Monday, Tuesday (day and evening) and Thursday until 2:30pm.

I teach from my home studio at Craigburn Farm (Blackwood Park), Adelaide South Australia. Students may arrive early for lessons or stay later (if being collected by an adult or if convenient for work reasons to arrive earlier or stay later). I currently have a small waiting space near my  studio.

$50 per half hour (includes GST) / $100 per hour (includes GST). I do not charge a deposit.

I accept cash, Paypal, cheques, EFT, and credit cards (card payments incur a $0.50 cent surcharge.).

I have a mixture of students who pay per week or per term (or half term). I really don’t mind which method or frequency you prefer, as I understand everyone budgets differently according to their own pay schedule.

An invoice is issued after each lesson (if payment has not been made on the day) and a receipt is emailed upon payment.

I run the lessons in line with the school terms giving us four terms per year. School terms are usually ten weeks in duration with a two week break (with the exception of the six week Christmas holiday break).

Please see the information below to view the school terms.

2023

Term 1: Jan 30-April 14
Term 2: May1-July 7
Term 3: July 24-Sept 27
Term 4: Oct 14- Dec 13

Yes, COVID 19 was the catalyst to explore and implement online lessons. I have chosen Zoom as my medium for online lessons. Fees are the same as face to face. The student is emailed a zoom link 24 hours prior to their scheduled lesson, and it’s a simple matter of clicking this link to “start the meeting”. The student can either use their iPad (or other tablet), laptop, smart phone or desktop computer (any device with a good internet connection, camera & microphone).

Lessons may be a mixture of face to face and online. Most students attend face to face, however for convenience the occasional online lesson may be preferred.

I require 24 hours notice for a missed lesson or it will be charged. This allows me to reschedule. I will then try to arrange a makeup lesson for you. If lessons are consistently missed (other than due to illness), then I think I need to review your commitment. As I have a waiting list and this is my profession it would be unfair to continually cancel & expect to keep your lesson time.

You will be provided with scales and a folder of information about your voice and how to care for it. You’re welcome and encouraged to bring a USB so we can transfer information. You may wish to record your lesson on your smart phone etc. It’s also a good idea to have your own singing folder for your sheet music, lyrics & other relevant handouts to be kept in. Please bring along a list of your favourite songs. I can also transfer songs and data onto your electronic devices. I also use Spotify, Youtube, Apple Music or my own private music collection to source songs during the lessons if you don’t have a copy.

I have taught students ranging from eight years to retirement age and beyond. Generally I would say ten is a good starting age as concentration seems to be stronger, but it does depend on the individual.

It’s really up to the individual student and how they feel about it. Singing in front of others in the initial stages of learning may be intimidating & distracting & therefore impede learning. The studio has a waiting area if required.

I teach the styles which I perform, being contemporary (basically songs you may hear on commercial radio) and Jazz. I also have a love of country music and music theatre. The basic singing techniques are the same regardless of musical genre. I will encourage you to suggest songs that you like or songs that are appealing. I can apply technique to any song. I may suggest certain songs that I feel may benefit you vocally or demonstrate a certain technique which we have been working on. I believe that it is important for you be happy with the choice of song that you are singing.

Definitely, it’s all about learning and having fun while you’re doing it. I love teaching beginners. They have no pre-conceived ideas about the voice and are open to learning new techniques. Everyone has to start somewhere. You are a vocal instrument, which is no different to someone starting piano lessons, both require instruction on how to play their instrument. In some ways singing can make you feel more vulnerable, you are opening up a part which is uniquely you.

No, not to have lessons. Reading music is a great skill to have as it helps you to be a well rounded musician. It all depends on what you are wanting from your lessons. I can teach music reading & theory if desired.

How quickly do you want to progress? I live in the real world and know that it can often be tough to practice as often as you like. I do not chastise students for not practicing as it’s ultimately your responsibility. In the case of a child/teenager, I think the parent has a right to know if their child is not committed. Having said this, I am yet to encounter a student I have had to address this problem with. In the initial stages  say about 15 mins practice daily will benefit more than cramming practice into a couple of hours at the end of the week. I always say “little but often” for practice. Consider yourself a vocal athlete. You are training your muscles to perform new tasks, this can result in fatigue. Never practice until it hurts, pain does not equal gain.

You will learn the principles of:

• Voice maintenance & health and the basic physiology of the vocal mechanism
• Breathing
• Support & voice projection by employing the relevant muscles
• Resonance, placement and how this relates to vocal colour.
• Registers and how to achieve a blended mix throughout your range
• Tongue position
• Articulation, vowels and how to equalise. Diphthongs (no you don’t wear these on your feet)
• Focusing the vocal folds and the three different vocal onsets. False fold constriction & retraction.
• Soft palate control
• Vibrato
• Basic musicianship. How to sing set scales, intervals and triads, count bars in a song, and clap a rhythm.
• Musical & vocal terms. e.g. tag, coda, bridge, timbre, appoggio, glissando, a cappella, colla voce etc.
• Improvisation
• Harmony
• General stagecraft and performance skills. (over the years I have picked up a few do’s and don’ts)
• Microphone technique. How to choose a microphone or other relevant audio equipment.
• Audio production (if desired by the student. I own and operate my own PA Systems and use one for lessons)
• General advice on how to get gigs, write your own contracts, record your own songs etc.

Students are as individual as their voice. What you want to achieve from lessons may differ from the next student. You may not want to know all the music industry information for example, or how to write your own contracts. Everyone ,however, will be taught the principles of singing.

• I am always updating my knowledge by attending local & interstate Voice Symposiums & Workshops.
• In 2013 I attended the prestigious International  Conference of Voice Teachers in Brisbane. This conference was attended by 600 delegates from around the world. The conference is held every four years and was the first time in the Southern Hemisphere. The latest technology and information was presented at the conference by leaders in every profession from vocal teachers, ear nose throat specialists, speech therapists, scientists and performance experts across all genres.
• I arrange two performance gigs a year in a local venue where students are encouraged to “roadtest” their technique by performing a song of their choice. It’s a great fun day and also acts as a vehicle to meet other students. The student gig isn’t compulsory, but I find once a student has performed at one, they can’t wait for the next. Even if you choose not to perform, you’re welcome to attend to be part of the fun.
• In 2017 I initiated my “Emerging Artists” program. I usually perform over 100 gigs per year and like to showcase students during my breaks at gigs. This gives the student a taste of a real live gig environment performing within a venue without the pressure of performing an entire 4 hour gig. Each break is approximately 20 mins, and students are invited to perform during one, two or three breaks. Students are encouraged to bring family and friends, and record their performance for appraisal or promotion. I supply all of the sound and lighting equipment. 
• I can have audio and video production within my studio. I am able to record a demo CD/mp3  for students and also video footage for YouTube (& sync audio recording). Video footage recording is usually recorded on a separate day to your usual lesson as this entails setting u cameras and lighting.
• I have attended a 3 day Voice Symposium held at the Stamford Grand Glenelg & the Jo Estill Compulsory Figures for Voice Levels 1 & 2 held at the ABC-Adelaide (overseen by Jo Estill herself).
• I advise students of visiting Voice Lecturers or relevant Workshops.
• With over 30 years performance experience I have gained a broad knowledge of the music industry.
• I currently perform three to five times a week and as this is how I  make my living I realise the importance of looking after your voice.
• In the past I have taken students into the recording studio to record a  single of their choice.
• I am always looking at ways to expose interested students to the music industry.
• I have many industry contacts & often have bands ring asking me to recommend students for auditions.
• I try to challenge students and make it fun by holding competitions. In 2014 Australian Audio and Lighting Technology sponsored a competiton to see which student could hold a note the longest. The winner received an Audix microphone and runner up a microphone stand. This competiton saw all students improve their breathing!
• I run regular workshops within my studio. Topics have included Stage Fright, PA & Microphone advice, Singers Bootcamp, Gig Tips & Tricks, Vocal Health and Physiology (this workshop is presented by  Adelaide’s leading voice pathologists, Johanna Flavell and Jan Hooper).

Generally I’m pretty booked out, but am always happy to chat to see if something suitable is currently available or becoming available.

If you would like to become a student, please contact me.

Mobile: 0417 853 558 or via the contact form on this website

I also have a waiting list for those wanting a particular time that may not be available.  I text message all students on the waiting list when current students are sick or away for various reasons as to allow fill in lessons and as a way of you to “get the ball rolling” with me.

I look forward to hearing from you! Cheers Kat