Music for Confidence, Creativity & Connection
Piano and singing lessons for children, specialist vocal coaching, and adult group singing experiences — led by experienced musician, educator and performer, Talena Cuthbert.
Vocal Lounge
A relaxed space for singers to learn, explore and connect
The Vocal Lounge is a friendly gathering for adult singers who want to keep their voices moving, develop their vocal technique and connect with other people who simply love to sing.
Held approximately six times a year, usually during the school holidays, each Vocal Lounge offers an opportunity to explore a different area of singing in a relaxed and supportive environment.
Most sessions take place online via Zoom, making it easy to join from home, with occasional in-person Vocal Lounge events held throughout the year.
The Vocal Lounge is not a choir and it is not a traditional singing lesson. There is no pressure to prepare a song, perform on your own or be at a particular level.
Whether you sing professionally, perform for fun, attend community singing events or are returning to your voice after a break, you are very welcome.
What Happens at The Vocal Lounge?
Each Vocal Lounge is divided into two parts:
Guided Vocal Workshop
The first part of the session focuses on one particular aspect of vocal technique.
We begin with a guided warm-up before exploring practical exercises designed to help you understand how your voice works and how different techniques should feel.
Topics may include:
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Breathing and breath management
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Vocal placement and resonance
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Range and register changes
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Reducing throat tension
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Vocal strength and stamina
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Flexibility and agility
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Belting, twang and vocal power
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Vocal health and recovery
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Preparing your voice for rehearsals, performances or gigs
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Building confidence in your voice
Rather than simply copying exercises, you will also learn why we are using them and how they can support your own singing.
You are welcome to join in as much or as little as feels comfortable. There is no pressure to sing by yourself, and during online sessions cameras can remain on or off.
Relaxed Vocal Q&A
The second part of the session is an informal question-and-answer session where you can ask about anything connected to singing.
This might include:
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Vocal technique
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Practice routines
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Vocal health
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Performance nerves
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Microphone technique
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Gig and rehearsal preparation
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Learning challenging songs
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Building range, strength or stamina
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Returning to singing after illness or a break
You are equally welcome to listen quietly and learn from the questions and experiences shared by other singers.
Who Can Join?
The Vocal Lounge is open to:
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Current vocal students
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Previous vocal students
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Singers who have attended Sing for your Supper
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Members of The Singing Circle community
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Other adult singers who would like to learn more about their voice
You do not need to read music, have previous vocal training or consider yourself an experienced singer.
A Supportive Singing Community
The Vocal Lounge is designed to offer something that can sometimes be missing from individual singing lessons: the chance to learn alongside other singers, share questions and realise that many vocal challenges are far more common than they first appear.
It is a space to stay curious, keep learning and give your voice some focused attention without pressure or judgement.
Each session explores a different theme, so you can attend regularly or simply join the sessions that feel most relevant to you.
Join The Vocal Lounge
The Vocal Lounge usually takes place six times each year during the school holidays, with dates and themes announced in advance.
Places are booked individually for each event, and sessions may be offered on a pay-what-you-want or donation basis.
Come along, warm up your voice and enjoy an evening of practical vocal exploration, honest conversation and connection with a welcoming community of singers.
FAQ's
What is The Vocal Lounge?
The Vocal Lounge is a relaxed gathering for adult singers who want to develop their vocal technique, explore their voices and connect with other people who love to sing.
Each session combines a guided vocal workshop with an informal question-and-answer session. A different vocal topic will be explored at each event.
The Vocal Lounge is part of The Singing Circle and usually takes place around six times each year, mainly during the school holidays.
Is The Vocal Lounge online or in person?
Most Vocal Lounge sessions take place online via Zoom, so you can join comfortably from home.
There will also be occasional face-to-face Vocal Lounge events in the future. The location and full details will be clearly shown on the individual event page before you book.
Who can attend?
The Vocal Lounge is designed primarily for adult singers, including:
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Current and former vocal students
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Professional and gigging singers
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Community and recreational singers
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People returning to singing after a break
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Sing for your Supper attendees
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Members of The Singing Circle community
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Anyone interested in learning more about their voice
You do not need to have had formal singing lessons before.
Do I need to be an experienced singer?
Not at all.
The exercises will be explained clearly, with options provided where appropriate. You can take part at your own pace and adapt exercises to suit your voice.
The aim is not to sound perfect. It is to explore, learn and develop a better understanding of your own voice.
Is The Vocal Lounge a choir?
No. The Vocal Lounge is not a choir or group singing rehearsal.
Although we will warm up and complete vocal exercises together, the focus is on vocal technique, practical learning and discussion rather than preparing songs for a performance.
Will I have to sing by myself?
No. You will never be put on the spot or expected to perform on your own.
During the guided vocal work, everyone will complete the exercises together. You can also choose to listen or sit out of any exercise that does not feel comfortable.
Occasionally, someone may volunteer to demonstrate something or ask for help with a particular sound, but this will always be optional.
Will other people hear me singing during an online session?
Usually, participants will remain muted while completing exercises because Zoom cannot play several voices clearly at the same time.
This means you can sing along from home without the rest of the group hearing you.
There may be opportunities to unmute when asking a question or volunteering to demonstrate something, but this is entirely your choice.
Do I need to have my camera on?
No. You are welcome to keep your camera on or off.
Having your camera on may help with connection and communication, but I understand that this is not always comfortable or practical.
What happens during a Vocal Lounge session?
Each session will usually include two main sections.
Guided Vocal Work
We will warm up together and explore exercises connected to one particular area of vocal technique.
Topics may include:
-
Breath management
-
Placement and resonance
-
Reducing throat tension
-
Vocal range
-
Register changes and bridging
-
Flexibility and agility
-
Vocal strength and stamina
-
Twang, belt and vocal power
-
Vocal health
-
Performance preparation
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Confidence and performance nerves
You will learn both how to complete the exercises and why they may be useful.
Vocal Q&A
The second part of the session is an informal opportunity to ask questions about singing.
Questions might relate to:
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Vocal technique
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Practice routines
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Vocal health
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Gig preparation
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Recording and studio work
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Microphones
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Performance confidence
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Difficult songs
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Range, power or stamina
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Returning to singing after illness or time away
You are also welcome to listen without asking a question.
How long does each event last?
Most Vocal Lounge sessions last approximately 90 minutes.
The exact running time will be included on the individual event page.
How often does The Vocal Lounge take place?
The Vocal Lounge usually takes place around six times each year, mainly during the school holidays.
Most sessions will be online, with occasional face-to-face events offered where possible.
Will every session cover the same thing?
No. Each Vocal Lounge will focus on a different vocal theme.
The topic will be announced in advance, so you can attend every session or choose the events that are most relevant to your voice and singing goals.
Do I need to prepare anything?
You will not usually need to prepare a song or practise anything beforehand.
For online sessions, it is helpful to have:
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A drink of water
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A comfortable place where you can make some sound
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A device with Zoom installed
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Headphones, if these help you hear more clearly
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A notebook, if you would like to make notes
Any additional requirements will be included in the event information.
What do I need for an online Vocal Lounge?
You will need a phone, tablet or computer with a reliable internet connection and access to Zoom.
For the best experience, join from somewhere you feel comfortable making vocal sounds. However, you can still attend and listen if singing aloud is not possible where you are.
Joining information will be sent to booked participants before the event.
What should I bring to a face-to-face session?
Please bring water and wear clothing that allows you to breathe and move comfortably.
Any venue information, parking details or additional requirements will be included with the event information.
How much does it cost?
Ticket prices may vary between events.
Some Vocal Lounge sessions may be offered on a pay-what-you-want or donation basis, while others may have a set ticket price. The cost will always be clearly shown before booking.
Can I attend if I am not currently having vocal lessons?
Yes. You do not need to be a current student to attend.
The Vocal Lounge is intended to bring together singers from different backgrounds and levels of experience.
Can I ask about a personal vocal problem?
Yes. The Q&A is an opportunity to ask about vocal challenges, technique, practice, performance or anything else connected to singing.
General guidance can be offered within the group, although some vocal issues may require an individual lesson or consultation to explore properly.
Can The Vocal Lounge replace individual vocal coaching?
The Vocal Lounge is a valuable way to learn, explore exercises and ask questions, but it is not a replacement for individual coaching.
One-to-one sessions allow us to listen closely to your voice, work on your personal goals and make exercises specific to your needs.
The Vocal Lounge works well alongside individual lessons or as an occasional way to keep learning between sessions.
Can I attend if I have a vocal injury or health condition?
Please take care when singing if you are experiencing pain, significant hoarseness, voice loss or an ongoing medical issue.
The Vocal Lounge provides general vocal education and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. You may be advised to speak with your GP, an ENT specialist or a qualified voice therapist where appropriate.
You are always welcome to attend and listen without completing the exercises.
Will the session be recorded?
The event information will state whether any part of a session is being recorded.
Participants will be informed before recording begins, and private questions or personal demonstrations will not be shared without permission.
Can I join late?
You may still be able to join after the session has started, but arriving on time is strongly recommended.
The opening warm-up prepares the voice gradually, so missing it may mean that some of the later exercises are not suitable to
join immediately.
How do I book?
Each Vocal Lounge event will have its own booking page containing the date, time, theme, format and ticket information.
Places should be booked in advance so that you receive the correct joining details and any information needed before the session.
Talena Cuthbert
"It’s never just about the singing. It’s about people finding their confidence, feeling supported, and realising they’re not alone in how they feel about their voice. Over the weeks, something shifts — people start to relax, trust themselves more, and actually enjoy singing again. And alongside that, friendships begin to form in a really natural, genuine way. That sense of connection, of being part of something and growing together, is just as powerful as the music itself — and it’s a huge part of why Inner Circle Singers means so much to me."
