Mary-Jane de Havas
Singing Teacher
Helping you to Sing, Speak and Perform at your best. Imagine being more free to express yourself, feeling relaxed and full of energy when you are singing, speaking or performing.
For your voice and vocal ability, your health, pleasure or profession, you are welcome to book a one-to-one lesson in Kings Langley near Hemel Hempstead, Watford and London on +44 7503 085308 or...
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"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
- You too can develop your ability to sing or speak freely and with greater impact. Maybe you want more range, power or stamina? Your voice is an instrument you can learn to play.
- Discover how strain, soreness or worrying about your voice can become a thing of the past. Do you want to sing high notes you didn't know you had?
- Imagine being free to focus on what you want to communicate and not having to worry about your voice.
- You may achieve more than you thought possible. Join us with your token value £40. Enter your name, email and click the button to get the link to attend a group webinar FREE.
About Me
Having had a very round-and-about route in my own training at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama and The Royal Academy of Music, I will take you by the shortest and easiest way from where you are to where you want to be. I have attended medical voice conferences since the 1980's to get my voice questions answered, that the usual training simply didn't cover. You may experience freedoms in one lesson it took me half a lifetime to find.
I am a Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music and have a Professional Certificate from the Royal Academy with 11(1) Hons., and Certificate of Advanced Studies. LRAM. Prof.Cert.RAM. Cert.Adv.StudiesRAM. MISM.
I have been teaching for over thirty years including at The School of The Science of Acting, as a part time lecturer for the Faculty of Arts Brunel University, and at The City of London School for Girls. In May 2012 I created VOICERCISE. As well as one-to-one lessons, I lead Workshops for singers and professional voice users such as school teachers, and led a Singing for Health and Pleasure class in my local community. More about my training and experience below.
“an informed and nurturing teacher of classical 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 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
“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”
Zion Davidson
Student
“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
“Her methods allow your voice to reach new heights”
Oliver Gower
Student
Operatic Roles
As a Mezzo-soprano I have sung in France, and five cities in Japan with the Ambrosian Opera Chorus including with Maria Ewing as Carmen and José Carreras as Don José. I toured Britain and Northern Ireland, singing Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus for the D’Oyly Carte Opera and chorus. Other roles I have sung include Carmen in Bizet’s Carmen, Elvira in Don Giovanni, Marcelina in The Marriage of Figaro, Dido in Dido and Aeneas, Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana, the Mother in Hansel and Gretal, Azucena in Il Trovatore for Brent Opera, Opera London and Windsor and Eton Opera, Orlovsky in Die Fledermaus, the title role in Rossini’s La Cenerentola, Ulrica in Verdi’s Ballo in Maschera, Maddalena in Rigoletto and Martha in Gounod’s Faust. I sang Marcellina and Don Basilio in the Marriage of Figaro with Olivier award winning company OperaUpClose from September 2014 and toured the UK in 2015 with The Marriage of Figaro.
I am a member of the British Voice Association BVA and in 2018 I was invited by Mary Hammond to lead a short practical session on Lax Vox at the Royal Academy of Music's BVA Rock and Pop seminar. I am also a member of The Association of Teachers of Singing, ISM (Incorporated Society of Musicians) and was a member of Equity from 1989 to 2017. I work with all ages and abilities and have an enhanced DBS to work with children. In 2012 I was an honorary observer at The Luton and Dunstable Hospital ENT Voice Clinic.
Multidisciplinary voice conferences attended(CPD)
2021
Designing and Customising Vocal Exercises for Singing Voice Rehabilitation
With Leda Scearce MM, MS, CCC-SLP.
The Nature Of Empathy And Its Relevance For Voice Work, Joanna Cazden
My singer has a voice problem. VocalProcess CPD course
Dann Mitton Low Male Voices Development, Technique,and Repertoire
Vocal Process hosted Carrie Garrett certMRCSLT, ASLTIP, HPCP, Vocal Rehabilitation Coach on the role of the singing teacher versus speech and Language therapist (SLT).
Singing for Health and Trauma, with Emily Foulkes exploring Neuroscience research, the Principles and Practicalities.
2020
British Voice Association (BVA) - Training the Vocal athlete.
British Laryngological Association (BLA ) - Laryngeal Sequelae of COVID19
BVA, Neuroscience for working with Voice, Dr Boris Kleber, Neurophysiology and MRI imaging,
Sing for Parkinson’s, N. Wydenbach,
Dr Michel Belyk, Evolutionary Neuroscience of Voice Motor Control.
Dr Maryna Kryshtopava, Muscle Tension Dysphonia.
Charlotte Davies, Sound processing.
Heidi Moss, training the tonally compromised.
Kate Sheppeard, Emotion for Training Singers.
Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, COVID-19 Rehabilitation.
Dr David Joncos and Teresa Shaw, Music Performance Anxiety (MPA) with (ACC) Acceptance Commitment Coaching derived from (ACT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy.
Alex Ashworth, The Royal Academy of Music on Intention in Singing.
Singing for Health conference.
Emily Foulkes BA hons, PGcert, ITEC Dip, Trauma and Mental Health Practitioner Dip., impacts of trauma on young people, how that relates to voice and how the voice and singing may support positive mental health and well-being.
Singing for Lung Health with Phoene Cave BA Mus Hons, PGDip MT, MA an HCPC, music therapist.
Free Voice work, Christina Shewell MA, FRCSLT, ADVS.
Dr Gillyanne Kayes and Jeremy Fisher Vocal Process Ltd, Best Practice Update.
BVA Inner Jazz with Pete Churchill.
2019
BVA Hormones and the Voice.
In 2018
The British Laryngological Association, Perceptual Analysis – Current Theory & Practice.
BVA Laryngeal science into practice.
In 2017
BVA,Christina Shewell MA, FRCSLT, ADVS. Imperial College London: Therapy for Voice Disorders.
BVA Voice Clinics Forum, St Thomas’ Hospital.
Estill for singing teachers.
Estill Workshop with Estill CMT.
In 2016
BVA Assessment, Diagnosis and Remediation.
BVA Voice and Neck.
BVA Burnout and The voice in distress, Emotional Repair.
The Estill Papers with Anne-Marie Speed.
Many more attended from late 1980's to 2016
Before music college
I toured Spain at age sixteen, singing my own composition for voice and string orchestra, also playing cello on the tour.
Music College
I studied singing at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama, then The Royal Academy of Music, winning the Arthur Burcher prize and two scholarships.
Gallery
"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.
“She makes me feel so comfortable and free”
Tayla Kenyon
Actor
“Mary Jane gave me the tools to be a more authentic performer.”
Archie Mcdonald
Singer/Songwriter, beatboxer and flautist
"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
“I learnt so much in such a small space of time“
Ian Francis
Musician
“Her movement and acting inspire me to go out and beyond my comfort zone.”
Warren Davis
Editor at proximitylondon
“Mary-Jane will help you get the absolute best from your unique voice…”
Kerrianne Cartmer-edwards
committed to excellence
"I significantly benefited from Mary-Jane's support and advice regarding repertoire and vocal preparation."
Nick George
Baritone
“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
“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!”
Reviews and Views
“Mary-Jane de Havas’s fruitily-exaggerated Marcellina makes a perfect foil…”
“There’s a charming moment when Mary-Jane de Havas, who doubles Marcellina and a gender-bending Basilio, has to effect a knowingly fumbled hat-swap in order to share a scene with her other self.”
The Independent ★★★★
“Mary-Jane de Havas’s fruitily-exaggerated Marcellina makes a perfect foil…”Enter your text here...
What’s On Stage
“There’s a charming moment when Mary-Jane de Havas, who doubles Marcellina and a gender-bending Basilio, has to effect a knowingly fumbled hat-swap in order to share a scene with her other self.”
Chief Conductor at Hastings International Composers Festival.
“tremendously professional”
Tenor and Director of Opera
"I recommend her as a performer and a person who understands the technique of singing and performing."
Professor at Wilmington College of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
“Mary-Jane possesses an outstanding singing voice and one certainly as good as any with whom I worked while singing opera, oratorio and concerts during my 12-year professional career in Germany and Europe."
Singer
“a dramatic and powerful actress and singer…very moving”
Musical Director
"Mary Jane has an extremely versatile voice that is enhanced by her good sense of musicianship developed through her many years of orchestral experience as a Cellist. Her performances are always sincere with a convincing portrayal of the character both through the varying timbres of her voice and her strong acting ability. Her passionate and sincere portrayal of any given character shows flexibility from the wild heroine to understated comedienne."
Freelance Director
“your energy and creativity have been great.”
Lyric baritone – opera, oratorio
“beautiful voice and fluent acting skills”
Opera singer, Welsh National Opera
“Mary-Jane brings charm and charisma to the stage”
Chairman of the National Early Music Association
“Not only does she have a beautiful voice. But her acting and ability to project emotions was very impressive indeed.”
Blog
Working With People Recovering From Covid Or People Who Have Given Up Smoking
Two of my pupils had Covid early on and I worked with them both 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, children or mature or elderly people. 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……….