Teachers

Heather has studied voice and the teaching of voice continuously since 2001 working with some of the worlds greatest vocal experts to perfect her knowledge and teaching abilities. In 2012 she became the first and only British teacher certified as Level 5 in SLS (the highest possible level.) In 2013 Heather left the SLS organisation to work with a selection of high level teachers across the world to set up a new and improved teacher training organisation- The Institute for Vocal Advancement (www.vocaladvancement.com)

Heather’s personal singing career started from the early age of 12 when she performed alongside Darren Day and Philip Schofield in ‘Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dream coat’ at the Bristol hippodrome. From there she never looked back.

I spent most of my childhood going to singing teachers that took my money but didn’t deliver the results I should have had. I learnt plenty of songs but never realised the potential damage I was doing to my voice. As a child in particular you don’t realise that a teacher might not be doing you any good. When I was introduced to correct vocal technique it was like someone had finally turned on the light! I kept questioning- why has no one told me this before?

Heather has learnt from some of the greatest teachers in the world including Seth Riggs, Dave Stroud, Greg Enriquez, John Henny, Wendy Parr, Dean Kaelin, Jeffrey Skouson, Spencer Welch and many others.

Heather began teaching in 2001 and has built up an impressive clientele list since then. Her private clients include gigging musicians, songwriters, television personalities, journalists, signed artists, MOBO Award and Mercury Award nominees, Malta Music Award winners and a vast selection of amateur singers. She has been consulted for nation wide music industry books and local news articles; she has taught at performing arts institutes as far away as Malta, Israel and Australia; and has tutored singing teachers all across the UK. She lectured regularly at The Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA) for 2 years on the music course. Heather has also taught at the legendary Seth Riggs Summer vocal Programme in LA, the SLS international teacher’s conference in Salt Lake City and The Institute for Vocal Advancement’s teachers conferences in California, Edinburgh, Vienna and online.

In 2019 Heather delivered a TEDx talk all about the Joy of Singing and she truly believes that if it makes you happy you should do it regardless of your level of talent!

Heather also runs Cheshire Pop Choirs (www.cheshirepopchoirs.co.uk) which focusses on getting everybody singing for the pure pleasure of it!

Katie grew up with a love of music. She started learning to play the piano at the age of 9 and went on to achieve a grade 6. She also played Alto Saxophone to grade 5 standard and has a grade 5 in music theory. She trained in Ecology at university gaining an MSc in bat behaviour but in 2013 she began to study voice at HBSS with Laura-Jane Boardman. This spurred her on to begin performing.

Over the past few years she has been singing and playing piano at restaurants, weddings and other private events. She also became a member of the Northwich pop choir and has taken part in various performances with them. After having her son in 2014, Katie continued her musical journey by becoming a rhythm time teacher, teaching music to babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers. She also started taking Piano lessons again and finally gained her grade 8.

Katie has been training through IVA and has achieved her Level 2 qualifications and is currently working towards her Level 3.

Katie is a very friendly and approachable teacher who knows exactly how to get the most out of her students! She has a particular skill in connecting with children who enjoy her playful nature!

Amy Woodhouse has been a student of Heather’s since 2020 and a member of Cheshire Pop Choirs since 2018. She holds a degree in Linguistics and a diploma in Health and Social Care which has helped her to develop skills that are vital to teaching singing- those of patience and encouragement. She has a love of singing and music, holding a grade 5 in Piano, and is also a member of a samba band! Amy began her teacher training in 2022 and has been excited to put what she’s learned into practice with her students. Amy is a very personable teacher who very quickly puts her students at ease. She is delighted to be teaching at HBSS.