Private Studio – kmckellarferguson.com

International Zoom Lessons

It is clear to all of us that we live in unprecedented times. This is a phrase used by politicians and reporters across the world, but it is true. None of us know how things will be in the Autumn, when lockdown will be lifted or when our lives will get back to ‘normal’. Certainly none of us know how this will affect singing which is going to be one of the last things to be permitted despite the fact that it is one of the things that have lifted our spirits and kept us sane in these turbulent times.
The good thing is that I am all set up with the technology and can now offer you singing lessons wherever you are. If you would like to check in to my zoom studio please get in touch with me via email. I’m already teaching in Adelaide, Michigan, Italy, Belgium and London.

Karina Bailey, Adelaide-Australia

I have been amazed at how well continuing singing lessons over Zoom worked! I was a bit skeptical about the idea at first, but as we transitioned to online learning and got used to the new format, I got so much out of my lessons and I am so glad to have been able to keep up my technical work through the pandemic. Kath did such a great job adjusting her teaching to suit the new format, and I think it is so exciting to see this whole new realm of possibility we have now that online singing lessons are a thing. Also, I was taking lessons from my home in Australia - it was so amazing to be able to stay connected with my wonderful teacher over in Scotland!

Zoom classes

2020-08-11T15:49:56+00:00

https://kmckellarferguson.com/testimonials/karina-bailey-adelaide-australia/

Hannah Sandison, London

I first began lessons with Kath fourteen years ago at the Royal Conservatoire of Music. Since my time in Scotland, I’ve lived and worked in and around London and had previously found it hard to travel so far for singing lessons. I’m so pleased to have found zoom lessons with Kath, it’s such a silver lining to the current restrictions. It was just like being in the old teaching room, and now I can have regular lessons again from my own living room! The sound quality is fantastic, the set up it so easy, and I’ve made big improvements through the lessons over the past few months.

Zoom classes

2020-08-11T15:45:46+00:00

https://kmckellarferguson.com/testimonials/1552/

Lisa Willems, Antwerp – Belgium

Over the past few months I've had the pleasure of having regular singing lessons over zoom with my amazing teacher Kath. I studied with her for two years at the RCS and have visited a few times since graduating in 2019 and moving back home to Belgium. After Covid-19 shut down the whole music industry in March, I was left feeling without a purpose. Seeing all my work get canceled made me feel lost and I had to get used to the new reality of being confined to my house. Kath and I had a chat and she invited me for a weekly lesson over zoom. Every week I would have my Wednesday morning lesson to look forward to and work towards. I've been working on my own since graduation - with the sporadic lesson every couple of months - and having lessons over zoom really helped me assess and build my own practice. It's a very easy platform to work with and Kath is very well equipped on her end with multiple screens and a webcam. For me these zoom lessons have been a great way to keep in shape, build my voice and prepare me for singing life after lockdown. I had a very successful audition in June (when Belgium briefly reopened its theatres) and I have my wonderful teacher to thank for that!

Zoom classes

2020-08-11T16:12:39+00:00

https://kmckellarferguson.com/testimonials/lisa-willems-antwerp-belgium/

Catherine Moss, Michigan – USA

I found lessons with Kath to be incredibly enjoyable over Zoom! Not only has she maintained her top-notch teaching, but she has helped immensely with setting up the best environment online. She tailored all my lessons to fit where I was physically with what limitations my space called for, all while helping me steadily improve and correct my technical issues.

Zoom classes

2020-08-20T09:28:02+00:00

https://kmckellarferguson.com/testimonials/catherine-moss-michigan-usa/

Amie Dyer, Dublin – Ireland

I started my lessons with Kath through Zoom in March during the unprecedented time of lockdown.
I live in Dublin Ireland and I found that the lessons were very conducive to distant learning through technology. Kath has a very warm, friendly and supportive approach to teaching and learning. I feel that Kath’s tuition and guidance had strengthened a number of aspects within my artistic development. These aspects include not only technical improvements, but personal enhancement as an overall performer.
Whilst it may have been a challenge for some to remain motivated and encouraged over lockdown, Kathleen’s enthusiastic approach to our Zoom lessons focused my learning. Her continuous reassurance and knowledgeable understanding of each individual voices needs, has allowed my confidence to grow.
I always look forward to my lessons with Kath and leave feeling elated and satisfied with my progress. Kathleen has taught me the importance of loving your own individual voice and enjoying ones own personal journey as a singer.

Zoom classes

2020-08-20T09:59:14+00:00

I started my lessons with Kath through Zoom in March during the unprecedented time of lockdown. I live in Dublin Ireland and I found that the lessons were very conducive to distant learning through technology. Kath has a very warm, friendly and supportive approach to teaching and learning. I feel that Kath’s tuition and guidance had strengthened a number of aspects within my artistic development. These aspects include not only technical improvements, but personal enhancement as an overall performer. Whilst it may have been a challenge for some to remain motivated and encouraged over lockdown, Kathleen’s enthusiastic approach to our Zoom lessons focused my learning. Her continuous reassurance and knowledgeable understanding of each individual voices needs, has allowed my confidence to grow. I always look forward to my lessons with Kath and leave feeling elated and satisfied with my progress. Kathleen has taught me the importance of loving your own individual voice and enjoying ones own personal journey as a singer.

https://kmckellarferguson.com/testimonials/amie-dyer-dublin-ireland/

Zoom classes

CONSULTATION LESSONS

When looking for a singing teacher it is wise and advisable to have a consultation lesson with several teachers. We are naturally all different and it is quite acceptable for a perspective student to have a “one off” lesson, with no obligation, to see if a particular teacher is the right “fit” for you. The fee is £50 for a one-hour consultation. In a consultation lesson one can expect to spend a little time chatting and getting to know each other. I would normally ask a student about their past singing experience, teachers and about what is going well with the voice or what is a bit more challenging just now. I would ask about repertoire, about their current understanding of vocal technique and what their hopes and aspirations are for the future. If the student has not warmed up before the lesson I would do some simple warm up exercises, scales, arpeggios etc. If they are already warmed up I would ask them to sing a few pieces, perhaps something they know very well and find easy and also something with which they are struggling. This all gives me an opportunity for me to see what kind of a range the singer has and to detect some technical problems or issues with vowels, breathing etc. We would then finish the lesson with a short chat about how to proceed.

THE NITTY GRITTY

Lessons are normally an hour long and the fee is £60. I teach at my home in Kippen where I have a large studio with new Yamaha C5 grand piano. Kippen is in central Scotland, 10 miles from Stirling, and is very easily reached by car. On public transport there are hourly buses from Glasgow to Kippen via Balfron or you take the train to Stirling and then a short bus ride to Kippen (20 mins). The bus station and train station are next door to each other. Late cancellations within 24 hours of the lesson must be paid for. For students between the ages of 13 – 18, with less developed voices, lessons are normally 45 minutes approximately every 2 weeks and the charge is £30. Again late cancellations must be paid for.

References are freely given but at least a week’s notice is preferable. As I am a good pianist I play for all my lessons so there is no need to bring your own accompanist unless you want to. However, it is advisable to bring your own accompanist if you are working towards a recital, exam or other important event.

Recording the lesson is encouraged so that the student can then reflect on specific things from the lesson. This is crucial for their vocal development and they can process their progress in their own time and at their own pace.

VOCAL HEALTH AND SPECIAL NEEDS

Over the years I have learned a lot about teaching students with dyslexia, dyspraxia, physical disabilities and other special needs. I have come to love these challenges and the immense rewards that accompany them when a student blossoms and flourishes in ways that neither they, nor I, thought possible. Sadly, some singers have walked into my studio either burnt out or with nodules and I have been entrusted with the awesome and sensitive task of rebuilding several damaged voices. In these circumstances I have been acutely aware of the huge amount of trust invested in me by these students who come in a very vulnerable state and I have felt the responsibility hugely. Although often daunting, this painstaking process of diagnosis and rehabilitation is hugely rewarding when one sees these damaged voices (and often damaged people!) return to good vocal health and confidence and, in some circumstances, begin a very successful singing career. Again in situations like these there is no substitute for taking things slowly.