I had the first lesson with a new singer today - a 14 year old who already has her career in musical theatre mapped out in her head - the idea being that I improve her singing technique - especially her 'head voice'.

I spent an hour with her, talking about skills and techniques - most of which she claims to know, having had singing lessons before in specific productions. We sang some scales to get an idea of her range and capabilities. She sang a song from the book she brought with her (Grade 4 TG piece - Can you feel the love tonight? from The Lion King) and at the end of it all I am concerned.

She is oozing with confidence and determination about what she hopes to achieve and is used to perfoming, so she sang out well, but I am concerned that she has strained her voice literally 'belting' things out on stage. She has a clear tone, but there is a rasp to it.

I questioned her about her diet, lifestyle etc. to see if I could find any other reason for her voice being how it is but there was nothing obvious, so I was forced to conclude my original fears may well be right. Can anyone suggest anything else I can do to check out my suspicions and what advice can I give her and her parents?

Thank you David for all of that. It was very helpful. I've done some research myself this week about what these Musical Theatre courses require in the way of singing, both on the internet and speaking to some of them personally. No grades are required and the dance-based schools are (understandably) most concerned about their ballet skills. So I am reassured that normal singing lessons will do the job and I don't have to worry that I'm not giving her the right assistance!!

ps. I heard yesterday that I have passed my DipABRSM (piano teaching). Thank goodness for that!

It seems that Musical Theatre courses fall into two camps - dance based and drama based.

If she wants relevant information on the two routes she should look at the websites of the CDET (Council for Dance Education and Training) and the NCDT (National Council for Drama Training). They seem to give you all the information you need.

If it's the dance-based courses she wants to do, ballet is everything! SLP College (Leeds) do a one year foundation course in dance to raise the standard of dancing before entry onto the full course.

Dance-based schools take students from aged 16 and drama ones from 18.

I totally agree with you that it's experience in the realm of Musical Theatre (Youth Theatre etc.) you need, not graded exams since everything is based on the audition.