Music and singing has always been a part of my life, but nursing is where my working life began.  I trained as a registered nurse in Perth WA going on to work on wards, then gaining experience in coronary care, pathology, prisons, IVF, private home care and occupational health.  The final five years of nursing were spent as a unit nurse in film & television before getting back to the music full time.

During the film and television years I met and worked with some amazing creatives. Get ready for the name dropping bit: Dame Helen Mirren, Nigel Hawthorn, Sir Nicholas Hytner (Director), Alan Bennett (writer), Bob Hoskins, Ewan McGregor, Robin Williams, Eddie Izzard, Christian Bale, Patricia Arquette, Jim Carter, Joanne Froggatt, Brian De Palmer (Director), Bill Nighy, Simon Pegg, Penelope Wilton, Nick Frost, Tom Cruise, Ian Holme, Christopher Hampton (Director), John Cleese and the rubbery faced Rowan Atkinson.  You may remember the episode where Mr Bean gets his hand stuck in a teapot and goes to Casualty.  He jumps the queue by stealing a ticket from a lady plastered from head to toe; well that was my handy work – the bandages and plastering. Click here if you want to watch that segment.

You will see me in the credits for films such as ‘The Madness of King George‘ and ‘Shaun of the Dead.’  I was dreaming about zombies for weeks.  I’ve also worked on a variety of adverts (Pampers, Curries, Rimmel with Kate Moss) and music promos for acts including UB40, Lisa Scott-Lee and Placebo.

As you can see my nursing years were a little extraordinary to say the least, but they proved to be incredibly important.  They funded my musical and voice studies, and paid the rent.  The techniques and experience I developed during this time helped me bring out the best in my students today.

My time working in such a wide varity of settings from hospitals, prisons, the corportate world, to caring for the poor, rich, accomplished, and famous gave me an incredible insight into the human mind and condition. And I found it fascinating.

No it wasn’t menopause!

My leap from nursing to singing was more of a push really.  I woke up one morning coupled with a cold sweat and a choking feeling.  In the preceding dream or nightmare, I died and was journeying to the next world.  Throughout my ‘passing’ I was plagued with regret; regret that I hadn’t followed my passion for music and singing – regret that my life had concluded without it reaching its full potential.

I decided there and then that I would focus all my energy into following my dreams and reaching my potential.  A focus I continue today.

I received a BA in Music Education (Jazz) from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in 2000.

In the past, I’ve studied with some of the best jazz singers, musicians and educators in the jazz world including Sheila Jordan, Mark Murphy, Madeline Eastman, Kurt Elling, Billy Taylor, Mark Levine, Anita Wardell, Norma Winstone and Cleo Lane

I’ve performed professionally in Australia, UK and USA.  My performance experience includes jazz, gospel and classical choirs; as a chorus member, featured soloist and feature singer for big bands.  I’ve run quartets, trios and duos, working a bit in professional musical theatre and light classical shows (G&S).

Although I was enjoying my time as a performer, I felt unsatisfied with my vocal control.  So I began to search for a technique, which was relevant to my voice.  Within the search and finding of that technique; and the training that followed, I noticed a switch in my mindset.  My passion to perform was morphing into a passion to help performers.  I went from thinking, “I can sing that better than her” to “I can help her sing that better.”  With my own vocal control established, I continued studying and honing my techniques to help others gain the same vocal freedom.

Moving to London in 2002 it was clear that there was an open market for a contemporary vocal technique that could give singers a strong, blended sound, using prescribed exercises specific to the individual’s vocal needs. So I set up a studio as a singing teacher in NW London.

In 2006 I was invited to do a series of guest lectures at the Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) in Surrey.  This lead to a regular position as a singing tutor at the school and eventually in April of 2008, being asked to take on the position of Head of Vocal Department.  This role taught me a huge amount and allowed me to develop a contemporary vocal curriculum that incorporated solid vocal techniques combined with musicianship, style and performance skills across part-time, BTEC, CertHE and Degree levels courses.  It was here I began designing and teaching The Performer’s Edge course.

In 2011 I decided I wanted to refocus on my business so I left ACM and began developing a broader spectrum of singing instruction, incorporating performance psychology, artistic development and vocal science. This led me an MSc at UCL in Performing Arts Medicine (PAM) neatly combining my medical training with the performing arts. Think sports medicine for performers!

I used to be worried that I was too much a ‘Jack of all trades’. Over the past few years, with the help of friends, colleagues and mentors, I have come to realise that my diverse qualifications, training and experience is actually an amazing resource for my clients. I now own that ‘Jack’ title with pride and joy.

Another key factor has been my ability to eliminate limiting beliefs such as, “I’m not good enough”, “I don’t have what it takes”, “People will judge me negatively” and “I’m stupid”. I LOVE zapping limiting beliefs! So liberating.

These days my coaching service is aimed at creatives from the performing arts and the business worlds who are ready to step into themselves. I love nothing more than helping people build and develop their confidence, performance and resilience so they too can go out and create their ideal life without limits.

As well as working with private clients you may also find me delivering presentations, seminars, and talks on vocal health, entrepreneurship, confidence and performance mindset at music industry events and organisations, colleges and universities.

I hope to hear your story at some point! Let me know if you have any questions.

Wishing you all the best in life, love and career.

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I don’t perform these days but below are some recordings from when I was.