Jayne Carmichael Norrie recently signed up with Drooble as a Teacher and is already sharing great advices in the videos she’s posting!

The uniqueness of your music will come through when you dedicate yourself to your craft. Please don’t settle for being a big fish in a small pond, always strive to be the best you possibly can be.

Hi Jayne, tell us a bit about yourself and your music!

I am a professional singing teacher living in Aberdeen, UK. I am a trained opera singer, though I have not gone to a conservatoire. I sing classical music, but you could say that my path to it has been unconventional. I did my music theory exam and then jumped straight into ABRSM Grade 8 Singing and got a distinction. I’ve now started working with small-scale opera companies so I’m hoping to leap-frog the normal path of having to go to a conervatoire to train.

You have started Forte Music School – how is it going so far?

I became self-employed after I graduated university and things are going well! I always try to bring extra value to my lessons, and I have created recordings of exercises for pupils to practice at home. I think my students appreciate that I am thinking of them even when they leave the studio, and I put their needs first.

What do you think about Drooble?

I hope to meet some more professional musicians in the hope we could collaborate on projects. I am also happy to chat to those who want some advice on being self-employed.

Please share a few tips about starting out in music.

Just keep trying! Even negative data is good data. At a young age it can be difficult to work out your ‘style’ or your ‘personality’, please don’t let that stop you! The uniqueness of your music will come through when you dedicate yourself to your craft. Please don’t settle for being a big fish in a small pond, always strive to be the best you possibly can be. Drooble is a great opportunity for young musicians to learn from experts in their field, they are only a connection away.

Watch and learn as Jayne explains some very useful techniques on mastering our voices

What challenges do you face in your career?

My recent challenges are regarding my own development as a musician. I continue to learn opera, and it’s difficult to find opportunities to perform. My teaching practice is almost fully booked, so now I’m looking for advice on how to expand my business further. I do a lot of learning; currently I am studying a part-time Masters of Vocal Music and learning Italian while learning with online courses to gain marketing skills.

What do you think about online music collaborations?

I think there are a lot of great opportunities, but it all depends on people’s attitudes and perception. Learning online and music collaborations will only be deemed valuable (not just in financial terms) if students are respectful of teachers’ time and skill. By the same token, teachers should make sure they are not devaluing themselves or their expertise.

Jayne’s take on Beyonce’s ‘Drunk in Love’

Jayne Carmichael Norrie – music teacher and singer at Drooble – follow her at www.drooble.com/jaynecn