SUMMER 2024
Limited availability for Vocal Massage Sessions on THURSDAYS during July and August. Please drop me an email to check availability and bookONLINE BOOKING OPENS SEPTEMBER
The Vocal Specialist
voice education and vocal manual therapy
About
Welcome to The Vocal Specialist. I'm Roisin Quinn and I've been working with people's voices for over 15 years in various capacities. I'm dedicated to the world of voice, music, songwriting and manual therapy. Through practice, education and research I facilitate space for others to learn about their voices and explore the possibilities related to personal aims and development.
I work with singers, rappers, artists, choirs, teachers, speakers as well as anyone having issues with voice use on a day to day basis.You can explore the different areas I specialise in by following the links on the home page .
I offer workshops, lessons and vocal massages on both a one off and regular basis. I offer massage therapy and voice sessions at two locations in Essex and East London, and also travel to theatres, performance venues and universities/colleges across the UK.
My experience ranges from individual teaching to choral directing, session vocalist to composer, and past positions include Head of Vocals, Course Leader, Head of Quality, MD of County Ensembles, Copyright Consultant, Vocal and Choral Development team and more.If you would like further information about any of the services I offer, or have any questions or thoughts, please don't hesitate to get in touch for an informal chat.MA (Songwriting) - PGCE - BMus (Hons)
Vocal Massage Training Certified - Estill L1&2 and AdvancedI'm also a songwriter and independent artist who writes, produces and releases original music. You can learn more about that HERE
vocal manual therapy
Vocal manual therapy, vocal massage and laryngeal manipulation are treatments that focus on the soft tissue, fascia and structures associated with the voice. I trained with the Voice Care Centre, who use an evidence formed, person focussed approach. Vocal massage can be used as a rehabilitative aid after vocal injury, for muscle tension dysphonia, globus, swallowing disorders, jaw/tongue tension, freeing up and resetting the larynx and all types of vocal fatigue. This work is "pain free" and carried out in a collaborative way with importance on consent and feedback.I offer vocal manual therapy at two locations with treatment rooms in Essex (Harlow) and East London (Hackney)
I also travel to theatres, venues, universities/colleges around the UK for multiple or cast bookings.INTRODUCTORY PRICE
All new clients are required to fill out an assessment form ahead of treatment1 hour (existing and new clients) - £60
30 min (maintenance) - £40I offer reduced price for those from low income background, please get in touch to discuss
VOCAL HEALTH
Knowing how to look after our voices and maintain good vocal health is paramount for everyone, and especially for those who use their voices professionally, whether it's speaking or singing, and for anyone who suffers with any kind of vocal issues.
Our voice as an instrument is a complex thing!
There are many simple every day steps that can help keep our voices in as good health as possible. The way we speak, breath and use our voices, the food and drink we consume, our lifestyle and environment are just a few of the things that can affect our vocal health.I offer vocal health workshops and lessons to singers, teachers, public speakers and anyone who needs help maintaining good vocal health.You can also visit my Vocal Massage Therapy section to find out how vocal massage can also help with various vocal health issues.
THE BIGGER PICURE - A BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL APPROACH
The term "biopsychosocial" refers to the interconnection between biological, psychological and socio-ecominic factors that might be at play for individuals.We can "zoom in" to specifics about the voice, but it is important to zoom back out and consider the bigger picture.
The voice can be a complex instrument due to the fact that it lives as part of a bigger system and is used to express (or not express!) lots of different things in lots of different ways.My personal experience of finding my own voice by considering this bigger picture coupled with my training at the voice care centre, where this model is always kept in mind, means I approach both group and individual work in this way.
VOCAL FUNCTION - HERE COMES THE SCIENCE
Knowledge of vocal anatomy and function is key to understanding how your voice works and how to use it in the way that you desire. Through study of the Estill model, vocal massage therapy training and my own practice and research, I am able to equip voice users with the knowledge and exercises they need to achieve the results they want in a healthy way.
This is an area I have found to be neglected in some teaching environments, and whilst not everyone needs or wants to know all of the physiology behind their singing, I strongly believe that the option should be given for voice users to gain a deeper understanding which can, in turn, support their own growth, development and voice use.
I believe that everyone and anyone can learn to use their voice to it's full capacity! There are many vocal techniques that are already instilled within us, we just need some guidance to unlock and re-learn them, in a supportive and safe environment.
VOCAL TECHNIQUE
Vocal technique, which ties in closely with vocal function and vocal health, can be taught, practised and mastered like any other skill.My approach is to give vocalists all of the skills and functional knoweldge they need to make the sounds that they want to make in the context they need to make them.Based on my practice of the Estill model, I strive to demystify vocal technique so that every singer can, through exploration and practise, have the confidence to produce reliable results and make the sounds they desire every time they open their mouth.Further exploration surrounding artistry and performance can then be applied so that vocalists can master their craft to the highest level.
ACCENT IN SINGING
"Accent & the Singing Songwriter" was the title of my MA Songwriting research paper, and is an area I continue to be quite obsessed with!This area can sometimes be left unexplored, especially in the world of pop singing, where historically American accents have been the norm. By studying current and historic trends, voice production and acoustics, accent and diction, audience expectations, psychological, sociological and artistic considerations, I have built up a comprehensive picture of this subject.Through my research and my own personal journey as a songwriter and artist, I am able to work with other artists to find their authentic voice, as well as coach session singers, those working on the function scene and in musical theatre to make stylistically accurate choices.
PROSODY IN VOCAL PERFORMANCE
&
TOPLINING
Using my expertise as a songwriter and session vocalist, I love to explore the idea of prosody in singing. Prosody in music is the study of all of the elements of a song or piece of music contributing to the meaning, message and theme. You often hear people talking about "serving the song" in this way.
This is especially useful for effective vocal performance and interpretation, and equally as important when it comes to composing topline melodies/lyrics.Knowing what tools to use and what options are available to us as singers to express a song, lyric or mood, can transform a technically able vocalist to become a master of their craft.I have an MA in Songwriting (Distinction) from Bath Spa Uni.
My work in this area can be heard in my own songwriting releases, numerous radio jingles and sync tracks with credits including Capital FM, BBC1, BBC3, BBC6Music and more.
MUSICAL DIRECTOR - CHOIRS AND VOCAL GROUPS
I work with various choirs and vocal groups as a Musical Director, conductor and vocal arranger. Using all of my vocal knowledge, combined with my musicianship, I love to lead groups of all abilities and genres.I work in all kinds of way from traditional SATB choral scores to teaching harmony and improvisation by ear, as well as creating vocal arrangements.
My current MD duties are with the Livewire Vocal Collective, a youth vocal group that is completely free to access thanks to funding, and the Harlow U3A choir, a community style choir with 60 members.
I believe group singing should be accessible to all and recently curated a choir festival event with seven choirs.Past MD work has included Essex Youth Jazz Voices, vocal and choral development team for Essex Music Hub, the Sounds of Essex festival, the Grime Opera (Max Wheeler and Eyez), Burnt Mill Gospel Choir, New Edition Singers, Hadleigh Voices and Canvey Island Community Choir.