About Simon

I am an enthusiastic ,and, optimistic voice coach, teacher and performer. I have stayed true to my early calling in life, and now teach the culmination of my life's work to all kinds of people, from beginners to professionals, introverts to extroverts, and, anyone who who has a real desire to become a better singer, and, artist.

My vast experience is drawn from all round the world including : stage and film experience in both Australia and the UK, the famed Speech Level Singing Method out of Los Angeles - United States, mentorship from one of the world's moth empathetic acting coaches in the world in Rhonda Carlsson, and, one of the best foundations in music education(Advanced Diploma of Contemporary Music) that money can buy from Western Australia's very own Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.

I've found that my driving interest is for teaching other people. I am a bit of a nerd (a cool one), and am known to read books on coaching, teaching philosophy, personality ,and, coaching success, in my down-time.

As of 2017, I will be adding to my qualification, studying Secondary Teaching in Music (minor in Drama) at Edith Cowan University, Western Australia.

What is Simon's experience in learning singing ?

I didn't start out being able to sing.

All I had was an abnormal amount of optimism, coupled with a love of music. My voice lacked any great power, and, I found that I was unable to sing like artists on the radio or, on stage. It didn't occur to me to try singing lessons until I was studying music at WAAPA. All I knew is that I had a dream to be on stage, and in order to do that, I would need to be really good at singing. 

Fortunately, I struck Gold first time round! When approaching a fellow student, and, probably the strongest singer at University during my time there, he suggested two names and thank God I picked the correct one. The results from the very first lesson were astounding and I was starting to draw a line between how the exercises were working, and, what I was hearing great singers do. My weak and breathy voice was becoming a thing of the past and, I had a new found hope.

I learned quickly that the voice is simple and, like any other instrument. There is a vibratory source of sound (the vocal cords,) the vibration from that source and a resonator, the space above your voice box, a.k.a the inside of your throat and head!

I also learned that it was very common not to be able to sing the way you want to. Just like learning the guitar is slow and clumsy at first, so is learning the voice. Through the wise guidance of some of the world's greatest voice coaches, I was able to slowly unpack my voice, learning to sing from the bottom of my range to the top with greater clarity, power and flexibility. 

What is Simon's experience in learning teaching ?

I had such a great experience in learning how to sing, that I felt called to teach this method. There is a strange phenomenon that occurs when you are pursuing a skill, and, the teaching of that skill at the same time. It's kind of like two muscle groups working together, with one being a protagonist whilst the other is the antagonist, and then changing roles again. My study informs my singing, which informs my teaching which produces results in the student. Those results in turn inform my singing, which informs my study. It's completely wild and an awesome experience. Each part is dependent on the other.

The Student

I have learned the most, through teaching hundreds of students over the past 10 years. If a student doesn't succeed then the teaching process has to change, and it is through myself and a student solving the problem together, that propels our results forward. My favourite analogy is that of a game of tennis (credit to Rhonda Carlson.) We hit the ball back to each other in order to make the game move forward vs. just hitting the ball over the other's head, which cannot be hit back again. What I mean is, if I hit a shot that you can't hit back (ie. give you an exercise that is too hard or doesn't make sense,) then how can I expect you to hit the ball back again?!

As I teach all kinds of voices from  : male to female, young to old, loud voices to quiet voices, and, tall voices to short voices, I find that although we all have a larynx (voice-box) and vocal cords, they all have specific requirements due to each voice's unique physiology. The specific needs of each individual voice usually inform me of how a completely different voice-type works. Again, each discovery informs my ability to sing, teach and study. 

Ultimately, my philosophy has been guided by some of the worlds great teachers including Seth Riggs, Greg Enriquez, Jeffrey Skouson and Spencer Welch, being rooted in what is the Speech Level Singing Method and, my ability to teach singing has been greatly enhanced by my acting coach Rhonda Carlsson, who, engages a different part of the mind and body altogether.

Simon's Credentials

Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts

Advanced Diploma of Contemporary Music

Speech Level Singing 

Level 2 Certified Instructor

Institute for Vocal Advancement

Level 3 Certified Instructor

Stage and Film

Made In Dagenham

Worthing Musical Theatre Company, Worthing - United Kingdom

Regional production of the West End show.

Played 7 x roles, including Mr Buckton

Paid In Full

Written, Directed and Produced by Lincoln Fenner

Creation Box Films, London - United Kingdom.

Lead Role - Jarrad.

Co-Producer

Rope - written by Patrick Hamilton

The Wick Theatre Company, Brighton - United Kingdom

Lead Role - Granillo

Keane For A Crownie -

Written and Directed by Monique Wilson,

Black Sheep Theatre CO, Australia

Lead Role - Bluey

Children's Production of Dr Paws - Lead Role, Dr Paws

Subiaco Church