Singing teachers, sometimes known as vocal coaches, work with individuals and groups. They teach:

• vocal skills
•  singing and music theory
• composition and musical appreciation.

Some singing teachers specialise in a particular singing style such as:

• choral
• opera
• rhythm and blues
• pop.

Singing teachers often have several different roles:

• helping students to prepare for examinations
• assisting students in building up a repertoire of sheet music and backing tracks
• working with groups in rehearsals before public performances
• coaching individuals for a particular role in a play or musical.

They work in a wide range of settings including:

• primary and secondary schools
• rehearsal studios
• music colleges
• on a one-to-one private tuition basis.

They may be employed by one institution or set up and run classes for several organisations.

Singing teachers are also increasingly contracted by commercial firms to design training programmes that offer alternative ways of developing professional and interpersonal skills such as teamwork, presentation, creativity and confidence building.

Typical day-to-day duties may include:

• planning lessons and organising resources
• coaching vocal/breathing exercises and techniques
• instructing in melody, harmony and improvisation
• teaching specific areas relating to exam syllabuses
• administration of student examinations
• organising performances
• practice sessions to maintain high levels in their own performance.

Self-employed private tutors may also have to deal with marketing and business accounts.

Hours and Environment

In schools, singing teachers work normal school hours, Monday to Friday. They divide their time between part-time work in schools and private tuition. They may also teach individual pupils or run rehearsal or music groups and attend performances after school hours and occasionally at weekends. 

Private singing teachers’ hours can vary widely, depending on students' needs.

Music teachers may work in schools, colleges, arts centres, company training centres, public venues or in their own or client’s home.

Freelance music teachers spend time travelling between different teaching venues, so a driving licence is useful.

Skills and Interests

To be a singing teacher you should:

• have excellent vocal and aural skills
• have a good knowledge of all singing styles
• be patient and enthusiastic
• have good communication skills
• be self-motivated and well-organised
• be aware of health and safety issues
• have good business skills, especially if working in private tuition.

The ability to play one or more musical instruments can be an advantage.

Entry

To teach singing in the state school system you must be a qualified music teacher, and may be expected to teach other subjects within the school (see Teacher: Music profile). In independent schools you will not necessarily need teaching qualifications, although they are recommended.

To be a private singing teacher you should have a diploma from a specialist music college, or a music degree. Some singing teachers have a graduate diploma.

You can do  a degree courses at a conservatoire, music college or university. Your degree should ideally concentrate performance, for example:

• BMus (Bachelor of Music) in Music Performance
• BA (Bachelor of Arts) in Performing Arts.

You may also be able to do a BEd (Bachelor of Education)  in Music, leading to Qualified Teacher Status. Courses usually last three or four years.

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. 

For a music degree or diploma you will usually need:

• five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3); and
• two A levels/three H grades including music, or equivalent qualifications.

Please check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements. 

You  will have an audition, and many institutions will expect you to have reached at least grade six on a main instrument. It can be useful if you can show evidence of recent music study or work on a music project.

You can find for full details of entry routes into teaching in state schools in the job profiles listed under Teacher. You can also find  information on careers in music, including teaching on the Incorporated Society of Musicians website. Please see Further information for a link to the site.

Training

As mentioned above, for state schools you will need to have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

For independent schools and private tuition, you can do a range of qualifications.

The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) offer a one-year part-time Certificate of Teaching (CT ABRSM). The course:

• covers music theory and practice
• develops teaching skills
• is an opportunity to develop contacts and share ideas.

It can be done at centres throughout the country or on a fast-track residential basis. For more details, please contact ABRSM (see Further Information).

Trinity College offer:

• the ATCL Associate Diploma in Music Teaching (Vocal Teaching) which is of equivalent standard to the end of the first year of a music degree
• the LTCL Licentiate Diploma which is of equivalent standard to the end of year three of a degree
• a postgraduate level FTLC Diploma in Music Education which is aimed at professionals involved at the strategic level of planning and coordinating teacher-training programmes.

Full details of all qualifications offered can be found on the Trinity College website. Please see Further Information for a link.

Postgraduate courses are available at a number of universities and music colleges throughout the country. Typical subjects include:

• music performance
• music studies
• vocal performance.

Please check with individual colleges for their entry requirements.

If you are a teacher in private practice you can study by distance learning for  a professional development programme offered by the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) through the University of Reading. Please contact the ISM for details.

Opportunities

There is a lot of competition for jobs in specialist music schools or colleges.

In schools and colleges there may be opportunities for promotion to head of department.

Local authorities may employ experienced singing and music teachers to act as coordinators of music teaching services within the local or regional area. Local authorities or community and regional arts bodies may also offer opportunities for wider arts development and administration jobs. 

Many singing teachers work on a freelance basis. Freelance teachers usually combine teaching privately with part-time or casual work for colleges and other organisations.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Newly qualified teachers working in state schools earn from £19,641 (Inner London £223,577) a year.
Experienced teachers in state schools can earn over £30,000 a year depending on performance and extra responsibilities.

The ISM advises members on rates for freelance private tuition.

Further information

10 Stratford Place
London
W1C 1AA
Tel: 020 7629 4413 11 Southwark Street
London
SE1 1RQ
Helpline: 0800 093 0444 89 Albert Embankment
London
SE1 7TP
Tel: 020 7820 6100 24 Portland Place
London
W1B 1LU
Tel: 020 7636 5400