I use my wealth of experience to coach all types of singers, from absolute beginners to professionals, and of all age groups and genres. The Voice Studio was born out of 40 years of professional working experience. Maggi can hardly remember a week when she did not stand on a stage. Now she passes her knowledge and experience on to the many students who have gone through her hands in the last 22 ye
ars. Maggi was initially employed as a Lecturer by Middlesbrough College and Vocal Coach for both the Music and Performing Arts Departments teaching BTech and HND. She also taught Voice for Stage Coach Hartlepool and Darlington branches. At this time she began teaching one to one, mostly professional singers, vocal technique and sorting out damaged voices. North East agents sent new young acts to prepare for their professional career being taught singing, performance, audience management, communication skills and much more. She also acted as a consultant to many acts needing advice how to enter and to work the business and sustain a career as well as deal with the many pitfalls along the way. She has a Studio at Washington Arts Centre, Fatfield. She now teaches all age groups from the age of 7 upwards. Maggi’s oldest student is 77. Every single student gets the same opportunity. Young and old alike without exception become better singers and many have gone on to be professional singers themselves. Many young people who have started out with no singing ability at all fall into this category, and others have enjoyed their moment through the many student shows set up to develop the skills needed for stage and to propel them into working harder to achieve their dream or their goal. Many of the students prepare for auditions and achieve scholarships to Performing Arts Schools throughout the country, or university/college places to pursue their careers on stage. Some other long term students have entered into teaching themselves making Maggi The Teacher’s Teacher. Maggi is also employed by Newcastle University to coach voice for popular music degree students to graduate level. Vocal technique is about learning the mechanisms to have a strong supported safe voice. You will be taught good breathing. The correct use of the many muscles involved in the singing process. The aim is to improve range, tone, resonance, pitch, power, etc. In addition musicality, dynamics, phrasing, and getting the ‘atmosphere’ right. There are many methods you will learn
that aim to point you towards better singing with good technique. Your performance will improve and your ability to engage with your audience verbally and non verbally with good communication skills. Really the teaching never ends and some students have stayed upwards of ten years and still come back for top ups to up their game. It’s a fabulous journey. All it takes is patience, focus and determination. When Covid hit, the business of teaching singing moved on line. This turned out to be very successful and everyone continued to improve. Vocal Coaching became available to a wider audience. Now with students in London, Scotland, Yorkshire and Northumberland - on line teaching has stayed in place. Now students have a choice. On line or face to face at The Studio. Spoiled for choice and you can mix it up too. So that’s what The Voice Studio is about. Maggi Ballantyne brings her particular teaching style. It never fails to build your confidence whatever age and whatever standard. Everyone is welcome.
