SWT Vocal Academy

It is no secret that creative people and performers often struggle with their mental health. This is why at SWT Vocal coaching we pay great attention to mental wellbeing in vocal performance. Because it makes a difference.

After a long 18 months where Covid restrictions made group singing and group sessions impossible, our group sessions are back including the choirs

Hydration is one of the most overlooked things for professionals using their voice. Drinking water before or during a show is purely topical. But systemic hydration is just as important.

Effective vocal coaching is not just about how your use your voice. Its about getting everything else that goes into it right too. If your body is not prepared, then your voice is not working at its best. Even the stars need coaches for this.

For all of us 2020 has been a challenge in so many ways. We have lived through a historical year that will go into the history books and be remembered as the year the world ground to a halt in the battle against an invisible enemy.

But there have been positives as well. A global pandemic has unified the world in a common goal. As a species we have done the unthinkable and been able to develop multiple vaccines in under a year showing just what humanity can achieve when we want to and how we can thrive when we cooperate. The terrible shooting of George Floyd has awoken the world to unconscious bias and privilege and started a movement of change for the better.

Most importantly of all you, us, we survived what has been one of the hardest years for our generations bith physically and mentally. As we move to 2021 we cannot say it will be better, but what we can say is that we enter it having survived 2020 and everything it has thrown at us. We have loved and lost and adapted to great change. It has made us all stronger in ways many of us may not even realise.

So if you find you are struggling in 2021, please look back at all you have endured this year and realise you are stronger than you think for so many reasons.

To all of you I would like to wish you happiness, love and strength for 2021and just to say I am proud of you for getting through 2020 and in some part, be it big or small, we have all been important to each other this year.

From my family to yours, Happy New Year.
Tris, Laura, Oliver & Ruby

Acoustic wall complete. Oooh sparkly

After todays government announcement, it will not be long before we can return to face to face teaching, providing necessary distancing is observed.

I have started planning already for this to ensure the utmost safety of all students. It will be nice to see you all in person again soon.

Singing has excellent benefits. Not only is it great for confidence and other social skills but it also has amazing health benefits.

Singing is great for Mental Health, singing naturally releases endorphins, the feel good hormone, creating a feeling of euphoria and general well being. But did you know endorphins are also a natural pain killer. They stimulate the opioid receptors in the brain and nervous system and it has been scientifically proven to reduce pain and discomfort.

So it is also great for your physical health . Add to that the benefits to posture, breathing, lung function and general vocal health and the poitive benefits looking after your vocal health has on your body due to increased hydration, increased sleep all helping you function better both physically and mentally.

Want to stay healthy.... learn to sing.

Its Mental Health Awareness week, so lets be kind to each other because you do not know what someone else is going through.

Singing is brilliant for Mental Health. Singing naturally releases endorphins, the feel good hormone, its also a great way to get out your feelings.

In addition the respiratory functions and good practices for vocal health such as hydration, posture, breathing are all beneficial to mental health as well as physical health.

Fancy giving it a go?

Vocal Health Explained....

We are currently putting together a series of online tutorials discussing various aspects of vocal health.

These tutorials will explain key factors in optimal vocal health and performance and explain the science behind it.

The first topic will be all about Hydration. You may not be aware that there are two key types of hydration that are important for vocal health. Systematic and Topical and both play a crucial role in getting the best from your vocal folds.

Stay tuned to learn more.....

Singing is more than just doing it in tune. From very early we introduce mic technique training into our sessions so that correct technique becomes natural and second nature. By training it in early, those who do go onto professional careers do not then have to learn it because they already have it down without having to think about it.

For a singer, a mic is one of the important tools that can make a performance great or ruin it completely. Knowing how to use it correctly is key to that. Its also going to help your vocal health.

It also makes the job of a a lot easier.

SWT - More than just singing.

Correct preparation does not come from a text book. It comes from years of practical experience in real live situations where your voice is needed 7 days a week for hours at a time. I pride myself on coaching real world skills that fully prepare and provide the knowledge and ability to deal with the gruelling workload and demanding shows that take their toll on the voice.

Anyone can google and look at youtube, but what works for one person doesn't work for everyone. Your voice is not just unique in sound, its unique in its requirements, its process and its needs to generate the best of your ability and stay healthy at the same time.

If you want to be at your best, that is where a professional vocal coach will help.

Get in touch.

FREE Online lesson slots available this weekend. Message for details.