Discover Your Voice



Overview

This course is designed for anyone who would like to sing, but feels that they can't.

Through a mixture of seminars and workshops, consideration will be given to various common vocal problems. We will also examine basic vocal techniques, such as the correct method for breathing and breath-control, that will help to provide solutions to those problems.

Exercises, which will be practised in class, will be given to reinforce the techniques and ensure that each student has the opportunity for individual assistance from the tutor.

Programme details

Course starts: Monday 29 September 2025

This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings in Oxford on Mondays, 7-9pm.

Week 1: The ideal voice, and what can go wrong

Week 2: Breathing – how to take it and use it

Week 3: Breathing – the open and relaxed throat

Week 4: Making a sound – how to start the voice

Week 5: Vocal Workshop – trying it all out

Week 6: Resonance – working with vowels

Week 7: Diction – adding consonants smoothly

Week 8: Widening the vocal range

Week 9: Singing with expression

Week 10: Putting it all together

Digital Certification

Digital badge

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be issued with an official digital badge from the Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford. In order to be issued with your badge, you will need to have attended at least 80% of the course.

After the course, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to download your digital badge. You will be able to add this badge to your email signature and share it on social media if you choose to do so. 

Fees

Description Costs
Course fee £300.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. See details of our concessionary fees for short courses.

 

Tutor

Miss Claire-Louise Lucas

Claire-Louise Lucas is a professional mezzo-soprano and a part-time music tutor. She lectures on opera and song for Oxford University Department for Continuing Education.  She has lectured on singing in conservatoires and other universities in the UK and the USA.

Claire-Louise has performed extensively throughout Britain, Europe and the USA, including an appearance as a soloist in the Salzburg Easter Festival with Maurizio Pollini and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under Claudio Abbado.  Other recent performances include concerts at Gloucester Cathedral; Christ Church Cathedral; Salisbury Cathedral; Southampton University; the Leominster Festival and the Brighton Festival. 

Course aims

  • To outline the different problems that can affect the voice, and to give an understanding of the techniques which produce a well-supported tone and promote good vocal health.
  • To demonstrate the correct way to take and use the breath.
  • To explain the importance of a relaxed, open throat and vocal tract.
  • To show the correct formation of vowels and consonants whilst maintaining good resonance.

Teaching methods

The course will be mainly illustrated by live demonstrations from the tutor, but will consist of some audio and video extracts, mostly co-ordinated by computer. 

All visual illustrations, including scores, song texts, video and DVD extracts will be projected on to a large screen. 

Audio recordings will be played through high quality hi-fi. There will also be groupwork undertaken by the students in most sessions.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will have been given the opportunity to have learnt how to:

  • explain the main principles of good vocal technique;
  • identify the main faults that can hinder vocal production;
  • demonstrate a knowledge of the basic vocal techniques that remedy the main faults.

Assessment methods

This course is not accredited, so there are no assessments or coursework.

Application

Please use the 'Book now' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form.

Level and demands

This course is an introductory course and is aimed at beginners.

The Department's Weekly Classes are taught at first year undergraduate level.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support