Talena Cuthbert - Whalley Range, Manchester

Contemporary Vocal Specialist...genres from Jazz & Pop to Rock & Metal! Helping all vocalists achieve their goals within the damanding world of  powerful singing!

 

Biography

 

Talena started singing at a very early age, after also studying the piano. Talena then decided to try the guitar at 13. Talena began writing her own songs and performing all around the South East. After establishing herself as a professional musician and song writer, Talena worked at the Cream Room recording studio where she recorded her first solo EP, before heading off for Manchester.

 

After studying Popular music and recording at Salford University (BA hons), Talena has gone on to become a partner in the rock band tuition service at Rock-ed and teach at many institutions across the North West, including lecturing at Salford University.

 

Talena’s passion is within pop to metals genres, helping vocalists achieve their true potential. She has taught many styles of music and vocal methods giving her the knowledge to fuse ideas from all musical fields together.

 

 

Talena’s Clients have included:

 

Chris Ousey (Micky Mooney’s Whitesnake)

Aaron Welby (X-Factor 2007),

Marcquelle Ward (Dance-X 2007),

Gaz Burrows (Blueprint To A Downfall),

Rosie Smith (Rosa Damascena/Cradle of Filth),

Mike Pilat (The Ocean)

Matt Drake (Evile)

Barney (Sonic Boom Six)

 

 

 

Talena’s main vocation is being front woman to Manchester’s melodic metal band Gone Til Winter (www.gonetilwinter.o.uk), touring frequently to promote their forthcoming single & album.

 

Acts Talena has toured with include:

 

Blaize Bailey (ex. Iron Maiden/Wolvesbaine)

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nyvq0Yj5g0&a=XuVHpWnDxQo&playnext_from=ML)

Forever Never

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whocabw5C5E&feature=related)

Sarah Jezebel Deva (ex. Cradle of Filth/Angtoria)

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3akeMu1Wcy4)

Dave Evans (ex. Ac/Dc)

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AgR1_h_ywA)

 

  

Teaching Experience 

 

Vocaltutor:

Vocaltutor provide one-to-one singing tuition in a safe and supportive environment to explore and develop your voice, learning projection and microphone technique (if desired) whilst working on a wide variety of repertoire and styles. As part of our singing tuition, we like to encourage pupils to try different genres.

 

University Of Salford Lecturer, Sept 2007 – Sept 2009

Teaching voice and singing in Groups of up to 20 students and also on a 1-2-1 basis.

 

Rock-ed Partner, Vocal Coach/ Singing Teacher & Band Tutor.

Rock-ed aspires to giving musicians a chance to learn how to work and play in the styles within the genre of popular music and guitar based bands.

From 1-2-1 tuition to full band workshops, you will develop your own individual talents and needs for the fast past world of the rock n roll industry.

 

Talena Cuthbert – Vocal Coaching for the Extreme

Creative Director, Vocal Coach/Singing Teacher.

Talena provides vocal tuition specialising within the genres of rock & metal. Talena offers professional packages to help maintain the voice as well as offering coaching to people aspiring to become successful within these genres.

 

 

Education:                                                 Talena’s Music:

 

University Of Salford:                                                                Gone Til Winter:

1st Class Hons                                                                               www.gonetilwinter.co.uk

BA Popular Music & Recording                   www.myspace.com/gonetilwintermusic

 

 

Contact Details:

 

Mobile:                               07969 416 269

Address:                            Hazel Avenue, Whalley Range, M16 8DY

Email:                                  talena.vocaltutor@live.co.uk

                                                

Prices

 

I aim to provide 99% of the resources needed for your vocal sessions including exercises CD’s to take away with you, backing tracks & handout sheets.

 

Payments can be made by credit/debit card via PayPal, cash or cheque. Please contact me for information.

  

10% discount available to minors (under 18’s) and to students (with valid NUS card)

 

Professional Singing Lessons

Friendly & informal approach to contemporary singing

 

Option 1

Singing Lesson Experience: £10 per person

 

Want to learn to sing but are nervous about what the lessons will be like?

Want to understand more about different vocal techniques?

Are you training to be a teacher yourself?

 

If you are wanting to train your voice but are unsure about what teacher to go with, are nervous about your first vocal session then come along and ‘sit-in’ for an Open 1-2-1.

Option 2

1-2-1 Consultation: £30

A “get to know each other session”! We will establish your needs as my client, you can get to know me & we’ll devise a Vocal Development Programme tailored to suit your needs!

 

Option 3

Private 1-2-1 singing lesson: £35.00 (1 hour)

The sessions allow us to explore you as a vocalist & learn new techniques and skills. An intensive session tailored to suit your needs!

(Block Booking Discount: Pay for 4 lessons in advance & get 10% off = £126.00 instead of £140.00)

Option 4

Open 1-2-1 singing lesson: £30.00 (1 hour)

An open 1-2-1 is very much like a private 1-2-1 session, but can have other people observing the session; being an audience and offering feedback for you as a performer to build up confidence.

Option 5

Pro Session: £65 (2 hours)

This training programme with be designed specifically for those professional vocalists out there! We will analyse what you have, find out what you need, do some intensive training & learn to put it into practice!

 

Sessions are given in Talena's singing studio in Whalley Range (Manchester). A friendly and informal environment within Talena’s own home.

 

Actors Singing Audition Package

 

£80 2½ hour intensive singing session

 

This package is designed for you to learn to sing in an audition with confidence & learn the techniques required to get the best out of your voice.  For all vocal abilities, we will work through breathing techniques (which can help control your nerves!), vocal warm-up’s to get you in the right vocal mode for singing & we’ll find you a song suitable for your abilities & audition requirements.

 

I have a lot of friends in the acting world – What a rewarding and fantastic world it is?! I have seen so many actors on the stage, on the television, going to auditions full of confidence until the day comes that as part of an audition they have to sing a song & the dread sets in…

 

I am here to help ease any fears you have on singing and aid you in getting the best performance you can give. You will come away from the session as a more confident singer & you will have a song to add to your portfolio! You will receive sheet music, backing track & lyric sheets to carry on the practice at home along with a vocal warm-up CD tailored to your individual range.

 

If you would like to work on more than one song, please book an extra ½ hour at £20, per song.

 

“Try not to get disheartened by the audition and casting process. I always try to remember in this business it's not the best, prettiest, or most talented who reap the rewards but the ones who are prepared to persevere. “ – Fraser Ayres , actor

 

Telephone Singing Consultation

 

£20 ½ hour

 

This consultation will allow us to establish your needs from vocal sessions & will determine your vocal abilities so that we choose the right song(s) to suit your voice.

 

Actors Singing Audition

Follow up Package

 

£80 2½ hour intensive singing session

 

This package is designed to expand & improve your singing techniques, for you to learn new skills to develop your singing voice & performance. We will work on a slightly more challenging song than in your first session and perfect it using your new vocal abilities & techniques.

If you would like to work on more than one song, please book an extra ½ hour at £20, per song.

 

For any more information, to arrange a telephone consultation or to book in for an “Actors Singing Audition Package”, please feel free to contact me.

 

 

Disclaimer

Minors:

 

I will not take on clients under the age of 18 without an initial consultation session.  A parent/guardian must be present for all sessions.  Where bookings are made for a minor it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to ensure that the minor attends on time and with an appropriate adult.  Any lateness or missed sessions will be billed as usual to the parent and are subject to the cancellation policy below.

 

 

Cancellation procedure:

 

If you wish to cancel or postpone a session, Talena requires 48 hours notice or the full fee will be charged. If you book your session within 48 hours of it taking place there are no cancellations without full payment. 

 

 

Privacy policy

 

Your information will only be stored with your permission.  We may use this information to contact you in the future regarding events and promotions. 

 

We will never share your information with any other organisation. 

 

 

Vocal Health Notice

 

Talena is committed to helping people develop healthy vocal habits, but cannot be held responsible if the information provided is used out of context or abused.  Any training may be damaging if used improperly and/or without complete understanding.  You alone can judge your own level of expertise.  Your body is your best source of feedback.  If you feel scratching or acute pain in or around your larynx please stop what you are doing and only resume practice once you have sought advice.  If you have any doubts about your vocal technique or vocal health, or if your voice feels/sounds different than normal for more than two weeks, please seek professional medical advice. 

 

 

 Testimonials

"I knew nothing about singing up until about 6 months ago when singing live started to hurt about 20 minutes into playing so i decided i was in need of vocal coaching. The only name that ever came up in conversation with anybody was Talena Smith and rightly so, since having lessons with her I’ve advanced my technique to the point where I’m not worried about my voice anymore, actually to the point where I’m proud of what comes out of my mouth. She's a cool lady and has the patience to help anybody try and get what they want out of their voice, all power to Talena!" - Matthew Drake (Evile)

 

"As a professional actor, I learnt at Drama School how to use my voice on stage, however I never learnt to sing. Until I entered the professional acting world, I had no idea how important singing was: until my first singing audition! I had about two days to rehearse and perfect a song, and it wasn't even for a singing part! Being a complete novice, and totally under-confident with singing I went to Talena's acting session. She took me through everything from warming up my voice, to learning and performing a song to a professional quality. She completely understood my nerves and taught me to use her methods to control them. Needless to say I got the part! Talena's approach was so warm and she tailored the session to suit my voice. I have continued to see Talena with weekly sessions and my voice has improved no end, and the techniques help with voice projection and accents as well! Worth every penny, even just to have a song in your back catalogue in case any casting directors throw it in at an audition!" – Faye Morrison (Professional Actress)

 

"Talena is friendly and welcoming which is very important as singing is quite a personal thing really.
With very few lessons and some good advice I was able to keep my voice on top form for the months I've spent on tour over Europe and America. She is excellent with communication too, as when I was out of the country and needed advice from her, she quickly replied with in depth solutions. I recommend her to anyone asking me about vocals and will continue to do so."  - Mike Pilat (The Ocean/Heresy of Thieves)

 

 “An amazing and flawless performer Talena can access every area of the voice. She has lots of little tricks to get you to make the sound you want and anyone struggling to get out of their shell like me will love her to bits because she keeps it fun and challenging, with healthy splashes of madness." -Liz Livsey (Singing Client)

 

 "Talena has given me so much confidence as a performer. Her Pro package helped me in so many ways...I would recommend her to everyone!" - Jon Brian (Singing Client)

 

“Talena has not only developed and strengthened my voice with a range of techniques, she has provided the often needed encouragement for me to achieve my songwriting and performing goals.  What's more - she makes it so much fun! - Joanna Lyon (Vocaltutor Client)

 

“I started sessions with Talena around 5 months ago in an effort to improve my head voice as being a Baritone and concentrated far to much on my chest voice. With Talena’s help I am improving with every lesson.

 I have had three singing coaches prior to being with Talena but I can safely say I have achieved more in the last five months I have been with her than all the sessions I have had. She is also a very accomplished singer and singing ‘technician’” – Dave Corfield (Vocaltutor client)

 

“Just a few short months ago I was screaming and shouting on stages all over the globe with such appalling technique that I was doing myself permanent damage and hitting notes that didn't exist in the tempered scale. But the worst problem was that after every show I couldn't speak the whole next day. After just a few lessons with Talena Smith, I've been able to focus on my breathing and with a few simple techniques I've had such a huge improvement in the areas of stamina, power and delivery that I'm frankly appalled and embarrassed that I subjected so many people to my wheezy barking over such a long period of time. And now I can speak always. Her house and incense are great too." – Barney Boom (Sonic Boom Six)

 

 Session Fee: £30 consultation, £35 per hour: Full Prices in Bio