Vocal Technique for Contemporary Singers
This new three-day intensive course is for intermediate level vocalists and above, looking to enhance and improve their overall performance by developing their understanding of vocal technique; enabling greater vocal control, dynamic range and nuance, and breath control.
Key information:
- Course dates:
- Fri 17 – Sun 19 Jul 2026
- Course times:
- 10am–5pm
- Age:
- 18+
- Art form:
- Music
- Fees:
- £385
- Deadline:
- Bookings will close at 5pm on Friday 3 July 2026 or when the course reaches full capacity
- Level of study:
- Short Courses & Summer Schools (ages 18+)
- Mode of study:
- In-person | Summer Schools
- Venue:
- Guildhall School of Music & Drama
- When:
- Summer Schools (July–August)
Course info
Public booking opens at 11am, Monday 1 December. Join our mailing list before Friday 28 November to receive priority booking.
Ages 18+
Course Dates & Times
Friday 17 – Sunday 19 July 2026
10am–5pm
About Vocal Technique for Young Performers
This new three-day intensive course is for intermediate level vocalists and above, looking to enhance and improve their overall performance by developing their understanding of vocal technique; enabling greater vocal control, dynamic range and nuance, and breath control.
Guided by vocalist and vocal coach Fini Bearman, the course focuses on exploring vocal technique in a contemporary music setting (jazz and pop). Each concept will be contextualised with musical examples, with participants encouraged to actively explore and apply the techniques individual and within the group.
This course offers a safe, encouraging space to grow technically and artistically-while having fun and connecting with fellow, like-minded vocalists.
Who is the course for?
- This course is ideal for vocalists aged 18 or over who consider themselves intermediate level or above, who have some experience in vocal performance and/or have been working with a vocal tutor.
- It is for vocalists who want to level-up their vocal performance by having a better understanding of vocal technique and the utilisation of it, to help improve both vocal and breath control, stamina, and performance nuances such as dynamics and stylistic affectations.
What can I expect?
- Learn repertoire from the jazz and contemporary music canon
- Explore and identify several vocal techniques in the context of these songs
- Learn about the connection between the voice, body and the breath and looking at how to apply these techniques in their own repertoire
- Have the opportunity to perform with a professional accompanist on the last day
Do I need anything for the course?
- An open-mindedness to explore using your voice in different, and potentially unfamiliar ways
- A notebook and pen
- Sheet music (or a backing track) for a song you are working on at the moment
Course Fee
£385
Public booking opens at 11am, Monday 1 December. Join our mailing list before Friday 28 November to receive priority booking.
Eligibility
- We welcome participants from all ages 18 and over
- Participants must have sufficient English language skills in order to fully engage with the course
About the Course Tutors
The course is taught by Fini Bearman.
Fini Bearman is a vocalist, instrumentalist and educator working within the realms of jazz, folk and art-pop. She is a professor of Jazz Voice & Songwriting at the Guildhall School and has worked extensively in these roles at various higher education institutions across the UK including Trinity Laban, The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Leeds Conservatoire, the Institute of Contemporary Music and Goldsmiths University.
Throughout her career, Fini has worked as both soloist and collaborator, and supporting artists such as Bobby McFerrin, Avishai Cohen, Mica Paris, touring festivals & venues across the UK & Europe including Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, Sage Gateshead, Kings Place, the Barbican, The A-Trane (Berlin), Cafe Mercedes Jazz (Valencia) and Manzioli (Izola). Festival highlights include the London Jazz Festival, Manchester Jazz Festival, 'Jazz Voices' in Lithuania and ’Voicingers' in Poland.
Fini has been supported by the Arts Council and Musicians Benevolent Fund and has been nominated for numerous awards, most recently Best Jazz Vocal Album (Deutsche Jazzpreis 2023) and London Jazz Singer of the Year (Global Music Foundation).
Fini previously sat on the jury for the prestigious Ivor Novello Awards, and she runs a 12-week creativity programme, Creative Beans, coaching singers, songwriters, composers and visual artists to help them dive deeper into their work and start making the art they have always dreamed of.
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