What is your greatest passion or joy as a singer, voice teacher, or vocal professional?
By far my biggest joy as a voice teacher is seeing and celebrating all my students wins, no matter how big or how small. I always try and live by no win is greater or less than another, as each singer has different goals and ambitions. As a voice teacher, there is nothing greater than seeing that look in a student’s eye when they reach a goal or milestone, they’ve had their heart set on for ages! It could range from a student being brave enough to start voice lessons for the first time, to being career changing news like booking that dream job they’ve been in the finals for, for the last 4 years! Everyone’s on their own journey, so we should celebrate all the wins, because what might be a small step to you, might be a huge leap for another.
Tell us the latest news about you, your studio, and your work!
Currently I am based in central London. I am very fortunate to be lecturing and 1-2-1 voice teaching at two top drama schools in London, tutoring predominantly in musical theatre and pop vocals! Alongside this I have introduced singing to a ballet academy in South East London, and am fortunate enough to work with my amazing private clients in central London studios a few days a week as well. I am currently hoping to expand my own studio, so I am really looking forward to what this new year has to offer!
What is an interesting or funny fact about you?
My funny, if not slightly embarrassing fact is that I have never been able to ride a bike! I’m not entirely sure how this happened, but its on my list of things to learn this year!
What led you to the NYVC Voice Teacher Training & Certification Program?
I was fortunate enough to have been taught by the incredible Gemma Anne Barnes, an NYVC alumnus. I immediately understood and resonated with how she taught, and couldn’t believe the progress I was making as a singer. I remember thinking, ‘how does she manage to find a way to get my voice to do what it needs to every time?’, it was like she just knew how to make everything make sense for me! So, when I found out Gemma was an alumnus of the programme, I knew immediately I had to take part, for myself as a singer but more importantly as a voice teacher. I wanted to be able to have the knowledge to make my students feel, the way Gemma made me feel!
What was your experience in the NYVC Voice Teacher Training & Certification Program?
If I’m being honest, I was really nervous on the first day! I remember feeling like I had to prove myself and come out with at least one ‘impressive’ answer or question, just so I could prove how invested I was in this journey. Well, all that worry was for nothing! I wasn’t in a casting or an audition, I was in a truly welcoming and accepting class, filled with likeminded people whom all just had a desire to hone their craft and also help everyone else along the way as well ! Justin is so friendly and approachable; he really made us all feel that we were in a safe space and that himself and the incredible team at NYVC were all there to support us. The course itself is invaluable as a voice teacher. I cannot express how much I learnt but also how much I enjoyed the learning. Each week there was something so special about us all coming together at the end of the lectures in the Q&A’s to discuss everything we had covered and how applying the techniques and information we had learnt, had gone with our students the week prior. Or perhaps discussing what I was still stuck on in a quiz with Justin and him helping and guiding me with no hesitation. I left this course feeling so empowered and truly left being a better voice teacher. I cannot implore you enough, if you are thinking of signing up, to just take the jump and do it!
What advice would you give to future participants of the Program?
I think the most important thing is to just throw yourself in with everything you have without any hesitation! At first the course can seem overwhelming, there are a ton of modules and topics to cover and you may feel like there is no way you are going to retain anything! Well I can confirm that you will retain it, and you will have the most amazing time while doing so! If you get stuck or confused, (I certainly did more times than I care to remember), then the team are there to support and help you along the way. The more you put into this course, the more you will receive, so just go for it, and you will forever be grateful you did!
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as an artist, teacher, or vocal professional?
Without a doubt the biggest challenge I ever faced was resenting and despising my own voice. I grew up working as a performer from a young age, so I had always been aware people had opinions of my voice. I remember when I had my first serious vocal injury as a young teenager, I felt helpless and like my I’d let everyone around me down. I don’t know if it was because of what the people around me like tutors and producers were saying or if it was the fact I couldn’t accept a change in my voice, but I remember resenting it so harshly for years and years. Even post university, when working in shows etc, I remember refusing to watch back videos or footage of my performances because I just couldn’t stand my voice and refusing to acknowledge any compliments given to me. The one thing I loved most in the world, singing, had become what felt like a burden. It wasn’t really until the end of my early 20’s that I finally managed to find love for it again, and I cannot express how life and career changing that was for me! It was in a large part to the incredible Gemma whom happens to be an NYVC Alumnus. I now make it my mission as a voice teacher to never let any student leave my lessons feeling the way I used to after mine as a young adult. We only have one voice, our voice, and its part of who we are. It is so special, and I think for me, remembering this every day is how I approach every class I teach.
What was your greatest victory ever as an artist, teacher, or vocal professional?
This is a tough one! You know it’s always amazing when a student gets into their dream drama school or books their dream job ! I remember when I first started teaching, I really based my own success of my client’s physical success, however now I really think the greatest victory I can have as a voice teacher, is helping singers believe in themselves and in what they can do! I truly feel its my job to empower the singer, to give them not just the tools, but the confidence to go out into the world and be proud of their voices. It sounds so cheesy but when I see that spark in my students eyes at the end of a class, that’s when I feel the most victorious, because I know that they have left, feeling just that little bit better than they did when they walked through the door!
What is one piece of advice that you would love all singers to know?
There is no such thing as perfection, so stop beating yourself up about not attaining it! We spend so much time wishing we sounded like other people, or wishing we could do x,y,z that we forget how beautiful and unique our own voices are, and we neglect to appreciate what we have! Yes, it's so important to always seek to improve yourself, but do it in a positive and loving way! I promise the minute you embrace your own voice, that’s when you start to make the most progress as a singer. Stop aiming to be perfect, just aim to be the best you today, and make sure you have fun while doing it!
What is something you've learned on your journey that you would love other vocal professionals to know?
It sounds cliché but be kind. Our voice is the most unique and personal thing we have, yet its what we use the most. We use our voices to communicate, to express to release. Everyone’s relationship with their voice is different, but ultimately as a teacher, coach, professional, it’s our job to help our clients nurture and look after their voices. I try and make sure that no one ever leaves my studio feeling less than when they walked in the room, because if someone does, then ultimately I failed in doing what they entrusted me to do!
How can we find out more about you and your work?
I am currently in the process of building a website which should hopefully be completed soon ! In the mean time you can get in touch with me @harrybutters_voicecoaching on Instagram or email me at harrybutters.vc@gmail.com.
