Think vocal-ease ... 

Introduction

Virtually Vocalise began, quite unexpectedly, at Dartington Hall.

In March 2017, I led a weekend workshop there — the first Love Your Voice gathering — and I was struck by the deep sense of connection the singers experienced. I had hoped the event would be meaningful, but the strength of feeling shared by the group genuinely took me by surprise.

After the weekend, I asked for feedback. We were all geographically scattered, but what came back was remarkably clear: a desire to stay connected, to keep the work going, and to create a space where ideas, concerns, and encouragement could continue to be shared beyond the retreat.

I set to work — and Virtually Vocalise was born.

There are many places to learn how to sing.
But very few that help you carry that learning forward — through the quiet weeks, the between-times, and the ordinary days when growth still wants to happen.

This space was created for that in-between.
What began as a small online warm-up group has become something more lasting: a musical home. A mentoring membership. A place where your voice can stay active and in conversation, even when the world around you is loud or still.

What is Virtually Vocalise?

Virtually Vocalise is a shared space — an ongoing mentoring membership for singers who are already working with The Voice School and want to stay connected to their development between lessons, events, and performances.

It is not a programme or a course. There is no fixed curriculum or checklist. Instead, it grows out of the work we are already doing, and continues that work in a quieter, more reflective way.

The direction of the group often comes from what has arisen in a recent workshop, study weekend, or even the last Friday session. We do not create themes just for the sake of it. The focus emerges from the work itself, which means it is always genuine and always relevant.

This is a space for singers who want to stay in motion — not by doing more, but by doing the next thing well.

How it works

Membership is open all year, with a steady rhythm that follows the natural flow of our shared work.

There is no artificial timetable of prompts. If something needs more time, we give it. If something is complete, we move on.

There are regular group mentoring sessions where singers share their progress and receive thoughtful feedback. These sessions are practical, collaborative, and respectful of where each voice is in the moment.

There is also a central library of resources — exercises, warm-ups, reflections, and recordings — and members are welcome to add their own insights.

We do not overschedule. We do not overload. But when you take something on — whether a shared session, a study goal, or a recording — you are expected to see it through. Virtually Vocalise is built on mutual effort. It is about giving as well as receiving, and that is what makes it special.

Membership paths

There are three ways to belong to Virtually Vocalise, with the option to deepen your involvement as time goes on.

• Ambassadors
  This level was created for founder members and is not open for new registrations. Ambassadors remain at the heart of Virtually Vocalise and continue to enjoy the fullest access, including Friday Performance Joy and the Saturday morning musicianship study.

• Companions
  The steady core of Virtually Vocalise. Companions have access to the weekly mentoring sessions, the technique and well-being resources, and the growing central library. This is the most common way to join.
  If you would like to add the Friday Performance Joy gatherings, you can upgrade your Companion membership to become an Envoy when you join, or at any later point.

• Observers
  This option is in development and will be trialled during this academic year. Observer membership will be a lighter way to stay connected with Virtually Vocalise. It will offer occasional replays and a selection of learning resources, without the commitment of weekly mentoring.

A week inside Virtually Vocalise

Virtually Vocalise offers inspiration to keep your singing moving forward. The focus shifts across three strands — motivation, vocal technique modules, and repertoire building — with a rhythm that grows from the work we are already doing together.

Live mentoring sessions and input take place on Fridays and into Saturday mornings, supported by a monthly timetable that we follow as a group. This includes:

• Weekly input in the form of focused sessions on motivation, vocal technique, and health and well-being, running supportively in the background

• Friday Just One Take, a regular chance to share something in progress — MP4 recordings offered simply for sharing and discussion in a private livestream, with no pressure to polish

• Friday Performance Joy, held less often, for those who want to share a prepared piece in a spirit of performance (open to Ambassadors and Envoys)

• Saturday study cycle, using MP4 recordings and replays that allow members to revisit the work and deepen it at their own pace

Companions are part of all of this rhythm, apart from Friday Performance Joy and the Saturday musicianship study, which remain reserved for Ambassadors and Envoys. Replays are available, so no one misses out if they cannot attend live.

The culture of Virtually Vocalise is about consistent effort, not constant presence. What matters most is choosing to engage steadily, in the way that fits your singing life, and noticing when others do the same. This is the paradigm that holds the work together: each singer contributing to a shared space where growth is sustained and well-being underpins everything.

Membership and commitment

Most new members join as Companions — singers walking the path together. The monthly membership fee is £39, which includes:

• Group mentoring and live session access

• Opportunities to submit recordings or reflections for feedback

• A central library of shared vocal resources

• Regular participation in Friday Just One Take

• Access to replays of mentoring sessions

Companions who would like to add Friday Performance Joy to their membership can upgrade at any time to become an Envoy. This add-on is offered when you join, or you can choose it later if you wish.

Those who joined in the earliest days of Virtually Vocalise — and who have continued with us — are recognised as Ambassadors, and continue their membership at the original lifetime rate. Ambassadors (and upgraded Envoys) are the only singers who can participate in both Friday's Performance Joy and the Saturday morning musicianship study.

An Observer path is also being developed, to offer a lighter connection through selected highlights and occasional replays. Observer membership will give singers a gentle link with Virtually Vocalise, without the commitment of weekly mentoring. This will be trialled during the academic year ahead.

Virtually Vocalise has always grown slowly and intentionally. We keep it small so that it remains grounded, responsive, and personal.

If you are looking for something to accompany your singing week by week, to steady your learning and open your practice, this may be the place for you.

Update – Autumn 2025

Virtually Vocalise continues to evolve. Since its founding in 2017, it has grown into a kind of digital conservatoire — a place where singers can develop their artistry week by week, wherever they are in the world.

Each session is recorded, transcribed, and archived, creating a personal, trackable journey you can return to at any time.

From September 2025, new membership paths are in place, giving singers more flexible ways to engage — whether through the steady rhythm of a Companion, the added performance element of an Envoy, or the gentler connection of an Observer.

If you are considering joining, now is a good moment to reflect on your direction and what kind of support will serve you best in the months ahead.