Singing Teachers Talk

• Ep.198 Mastering Singing for Stage, Screen & the Music Industry with Jai Ramage

  What makes a singer stand out in a West End audition? How do vocal coaches prepare artists for The Voice? And why are singers struggling to make it in today’s music industry?This week, we dive into the world of high-performance vocal coaching with Jai Ramage—an expert who’s trained everyone from theatre stars to recording artists. She reveals what happens behind closed doors in auditions, the vocal challenges singers face in different industries, and the surprising truths about making it as an artist today.What are you waiting for? Press the play button!WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST?0:57 What is the most rewarding musical medium to work in?4:44 How has time spent in theatre influenced vocal coaching as a whole?6:27 What is a current challenge for musical theatre performers?15:51 What are casting directors really looking for?18:22 Landing a TV gig28:04 What is a current challenge for TV competitors?32:02 How to create a good self-tape for The Voice38:38 Being an artistic manager44:53 What is a current challenge for music industry artists?54:33 The common thread between teaching for stage, screen & the music industry About the presenter click HERERELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS Estill VoiceJono McNeilSinging Teachers Talk - Ep.123 Insights Into TV Vocal Coaching with The Masked Singer’s Jono McNeilSinging Teachers Talk - Ep.124 Mastering Vocal Style: Licks, Riffs and Runs with Jono McNeilKatie Holmes-SmithSinging Teachers Talk - Ep.197 Backing Adele and Beyond: The Art and Craft of Backing Vocals with Katie Holmes-SmithSusan PaytonSinging Teachers Talk - Ep.126 ‘The Business of Stories’: Game-Changing Marketing Strategy with Susan PaytonBlair GilmourThe School of Music BusinessTrudy KerrSinging Teachers Talk - Ep.196 How to Be a Singing Teacher in Higher Education with Trudy KerrPatreonSubstackABOUT THE GUESTJai Ramage has over 20 years experience working as a Vocal Coach in TV, Theatre & the Music Industry. Her TV credits include prime-time shows for BBC and ITV, such as The Voice UK, Little Mix The Search, Starstruck, and Romeo & Duet. She has coached several successful pop artists and bands, guiding them from the early stages of their creative journeys through to world tours and multiple albums. She holds a longstanding Vocal Coach role with Prestige Management, working closely with their bands and singers. Artists Jai currently coaches include The Vamps, New Hope Club, Soap, Henry Moodie, Keyside, Tom Speight, and Tommy Ashby. Jai's career began as a performer in theatre, which nowBAST Training helps singers gain the confidence, knowledge, skills & understanding required to be a successful singing teacher. "The course was everything I hoped it would be and so much more. It's an investment with so much return. I would recommend this course to any teacher wanting to up-skill, refresh or start up." Kelly Taylor, NZ ...morebasttraining.com | Subscribe | Email Us | FB Group

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• Ep.197 Backing Adele and beyond: the art and craft of backing vocals with Katie Holmes Smith

  What’s it really like to be a backing vocalist for some of the biggest stars on the planet? In this episode, we are joined by Katie Holmes-Smith, whose impressive career has seen her perform with the likes of Adele, Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams, and more. How do you become a backing singer? What skills do you need? And what’s the reality of balancing global tours with family life? Join us as Katie shares stories, career advice, and insights from behind the mic.  WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST? 4:54 How did Katie become a backing vocalist?  11:27 Should singers take any and every job? 13:59 What’s the difference between session singing and being a backing vocalist? 15:45 What essential skills are needed to be a backing vocalist?  23:50How much creative freedom do you have as a backing vocalist?  27:02What is touring really like?  34:13 How does Katie juggle showbiz and family life?  41:50What’s the selection process like for backing vocalist jobs?  47:23Katie’s favourite job  59:18What’s the Vocal Code?  About the presenter click HERE  RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS Lousie Callin Singing Teachers Talk Podcast - Ep.195 How Unlocking Your True Values Can Transform Your Teaching and Life with Louise Callin X-Factor Performance - One More Sleep by Leona Lewis Adetoun Ayoola   ABOUT THE GUEST Katie Holmes-Smith works as a professional session vocalist. She has been touring globally with Adele since 2016 and has just completed 110 shows with Adele on her Las Vegas residency at Caesars Palace and her Stadium show in Munich, Germany.   Katie has also toured and performed worldwide in recent years with Kylie Minogue, Ed Sheeran, Christina Aguilera, Robbie Williams, Olly Murs and many more.  When she isn’t away on tour, you’ll find her performing in some of the U.K and world wide top corporate venues and hotels.  As the Vocal Director of the Vocal Code, Katie uses her expertise and experience to prepare future vocalists for the industry as artists and backing vocalists.  Website: katieholmes-smith.com The Vocal Code: www.vocalcode.co.uk Instagram: @katieholmessmith BAST Training helps singers gain the confidence, knowledge, skills & understanding required to be a successful singing teacher. "The course was everything I hoped it would be and so much more. It's an investment with so much return. I would recommend this course to any teacher wanting to up-skill, refresh or start up." Kelly Taylor, NZ ...morebasttraining.com | Subscribe | Email Us | FB Group

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• Ep.196 How to Be a Singing Teacher in Higher Education with Trudy Kerr

  How do you land a job in a higher education music institution? And what do they actually look for in a singing teacher? This week, Alexa sits down with Trudy Kerr, Head of Vocals at London College of Contemporary Music (LCCM), to uncover the reality of teaching at this level. From the application process to lesson structures, student challenges, and even salary expectations, Trudy offers an insight to what it takes to make it in higher education.WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST? 2:57 What qualifications or experiences do I need?6:42 What is the interview process like?8:27 Do I need to teach any particular methodology?9:42 What might I earn?13:45 What common vocal challenges do the singers experience?21:40 A typical scheme of work at LCCM?27:20 How can teachers fulfil both assessment and singer needs?31:59 What to consider when writing singing curriculum34:32 Private Vs institution teaching38:26 Do I have to be a proficient pianist?About the presenter click HERERELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKSArtists: Raye; Laufey; DaydreamersLinda HutchisonJeanie LoVetriDr Trineice Robinson-MartinLCCMColchester InstituteLondon Jazz FestivalLondon Contemporary VoicesLine HiltonABOUT THE GUESTAustralian-born Trudy moved to the UK in the 90s to pursue music. Her big break came when Ronnie Scott heard her and booked her for a week at his club. She has since performed at major UK venues and festivals, including Glastonbury and Buckingham Palace.With 13 albums as a leader, her latest project, Take 5 - The Music of Paul Desmond, celebrates the alto saxophonist’s work. She's collaborated with world-class musicians such as Mulgrew Miller, Jan Lundgren, Georgie Fame, Bob Dorough, Jukka Perko, Michael Garrick, Acker Bilk, and Jamie Cullum.Trudy holds a PG Cert in Jazz Studies from Guildhall School of Music and Drama and recently completed an MA in Teaching Musician at Trinity Laban. A senior fellow of the Higher Education Academy, she is Head of Vocals at London College of Contemporary Music, previously teaching at Trinity Laban, Guildhall, and Chichester University.She has presented at the International Jazz Voice Conference in Finland, adjudicated the 2018 UNISA International Jazz Voice Competition in South Africa, co-hosted BBC Southern Counties' Jazz Hour, and co-owns the Jazzizit record label.E: tkerr@ lccm.org.uk.BAST Training helps singers gain the confidence, knowledge, skills & understanding required to be a successful singing teacher. "The course was everything I hoped it would be and so much more. It's an investment with so much return. I would recommend this course to any teacher wanting to up-skill, refresh or start up." Kelly Taylor, NZ ...morebasttraining.com | Subscribe | Email Us | FB Group

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• Ep.195 How Unlocking Your True Values Can Transform Your Teaching and Life with Louise Callin

  Are your values driving your work as a singing teacher, or holding you back? This week, we chat with Louise Callin, a dance teacher, mindset coach, and NLP practitioner, to explore tools for handling imposter syndrome, confidence dips, and daily stresses. Curious how a deep dive into your true values can transform your teaching, boost your authenticity, and create a balanced, purposeful life? Then, hit the play button!  WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST? 1:21 How dancing led to mindset coaching  9:43 What is mindset coaching, belief coding & NLP? 14:26 An exercise to try 23:25 Do you need a qualification and insurance to do mindset work?  26:13 How can mindset coaching complement teaching in the Performing Arts?  29:36 How to find your values  41:00 Getting started as a mindset coach  44:44 The Women's Success Squad About the presenter click HERERELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS Elmhurst Ballet School Thursford Christmas Spectacular Line Hilton Belief Coding by Jess Cunningham Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.193 How to Master Tongue Tension for Better Singing with Walt Fritz Walt Fritz The Coaching Masters Ikigai The 6-minute Success Journal  Journalling (without lyrics) playlist Paul Brunson  Amy Matthews Coaching: @amymatthewscoaching   ABOUT THE GUEST Louise Callin's journey in dance and performing arts began at age three. By sixteen, she was immersed in full-time dance college, laying the foundation for a globe-trotting professional career that led her to open a dance studio in New Zealand. Returning to the UK, Louise realigned her life to blend her passion for helping others with a balanced lifestyle.  Transitioning into Mindset coaching, she became certified and qualified in Belief Coding and Master NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming). Louise now offers bespoke coaching programmes, focusing on mindset transformation to help individuals progress and grow.  Co-founder of the Women’s Success Squad, Louise collaborates with Amy Matthews to empower women through coaching, mentoring, and collaboration. Drawing from her background as a performer and teacher, Louise also supports performers and educators in overcoming barriers to success. Website: louisecallincoach.com Social Media: @louisecallincoach @louisecallin_dancerscoach @womenssuccesssquad  BAST Training helps singers gain the confidence, knowledge, skills & understanding required to be a successful singing teacher. "The course was everything I hoped it would be and so much more. It's an investment with so much return. I would recommend this course to any teacher wanting to up-skill, refresh or start up." Kelly Taylor, NZ ...morebasttraining.com | Subscribe | Email Us | FB Group

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• Ep.194 From Jersey to Bali: Relocating a Singing Teaching Business with Gia Morgan

  If you could live and work anywhere in the world, where would it be? For Gia Morgan, the answer was Bali. Join us as Gia shares her journey from the bustling life of a singing teacher in Jersey to creating a business and studio in Indonesia. How is she navigating the challenges of relocation, building a thriving international student base, and embracing the beauty of a new culture? And what surprising lessons is she learning along the way!  WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST? 1:09 Life in Jersey: Why I left a studio of 90 students  8:25 Working life in Bali 10:12 The biggest challenge of relocating  12:32 The legal bit  17:45 Music education and singing in Bali 22:31 Establishing and pricing singing lessons in a different country  29:40 A bit of advice   About the presenter click HERE  RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS Singing Teachers Talk Podcast - Ep.36 Healing Through Singing Energies, Crystals and Creating Atmosphere with Gia Morgan   ABOUT THE GUEST Gia is a British/Maltese Professional Singing Teacher, Singing for Health Practitioner, Vocal Manual Therapist, Specialist in Vocal Acupuncture, Vocal Health First-Aider, and coaches singing as a therapy. This includes Earth Choir, Kirtan/Chant gatherings, Adult Soul gatherings, courses and singing retreats. After finishing her Degree at the Academy of Contemporary Music at the ripe young age of 19 years old, Gia became a believer in the innate value of vocal well-being practices. Now 10 years on, Gia prides her teaching as a holistic focused approach.  Whilst travelling the East a decade ago, teaching singing in orphanages and schools – she also spent time leading through voice, Kirtan (Singing Meditations) with incredible masters of healing in Indonesia. This brings Gia pure joy to see a singer evolve in voice whole-body as well as all the “Geeky stuff” that is learnt in her lessons.  Gia was born in Jersey, Channel Islands in the UK, where she recently had a very successful voice studio for 5 years before moving to Indonesia. Gia now lives in Bali where she has opened a studio in Umalas. She also teaches and holds workshops and retreats in the UK, Malta and teaches internationally online.  Website: www.vocalswithgia.com Instagram: @baliholisticvoicestudio  BAST Training helps singers gain the confidence, knowledge, skills & understanding required to be a successful singing teacher. "The course was everything I hoped it would be and so much more. It's an investment with so much return. I would recommend this course to any teacher wanting to up-skill, refresh or start up." Kelly Taylor, NZ ...morebasttraining.com | Subscribe | Email Us | FB Group

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