Aeone (Artist/Composer)
Aeone felt she needed help with her breathing and sensed that something was missing in her singing. We worked on helping her understand the sensations she was already feeling in her body and recognize which ones were correct. I guided her to reconnect with her voice and rediscover the freedom she once had but had lost due to information overload (a very common story among singers today). Now, she sings with the emotion and freedom she had once lost and sounds better than ever.
David John Bartlett (Artist/Composer)
Listen to his beautiful falsetto.
In order to achieve freedom in his voice, we worked on balancing the breath with the vocal folds, releasing jaw and tongue tension to allow the throat to open, and building awareness of correct and incorrect sensations in the body as indicators for when the voice was set up correctly. It was the delicate balance of traditional techniques, my own unique approach, and the fact that David was a really good student that produced the results you hear in the latest single linked above.
The second video is an example of an online singing lesson with David and myself (I know I look really serious but that is just my concentrating face! lol).
Daughters of Davis (Band/Duo)
Both were great to work with but learnt in very different ways, so much so that I actually had to teach them separately for a while before working with them both together.
The biggest thing holding both of them back was misunderstandings about the voice as they were overthinking everything. There was also a lot of pushing and reaching going on which would tire out their voices quickly so along with some customised exercise specific to each of their voices I also helped them build awareness of pushing and reaching which was all they needed to stop doing it. This is often all that is needed as if you do not know what the problem feels, sounds or even the way you think it affects your voice then you will never fix it. I drew their attention to these habits with exploratory exercises designed to build correct awareness and they were instantly fixed. We then worked on releasing the blocking tensions and balancing their voices and working on emotional triggers.
Dan Miller (Hobbiest)
Dan is a great example of the type of student I get a lot. They have a problem song and just want to sing it and sound OK. Well we did a lot more than just OK and he now loves singing even more than he did before.
I know I sound like a broken record now (pun intended! LOL) but again it’s the same thing as always breathing needs balancing (and I bet it’s not what you think it is. In my 24 years of teaching not one student truly understood breath support. Breath support is one of those things that actually knowing a little is far worse for your voice than not knowing it at all). Bad breath support will give you a tight throat, jaw, tongue tension and leave you running out of air all the time leaving your mind in a constant state of anxiety. Well I fixed all that for Dan and his singing instantly improved. Note it took 3 months to get to a point where he could sing that problem song. But what is really important here is that he actually learnt the techniques that he could apply to any song, not just that one song. Otherwise I could have had him singing the song better in one lesson. But that is not really teaching that is just giving quick fixes and they do not last.
Dylan’s been teaching me for little over 3 months now and in this short space of time listeners have already noticed an improved quality and power in my voice.
I’ve had several teachers in the past who haven’t come close to the attention Dylan pays when you sing.
He’ll identify any problems or places to improve and after practising his suggested technique you’ll no longer have the problem! Lessons are also made easier due to the friendly and relaxed manner in which Dylan will teach.
I could go on forever and really wouldn’t have a bad word to say.
Legend.
Ben (Singer/ Artist)
When I first met Dylan I was a shy 13-year-old girl with a big voice but with no confidence in my singing. He mentally and vocally strengthened me to become the singer I am today.
His vocal techniques and exercises have opened up my range. I now know the strengths and weaknesses, and am aware of what all the muscles in my mouth and throat are doing, so I no longer strain my vocal folds, but have learned to balance and control my voice.
His techniques are like magic to my voice. In the second lesson I was hearing a difference, which I have never experienced with an other vocal coach or singing teacher.
I have been going to Dylan’s for less than a year but I am already catching a lot of attention through my performances.
I won Southampton’s Got Talent, competing alongside adults.
I can’t believe how far I have progressed and I’m not the finished article yet.
With Dylan’s guidance, I am going from strength to strength and I’m excited for what the future may hold.
Charlotte
Singer / Artist
I began training school choirs and orchestras 40 years ago.
I have studied to grade 8 standard in piano and was a primary school teacher, having trained with a speciality in music.
I began training school choirs and orchestras 40 years ago. I soon progressed to adult choirs, both church and secular, and directed many musicals with choir and band, both at school and in the local community.
Over the years, taking hymn practices with the whole school, leading choirs of over 50 adults, I damaged my voice to such an extent that I could sing no more than three notes at a time without needing to take a breath, and only very low ones at that.
Speaking was also a great strain. I was desperately concerned, especially as I had been told by an ENT specialist that there was no hope for me, because of my age, (69 at the time). “The elephant in the room”, he called it! I was still training two adult choirs and felt that I would have to give up the work I loved.
Since I have been taking lessons with Dylan, my voice has become strong and sweet. At the age of almost 78, I find my range is bigger than it has ever been.
I am constantly amazed by the sound of my own voice.
I feel so confident now in demonstrating to my new, beginners’ choir.
I teach them the techniques I have learned from Dylan with great effect. Two ‘growlers’ are now singing well, one person who had lost her voice, like me, is able to sing again, and a lady with asthma has been able to stop one of her medications.
Indeed, the choir have progressed so well using Dylan’s methods that they recently came third in a countywide competition. They were so proud, and so was I!
I just wish I had found Dylan years ago. He is so talented, with such a keen ear for discerning your problems.
I am constantly amazed at the knowledge he has acquired and his ability to use it to the best effect for your singing voice.
As a teacher myself, I can appreciate his skill in gradually progressing my understanding and my singing, and by default, that of my choir.
And it’s always fun!
Do give Dylan a go.
See your confidence soar and your voice improve beyond recognition.
Eireen Coulson (Choir Conductor)