Our 6-week singing courses are aimed at developing vocal confidence, improving technique, pitch & body awareness, exploring the repertoire and understanding the history of jazz & blues music. Crafted to suit a wide range of experience levels, from the complete beginner to the more experienced vocalist. If you attend a course that corresponds with the end of our school’s term, you will have the option to perform with your classmates at our end-of-term party with a live jazz band!
Location: Academy Studios, 15 Pratt Mews, Camden NW1 0AD
Cost: £90 per person
2020 courses
This course will be run six times in the year:
- Starting 13th January: 7.30pm every Monday from 13th January to 17th February. Course theme: The Birth of the Blues. SOLD OUT!
- Starting 24th February: 7.30pm every Monday from 24th February to 30th March (with option to perform with live band at our end-of-term party on Wednesday 1st April). Course theme: Heavenly Harmonies. SOLD OUT!
- Starting 27th April: 7.30pm every Monday from 27th April to 1st June. Course them: The Great American Songbook. PLACES AVAILABLE.
- Starting 8th June: 7.30pm every Monday from 8th June to 13th July (with option to perform with live band at our end-of-term party on Wednesday 22nd July). PLACES AVAILABLE.
- Starting 7th September: 7.30pm every Monday from 7th September to 12th October. PLACES AVAILABLE.
- Starting 19th October: 7.30pm every Monday from 19th October to 23rd November (with option to perform with live band at our end-of-term party on Wednesday 2nd December). PLACES AVAILABLE.
location

what will I learn?
Each lesson will be presented in an enjoyable workshop style, beginning with vocal exercises and warmups aimed at developing pitch, range and jazz language. We will then move on to learning repertoire, where as well as learning songs we will explore aspects of jazz singing such as phrasing, musicality, singing in harmony, understanding jazz conventions, and of course, performance skills! And so we get to put our newfound skills into practice, each group participating in the course will have the option to perform at our end-of-term party with a live band. Trust us, it’ll be fun, you’ll love it!

Who is this course for?
Everyone! Male and female voices are both welcome. This course has been carefully crafted to suit a wide range of experience, from the absolute beginner to the more experienced vocalist. Beginners will be introduced to fundamental technique, and more experienced singers will be pushed and challenged. You should be willing to work in a group as well as perform solo, and be willing to try improvising. As long as you are able to hear notes from the piano and sing them back in the correct pitch, you are ready for this course!

About Louise Messenger
Louise Messenger has been a professional vocalist and singing teacher for 20 years. Beginning her career as a contemporary vocalist, Louise quickly turned her attention to jazz in her mid-twenties. Around the same time she developed a passion for teaching, which led her to the Elder Conservatorium Adelaide to study a Bachelor of Music Education with a major in Jazz Voice. As well as her education background Louise has a solid grounding in technique, being a strong advocate of the Estill model, using it extensively in both her teaching and her own performance.

Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear/bring?
What is the level of this course?
What if I have to miss one of the classes?
Can I drop-in to this course?
Can I pay in instalments?
I took this course last term. Will it be different this term?
What are the different course themes?
Each course throughout the year has a slightly different theme, so that continuing students are introduced to a variety of jazz & blues repertoire, learn different skills and study different aspects of jazz music history. But each course is independent and you can start anytime. Every course will introduce new students to fundamental technique & style.
Starting 13th January: “The Birth of the Blues”
Starting 24th February: “Heavenly Harmonies”
In the swing era, jazz harmony groups reigned supreme. Groups like the Boswell Sisters, the Rhythm Boys, the Mills Brothers and of course the Andrews Sisters dominated the airwaves with their fabulous, swinging harmonies and synchronised movements. In this 6 week course we will be focusing on using our voice as part of a trio/quartet, as well as developing our knowledge of voice production and continuing to develop confidence as a singer! An opportunity to perform one of our pieces at the JazzMAD Spring Swing Ball is part of this course!
Starting 27th April: The Great American Songbook.
Starting 8th June: description coming soon
Starting 7th September: description coming soon
Starting 19th October: description coming soon