Teaching
"Davina is professional, kind and inspiring. She set high standards for my daughter who went on to achieve a Grade 8 in singing , with distinction, on her first attempt. I would highly recommend Davina as a singing teacher, in fact I have just purchased a gift voucher for 3 singing lessons for a friend of mine for her birthday."
Ann
"I first met Davina at Quinton Choir as voice coach, and after that started to have singing lessons which I enjoy. It has improved my singing ability making me more aware of my powerful voice and giving me control of dynamics in whichever song I sing.
Davina has broadened my horizons, teaching me sight reading, and pronunciation of all the words in foreign songs. Her personal commitment helps get the best out of me, with total patience at all times. As a retired adult, our lessons have given me purpose and meaning to my life."
John
"My son is 23 years old and has Autism Spectrum Condition with social and communication difficulties. Since about a year ago, he has started weekly one-to-one singing lessons with Davina to help him to sing more in tune as he can read music and play the piano and is not tone deaf but somehow cannot sing in tune.
Right from the first lesson, Davina has started to establish a very good working relationship with my son. She not only brings along albums of my son's favourite Disney songs to sing with him, but also introduced many other different types of songs which my son has greatly enjoyed learning and singing with her. Davina has also devised various activities and exercises to do with my son to make him more aware of the difference in tones and dynamics.
As a result of Davina's patience, kindness and resourcefulness, my son has not only made obvious improvements in his singing, but has also become more confident in using his voice in singing as well as in speaking. He now looks forward to singing with Davina every Thursday afternoon. Thank you Davina!"
Jane
"I started singing lessons with Davina after wanting proper tuition for a long time. She helped me build my confidence in my voice and guide me on correct technique. Further from this, we did some song writing which was fun to explore. Before I had lessons my voice would tire out quickly, but Davina showed me why this was happening and how to correct it, which I am very grateful for! Thank you!"
Rebecca
"I've been having lessons with Davina for about 8 months, having been singing for many years from childhood. During the last 10 years, I've sung regularly with a great community choir where some focus on technique promoted a question in my own head: If I had direct help, could I sing better?
Davina had joined the choir as a vocal coach and shown depth of knowledge, skill and great fun. I'd had a couple of ad hoc lessons with another singing tutor/teacher but not felt they quite understood where I was approaching from. Davina easily understood.
As an adult learner I wanted lessons to be fun, focused and also interesting. I wanted a chance to experiment and 'play' with my voice and styles, to explore what I could do. Davina has worked with me to understand my peculiar descriptions of things I wished to do, such as smoothing out a "hiccup" in my voice as I went from lower higher range notes, which she more accurately describes as a "change in register" and beginning to add vibrato as a delightful interesting shimmer and not a feared worble! Davina has described, explained and shown me in a variety of ways until I understand. I've enjoyed dipping into her experience to understand more about the voice as an instrument.
Like many who work, and have children my diary is full and varies. Davina accommodates my advance requests for different days and times, and even considers rearranging a lesson in preference to otherwise needing to cancel. She is pleasant, patient and skilled in a variety of styles, ways to teach, techniques and vocal parts. She's a consummate professional who has a depth of experience to draw upon, and knows how to keep learning fun.
I've gone from someone who enjoys singing, but with a sound that was nothing special, to having a sound and growing confidence that my voice mightn't be so bad after all. I've even faced a nemesis, to sing a short solo, something I'd never have attempted without her teaching and brilliant cheer-leading!"
Becs