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    Maria Rivington
    07905 618184
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    Maria Rivington
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    Maria Rivington
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1-2-1 SINGING LESSONS & VOCAL TRAINING, SOUTH EAST LONDON 

Learn how to improve your vocal confidence, technical skills, resolve voice problems and develop your personal style. In a relaxed environment, Maria Rivington (MMus, BA Hons) – a fully qualified and experienced cross-genre Voice Coach/Singing Teacher  - will help you develop your vocal abilities organically and grow musically, making sure you realise the full potential of your voice and your performance skills.                                                                        

All Singers - experienced professionals or recent starters - benefit from working on their vocal skills and keeping their voices in good vocal health and stamina. For 20+ years, using Accent, Estill and Bel Canto-influenced methods, Maria (MMus) have been working with professional and just-for-fun classical soloists and choristers, UK and International chart acts, singer/songwriters, West End performers, actors, R'nB, Gospel and jazz singers.

Some of the common key elements covered are:

  • Breathing & Support - learn to manage your breathing when you sing, using abdominal muscles, diaphragm and airflow correctly for best vocal onset
  • Quality of Tone, Placing & Projection - minimise tension & develop a natural, rich vocal quality maximising natural resonance and reaching "the back of the room"
  • Range Development - sing top/bottom notes comfortably. Maintain and expand your vocal range, agility and explore new possibilities 
  • Vocal Problems - address voice-loss, hoarseness, nodules, fatigue and learn to manage & prevent voice problems from developing.
  • Harmonising - learn to blend effectively with other voices in choirs, BVs for bands, sessions and close harmony groups 

Sessions also include:

  • Repertoire Selection - with a wide knowledge of Opera, Art Song, Choral music, Musical Theatre, Pop/Jazz/Gospel/Rn'B, Rock/Country & Folk, I can guide you to the songs that your voice and personal taste is most suited to.
  • Phrasing, Interpretation & Personal Style -  equally familiar with classical techniques, belting & mixing for Musical Theatre and CCM/Popular Music, I will help you make each song "your own" and in keeping with each genre's particular style.
  • Performance Skills - address & overcome stage fright, build audience communication, work on posture/body language and microphone technique.
  • Audition & Exam Preparation - prepare repertoire and performance successfully for the West End, choral auditions, music college, ABRSM/Trinity grades & Diplomas
  • Musicianship - become musically confident by understanding music theory e.g. chord structures and notated music, learn sight-reading etc.

WHAT HAPPENS IN THE LESSONS?

After an initial assessment lesson where I listen to your voice to establish a technical development path, we discuss your aims and concerns and set goals together. Subsequent sessions are a mix of vocal exercises - specifically tailored to your technical development needs and learninga are then applied when we work on songs. The song selection will depend on the singer's preference of style but the aim is always to improve the quality of the voice and delivery. 

If you are also looking to develop your musicianship and especially if you are preparing for a grade or diploma, your lesson will also include an element of music theory.

Generally, working with songs also involves understanding all elements of it; a character's motivations and intentions in an aria or musical theatre piece, the origin or context of a piece and it's creator and the emotion you want to convey. We will also ensure words in other languages are correctly pronounced and texts are completely understood - this understanding combined with increased technical ability will make your singing truly impactful and so much more enjoyable for you.

If you are already performing or auditioning for work, you may want to focus mainly on the performance side of your songs alone - you are more than welcome to. 

VOICE PROBLEMS - HELP IS AT HAND

Vocal difficulties e.g. hoarseness, vocal fatigue, difficulty with tone control and pitch, range diminishing etc. either from trauma and over-use, unsound vocal technique or from bad habits developing gradally over time, can cause a great deal of concern.

The ageing process of the voice can also cause confidence issues. As a member of BVA (British Voice Association) I have a good understanding of how Speech & Language Therapists work, and can diagnose and judge the cause and extent of your problems. 

Following an assessment, I can suggest a number of exercises suited to your individual issues and will advise you on preventative measures putting you on the path to vocal recovery and improvement. I can also refer you to other specialists if necessary.

COSTS & TIMES

In Person Sessions: £50 per 60 minutes Tuesday - Friday 9am - 6pm & Saturday 10am - 3pm

Virtual Sessions: £45 per 60 minutes Tuesday - Friday 9am - 6pm & Saturday 10am - 3pm

LOCATION

In-Person sessions are held 10 minutes from Forest Hill Station, served by London Overground from Canada Water (Jubilee interchange), Whitechapel (Circle & District & Elizabth Line) and direct BR services from London Bridge. Journey time from Canada Water & Lond Bridge is approximatly 15 minutes.

Call 07905 618184 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss and book an appointment.

CLIENTS' REVIEWS

ABOUT MARIA

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A classically trained singer and vocal teacher - BMus (performance) & MMus – Maria's teaching is influenced by the Bel Canto-, Accent- and Estill methods, practiced by established vocal teachers and singers throughout the world of classical singing, musical theatre, and popular music.

She is a frequently hired classical & session singer, West End- and choral voice coach and has worked with TV Gospel talent show Time2Shine. Maria regularly teaches students at Goldsmiths University's BA and MA courses, at Benslow Music, in choral- and Master Class workshops on Art Song, Opera and Musical Theatre and is a sought-after West End and Music College auditions coach. She is a member of the British Voice Association and AOTOS - Association Of Teachers Of Singing.

Many of her students can be heard on stages and concert halls around the UK and or are studying at e.g. Goldsmiths University, The Royal Northen College of Music, URDANG, Millennium College, RADA and Central or sing in prestigious choirs like Philharmonia Choir, Royal Choral Society, Thomas Tallis Society, London City Choir, The English Baroque Choir, The London Nordic Choir etc.

 

VOCAL M.O.T.          The 30-minute Vocal Health Check for Choristers

Developed with with Jeremy Jackman (of King's Singers fame), the Vocal M.O.T. is designed to enable choristers to have an individual, 1-2-1 singing lesson with a professional vocal coach whilst the choir prepares for the next concert. These 30-minute vocal health checks can take place during an evening rehearsal, a workshop weekend away, Singing Days, or on a choral course - all that's needed is a keyboard and a separate room.

Singers and conductors are often aware of the need for attention to vocal technique, but most busy concert schedules won't allow it. The format of the Vocal M.O.T. gets around these constraints, supports and develops the individual singer and improves the overall sound of the choir.

For several years Maria has been joining courses, rehearsals and workshops around the UK, most notably at Benslow Music and Farncombe Estate with Jeremy Jackman and Andrew Parnell (Musical Director of Ely Cathedral) among others.

Even the most experienced chorister will over time want to ensure their vocal technique and voice production is healthy. The Vocal M.O.T. sessions will address any individual concerns the singer may have as well as giving general advise, hints & tips of how to maintain the voice and develop it further. Individual notes and a booklet of technical advise is emailed to each singer afterwards.

Each session covers:

• thorough examination of voice and performance

• guidance on placing, projection, support & breathing

• advise on vocal problems e.g. vocal fatigue, loss of range and quality of tone 

COST & HOW TO BOOK: The Vocal M.O.T. sessions start at £20 per person. Please contact Maria directly on 07905 618184 or email on bookings@rivingtonvoice.com

 

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PERFORMANCE PRACTICE

Several times a year, Maria also offers her ambitious amateur pupils the opportunity to perform to each other with professional accompaniment in a central London venue. These are much appreciated events where everyone can learn from hearing what other singers are working on technically as well as musically - most singers return every time!

 

Fredrik & I
'Comparing notes', Master Class 2013, St. John’s Wood Church
Master Class 2016
Master Class 2016, Christ Church, Kensington
Vocal SOS Gospel
Vocal SOS Gospel workshop 2014, RADA, London
Masterclass July 17
'Master Class 2017, The Ulrika Eleonora (Swedish) Church, Marylebone, London

bva british voice association

Teach me to shine

trinity guildhall

benslowmusic

farncombe courses