David Valks went from working in the recruitment industry to starting his own singing school. Read on for his tips on marketing, pricing and bookings.


‘BAST Training gave me the confidence to start teaching’
Former pro singer Jessica Thomas explains how BAST Training helped her start her own singing teaching business.

Want to write a book? Read this advice from a published vocal coach
Publishing a book helped vocal coach Becky Gilhespie boost her professional profile and expand her business. Read on to find out how and why she did it.

Can singing help people living with ‘long Covid’?
Can choir leaders use Singing for Lung Health strategies to help people with long Covid? Musical director Juliet Russell explored this question in a singing project with Covid ‘long haulers’.

Gift vouchers, get togethers and other BAST goodies
What will Santa bring you this Christmas? Why not ask for a brilliant BAST gift voucher so you can continue your professional development in 2021.

Stay strong and #fightthefatigue
Singing teachers are being urged to take stock of their mental health and to check in with their colleagues as part of the #fightthefatigue campaign.

Three tips to help improve your website
Many singers start their search for a vocal coach by browsing online, so it’s crucial that your website is up-to-date and shows you at your best. Here are three tips to improve your website.

Graded singing exams with MTB: How they work and why they’re Covid-safe
With MTB (Music Teachers’ Board), voice students can sit their grade exams any day of the year from a location of their choice. BAST looks at how the system works and how it can benefit singers and teachers.

Courses and workshops for singing teachers
Here’s a list of courses, workshops and conferences to help singing teachers continue their professional development and sharpen their business skills.

How to nurture a singer’s authentic voice
Leading gospel and soul voice teacher Dr Trineice Robinson-Martin on helping singers to find their authentic voice. Dr Trineice Robinson-Martin is a singer and voice teacher with one helluva […]

Choirs and Covid-19: ‘2020 has been tough, but we need to keep going’
‘Choir directors are an asset to society. What we do is about healing, and right now people need that,’ says choir director Naveen Arles. Naveen Arles is the artistic director […]

The Laryngeal Nerves
Alexa Terry and Line Hilton look at the laryngeal nerves and the role they play in voice production. The nervous system is a two-way information highway delivering messages from the […]

How to help male adolescent singers access the upper register
Vocal coach Jo Sear shares her tips on helping male adolescent singers to access the upper register. In her 15-year teaching career, Jo Sear has worked extensively with male contemporary singers. […]

Episode 27 The Singing Master Chef With Becky Gilhespie
“We need to take diversions sometimes, to come back and realise what we’ve got” Becky Gilhespie has had an interesting journey from singing, to teaching to cheffing, and now, as […]

The Coaching Manual: a must-read coaching skills guide
If you want to sharpen your coaching skills, then grab a copy of coaching guru Julie Starr’s book. The Coaching Manual is a go-to guide for anyone who wants to become a […]

Updated guidance on singing and Covid-19
New guidance on singing and Covid-19 has been cautiously welcomed but has also prompted calls for more clarity. For singing teachers keen to return to face-to-face teaching, there have […]

The Vocal Fold Layers
Alexa Terry takes a closer look at the vocal fold layers and the role they play in singing. Before we take a deep dive into the anatomy of the vocal […]

Ear training for beginners
Ear training is a great way to help singers with pitching issues. Top vocal coach Nerissa Campbell shares her tips on how to get started with beginners. As an experienced vocal […]