Mary-Jane de Havas
Singing, Speaking and Performance Teacher
Vocal Coaching
Discover how to Sing, Speak and Perform at your best. Experience a personalised, voice science based holistic vocal coaching approach tailored to your individual unique wants and needs.
Imagine being more free to express yourself, feeling relaxed and full of energy when you sing or speak in any performing or business context.
For your voice or your child's, for health and wellbeing, confidence, pleasure or profession, book a one-to-one lesson below with me in Kings Langley near Hemel Hempstead, Watford, Hertfordshire and London or on Zoom. We can then find a mutually available time for the lesson.
Transform your performance anxiety into peak performance. Learn how to access your full range in pitch, tone and volume. Find your authentic self in primal sound.
"Mary-Jane is simply the best teacher I have ever come across in any subject at any time!
I would absolutely recommend her if you wish to find or improve your voice." Lorna O'Connell AI wrangler/editor/proof reader
“Mary-Jane is incredible! She has a genuine love and understanding of individuality, expression, and freedom…her approach is fresh, celebratory, and inspiring. My inhibitions are melting away with every session! Definitely recommend!”
Amy Butterfield
Dance Teacher and Singer
"Mary-Jane makes singing easy! She has a really fun loving and light hearted way to help you do things with your voice that you didn’t imagine possible. Every week I look forward to my lesson wondering what I will discover this time. I am getting much more than I bargained for, not just more confidence and ability to used my voice but it is also the most uplifting experience. I can only highly recommend it."
Judith Landhauser
Physiotherapist
“As someone who has had larynx surgery followed by speech and language therapy and is trying to regain vocal strength and tone, it was brilliant to find a teacher who combines such an extensive armoury of speech therapy and singing techniques...”
Tom Aldridge
Civil Engineer MA, MSc MICE
A gift of a Voice lesson can be life enhancing whether it is a first lesson, for vocal development or a vocal MOT/Service! Available here
"Mary-Jane has given me the confidence to perform without inhibition!"
Sarah Munro
Singer/Song writer
"...helped me to discover a voice I didn’t know I had"
Corinne Worsley
Life transformation coach
“Mary Jane is the Go-to expert for Voice training”
Janey Lee Grace
BBC Radio 2 Presenter, Singer, author, television presenter and radio disc jockey, Virgin Radio.Developer
Your voice is an instrument I can teach you how to play, and you can be your authentic self when you sing or speak. You can transform your performance anxiety into peak performance and learn how to access your full range in pitch, tone and volume.
“an informed and nurturing teacher of singing with a holistic approach to the integration of technique and interpretative skills.”
Susan Cullen
Voice and accent coach, The Urdang Academy London. CSSD (Central School of Speech and Drama)
"Mary-Jane has a lovely, bubbly, warm character. I can honestly say that she has always believed in me the most and to the fullest."
Ria Dave
Student
“My progress was phenomenal and without her help and support, I don’t know where I would be today. I was so relieved that I had someone who understood what was wrong and knew how to help me”
Eleanor Reynolds
Student
“I learnt so much in such a small space of time“
Ian Francis
Musician
"an inspiration as my coach"
Nicole Russo
Singer/ song writer/ session singer, solo singer with The Brand New Heavies
“Her movement and acting inspire me to go out and beyond my comfort zone.”
Warren Davis
Editor at proximitylondon
"My speaking voice is so much better now"
Francisa Miller
Karate Teacher, 4 times National Champion and Bronze medalist at World Karate Championships.
“such good fun while drastically improving my vocal abilities. Mary Jane has an incredible voice herself. This is always a reassuring feature for a singing teacher or vocal coach”
Zion Davidson
Student
"Mary-Jane was exceptional in her understanding and commitment to help"
Susan Bull
"A transgender girl has to deal with a lot of changes"
“You feel comfortable & confident.”
Annabell Wood,
Stuntwoman, including on Game of Thrones
“I have learnt to use my WHOLE voice instead of muttering in a hushed, husky tone…and learnt to relax…”
Anna Bodian
Student
“Her methods allow your voice to reach new heights”
Oliver Gower
Student
"He leaves each lesson positively ‘buzzing’ at what Mary-Jane helps him achieve vocally”
Archie Halward
After two years from age 12-14 Archie passed ABRSM Grade 7 and 8 singing with DISTINCTION and later joined the National Youth Choir of Great Britain
“Mary-Jane will help you get the absolute best from your unique voice…”
Kerrianne Cartmer-edwards
committed to excellence
“She makes me feel so comfortable and free”
Tayla Kenyon
Actor
"I significantly benefited from Mary-Jane's support and advice regarding repertoire and vocal preparation."
Nick George
Baritone
“Mary Jane gave me the tools to be a more authentic performer.”
Archie Mcdonald
Singer/Songwriter, beatboxer and flautist
“Mary-Jane is an inspiration.”
Lesley Folgate
Teacher and Singer
“great mix of technique improvement, and theatrical technique as well.”
Adriana Jack
Soprano
“This is a must for supporting staff well-being”
Amrit Bal-Richards
Headteacher, Chater Infant School, regarding a workshop for all the teachers
“extremely knowledgeable about vocal health”
Julie Martin-Carter
Mezzo Soprano at Scottish Opera
“Her teaching methods are creative, engaging and fun, and produced dramatic results for me.”
Julia Shelley
Content Editor and Copywriter at Saga healthcare
"What an amazing woman... She worked my lesson around my needs and learning style,"
Claire Garcia
Singer (Amateur)
More testimonials
"Mary-Jane is turning my love for singing into a burning desire to perform. She is showing me how to become a performer – how to interpret music and captivate an audience." Miguel de Carvalho
“Each lesson is a unique and enlightening experience.” Monika Nath
“I feel very uplifted after each lesson…27 mile journey to her home most worthwhile every time.” Richard Garwood
“…The technical progress my daughter has made is striking, and she is now much more secure in reaching the higher notes of her vocal range… the belief to actually feel as if she’s living the character” Alison McRae
“Mary-Jane’s expertise in understanding the physiology of the voice is extremely evident, and her ability to harness that knowledge in ways that benefit her students is impressive.” DWS
“I have always wanted to sing but never thought I could…I have now found my voice.” M Y
“the extra wow factor my daughters needed” N. Dean parent
“Mary-Jane is the sort of person everyone would get along with. With her teaching, fear disappears, and I can sing at my best” Richard Senior
“ particularly privileged to have such an asset as Mary-Jane’s coaching…mightily-impressed.. Inspiring, positive and most of all a real benefit to my vocal technique and confidence-in-performance” David Broom
“She teaches with fun and ease” Monika Higgins
“My singing has improved greatly particularly… my breathing… tone and quality…also my stamina…” Louise Bracebridge
“most enlightening, enjoyable" WL Ayelsbury Opera
“she gave me the confidence I needed to pursue what has proved to be a very enjoyable pastime.” E O
“a very positive approach” Geoffrey Heath, Independent music professional.
“I’m delighted to be able to use these valuable skills and concepts with my own pupils too” Helen Lappert, Singing Teacher
"she speeds up the learning process massively. I wasn’t aware of what my singing voice could do.” Catherine Cousins, Freelance Statistician, Manager and Lecturer
“confidence restored, I joined a choir the following week.” F Naylor
"My daughter is getting more and more confident." Oksana Rowlands
William Allen Director at signpost counselling, a charity helping young people find their voice. “Mary-Jane is intelligent, insightful and passionate about helping people find their voice!”
Blog
Working With People Recovering From Covid Or People Who Have Given Up Smoking
Pupils of mine had Covid early on and I worked with them to get their breathing back. One had got into high shallow breathing which was all she could do with Covid. As the covid subsided, she was like some smokers I have taught in the past. When they give up smoking and some healing does happen, they still sometimes breath as if they are still smokers, not realising the new capacity they get gradually after giving up. Learning to use again what has been given back as you get better is really important.
Be Loyal To Your Own Progress
Always try a lesson before you choose a teacher and even then, you can, of course, see as many teachers as you find helpful. No loyalty is needed to a teacher, be loyal to your own progress.
Below are terms used, but not protected or well defined, and what teachers teach varies enormously. Every teacher, like every pupil, is different:
Singing teacher, Vocal coach, Voice lessons, Singing Tutor, Singing Coach, Voice Specialist, Improvisation Teacher, Classical singing lessons, Aural Training, Opera lessons, Intonation, singing classes, Drama coaching, Vocal Technique, Audition preparation, Vocal Training, Sight-reading, Call centre voice issues, Professional Voice user development, Singing lessons for adults or children. Singing courses, Sore voice issues, High notes, Loud singing or speaking, Projection, Vocal stamina, Breathing, Anxiety, Listening, Rhythm, Character development, Confidence, Music Teacher, Posture, Theory teacher, Vocal Anatomy, Musical memory training, Vocal health……….