ROTHERHAM
Monday & Wednesday
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SHEFFIELD
Thursday, Saturday
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ALEXANDRA HANS (ALCM)
TVA PRINCIPAL & VOCAL COACH
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Alexandra has worked in the professional music industry for over 17 years, gaining extensive knowledge and experience in all genres of music. Her career has taken her all over the world performing on luxury cruise liners and in 7 star hotels. Alexandra appeared on Britain’s Got Talent in 2018 as part of a The D-Day Darlings, making it all the way to the finals! They were signed by Sony Records and released their debut album, which sold over 60,000 albums, achieving a BRIT certified Silver Disc award! Alexandra also made her West End debut with the group performing at the Drury Lane Theatre, London, and performed on ITV’s Lorraine and This Morning. Alexandra has also worked as a regular session singer and featured on album and DVD releases.
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On returning to South Yorkshire, Alexandra established The Voice Academy (formerly known as Alexandra Hans Vocal Academy, AHVA). starting with just 2 students in 2014 growing from strength to strength, now with over 160 students attending weekly lessons. She has worked in several Northern-based performing arts colleges, including MADD (Midlands Academy of Dance and Drama), CAPA (Cathedral Academy of Performing Arts) and various other Primary and Secondary schools delivering classes on technique, and one-to-one sessions preparing students for their further education auditions.
Under The Voice Academy’s tuition, students have achieved places at top performing arts colleges including, Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, Bird College and Guildford School of Acting. Many Academy students have also gone on to work in the professional music industry
Alexandra has acted as a singing consultant for companies such as the Royal Shakespeare Company-Washington, DC and the Music Factory Entertainment Group. She has also coached leading West End and Broadway performers in both the UK and the US!
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She holds a Diploma and Associates Certificate with London College of Music (LCM) and is trained in various techniques used by professional companies and colleges around the world including Estill Levels 1 and 2 awarded by Anne-Marie Speed and Accent Method trained by Dane Chalfin and Linda Hutchinson.
Alexandra gained her Post Graduate Certificate in Voice Pedagogy qualification under leading voice specialist Dr. Jenevora Williams and has also qualified as a Vocal Health First Aider and has successfully completed training to become a Vocal Habilitation Professional, offering Vocal Health advise and Rehabilitation.
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In 2022, Alexandra trained under Stephen King at the Voice Care Centre, London, gaining qualifications and training in Laryngeal Manipulation Therapy. Throughout this educational experience, Alexandra gained and abundance of knowledge and experienced incredible training including a days experience in the dissection lab at Kings College London!
In November 2022, Alexandra started Yorkshire Voice Care, based in Sheffield which specialises in vocal health and rehabilitation of the voice including Vocal Massage/Manipulation Therapy.
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Alexandra still performs professionally with a number of companies across the country including Undercover Artists and The Bluebird Belles.
ROTHERHAM
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
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LEXI PILGRIM
TVA VOCAL COACH
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Lexi studied her postgraduate at The Italia Conti Academy of Performing Arts, London and degree at Colchester Institute, receiving a BA Honours in Musical Theatre. She also holds singing qualifications with Rock School to Grade 8 level. During her degree she specialised in voice using the ‘Estill Method’ and over the years has taken part in various workshops to continue to develop her expertise in this practise. She also recently became a qualified Vocal First Aider with Vocal Health Education which has given her an extensive insight into the inner workings of the larynx and vocal fold function, plus their status in relation to the rest of the body and now has the skills necessary to help aid vocal fatigue and other disorders.
Previous to Lexi's extensive training, she was given the opportunity to perform in exciting venues such as the London Palladium, Her Majesty’s Theatre, Disneyland Paris, Britain’s Got Talent, Battersea Barge and the Kings Cross Theatre. Prior to teaching at The Voice Academy Lexi gained a great deal of experience teaching in different institutes in London.
Since graduating, Lexi has worked professionally in contracts that have taken her all around the UK and Europe, performing in a variety of different styled shows including Rock, Pop, Musical Theatre and an acapella harmony show. She also began working with various live bands in Theatre Venues as both a backing and lead vocalist. Since 2018 she has been regularly performing in Theatre Pantomimes including playing Cinderella at both the Weymouth Pavilion and Wimborne Tivoli Theatre. She is still working in the professional industry travelling the UK in theatre tours, corporate events, weddings and festivals in a variety of different productions. These all involve working in an array of different styles and continue to challenge and better her as a performer and thus develop her experiences and expertise to pass on to students.
Lexi aims to continue to develop her knowledge of voice in regard to performing, teaching and vocal health so as to ensure she can relay her knowledge to students and in turn help them achieve their full potential and release their passion of singing to the world.
BETH Evans
TVA VOCAL COACH
ROTHERHAM
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
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Beth holds a number of qualifications including a National Diploma in Performing Arts. Whilst training, she successfully passed many exams such as Grade 8 Music Theatre with the London College of Music. She also graded in Classical Singing, Popular Music and Music Theory. Beth has extensive knowledge on Estill Voice Technique having studied levels 1 & 2 with leading coach, Anne Marie-Speed. She has taken workshops in Accent Method with international, voice rehabilitation specialist Dane Chalfin and has embarked on a professional development course with Dr Jenevora Williams, specially focussing on teaching young voices.
At the age of 18, Beth began her professional career in the industry playing Princess Jasmine in pantomime, Aladdin. She then went on to travel the world working as a vocalist for Thomson & P&O cruises. During her time sailing, she gained incredible experience as both a singer and performer on stage. One of her most memorable shows to be involved in was “Astonishing”, an original magical illusions show created by Stephen Mulhern and Jonathan Wilkes whom she worked with closely during the workshop progress.
Although she has now hung up her sea legs, Beth still works professionally in events across the UK including fronting the sensational function band; SMOOTHIE! entertaining guests at weddings and parties and also as a vocalist for Undercover Artists, surprising audiences with an impromptu sing song!
As a versatile vocalist, Beth loves sharing her wealth of experience, knowledge and skills with fresh new talent. She believes in the importance of technique for the longevity of one’s voice and also loves to teach the students of The Voice Academy how to express themselves so they can shine and “stand out from the crowd”!
DANYL - JAMES TURVEY
TVA VOCAL COACH
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ROTHERHAM
Monday, Tuesday, Friday
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Danyl started performing from a young age and his passion for the arts has never wavered!
Danyl studied at the Southern Theatre Arts Centre where he obtained a BA Honours Degree in Musical Theatre. He is also trained in Estill Voice Technique by Jan Spooner Swabey and has received training from the founding head of the Royal Academy of Music, Mary Hammond.
Danyl has experienced a range of performance opportunities, from contemporary musical theatre concerts to full-scale musicals that have taken him internationally and to London. He even shared a fantastic cruise contract with our very own TVA Vocal Coach, Beth!
Danyl is the founder of SYPA, a youth theatre company where training encourages performers to be the best they can be. Full-scale musicals are performed annually at the Rotherham Civic Theatre. Past productions include Everybody's Talking About Jamie: Teen Edition, and Sister Act. Fame and Hairspray. Many of our existing TVA students also train at SYPA to gain experience in full productions.
Danyl is passionate about working with students to exceed their expectations. By exploring the correlation between all three art forms, Danyl develops each individual's technique. By utilising his own experiences, Danyl can effectively support students with industry preparation. His wealth of knowledge and experience in both teaching and performing are inspiring for TVA students.
ROTHERHAM
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
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VICTORIA HENSON
TVA VOCAL COACH & MUSICAL THEATRE DIRECTOR
Victoria started her training with The Voice Academy at the age of 14, and has naturally progressed from student to teacher. She holds her Grade 8 qualification in Music Theatre with LCM, and also gained her Music Theatre Diploma in Teaching (Level 4) achieving 90% Approved Upper Level. Victoria started her teaching career by assisting group classes at TVA and found a passion for teaching, therefore moving onto training to become a fully qualified vocal coach, trained by TVA Principal, Alexandra. During her time with The Voice Academy, she has been fortunate enough to perform in multiple showcases, in fantastic venues such as The Adelphi Theatre London and London’s O2 Arena.
Victoria studied A Level Drama and Theatre Studies at Wickersley Sixth Form, and performed in Pantomimes, Murder Mysteries and Dance Festivals whilst attending. As well as this, she has several years of performing at local theatres under her belt, taking on iconic musicals such as The Sound of Music, Miss Saigon, Phantom of the Opera, and Fame. She has also performed in Disney Land Paris on two occasions.
Victoria has a keen passion for perfecting her craft and constantly learning, and so has taken part in multiple vocal training courses with industry professionals. Some of these have included Teaching Young Voices with Jenevora Williams, Introduction to Estill Voice Training with Anne-Marie Speed and Belting/Mix with The Voice Explained. Some of her previous professional work includes being a cast member of the Entertainment Team at Gullivers Valley Resort, a performer for the award winning company GP Princess Appearances, and a vocalist for GP Entertainment Co, providing evening entertainment for corporate events across Yorkshire.
Victoria currently works as a Music Tutor for Wickersley Partnership Trust, travelling around primary schools in Rotherham providing full class music tuition. She teaches over 100 pupils a week, sharing her musical knowledge and teaching the national music curriculum, as well as assisting schools in creating performances!
As well as teaching 1:1 Vocal Lessons, Victoria is all the Musical Theatre Director for TVA group sessions: Musical Theatre Juniors, Musical Theatre Pre Seniors and Girl Group classes, and also teaches in our Performance Choir sessions.
BETHANIE HOUGHTON
TVA VOCAL COACH - SHEFFIELD
SHEFFIELD
Monday & Friday
Beth went to her first dance class at the age of 3 which ended up being one of her passions! Throughout training, she was involved in festivals, competitions, shows, amateur dramatic companies, piano lessons, singing lessons, extra dance lessons at Northern Ballet, Yorkshire Ballet Scholars, Urdang, Tap Attack and so much more. At 18, Beth gained a place at London Studio Centre and so started her professional training.
3 years later Beth graduated from LSC with a 1st Class Honors Degree in Theatre Dance also winning the Lia Williams Award for Best Musical Theatre Performer!
After graduating, Beth lived in London auditioning for different West End shows, Cruises, Pantomimes, etc. She landed a job at Archer Street, a famous London cocktail bar where the staff are the heart and soul of the venue. Performing every night with fellow professionals really was incredible for Beth! It was at this point, Beth joined the band 'On Shuffle' in 2018 and immediately got a job with Celebrity Cruises as their resident band, travelling all over the world including the Mediterranean, Iceland, Scandinavia and finishing off in the USA & Caribbean. Until the world came to a holt in 2020!
Back home, Beth embarked on training in Estill Voice Technique and attended regular 1:1 lessons and workshops with one of the West End and British Recording Industry’s leading vocal coaches, Dane Chalfin in accent method.
Since returning to the U.K., Beth opened her own performing and teaching business, offering teaching services in multiple performing arts training facilities. Beth has also launched Bethanie Houghton Music, providing exceptional vocal performances at weddings, functions and events.
Carys began performing at a young age, both attending musical theatre classes and performing with amateur theatre companies. She has performed in many shows, including Little Shop of Horrors, Our House, Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Peter Pan. She has performed across South Yorkshire in venues such as Rotherham Civic Theatre, Doncaster CAST theatre and Sheffield City Hall.
Carys started as a classically trained singer but wanted to focus more on her love of musical theatre and so joined The Voice Academy when she was 15, attending weekly lessons with Vocal Coach Danyl. After completing her grade 8 in Musical Theatre, Carys started working as a musical theatre teaching assistant. Her passion for teaching blossomed from being able to share her knowledge with students, so she decided to pursue a qualification in teaching under the guidance of TVA Principal, Alexandra. Carys achieved an Approved Upper Level Teaching Diploma in Music Theatre with London College Of Music. In addition to 1:1 sessions, Carys continues to teach her own group classes as well as assisting Victoria in Musical Theatre Juniors and Pre-Seniors at TVA.
Carys is always looking for opportunities to expand her knowledge. She is currently studying Biomedical Science at university alongside her teaching, taking a particular interest in the anatomy of how the voice works.
CARYS BOOTH
TVA STUDENT VOCAL COACH AND MUSICAL THEATRE ASSISTANT
ROTHERHAM
Wednesday & Saturday
KATI GILL
TVA VOCAL COACH - SHEFFIELD
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Kati has been performing from the age of 4 and made her West End debut as Lena Marelli in the NYMTs production of Bugsy Malone at just 11 years old.
Music was always Kati’s favourite subject at school being part of as many choirs and vocal groups as she could!
She went on to achieve a National Diploma in Musical Theatre at Performers College where she was lucky enough to perform on BBCs Children in Need and Top of The Pops.
After graduating from college she headed straight to Disneyland Paris as a dancer and a face character Princess. Upon returning to the UK she appeared in her first professional pantomime as Tiger Lily in Peter Pan, where she learned to fire breathe!
Kati’s singing career really took off when she moved to Newcastle and was cast in a variety of touring production shows as a lead vocalist including; The Greatest Show, Night of my Life and The Greatest Christmas.
From there Kati has gone on to not only perform in, but manage large events for Pure Entertainment Group where she is currently part of the creative team and vocal coach and has even written her own songs that have featured in some of their shows.
This year Kati joined function band Dynamix 2.0 as their lead vocalist, joined 1940’s vocal group, the D-Day Darlings and is also one half of ABBA Encore tribute band.
Kati has now settled in Yorkshire and is passionate about passing on her knowledge and expertise to TVA students, helping them to get the most out of their voices and build on their confidence and abilities.
SHEFFIELD
Tuesday
TESTIMONIALS
“After being a member of the vocal academy for 4 years, I can hand on heart say it’s the best decision I ever made! Not only has my confidence and ability grown due to the amazing teachers, I’ve made friends for life and it’s such a great environment to be in!" - Victoria
“TVA has given me confidence and the most amazing experiences. All of the coaches are brilliant and make me feel at ease. I could not be prouder to say I am a part of the TVA family" - Ella