- working on and making the most of your own voice
- daily body/voice preparation sessions, focusing on aspects of body release and energising that relate directly to vocal expression
- individual and group activities that aid voice development
- the appropriate stepping stones to help others make the most of their voices
- the process of working with groups
- structuring and pacing workshops
- teaching practice – leading vocal exercises, teaching songs (with supportive feedback)
- dealing with difficult situations/individuals
- creating and setting up improvisations
- contexts in which this approach can be applied
- starting and sustaining choirs and other groups
The course is taught in two formats. In 2025, people can either attend an intensive, six-day training
OR
two, 4-day modules in Bristol.
Even if you have attended a workshop with Frankie or Sarah before, we would like
to have a chat with you prior to booking to ensure that this is the right course for
you and to make a personal connection.
Please phone Frankie (+44) 7979597193
Notes for both the residential and the 2-part trainings:
IMPORTANT: Cancellation arrangements apply – see booking information.
PLEASE SEND APPLICATIONS TO: frankiearmstrong45@gmail.com
[Some past participants have managed to successfully apply for grants from Arts
Training bodies, appropriate charitable bodies, through workplace further training
and retraining schemes.]
Six day Training, Sheffield
Six-day Training, Wortley Hall, Sheffield, S35 7DB
Saturday 24th May to Friday 30th May 2025
Voice Leader 2-part Modular Training, Bristol
Part 1: Wednesday 24th to Saturday 27th September 2025
Part 2: Thursday 23rd to Sunday 26th October 2025
The Gasworks Studio, 27 Narroways Rd, St. Werburghs, Bristol, BS2 9XB
Sarah Harman
Sarah originally trained and worked in the theatre and has been leading singing workshops and choirs since 1988. She has led groups with absolute begin- ners, disabled people, young people on probation, people with dementia, those with mental health issues, in schools, hospices, hospitals and community settings. She has led training and workshops in the U.K, Nicaragua, Australia, France and Spain. She is particularly passionate about working with disadvantaged communities and believes that singing together in harmony is a fantastic way of bringing people together in supportive community.
Sarah currently runs two community choirs in Mid Wales. She will bring her experi- ence of establishing and leading long-term groups to the Voice Leader training. With a strong belief that leading workshops requires considerable skill, awareness and planning, Sarah has developed workshop materials and exercises to help sing- ers gain the ability and learn techniques for leading effective, inclusive and inspira- tional workshops. She has been designing and running training for workshop lead-
ers and voice teachers since the early “90s. She worked as Training Manager for
Community Music Wales for whom she continues to design and run regular training for new and experienced community music tutors. She has also worked for the Arts Council of Wales and leads training for Citizens Advice (on Training and Supervi- sion Skills, Mental Health and Dealing with Aggression).
Sarah is a song-writer and regular performer in styles ranging from folk to Baroque classical music. She sings with the duo Blameless Hussies and with her quartet, The Quiet Ranters. The songs she writes and sings are witty and thoughtful, bring- ing together the personal and the political.
Sarah and Frankie
Sarah and Frankie have run a variety of trainings and workshops together over the past two decades. These include Access and Inclusion, group-work skills, voice development and improvisation, as well as teaching songs from a variety of cultures and those that focus on social justice. They also perform together.
Darien Pritchard
