Our Blog

Find out about what we're up to and get the latest news and insights

Keep it positive!
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Keep it positive!

There’s no denying it, 2020 has been one very bumpy rollercoaster ride and not one anyone would wish to ride again anytime soon. The Covid-19 pandemic has hit the Arts industry particularly hard. On Wednesday 18th March 2020

Here's to us. Who's like us? Damn few.
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Here's to us. Who's like us? Damn few.

Wherever you are in the world, I hope this message finds you well and more importantly safe. Firstly, we are all aware of what a crazy time the world is going through right now so don’t worry, I won’t go into any of that.

Musical Theatre training and managing mental health
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Musical Theatre training and managing mental health

When running a Drama school, one sees certain trends emerge over the years. Fashions and the prevalence of particular issues in the performing arts industry as a whole come and go.

A look back at 2019 with our Principal...
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A look back at 2019 with our Principal...

First of all I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a sensational New Year! I know 2019 has been a crazy year for everyone. I hope you all get a much deserved rest with laughter and loved ones.

From Down Under to London
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From Down Under to London

As a New Zealander who is coming to the end of two wonderful years in London, it’s hard not to reflect on what a great career move it was.

Associated Studios Musical Theatre Courses Project: Discussing The Hero with a Thousand Faces
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Associated Studios Musical Theatre Courses Project: Discussing The Hero with a Thousand Faces

The projects the Musical Theatre students are working on this term have been carefully devised by me and Vocal Coach Scott Harrison. I am sharing some of these with you as they are as relevant to every performing artist.

BITCHY OPERA GOSSIP!
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BITCHY OPERA GOSSIP!

This is going to be a blog about the wonderful website/blog, not known to everybody, Parterre Box. It is the celebrated, naughty, bitchy, opinioned and FUNNY queer opera zine.

A celebration of creativity and the arts: the sector growing at almost twice the rate of the wider UK economy
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A celebration of creativity and the arts: the sector growing at almost twice the rate of the wider UK economy

I watched a TED Talk last night by Ken Robinson titled: Do schools kill creativity? A fantastic and funny talk, all about allowing people to be creative in the fullest sense

The Power of the Audience
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The Power of the Audience

Everyone can have a poor performance. We don’t like it, but we usually get away with it. But woe betide if we disrespect our audience or dump on the press. This is something Frank Sinatra found out the hard way

Surviving the profession: Developing yourself as a creative artist
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Surviving the profession: Developing yourself as a creative artist

We dwell in a creative industry, The Performing Arts. You might have been drawn to it for the love of music and text, emotional and physical expression, the search for truth and real human connection

Life as a West End Swing
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Life as a West End Swing

“Since doing the first Associated Studios course I went from strength to strength – I secured a great new agent who I’ve been with for many years now and who I count as a friend and a rock…

Highlights of the 2015/16 UK opera season
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Highlights of the 2015/16 UK opera season

With the new opera season upon us, UK residents have an exciting year ahead of them in opera. Juan Diego Florez is already thrilling audiences in London in his role-debut as Orphee in Gluck’s

The Myth of Tone Deafness - An article for The Stage by Leontine Hass
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The Myth of Tone Deafness - An article for The Stage by Leontine Hass

As a vocal coach one of the most frequent responses I encounter upon revealing what I do for a living, is the comment ‘Oh I’m completely tone-deaf’. If I can be bothered, there ensues a little debate where I aim to convince

Healthy speaking and singing
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Healthy speaking and singing

I have recently found in a whole host of students that they are constricting when they speak and as a result, constricting when they sing. I am coming up against this so often that I felt it is worth writing about.

Group Singing Mondays
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Group Singing Mondays

Group Singing is on every Monday evening. It is a Drop-In session and you pay on the day. £20 per session. It is a small class with a maximum of 8 singers.

Queen Elisabeth Competition for Opera Singers
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Queen Elisabeth Competition for Opera Singers

The competition is open to singers of all nationalities, who are aged at least 18 and have not yet reached the age of 30 on the deadline fixed for the submission of applications (i.e. they must be born after 15 January 1984).

Book Now for Opera Scenes
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Book Now for Opera Scenes

Here’s a great opportunity to see the work of our wonderful Opera singers who are coming to the end of their three-month part-time course.

Singing Teaching Tour of Australia 2014
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Singing Teaching Tour of Australia 2014

I had the enormous pleasure of doing some teaching in Australia recently. Giving vocal workshops for the Musical Theatre courses at Queensland Conservatorium, the Victorian College of the Arts and Showfit (