Student Stories
Molly Walsh, UK
Courses attended: 20 Hour Course (now the Foundation Course), Level 5 Extended Diploma
Not wanting to turn paying students away, Molly found she was teaching a wide range of students from six-year-olds through to those in their fifties, beginners through to more experienced vocalists. She also covered many musical styles. But even as her teaching confidence grew, she started to ask herself: What do I want next? “I didn’t have any voice training education,” Molly says. “I had voice performance training – but even that was getting pretty old.”
Molly wondered if what she had learned as a performing arts student all those years ago might now be outdated.
“When I looked online, I could see how many things had changed over the years in terms of singing research and singing training.”
So, she started looking for singing teaching courses.
Molly discovered BAST Training though the Vocal Health First Aid course. On this course, Molly encountered Line Hilton, the founder and a trainer at BAST Training. “I really liked the way that she spoke. It was very comfortable and welcoming, even though she had a medical background, as well as a performance background. It didn’t feel intimidating.”
Molly appreciated the practical approach of BAST Training 20 hour foundational course. “The course description was so practical. It was like, ‘Here’s the stuff that you can do right away in a lesson.’” So she enrolled.
The foundational course had an instant impact on Molly’s teaching. “I could immediately apply whatever we had learned to my lesson. It really gave me something to think about for the whole week.”
A particular aspect of the course that stood out for Molly was the focus on vocal fold closure. “The use of vocal fold closure has just changed everything. It’s helped me as a singer, but it has really, really helped almost every student that I have.”
Encouraged by her positive experience, Molly enrolled in BAST Training’s Level 5 course to further her qualifications. “After completing the 20 hour foundational course, I was hungry to learn more and to get an official qualification on my CV to help me bag a higher-level teaching job. So, I enrolled in the Level 5 Extended Diploma for Creative Industries (Teaching).”
Molly found that the Level 5 course ticked all her boxes. “It was flexible, meaning I could fit it around teaching and family commitments. And, as I had already completed the foundational course, I knew the practical and accessible learning style would work for me.”
After completing the first 11-week module of the course (there are six in total), Molly says: “In terms of teaching, everything feels more organised because you’re approaching things functionally and have a roadmap of how to do it.”
The Level 5 vocational qualification is equivalent to second year university (120 credits), so it requires commitment and hard work. But it’s also incredibly rewarding learning about a subject you love in a supportive environment.
“Being a private teacher can be isolating, so having a community of other teachers and professionals you can go to is just so valuable,” Molly says.
“It’s been so useful talking to other students and the mentors. Everyone is so available. If I don’t know something, I know where to find the answers.”
What advice would Molly give singers or singing teachers looking to learn more about teaching?
“If you’re trying to choose the right course for you, think about where you are now and where you want to be.
“For me, it was about improving my qualifications, gaining more knowledge as a teacher and being part of a community of professionals.
“If you’re looking to become a teacher or you are a teacher, do the course.
“Even if you’re a singer thinking about vocal training, it would be useful. I still work as a performer, and studying with BAST Training has helped my own technique and practice as a singer.”
Content…
Content….