Summer 2024 Conference: Presenters

With specialisms in anatomy, ENT and voice clinic following a degree in nursing, a second degree in English from University of Oxford, PGCE in Education and career as singer, performer and vocal pedagogue, her research into the vocal instrument, focusing on clarifying the language we use to teach singing and the use of imagery in accessing the muscles of vocal support has been presented nationally and internationally.

Her specialism in poetry and music has led to an extensive portfolio of original writing, with multiple shows of words, song and music arranged for small bands and ensembles, a touring company, and two published books of poetry. She is much in demand as both a singer and performance poet, with Arts Council funded tours and collaborations with outstanding artists.

She has written two books about poetry and music for singers – The Wordsmith’s Guide: Poetry, Music and Imagination. For many years she wrote a personal column in The Singer and Classical Music Magazine about poetry and music and performance. As a former journalist she has also written for other music-related media such as British Music magazine, and a variety of newspapers, journals and radio on matters of words and music. She co-wrote the anatomy book ‘A Singer’s Guide to the Larynx’ with Dr Alan Watson and has, after 12 years’ testing, research and study with him on the neuroscience of motor training for singers (at Universities of Cardiff and Oxford), created the image workbook and launched the course: Embodima: Kinaesthetic Motor Imagery for Training Singers. A further motor training tool - The Embotube – was created in 2021.

Nicola is currently Lecturer in Singing and Interpretation at Pembroke College Oxford, where she teaches singing to music undergraduates and graduates with a strong focus on vocal anatomy and technique. Previous students have won international prizes, scholarships, Olivier Awards, performed at the Royal Variety show, sung in a private audience for the Queen and had Oscar nominations. She has coached several Oxford University choirs, was involved in setting up the singing course at the Billy Elliot Academy in Leeds with Mary Hammond, and has a current project drawing together shanty singing communities in London.

She won a Major Award to Oxford University. She also won the prestigious Wolfson Prize from Westminster Hospital, and two further scholarships, one of them to study with mezzo Pamela Bowden with whom she studied classical singing. She continued her vocal studies with the acclaimed vocal pedagogue and mentor, Pam Cook, MBE (RNCM), and subsequently with the legendary Spanish mezzo-soprano Teresa Berganza in Madrid.