A personable Professionally Qualified practitioner of The Voice College, London, with an industry standard QTS in Contemporary Singing.

Find out more about Tracey

• When did you first develop a passion for music and your favourite instrument?

  When I was around 11 yrs old, I wrote my first piano piece. When I was 14, I took up the double bass and bass guitar as part of my GCSE studies. During my Music A-Level years, I particularly enjoyed composition and took to learning the guitar afterwards when I started university. I had a housemate who had two guitars so I was playing constantly, which really helped! During my time at university, I also began exploring singing and being part of bands, taking up tuition soon after completing my course. My favourite instrument is now my voice, because it involves the whole self and can produce a variety of timbres in ways that other instruments do not.

• Is there a particular type of music or artist that you listen to on a loop without it driving you crazy?

  Creative uplifting music with positive lyrics; music recorded in solfeggio tones (e.g. 417HZ, 444HZ, 396HZ and others)

• Explain to us the most difficult or riveting course you could personally give to a student of music.

  The most difficult "course" I could give my student should they want it, would be 'vocal test competencies', which, at the more advanced level, include: demonstrating their knowledge and application of singing zones within registers (for example, demonstrating healthy belting from Power Zone to Power Zone), and demonstrating clean bridges between each register to create a seamless sound. I could also provide test papers with questions on the larynx, how the jaw affects resonance and more to embed that greater on-going depth of knowledge. Another "course" I could take my student on is the study of one particular song or songs, looking at the musicality of the piece/s, the approach of each word and phrase etc with a view to performing or recording it as a demonstration of their ability, adding it to their performance CV.

• What do you think is the most complicated instrument to master and why?

  I think the voice is the most complicated instrument to master because there are so many elements within the vocal mechanism that need to be working in harmony with each other, in order for a true resonant voice to be released. It's all about learning to work with the natural support mechanisms within our body, which are directly linked with our voice, not interfering with them. The biggest culprit, and therefore hindrance to singing, is tension and this is something we have to work on daily. The voice is never an instrument we can just pick up and play. Not only do the vocal muscles need warming up, just like any exercise we do, but as we have just learnt, we need to get our mind and emotions set in the right place too (in calm equilibrium) in order for there to be no tension (i.e. no other muscle interference) and this can obviously vary from day to day depending on life's circumstances. So it is not an instrument we can expect perfection from!

• What are your keys to success?

  Realising I will never attain perfection - this helps take the pressure off, releasing tension thus helping me to relax and enjoy singing -and life! Having Faith. Thinking well of myself and choosing to be a buffalo in the storm, not a cow!

• Name three musicians you dream of meeting in your favourite bar in the early hours of the morning. Explain why.

  My favourite bar would be a beach bar surrounded by Psamma grass filled dunes, where there is a cool breeze in the hot blazing sun overlooking the horizon (I guess it would need to be early morning for the cool breeze in the place I'm thinking of!).
  1. The late Danny Kirwan, guitarist of Fleetwood Mac -his guitar skills on 'Big Love' are world class; 2. MUSE - I think they are excellent creative musicians and songwriters and would love to hear their story; and 3. The ancient biblical psalmist David who was famed for his singing, songwriting and musician skills. One of the first songwriters and musicians recorded in history.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to music or your days at music school.

  I will never forget the time some years ago when I travelled to play a solo gig and forgot essential components of my PA. We ended up strapping my microphone to a broom handle that my friend held whilst I sang! It was most embarrassing! Ever since that event, I double -even treble check- I have everything I need!

• What are the little touches that make you a Superprof in music?

  A Superprof - that's a big title for anyone to give themselves! I like to think that my methodical, attention to detail approach to teaching paves the way for this. I am keen to not overload and I like to give space to allow my student to lead where necessary. Perhaps my student wants to spend more time on a particular vocal skill, have thoughts, questions or queries they want answering or have a show coming up that they would like to focus time on.
  Another little touch that makes for a Superprof in music, is a personable approach. I am a huge fan of offering a warm welcome and encouraging my students at every opportunity.