In April 2023, I was offered the chance to step into the role of Acting Head of Music at the Prep. school where I had been working as a singing teacher since 2019. This opportunity arose between completing our Down the Rabbit Hole Tour and commencing work on a new opera called Bronte. During my six years of education at both the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the Royal College of Music I received training in teaching modules. Additionally, I had experience teaching dance classes and singing classes and had completed a LAMDA speech training course.
In the role I was entrusted with creating lesson plans for the final term of the school year, where I took on the teaching of singing and drama classes for students from years 1 to 6. I enthusiastically delved into the tasks and taught two Shakespeare plays (adapted for children), "Julius Caesar" and "Macbeth", which we performed in promenade theatre style around the school grounds. Furthermore, I organised and executed a whole-school Proms event in the park inspired by Shakespeare, instructed the orchestra on their final performance piece of the year, and provided musical arrangements for school events like a Father's Day demonstration and music concerts.
This experience was not just fulfilling, it was a source of immense joy. I seized every moment, finding great satisfaction in the work. It was both rewarding and enriching, and I was deeply passionate about it.
This newfound responsibility allowed me to grow both professionally and personally. I discovered that leading a department required a blend of creativity, organisation, and empathy — skills I was thrilled to develop further. Working with such diverse students, I was constantly inspired by their enthusiasm and talent. Their eagerness to learn and perform pushed me to innovate and elevate my teaching methods.
As the term came to a close and I prepared to hand over the department I was thrilled to be asked to stay on and take on the role of Director of Performing Arts at the school. In this new role, I continued to lead the team but faced the exciting challenge of designing a new curriculum and shaping the department. In my first year, I organised multiple concerts and performances, developed "relaxed recitals," a series of weekly performances where pupils could volunteer to perform as musicians, actors, comedians, and dancers. I produced a range of performances including a school opera and a musical.
Alongside my work at the school, I have continued my singing practice and actively performed in concerts, both at school and in external recitals. I am committed to arranging more bookings for future performances and plan to record repertoire to share on my blog. This allows me to express myself musically, challenge my technique, and continue to grow as a performer. My passion for singing remains a central part of my life, and I am dedicated to pursuing opportunities that allow me to share my artistry with a wider audience.
As I look back on this period, I am grateful for the trust placed in me and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact. It reinforced my belief in the power of music, drama and dance to bring people together and create lasting memories. Moving forward, I am excited to continue nurturing young talents and sharing the transformative power of the arts with future generations.
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