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About Alison Ling

alison ling singing teacher

Following 20 years of teaching experience in schools in Berkshire, Alison moved back to South Wales in 2013. where she presently has a thriving private teaching practice; she has also been on the singing faculty of the Royal Welsh Conservatoire of Music and Drama (RWCMD) Junior Department. for 7 years. As an active member of the Association of Teachers of Singing she has been on the Committee and on a panel of Teachers helping to train new singing teachers. September 2021 sees the launch of AOTOS ‘s new accredited “Essentials” Teacher Training Course, which she helped devise and on which she will teach and mentor.

aotos
AOTOS - Teacher Development Essentials 

Alison’s teaching experience covers all age ranges but she has particular interest in the 8 – 20 years age group, including trebles and boys with changing voices. Each pupil is different with different technical issues; thus she believes in the importance of tailoring a lesson to suit the individual’s needs. Her emphasis is on technique, aiding each student to understand their own vocal anatomy and instrument in a detailed way, so allowing each voice to develop its own unique sound. Emphasis is also placed on striving to achieve a high performance standard from her singers, who are expected to perform regularly in concerts, competitions and work towards singing examinations.

Over the years she has had several pupils performing at the West End; Hayley Canham, one of her younger students, was the second Matilda in the West End Production. Her students sing in the National Training and Youth Choirs of Wales, they are encouraged to attend Eton Choral Courses with several chosen to form part of Ralph Allwood’s prestigious Rodolfus Choir. She prepares pupils for competitions, Associated Board examinations to Diploma level (a high percentage achieve distinctions throughout the grades), Entrance Auditions for Cathedral Schools, GCSE and A level examinations. Many have been successful in gaining scholarships to well regarded schools such as Eton, Wellington, Downe House, etc, Choral Scholarships at Oxford and Scholarships to Music Conservatoires throughout the Country; several students have gone on to study at Dance and Drama Schools.

Alison was born and educated in Cardiff. Early musical studies included the piano and flute as well as voice. She was a member of the South Glamorgan Training and Youth Orchestras, played a very active role in all her school musical activities, performed regularly in the Cardiff Scout and Guide Gang Shows and appeared several times as soloist at the Reardon Smith Theatre, Cardiff and won many prizes at Eisteddfods and local competitions. From 1982-1987 she studied at the Royal College of Music as a first study singer, second study piano and third study flute. She was a member of the RCM Chamber Choir under Sir David Willcocks and Peter Phillips, appeared as soloist in several RCM productions and concerts and was a recitalist with harpsichordist Gerald Gifford on many occasions. Prizes included Dorothy Silk Prize and the Harry Evans Award for the best Welsh Singer of the Year. Alison has been a soprano soloist for many Choral Societies in the South East, was a regular member of the BBC Service Choir at All Souls, Langham Place, before its move to Manchester in 1992 and sang with Timothy Salter’s Ionian Singers for a number of years. She has been a part of the St. Endellion Music Festival in Cornwall for many years, singing in the Choir and taking small solo roles. She presently coaches and sings with the Cardiff Polyphonic Choir directed by David Young. She has also appeared many times as the Choir’s Soprano soloist and also under former director Neil Ferris.

Alison’s interest in teaching began at the Royal College of Music where she had a number of private pupils. She also taught class singing at the Hampshire School during her Post Graduate Year. She has a natural affinity with youngsters and especially enjoys the challenges they pose during the more turbulent, teenage years. Alison is married to Bass Baritone Matthew Brook and they have three lovely, grown up girls, and a grandson.

Recent Singing Career

Soprano Soloist for:

  • Faure Requiem in Malta 2013, South Wales and London 2019
  • First Welsh Performance of Gabriel Jackson’s Requiem Nov 2013
  • Dyson’s Hierusalem at Llandaff Cathedral, Nov 2015

Teaching Roles:

  • Singing teacher with Rhondda Cynon Taff Music Services 2014-2015
  • Singing Teacher for Caerphilly Youth Singers 2015 - 2016
  • Singing teacher for Gabalfa Community Choir 2013 – 2015

Coaching Roles:

Workshops:

  • Caerphilly Community Choirs
  • Whitehall Singers
  • West Wales Gifted and Talented Youngsters
  • Kingswood School, Bath
  • Welsh Camerata