Singing Teacher
What is the work like?
As a singing teacher, or vocal coach, you would teach vocal skills, singing, music theory and musical appreciation to individuals and groups. You could specialise in a particular singing style such as choral, opera or pop.
Your day-to-day tasks could include:
- coaching individuals for a particular role in a play or musical
- planning lessons and organising resources
- teaching vocal and breathing exercises and techniques
- instructing in melody, harmony and improvisation
- helping students to prepare for music exams
- organising performances
- practising to keep up high levels in your own performance.
As a self-employed teacher you would also have to market your business and keep accounts.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You would usually need a teaching or performing diploma from a specialist music college, or a music degree.
Diploma courses at conservatoires and music colleges are mainly based around performance training, but also have some academic content. They usually lead to a graduate qualification that is equivalent to a degree.
You can do a degree course at a conservatoire, music college or university. You should choose a course which concentrates on performance rather than theory.
To get onto a music degree or diploma you will usually need:
- five GCSEs (A-C), and
- two A levels including music, or equivalent qualifications.
You will also have an audition, and it can be useful if you can show evidence of recent music study or work on a music project.
See the Incorporated Society of Musicians website for details of course providers. You should check with providers for their exact entry requirements. You can apply to conservatoires online on the Conservatoires UK Admission Service website.
If you have exceptional musical skills you could give lessons without qualifications, but a qualification is likely to improve your chances of finding work. See below for details of qualifications you can complete as a practising teacher.
What further training and development can I do?
As a singing teacher, you can develop your skills and show your ability by gaining teaching qualifications such as the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) Certificate of Teaching. This is a one-year part-time course which covers music theory and practice. You can do the course at centres throughout the country or on a fast-track residential basis. See the ABRSM website for more details.
You can also gain a Trinity Guildhall Teaching Diploma for Vocal Teaching. This involves demonstrating your skills in a live teaching session with your own pupils. You can prepare for the diploma by using the resources on the Trinity website, or by attending a course. You can also attend a range of workshops and other events run by Trinity.
You can study by distance learning for the professional development programme offered by the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) through the University of Reading. See the ISM website for details.
Where can I go for more information?
London
SE1 7TP
Tel: 020 7820 6100
London
SE1 1RQ
Helpline: 0800 093 0444
London
W1C 1AA
Tel: 020 7629 4413
London
W1B 1LU
Tel: 020 7636 5400
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
Private teachers charge an hourly rate. This averages at between £20 and £30 an hour, but can be £50 or more.
The ISM advises members on tuition fees for private teaching.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You could work in schools, colleges, arts centres, public venues or in your own or the client’s home.
As a private teacher your hours could vary widely, depending on students' needs. You may also spend time travelling between different teaching venues.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- excellent vocal skills
- a good knowledge of all singing styles
- patience and enthusiasm
- good communication skills
- self-motivation and good organisational skills
- good business skills if working in private tuition.
What opportunities are there?
You could work as a singing teacher in music colleges and on a one-to-one private tuition basis. You could be employed by one institution or set up and run classes for several different organisations. Competition is strong for jobs in specialist music schools or colleges.
You could also be contracted by a company which delivers training programmes, using singing as a way of developing professional and interpersonal skills such as teamwork, presentation, creativity and confidence building.
As a self-employed teacher, you could combine private teaching with part-time or casual work for colleges and other organisations.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and further reading (links open in new window):
The Stage
vocalist.co.uk
Sing for Pleasure
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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