
|
Claire Harvey L.R.S.M. L.L.C.M. L.W.C.M.D - Swadlincote, Derbyshire Claire was born in Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire and began singing from a very early age. She trained as a dancer/singer at The Patterson's Academy of Drama and Dance, Coventry appearing in Panto with Frank Infield, Ken Goodwin and Reg Dixon. At aged 18 she began her vocal studies as a mezzo-soprano at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. She was invited to tour Germany with a Welsh Brass Band representing Wales as their no 1 singer. She continued her studies in London with ex Covent Gardenprincipal Josephine Veasey, changing to the soprano repertoire. Returning to the Midlands, Claire was asked if she was able to offer singing and piano lessons. From then on she has always combined teaching and performing. In 1987 Claire worked a summer season as a Bluecoat/Pianist/Singer, changing her vocal style for Pontins, Broadreeds, Selsey on Sea, she returned home to continue her vocal training with American vocal coach/repetiteur Stuart Smith from Leamington Spa. At this time she met her future husband John, they formed a duo Johnny & Claire performing in the Midlands/Northern clubs gaining the reputation as Nottingham` s no 1 duo. Claire and John moved to Spain in 1992 and began performing on the Costa del Sol, winning Best Duet and Overall Performance at an International Eisteddfod, with their rendition of the duet `The Phantom of the Opera`. That evening they were approached by an agent to work a summer season in Cyprus. At this time Claire was working at the only English Speaking Theatre on the coast The Salon de Varieties Fuengirola, as a Sound Technician and teaching singing/piano. On returning from Cyprus, Claire was introduced to Marbella`s newest resident South African Soprano/Impresario Denny Dayviss, whom she studied with for 3 yrs. With ex Covent Garden Chorus Master/Accompanist Nina Walker, Claire embarked on a series of recitals and concerts in Southern Spain and Gibraltar with Denny Dayviss as Producer/Director. At this time she also performed with Welsh Baritone Ivor Immanuel, Lonnie Donigan, son Peter, The Platters, and pop singer Yazz with a 10 piece Gospel Choir and band. In 1999 Claire made her operatic debut in Bordeaux France at the L`Athenee Municipal with 3 French opera singers. She also gave a series of recitals with the celebrated pianist Brian Stanborough in France. Returning to Spain, Claire began working and performing with Austrian Tenor, and (ex Vienna boys Choir) Peter Illvasky. They performed concerts in Malaga and Granada singing German operetta and Italian opera duets. At this time she met Sergio Montero (repetiteur/pianist for The Malaga Opera Chorus. Claire appeared in various Operas and Concerts with the company. Claire has been vocal co-ordinator for The Tivoli World Shows in Benalmadena, Costa del Sol and was Musical Director/Producer/Singer in her own show, the highly successful `Its Showtime` songs from the West End and Broadway in Southern Spain. Claire returned to the UK with her husband John about 4 yrs ago, she has since met a young Russian Concert Pianist, Tanya Hilton and they have been performing together in theatres, and as guest artists for choirs. Claire also performs with her husband John and sister Georgie most weekends in clubs, holiday resorts, and corporate events, restaurants in the Midlands, North and South of England, with their self- contained Variety Show `Blast from the Past`. Claire has always loved combining her love of performing and teaching. Training singers in different vocal styles from musical theatre, pop, rock to opera comes from her vast experience, whether they are total beginners, dancers, actors or professional cabaret singers who might be having some vocal problems, she has worked with them all. Working and training with some of the best in the business, Claire is able to pass on her own experiences and knowledge to others. Claire is currently judging for three large scale talent competitions: Live and Unsigned 2008/9/10 & Festival4stars 2008/9/10,Open Mic 2010 Claire has recently become the Midlands Area Manager for Festival4stars for 2011.
Structure of singing lessons
Claire offers singing lessons for all ages, all levels, including total beginners. Included within the sessions are 15-20 minutes of effective vocal exercises to develop vocal technique. The singer will be taught how to gain a good foundation by learning good breath control and capacity, how to connect the voice with the body, tone work, flexibility, extend vocal range, resonance, articulation and more. The singer will then look at songs, in terms of style and expression. Claire covers pop, cabaret singing, soul, classical, opera and musical theatre.
All sessions are recorded on a Roland CD 2 recorder, which burns straight to CD for the singer to take away with them for practice, provides regular handouts and sheet music. Claire ALWAYS tailors the sessions to the individual singer. Testimonials A few short months ago I found a singing teacher via your website Vocaltutor, namely Claire Harvey. From the point of first contact I found Clare friendly and charismatic Within a couple of minutes she had filled me with enough confidence to outline the problems I had experienced at the hands of other Singing teachers, which had left me wondering if (a) can I actually sing and (b) what sort of singing voice had I? as I had been told I was a female Tenor. Claire was sympathetic and understanding of my trials and tribulations in finding a suitable singing teacher. When I was given a gift voucher for a singing lesson at Christmas 2007 I thought it was a cruel joke as I have spent my life being told I can't sing. It took me a few weeks to get as far as arranging the lesson and I was really only doing it because I felt I had to use the voucher. When Claire told me that there was no noise I could make that she hadn't heard before I thought - we'll see about that! That was over two years ago and I can honestly say that meeting Claire has changed my life. Learning to sing has given me enormous joy and is so much a part of my life that I can't imagine being without it. When Claire says that anyone can learn to sing I am the living proof. I would say to anyone who wants to sing - don't be embarrassed or anxious. Claire is a wonderful teacher and there really isn't any noise you can make that she hasn't heard before! Best wishes Mary
Session Fee: £28.50 per session in a home studio |
| Return to UK map |

© Georgina Hill-Brown, 2010, All rights reserved. Duplication of any content on this site is prohibited.
RSS Feed | XML Sitemap | Sitemap | Web Design by Web Design Northwich | SEO

