A natural singer who needed real technique.
And built a career on understanding the voice.
I began as a natural singer. I could pick things up easily, I had musical instincts, and my voice generally did what I wanted — until I was cast in a show at sixteen that required an E5, and I couldn’t get past a B4.
That was the moment I realised something important: even natural singers are rarely taught how to sing.
You go to a lesson, you sing something, and the teacher says,
“Yeah, that’s great.”
But when you try to repeat it, it doesn’t work — and you don’t know why.
That experience pushed me into formal training.
I began studying with soprano Pamela Wallace in Hamilton, New Zealand, and from there, I pursued my Bachelor of Music, followed by a Master’s in Musical Theatre. I performed widely, across classical and contemporary settings, including work with Auckland Theatre Company, multiple appearances as a featured soloist in Christmas in the Park, several shows at the Edinburgh Fringe, and my own cabaret work in London.
But even with a strong academic background and professional experience, I still felt gaps in my understanding. I could sing, but I couldn’t always explain how. Technique sometimes worked, sometimes didn’t, and I wanted more clarity.
That finally came when I began training with Anne-Marie Speed at The Voice Explained in London and completed my Estill Master Trainer certification — a highly specialised vocal pedagogy qualification focused on anatomy, physiology, and reliable techniques for all voice types. For the first time, I understood exactly what my voice was doing and how to control it.
My journey hasn’t been without challenges.
In 2017, I developed a vocal polyp, underwent surgery, and rebuilt my voice slowly and deliberately — an experience that shaped my technical understanding more than any degree ever could. More recently, discovering and correcting a lifelong tongue-tie deepened my interest in vocal health and functional anatomy, leading me toward further study in myofunctional therapy.
Alongside my teaching career, I continue to perform professionally. Recent roles include Aiolos (Wind God) in Odysseus, Dragon in Shrek in Augsburg, and Mimi in Rent. I’m also recording my debut EP, For Her, releasing in 2026 — a project that reflects the full spectrum of my classical, musical theatre, and contemporary vocal training.
My path as a singer has fundamentally shaped how I teach: clear technique, real understanding, and an approach grounded in physiology rather than guesswork.
Why I teach the way I do, and why singers trust my method.
My path into vocal coaching was shaped by years of being a natural singer who wasn’t fully taught how her voice worked. Even in formal training, teachers often relied on vague language or metaphors that didn’t give me the tools to understand, repeat, or troubleshoot what I was doing. I knew that if I wanted clarity, I’d have to go much deeper into how the voice functioned.
So I did.
After completing my Bachelor of Music, I went on to earn a Master’s in Musical Theatre, which gave me a broader understanding of vocal performance, acting, and artistry. But it was becoming an Estill Master Trainer — an advanced, internationally recognised vocal pedagogy certification — that fundamentally reshaped how I approached teaching.
Estill gave me the scientific framework I had been missing:
anatomy, physiology, acoustic principles, and a method of training any voice reliably and repeatably. For the first time, I had a system that made sense not only for my own singing, but for the singers I would eventually teach.
Over the past 18 years, I’ve worked with singers of all levels — complete beginners, advanced vocalists, musical theatre performers, professional artists, and “natural singers” who had been praised their whole lives but never properly trained. What became clear is that the same challenges show up everywhere:
Singers aren’t confused because they lack talent.
They’re confused because no one has ever explained the voice clearly.
My teaching evolved into a method based on three pillars:
1. Technical clarity:
Understanding the “how” and “why” behind the exercises you’re doing, so nothing is guesswork.
2. Personalisation:
Every voice is different — and training must be built around the individual singer, not a one-size-fits-all method.
3. Confidence & mindset:
Singers don’t just need technique. They need support navigating comparison, self-criticism, perfectionism, and the psychological side of performing.
This is what led me to begin training as an ICF-accredited coach, expanding my skill set to support the mindset and emotional challenges singers face — not just the technical ones. Technique and confidence go hand-in-hand, and my goal is to provide both.
Today, I run The Vocal Academy, where singers receive structured training, personalised support, and a clear path forward. I also work privately with a small number of artists through an application-only coaching programme focused on deeper technical development, vocal identity, performance stamina, and mindset work.
My teaching is grounded in the belief that the voice is not a mystery.
When you understand how it works — clearly, logically, and physically — you gain real control, real progress, and real confidence.
And that’s the foundation of everything I teach.
Any questions?
Send me a message.
What’s the difference between the Vocal Academy and the Vocal Hub?
The Vocal Hub is my free community. You get warm-ups, a challenge, and one open training per month. It’s a great place to stay inspired.
The Vocal Academy is where the real personalised training happens.
You get 1:1 lessons, guided practice groups, masterclasses, open coachings, and messaging support.
If you want real, consistent progress — the Academy is where that happens.
How do the 1:1 lessons work?
Your lessons are online via video call.
We work on your technical needs, your songs, and your goals.
You’ll leave every session with a clear plan and the exact exercises to work on between lessons.
How do the 1:1 lessons work?
The Vocal Hub is my free community. You get warm-ups, a challenge, and one open training per month. It’s a great place to stay inspired.
The Vocal Academy is where the real personalised training happens.
You get 1:1 lessons, guided practice groups, masterclasses, open coachings, and messaging support.
If you want real, consistent progress — the Academy is where that happens.
How often do the practice groups and masterclasses run?
Practice groups run weekly, and masterclasses run every week too.
You can join as many as you like — they’re included in your membership.
Is the Academy suitable for beginners?
Yes. Absolutely.
Beginners thrive in the Academy because everything is personalised, gentle, structured, and broken down clearly.
You don’t need experience — you just need curiosity and a willingness to learn.
Is the Academy suitable for advanced or professional singers?
Yes — the Academy is designed for beginner to advanced singers, and they thrive here because everything is broken down clearly and personalised to their voice.
Professional singers are very welcome too, especially if (like so many naturally gifted performers) you were never truly taught how to sing and feel like you’re still guessing about technique.
If you want to build solid, reliable technical foundations, the Academy will absolutely support you.
However —
professional singers have specific technical demands, roles, and vocal challenges that usually require deeper individual attention.
For that reason, if you are a working or high-level singer, you will also need to apply for 1:1 training with me (Zoe) so we can build a programme around your exact needs, repertoire, stamina, and career goals.
The masterclasses and practice groups are fantastic tools for everyone, but pros will make the fastest and safest progress with a combination of the Academy + tailored 1:1 coaching.
What if I’m shy about singing in front of others?
This is incredibly common.
The practice groups and open coachings are small, kind, and very supportive — there’s zero pressure to sing until you’re ready.
Almost every shy singer eventually gains confidence simply by being in a safe environment.
What if I’ve had lessons before and I’m still confused?
You’re not alone — this is the most common story I hear.
The Academy is built to give you the clarity you never had:
why your voice behaves the way it does, what actually works for your instrument, and how to stop guessing forever.
How much time do I need to practice each week?
To see real progress, we recommend a minimum of 20 minutes, 5 times per week.
This doesn’t mean hours of practice — it means doing the right exercises consistently, which is exactly what you’ll get inside the Academy. Our training includes accountability, structure, and clear expectations, because we want you to succeed and actually hear the results you’re working for.
The Vocal Academy isn’t designed for casual “karaoke now and then” singers.
It’s built for people who truly want to improve — and are ready to put in steady, achievable work to make that happen.
If you can commit to regular short practices, you’ll be amazed at how quickly your voice grows.
What happens if I join mid-year?
You can join the Vocal Academy at any point in the year — you don’t have to wait until March. When you join mid-year, you simply start at the right level for your current ability, and you work through the modules at your own pace.
You’ll get immediate access to:
- the live masterclasses
- the practice groups
- the open coachings
- and the full library of recorded trainings
You won’t miss anything — everything is designed so you can begin confidently at any time and still progress through the year’s training smoothly.
When you complete all 12 modules, you’ll be invited to move up to the next level, no matter when you originally joined.
