TESTIMONIALS

'Liz Harley is an excellent voice coach and singing teacher. Excellence defined in many ways:

• Her vast experience
• Her constant updating of knowledge
• Her supportive approach
• Her desire to see you succeed
• Her ability to unleash your potential

I have been a singing student of Liz's for about 2 years (I hadn't sung for about 30 years - since school) and her teaching has enabled me to progress in leaps and bounds with 4 performances already under my belt.

She has helped me bring back the joy of singing into my life!'

'I really enjoy working with Liz, I started lessons just over three years ago and the difference Liz has helped me to make is amazing.

I had very little confidence in my ability when I started and the prospect of singing in front of anyone else meant I was a shaking wreck! Liz has worked with me to improve my technique and more importantly my confidence to the point where I now rather enjoy singing to an audience!

We have worked on different styles so there has always been lots of variety to keep up the interest. Liz has made it easy for me, as someone who does not read music, to get to grips with all the music we have worked on.

In 2007 Liz was fantastic in supporting me to achieve a great result in my grade 5 music theatre exam, something which I am truly proud about achieving!

The lessons are fun, innovative and challenging as Liz finds ways to extend my horizons. I always leave feeling better than I did when I arrived!'

'I greatly enjoy my singing lessons with Liz - not only because she is an excellent teacher, but also because her lessons are such fun.

Liz has a first class understanding of technique from her own training at the Guildhall, and also because she keeps up to date with modern research and investigation into the art of singing. She does not assume that any one particular technique or method is better than another - rather, she works with you to find out which is better suited to the individual.

One of the more enjoyable aspects of Liz's lessons is that she encourages you to bring your own choice of music, but still gives suggestions as to what might be suitable. However, the style is up to you!

During the year or so I've been studying with Liz, my voice has improved no end - in normal speech as well as when singing! The vocal training has also helped when giving presentations at work, using techniques such as projection and resonance.'

'In 2005 I started to work with Liz with the aim to improve my vocal presentation skills. Liz took me through a range of vocal exercises that provided me with a framework on which to build my vocal competence. With her help, I have developed an appreciation of the voice, its quality, projection and vocal control. This work has also provided me with a useful set of daily warm-up vocal exercises.

It has become much more. It's been an opportunity to explore what my voice can do as I have started to learn more about the singing voice. Most of all, it's been fun.'

'I was a choral singer from a very early age and as such competed at both national and international level as well as performing frequently on television and radio. After leaving school I went on to become a principal performer with various local theatre companies, in shows as diverse as 'Grease', 'Guys and Dolls', 'Little Shop of Horrors' and 'Sweeney Todd' and considered myself an experienced performer. In 2005 I underwent a period of speech and language therapy to address increasing problems I was experiencing, initially with my singing voice, but as time went by also with my speech.

Following a successful conclusion to the SLT work, I was advised to continue my recovery by engaging a suitable teacher to help me with the necessary remedial work on my singing voice. Liz Harley came to me highly recommended by a friend whose vocal talent I admired and whose judgement I trusted. I could not have hoped to find a better teacher. Liz's holistic approach to vocal expression, her apparently bottomless well of technical knowledge, her insight and general approach to addressing the challenges and difficulties I faced have been inspirational, and as well as being my teacher, she has been a mentor and friend. A year ago I thought I would never sing again; this year (2006) I will be performing with friends at the Edinburgh Festival. Liz Harley has given me back my voice.'

'To quote my music teacher at secondary school '(You) I can't sing in tune and by the way (You are) I am tone deaf'.

My first meeting with Liz was very different from how I had imagined it was going to be. Having a professional singing lesson for me conjures up an image of standing exposed and being required to repeat scales with lots of note bashing for the allotted hour. How wrong could I have been.

Liz and I discussed what I had been doing and what I would want to achieve. Breathing, posture, the vocal cords and relaxation were discussed. And then the part I was dreading, I now was going to sing or at least make a noise to this complete stranger! To ease me into this situation we both sang a few sounds, me a lot quieter than Liz. In a moment of weakness I said I liked the music of Sting and the Police, by coincidence Liz produced a copy of 'Every breath you take' and before I had time to take a breath, I was timidly singing. I then found that the encouragement and warmth of Liz's personality made me forget that I was 'tone deaf and couldn't sing' because I could, but didn't have the confidence and was never shown how to.

I really looked forward to the next lesson the following week and again encouragement, a few laughs and not too many tears and I was singing OK simple songs but I was taught and shown by Liz how to find that note and how to think about co-ordinating my brain with my voice.

Several months later Liz suggested that I should start singing in public to gain the experience of performing to an audience. 'Singers at the Barn Theatre' was started by Liz seven years ago. This has given many people of varied abilities the opportunity of performing in public to an appreciative audience. Again with the support of Liz I did my first performance as a 'singer' and actually enjoyed it.

I have since gone on to perform in 'Anything Goes' and 'Chess' with Cuffley Operatic Society and 'Jesus Christ Superstar' with Potters Bar Theatre Company. As well as winning a local production of 'Stars in their Eyes' as David Bowie!

I really couldn't have moved on to achieve any of ' this without the help, encouragement and support of Liz who makes the whole learning experience so enjoyable. I truly can't recommend enough meeting her and discussing with her your singing concerns. She will improve your technique if you are an experienced performer, or like myself give you the gentle nudge you need to gain confidence to move forward. Having lessons with Liz has opened a whole new world up for me as well as given me more confidence in my day to day life.'

'I first went to Liz for lessons as a shy, unsure teenager. She was so warm and understanding immediately putting me at ease.

As I gradually entered the world of professional singing Liz gave me so much encouragement and support, not to mention a great cup of tea.

8 years on, I still love her lessons and her invaluable advice and support.'

'I came to Liz looking for three things: first, to strengthen my voice so that I wouldn't lose it when I was making heavy demands on it. Second, to give me the confidence in tackling music and musicians. Third, to widen the range of material which I am able to tackle.

This year, for the first time since I was ordained seven years ago, I didn't lose my voice at Christmas, I've tackled the songs in our parish pantomime without trouble and I understand now what I need to say when sorting out music.

Plus, as a teacher, Liz has demonstrated real understanding of the issues around my voice and has given help and advice for which I am very grateful.'

'I found the tuition for speaking voice and presentation skills very personal and tailored to my needs. The sessions helped me to address and improve not only my practical skills but also psychological mind set. The 1:1 feedback helped me to develop the confidence to maintain a stronger 'stage' presence and deal with the physical stresses that public speaking can bring. I now adpot the breathing techniques I learnt during these sessions in all of my presenting.'

'I have attended The Voice Studio with Liz Harley as my voice coach for little under a year now. I was on the verge of giving up singing due to lack of confidence and coming to a point where my enthusiasm had gone. On my first visit to see Liz, I was nervous as I hadn't sung in front of anybody for a while and didn't know quite what to expect. I found an immediate warmth in Liz to which enabled me to relax. She gave me time to go through my whole singing experiences in the past and for me to decide where I wanted to take my voice in the future. I can honestly say from the first meeting with her, I've never looked back. I've not only found my voice again but my confidence has returned and what I have found so valuable in attending The Voice Studio is - I am not only just opening my mouth and producing a good sound, I am learning a little of the technical aspects such as posture, breathing and how the sound of my voice is created and developed. I'm experimenting with different styles of singing, but most of all I'm having fun and enjoyment with something which has been a part of my life for a good number of years.'

'Being the partner of an experienced singer, but a novice myself, I have heard tales of singing teachers - some good, some not so good.

However, Liz is one of the best teachers I have come across - in any subject! She has tireless enthusiasm (which is contagious) and makes the study atmosphere a pleasant one indeed.

Liz has worked internationally as a professional singer, across a varied range of styles so she has lots of experience. She can, therefore, help anyone get the best out of their voice.

She is a pleasure to work with and I would recommend her to anyone.'

'Singing lessons with Liz Harley gave me the voice and confidence to sing in front of people. Something I had always dreamed of.'

'Liz has helped me bolster my confidence so I am able to audition for the parts I want. Liz has highlighted my strengths and helped me to overcome my vocal weaknesses. Liz has a natural enthusiasm for teaching singing. I have always found Liz to be a buoyant and very supportive teacher. I come away from her classes feeling positive and confident.'

'The Voice Studio provides an excellent supportive and encouraging environment where you feel safe to experiment and try new ideas to encourage your vocal talents to shine! I thoroughly enjoy my lessons and would recommend to anyone.'

'Liz's sensitive nature and genuine interest in her students adds great value to her professional ability of developing the voice in anyone.'