EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

Overview

Colin has been a musician for over 30 years. Since studying for his music degree, he has taught piano and singing in various institutions and for all ages including teaching singing technique at Arts Ed in West London, delivering 1-1 singing lessons to Musical Theatre Degree students in one of the country's top Musical Theatre training schools. Arts Ed provides performers into the West End. More recently he has led a staff and student choir at the Ted Wragg Trust Academy in Exeter and Plymouth.

He also runs his own company (Big Noise Chorus Ltd) which aims to bring the highest quality singing possible to mixed voice, non-auditioned pop choirs in the South West. For more information see www.bignoisechorus.co.uk.

In 2022, he started Birdhouse Singers, a small group of 10 auditioned singers who perform across the Southwest with a mixture of pop and jazz a cappella singing. For more information see www.birdhousesingers.com

In 2024, Colin began studying Estill Figures Practice (an accredited course studying the physiology of the voice and how to implement technique into performance). For many years now he has attended courses alongside Speech and Language Therapists to share current vocal techniques and practice between artists and scientists.

In January 2015, he became involved in a world first study working with Speech and Language Therapist Gillie Stoneham examining whether singing technique could be proven to aid in the feminisation of the voice for transgender clients.

Work

experience

Continuing Professional Development

2024 to 2025 - Studying Estill Figures Practice. This accredited course looks at the physiology of the voice and how to apply muscle control to performance.

2022-present - Director and singer for Birdhouse Singers (www.birdhousesingers.com). An auditioned a cappella pop and jazz choir. Highlights include performing at Exeter Phoenix and Exeter Cathedral with Sound of the Sirens - Devon's dynamic contemporary folk duo.

2011-present - Regular training alongside Speech and Language Therapists across the Southwest to ensure that technical and vocal knowledge is up to date.

Musical Director, Big Noise Chorus Ltd, Devon

2009 - present

Musical Director, Big Noise Chorus Ltd, Devon.

Managing and running a small company with 10 team members and over 300 singers. Delivering ensemble and vocal technique sessions to adult choirs (up to 120 at a time) singing pop, rock and musical theatre pieces. As Musical Director, duties include arranging/conducting rehearsals and concerts around the Southwest joining with other ensemble groups, bands and performers. Since humble beginnings (20 singers in the first choir), Colin now has 4 choirs with over 300 singers in total. See www.bignoisechorus.co.uk.

Singing Technique Teacher at Arts Ed Schools, London

2014

Teaching singing technique to undergraduate Musical theatre students in on of the country's leading triple-threat training institutions. Arts Ed regularly supplies performers into the West End and the performing Arts industry. The position requires having a sound and up to date knowledge of singing technique. Primary duties are delivering 1-1 sessions to help students achieve their highest vocal potential, removing strain from the voice through technique to enable sustainable voice use.

Singing Lecturer, Exeter College

2009-2014

Delivering singing modules for Performing Arts students aged 16-18. Duties included MD work for end of year productions, delivering voice technique as well as ensemble work and preparing students for audition.

Self-employed singing teacher

1996-present

Recent work highlights:

Freelance vocal workshops for Cirque Bijou culminating in a performance involving 800 voices - Bromsgrove, Summer 2014.

Choir leading for world premiere of company Extraordinary Bodies and Diverse City's show, Weighting - Exeter, Autumn 2013.

Performed with Exeter Festival Chorus

2005-2013

Sang under the tutelage of Nigel Perrin (previously with the Kings' Singers). Highlights include performing at Carnegie Hall, New York (2009), singing solo at Exeter cathedral in Duke Ellington's Sacred Concert alongside Jacqui Dankworth (2012). Performing in Rennes and Nantes (France), and around the UK.

Singing Teacher, Stagecoach Theatre Arts

1999-2010

Delivering singing technique and ensemble classes for ages 6-18. MD for various local productions as well as preparing children's choirs for the Bill Kenwright tour of Joseph (2007-2013), Evita (2010), and Ellen Kent Touring Opera (2009-2012). Delivered singing summer workshops in Spain, Egypt and Cyprus for ages 6-18 (2006-2010).