Meet Your Lead Practitioner
Susan Parkes
I'm so delighted to use my extensive experience as an opera singer, vocal coach and Vocal Manual Therapist to help you. My own singing journey has given me insight into the many challenges one encounters as a professional singer such as the demanding rehearsals and performance schedules. This enables me to bring a high level of empathy, respect, and understanding. I am an insured, fully certified, practising advanced Vocal Manual Therapist (VMT- including advanced training in laryngeal manipulation, muscles of the neck, jaw, tongue and ribcage), For many years I have specialised in unlocking vocal tension to empower singers to discover their sung identity. I am trained in Advanced Manual Therapy in swallowing and Voice Disorders (Walt Fritz, New York), Advanced Vocal Manual Therapy (London Voice Care), Foundation in Advanced Clinical Manual Therapy (Jing), Advanced Vocal Manual Therapy (London Voice Care), Advanced Anatomy for Voice Professionals (Voice Study Centre), Vocal Health First Aid, and have even dissected a real larynx and diaphragm on a cadaver in a medical laboratory at King's College London. (Scroll down for full qualifications). I am an accredited member of the Independent Society for Musicians (ISM), The Association of Teachers of Singing (AOTOS), The National Association of Massage and Manipulative Therapists (NAMMT) and Complimentary Health Professionals (CHP).
Musically, I am an award winning soprano and was a scholar at the Royal College of Music for Undergraduate and Postgraduate studies. I have sung many main roles internationally including at the Royal Opera House (Lindbury), Salzburg International Festival, Sadler's Wells, BBC Proms and the Royal Albert Hall. I have lectured at Oxford University for CASI and MAPA, led professional workshops, conducted choirs, sung on No1 selling classical albums, BBC broadcasts, West end plays and appeared in Hollywood films (Inc Mission Impossible). If you feel like bursting into song or would like any technical singing advice before, during or after your session the Steinway is just steps away!
Vocal Coach
I am passionate, experienced and enthusiastic Vocal Coach. Students include professional opera singers, postgraduate and undergraduate music college drama students, professional soul and pop singers, singer-songwriters, west end performers and elite vocal professionals.
I can provide detailed technical advice in improving: Breathing, Tone, Resonance, Interpretation, Character and Musical Phrasing. I can also give pronunciation guides and translation of song and opera texts/ libretto in Italian, French and German.
These one-one personalised singing lessons available are live in person or are brought directly to your home or work computer through zoom. I can help to build your confidence and have spent time finding strategies to give advice on stage fright in professionals with proven solutions.
Calm your mind, strengthen your self belief and free the tension that may help to restore improved vocal function
