Singing & Speech Coaching

Vocal discovery, recovery & development.

  • Singing Coaching

    Work with me to increase your range, improve your vocal health, strengthen your capacity and enhance your expression as we explore together the full potential of the singing voice.

  • Speech Coaching

    Work with me to increase technique, bypass unhelpful opinions and build confidence as a speaker as we refine your preparation, your presentation, your communication and your performance.

  • Choir Workshops

    I lead workshops for choirs of all shapes and sizes and their leaders. Whatever your choir needs I’ll bring my 30+ years of choir-whispering experience to improve the sound and increase the joy for you and all your singers.

  • Songwriting

    I write for individual singers and choirs to develop their craft, explore their creative range and expand their performance technique. My group songwriting workshops can be tailored to theme, and participant skillset.

Two people, a woman and a young man, are engaged in a conversation or performance, with the woman appearing to be speaking or explaining something and the young man holding a script or paper, both against a dark background.

I’ve been teaching singers, ‘non-singers’, performers and public speakers, and leading choral projects, since 1990.

As a director I specialise in large-scale community productions, many of which feature choral participation.

  • “Em is a first-class teacher who opens the door to all things voice. Her talent is in really seeing the person in front of her and using years of experience to bring out the best version of them, in a fully holistic way.” 

  • “Em helped me strengthen my speaking voice and communicate in a voice that can now be heard. This is useful in my work as well as in noisy environments.”

  • “Em's skills as a vocal coach and choral leader are matched only by the way she is able to engage people of all ages and experience when facilitating community events - she has a rare knack of helping people believe they can do what they thought they couldn't, and gently giving very specific pointers both on getting started and improving the sound and performance produced.”

  • “Em has really helped me as a songwriter – she led me to find a fuller, richer voice, and this in turn has brought more depth and quality to my songs.”

  • “Before Em came we liaised closely about our choir’s needs for the day, outlining areas we'd like to address - presentation, stage-craft, improvising harmonies, vocal technique and developing confidence in singing. Em delivered a really excellent workshop addressing all these issues and more! She worked on some of our repertoire and taught us new songs, which we loved learning. Her teaching was specific to our needs, which was so helpful.”

  • “Em encouraged us to be braver in our singing, and we learned much about each other in the process - a lovely bonding session for all our choir members. What really impressed everyone was how open and engaging Em was; she understood how to get the best out of us in such a generous and encouraging way.”  

  • “As well as her profound knowledge of singing and singers, Em has a repertoire of her own beautiful choral material.”

Through a physical approach that ‘starts where you are’, I’ll help you find your voice, whatever your starting point. Each session is tailored to meet your specific needs.

I help professional singers, absolute beginners and everyone in between, to develop and look after the voice, expand the range and improve performance technique. I offer tuition in and around North Yorkshire where I am based, and I travel across the UK to deliver workshops and residencies.

I work with singers and songwriters to develop their craft.

Whether working one-to-one with songwriters or leading group songwriting workshops, I open up accessible ways in to the songwriting process. As the voice finds more power and increases expression - so will your songs!

My group songwriting work is often tailored to encourage and enhance community participation in a wider project, themed to celebrate a particular moment or community. For example in 2022 I led sessions in schools and community groups all along a particular railway line in the north east of England  to create a community songbook. Our Line Connections, produced by Luxi Creative, marked the Platinum Jubilee of the Bishop Line. Have a listen here to the songs we created on the theme of Connection.

As a songwriter I write for individual singers and choirs. My choral works have been published by Faber, A&C Black and Banks Music Publications. Have a listen to some of my songs here.

Artwork of the word 'Voicefulness' written in stylised, orange script with a decorative arch.

I direct Voicefulness, my own choral performance project, every autumn in York, for singers at all levels of experience, which explores and celebrates the easy way into harmony singing.

A group of people, mostly women and children, gathered indoors under a tent with multicolored bunting, participating in a dance or activity led by a woman in a blue top.

Get in Touch

If you’d like some support to decide what you need - get in touch for a free 20 minute no-obligation call.