metaphors.
• Introducing Carl Gustav Jung’s idea of the shadow as a part of our unconscious mind.
Please note that acting classes by their very nature can involve exercises and the exploration of material that some students may find challenging.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
The course will give you a clear insight into what it is to work as a registered dramatherapist when working with Dramatherapists in a professional context and other settings. The course would offer those students, who are thinking of doing an MA course in Dramatherapy, a much better idea of what to expect at university and could help you decide whether Dramatherapy is for you as a profession.
• Practise Dramatherapy techniques.
• Participate with ease in improvisation “thinking on your feet”.
• Communicate more effectively through voice and movement skills.
• Be aware of the therapeutic ideas of Dramatherapy and C.G Jung.
Discover the practical elements of directing for the theatre, working on text analysis and beginning to build your director’s toolkit. Learn to motivate actors and create believable, engaging performances as you explore a range of modern texts.
What is the course about?
To introduce you to the practical work of directing scenes and plays. To develop your confidence through the application of useful tools and techniques. As a tool of supporting the other aspiring directors you will also act in some scenes. No acting experience necessary.
What will we cover?
The course will provide knowledge of a range of plays and their directing requirements. You will get an opportunity to explore the relationship between the actor and director, as well as the rehearsal process.
Please note that acting classes by their very nature can involve exercises and the exploration of material that some students may find challenging.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Through practical exercises, understand how to block (shape) a scene.
- Understand character motivation, the use of actions and units, and incorporate these into scenes.
- Work on and adapt to a range of plays.
A five day intensive course designed to enhance your skills and develop your confidence in acting. Explore a range of exercises and acting techniques that will illuminate and enliven scripts and scenes. Ideal for those who have completed a beginner’s level course.
What is the course about?
Working in a safe and supportive atmosphere, these lively practical sessions will cover a range of exercises designed to release your imagination and develop your creativity. You will explore the actors process as you develop and build character and work towards a performance of a scene from a contemporary play in the final session.
What will we cover?
• Physical and vocal warmups
• Group exercises
• Character work
• Text analysis work
• Scene rehearsal and performance.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Perform a personal physical and vocal warm-up
• Explore and analyse text confidently
• Play character and perform in a scene from a play with confidence
• Use improvisation exercises to enhance script work.
The former Head of Voice at LAMDA takes you through the great Patsy Rodenburg's celebrated work in an intensive and extended online voice and speech workshop. Do not miss this!
What is the course about?
One of Patsy Rodenburg's former students and a celebrated voice tutor in her own right takes you through some invaluable vocal exercises in an intensive workshop.
This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.
What will we cover?
Alignment breath and articulation exercises sourced from two of Patsy Rodenburg's publications.
What will I achieve?
- By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Have a clear sense of the vocal channel being able to phonate with a sense of ease.
- Deepen your connection to the breath and release sound with freedom.
- Identify exercises you can use as part of a regular voice limber.
Broaden your skills and discover the freedom to act with classical text in a safe and supportive environment. Gain the confidence to build truthful characters through various practical exercises and scene work.
What is the course about?
The course provides a practical opportunity to explore the acting demands of various classical playwrights including work from the Greeks, Shakespeare and his contemporaries, through to the works of Oscar Wilde. Working creatively and collaboratively you will work in some depth on a scene and or solo monologue.
What will we cover?
Demystifying complex language, working with verse, exploring character, the ensemble, Monologue/scene work.
What will I achieve?
- By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Perform classical text with greater confidence
- Recognise and perform verse with greater confidence
- Work collaboratively to perform an ensemble piece
- Analyse and break down text for practical performance
- Prepare and perform a monologue.
A fun one day intensive encounter with the acting process. Increase your confidence and discover your potential in a safe and supportive environment.
What is the course about?
The course is designed for those wanting to practically experience the process of acting. It is ideal for total beginners or for those returning to acting after some time away. It is an opportunity to improve your overall confidence in yourself and in performing as you explore a range of acting exercises. Learning is through fun simple exercises that begin with theatre games and build towards scene work. An opportunity to develop your creative skills in exploring character in a range of scenarios.
What will we cover?
- Drama games and group exercises
- Improvisation
- Creating a character
- Basic scene analysis
- Status work.
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Work more openly with others
- Communicate more successfully
- Work confidently in dealing with the process of creating a character
- Perform a short scene with confidence.
