Jo Estill’s belief that everybody has a beautiful voice has long been a core component of my teaching practice. Helping my students and clients to achieve their vocal goals is the way that I attempt to embody this principle.
I trained as a classical singer at the Birmingham Conservatoire, where I discovered my love of the art of teaching by accompanying other students in their singing lessons. I soon realised that my existing classical strategies didn’t apply to those singers of Contemporary Commercial Music (pop, rock, musical theatre, etc.) My search for solutions led me to the Estill Voice Model and my first Level 1 and 2 courses. Having been stunned by the changes that singers experienced during the masterclasses, I decided to explore the work more deeply. After studying with Matthew Reeve and Klaus Möller on their certification pathway, I eventually qualified as a Certified Master Teacher (now Estill Master Trainer).
My career has spanned nearly a quarter of a century, during which time I’ve taught acting, dance, and musical theatre courses at some of the UK’s most prestigious institutions, including Bird College, Mountview, LIPA, and now Leeds Conservatoire. I was also Head of Singing at The Hammond, Chester until 2023. I now combine my work at the Conservatoire with running my private studio, thesingingteacher.co.uk, which offers lessons in Stoke-on-Trent and online.
Vocal health is at the heart of the Estill Model, and I’ve been fortunate to help many singers who have experienced voice difficulties. I’m a qualified vocal health first aider and am training as a vocal habilitation professional with Vocal Health Education.
I am a member of the Independent Society of Musicians, the British Voice Association, and the Association of Teachers of Singing. I hold an enhanced DBS which is continually up-to-date.