Singing | Voice | Acting
Joey
FdActing, BMus(Hons)
Fun
Varied
Thoughtful
Engagement
Personal
I am Joey Dexter, a singing coach based in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, teaching people in the Holmfirth, Huddersfield and Manchester areas for one-to-one singing tuition and peripatetic coaching in music and drama colleges in the North of England. Music and singing have been lifelong passions and I want it to be one for you too. If you love singing and music and would like to learn more or improve your technique, it would be great to hear from you.
I am available for private teaching Thursdays and Fridays.
I began training as a singer aged nine, as a choral scholar at Ampleforth College before studying music at The Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. My background is in classical singing and classical singing technique, so a strong and practical understanding of techinique is the foundation of my work as a coach.
My professional career has been wonderfully varied, having had the pleasure to work in music theatre, opera and pop genres. As a teacher, this variety gives me insight into the numerous aspects of the various singing styles, allowing me to draw on the most effective teaching methods and appropriate techniques. I teach everyone from hobbyists to professionals, including students preparing for ABRSM and Trinity graded examinations, so whatever your level, I'll be able to help you improve. I am one of many in my family who have all worked/work at the highest levels in the music and performance industries.
No matter what your level of voice use, the approach to work is through encouraging appropriate posture and efficient breath use, as well as developing your grounding and awareness of your instrument. What else is covered will be hugely dependant on your voice, your vocal goals and any specific 'performance' demands, this is why its important to do an initial consultation session.
Repertoire is often used to work towards certain goals in your vocal development, incorporating exercises to help you cross the boundary of 'learning in isolation' to actively applying technique to the context relevant to you, (performance, audition etc...) this is a big part of the coaching. Getting to know you is also a large part of the process, having an open working partnership. You should always feel comfortable to explore your voice, and of course to have some fun along the way!
The professional performer is an elite voice user, with whom, the aim is to make them athletes in their own right, able to withstand high levels of voice use, as well as creating a fine tuned awareness of their body and instrument.
I also offer Peripatetic Teaching for Schools and Colleges in Singing Coach to deliver one to one coaching at your institution, get in touch via the contact form.
Professional Performance Credits include:
Alternate Frankie Valli, The Jersey Guys, Australia Tour. Soloist, The Manchester Indie Choir, Session Choir . Front Man, Under The Covers Band (8years). Prince Edward, Wallis - The Story of Wallace Simpson, Chichester Festival. Soloist, Thursford Christmas Spectacular (2Years). Father, Children of Eden, Union Theatre, London. Jack, This was the World and I was King, The Arts Theatre, Leicester Square, London. Soloist, Andante, Celebrity Cruises, Europe (3years). Frankie Valli / Bob Gaudio, The Jersey Guys, UK Tour. Tenor, Opera on the Run (5years). Tim, A Comedy of Arias (Workshop), Maria Aitken, Pleasance Theatre London. Magwycz/Jaggers, Great Expectations, UK Tour, London Contemporary Theatre. Chorus, Otello/Simon Boccanegra, Bridgewater Hall, Sir Mark Elder. Chorus, Die Meistersinger, Bridgewater Hall, Sir Mark Elder. Pete, Beached, Opera North, Bridlington. Chorus, Aida, Opera de Bauge, France. Chorus, Die Fledermaus, Opera de Bauge, France. Chorus, L’elisir D’amore, Opera de Bauge, France. Alexis, The Sorcerer, Middleton Hall. Soloist, Access to Music Prom, Royal Albert Hall, London. Soloist, The Princes Trust Awards ,The Royal Courts of Justice, London. Tenor, Afternoon Delight Barbershop Quartet. Lead Soloist and BV’s, Under the Covers Function Band. Lead Soloist and BV’s, The Provocateurs. Tenor, Opera on the Run. TV & Film: The Crown, Tsingtao Commercial. Robert, Company, Stephen Sondheim, Capitol Theatre. Danny, Indigestion (New Musical), RNCM. Sandy Tyrell,Hayfever, Noel Coward, RNCM. Jack, Into The Woods, Stephen Sondheim, RNCM. Milhin, Paradise Moscow, RNCM. Eurimaco, Il Ritorno d’Ulisse, RNCM. Chorus, Beethoven 9th Symphony (Concert), RNCM. Chorus, Carmen, RNCM
Hello from Lucy
BAHons, MSc, RCSLT, HCPC
Wholistic
Awareness
Balance
Creativity
Empowerment
I’m Lucy, and I work as a part time private Voice Coach and a full time Speech and Language Therapist within the NHS. I work with professional voice users who are finding some difficulty within their singing or speaking voice, this includes a range of professions including; professional musicians, singers and actors, amateur performers, teachers, public speakers, lawyers, anyone who relies on their voice on a regular basis. I have a handful of clients at anyone time who need space to focus on certain areas of their vocal system, sometimes working with ENT departments to aid clients pre and post ENT/speech therapy referrals to continue their rehabilitation.
*** Please note: I am not a replacement for an ENT referral or package of care from the NHS, if you would like advice around this don’t hesitate to contact me, I would be happy to talk to you about it.
In your sessions with me we will take a wholistic approach to coaching your voice, considering your whole person, the body, the mind, and your environments. Your voice is precious and unique to you, so your sessions are completely centred around your vocal and personal needs and goals. Building awareness of your whole vocal system with mindfulness, and a respect for your body will all be essential, we are always working toward empowering you with the knowledge to take charge of your own voice and feel confident doing so.
Some of the areas we could cover include: Vocal health and self-care // alignment and postural work // breath-work // tension release // work on spoken voice // vocal efficiency // strengthening techniques // vocal stamina // resonance // SOVT // acting through song // character work // text analysis // knowledge and awareness of your vocal system // awareness of vocal load // exploring all areas and possibilities within your voice. I work with clients of all ages, voice types and genres.
My Background: I began my journey into coaching when performing professionally as an Actor and Singer in London, touring the UK and Europe from the age of 17.
Throughout my own training and professional career, I have (and continue to) shadow/ed and work/ed alongside some of this country’s finest practitioners in Voice, Singing, Movement, Alexander Technique and Acting Techniques. These practitioners, and my own vocal and performance journey inspired me to move further into coaching rather than performing, and dedicate myself to learning more about our fascinating vocal system and what affects its performance potential. I have now been coaching privately for 10 years with 6 of those years purely as a vocal coach. I have seen clients privately as well as in institutions and performing arts schools, coaching singing, voice, acting through song, technical acting and audition technique. In my own time I practice Kundalini yoga and breath work techniques as well as hiking in the glorious Peak District and a spot of wild swimming when I'm brave enough.
Training and courses include:
BAHons in Drama and Theatre Studies, PG Diploma in Acting, MSc in Speech and Language Therapy.
Advanced Singing Teacher Training, SOVT, Mastering Musical Theatre, Best Practice Update - The Vocal Process.
Managing Laryngeal Injury, Neuro-Laryngology, Working with the CCM Singer - The British Voice Association.
Recovering from illness - BAPAM.
Understanding Autism - LSCFT.
The Estill Model Level 1+2 - The Voice Explained.
Conferences: Newcastle Voice Conference 2022. Cutting Edge Laryngology 2022. Manchester Head and Neck Symposium 2022.
Upcoming CPD: Incorporating SOVT - North West CEN. Laryngeal Diagnostics - BVA.
My MSc Research: "Knowledge levels of Professional Singers in Typical to Atypical Vocal Function and the SLT’s role in their vocal management in the UK."
My Availability: I am currently open to music and drama colleges to discussion around teaching modules on Voice, Vocal health and the ENT Pathway.
Singers, Actors, Voice Over Artists:
Please make sure you are referred to a clinic who have experience working with Elite Voices. Great resources and contacts for NHS ENT’s who have experience working with Singers and Actors are:
BAPAM - British Academy Performing Arts Medicine
If your voice problem is affecting your ability to work: