Graham Dinnage - Singing Teacher

My aim in teaching is to provide a sound foundation for singing all musical styles. Students will learn to produce a beautiful, steady tone by learning to breathe from the diaphragm and giving support to the voice by correct use of the abdominal muscles. The emphasis is always on natural and unforced voice production.

Whilst the importance of good technical training forms an essential foundation of my teaching, this is never at the expense of realising the sheer enjoyment and pleasure of singing, and of learning to use one's voice effectively.

I will help you to learn and memorize music securely, whilst at the same time developing an understanding of the basics of notation, thereby enhancing your ability to learn new music. I am a specialist in the teaching of sight-singing and musicianship skills and can help you to develop these to s high level of proficiency.

My experience as a vocal coach as well as a performer means that I can help my students with dramatic interpretation in order to get the best from their performances, whether in classical song, oratorio, opera or light music.

The range of students I teach is diverse, from professional level, through to amateur choral or aspiring solo singers, those who want to work towards an examination qualification or particular performance, to absolute beginners.

My students come from all walks of life, and range in age from teenagers to those who have retired. Increasingly, many people are turning to singing as a heath-enhancing outlet for their own self-expression and sense of fulfilment, and as an antidote to the stresses and strains of a busy professional working life.

The great majority of my teaching is done at my home in Crockham Hill in Kent; some teaching may also be done in central London, by arrangement.

Full preparation can be given for all Associated Board (ABRSM) or Trinity Guildhall Grade and Diploma singing examinations. Comprehensive training in music theory is also available to Diploma level.

This is an area of particular interest to me and one in which I have been actively working for many years, both as a private teacher and in teaching sight-singing classes at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, where I have been a Professor since 1993.

Depending on the particular needs of the student, I am able to devise a programme of study that will systematically build up the necessary skills to become a confident, reliable sight-reader, whether for the sight-singing component of a grade or diploma examination, or for aspiring choral or solo singers.

Good sight-singing really is a skill that can be learned and developed through structured training, and thereafter maintained by regular practice.