‘Whether you sing in an opera company, choral society or in the bath, the fundamentals of healthy vocal production remain the same’

Training your voice

A free voice enables expression. This fact drives technical study, and whether you sing in an opera company, choral society or in the bath, the fundamentals of healthy vocal production remain the same; get the basics right and everything else will follow.

Since I began teaching in 2002 I have worked with a wide range of students, from interested amateurs, to those attending music college. Some have never sung before, or have not done so for many years.

I teach at The Music Studios in Marylebone but am based within easy reach of Richmond, Twickenham and Kingston, and can teach you at your home if you have a piano or keyboard and a suitable room.

If you are interested in discovering more of your voice, please email or call. For rates and other queries, please see my Rates and FAQ's.

‘Russell has sung in numerous concerts with our choirs. He is a delight to work with and as a professional singer at the highest level, clearly knows his stuff. He is an inspiration to our students.’

Dr George BurrowsSenior Lecturer in Music, University of Portsmouth

About me

I have sung professionally since the late 1990s for a number of companies including the Royal Opera and English National Opera. Here are some of my career highlights so far:

Chorus

Royal Opera

  • Die Zauberflöte (DVD)
  • Boris Godunov
  • Lucia di Lammermoor
  • Faust (DVD)
  • The Greek Passion
  • Simon Boccanegra
  • La Bohème

English National Opera

  • Billy Budd
  • Carmen
  • Aida
  • Boris Godunov
  • Cavalliera Rusticana & Pagliacci
  • Dr Atomic
  • Turandot
  • Peter Grimes
  • Tosca
  • The Pearl Fishers
  • Faust

Groot Omroepkoor

  • Lohengrin (DVD)

Salzburg Easter Festival

  • Peter Grimes

Raymond Gubbay Opera

  • Aida (DVD)

Carl Rosa Opera

  • Pirates of Penzance
  • The Mikado
  • Die Fledermaus
  • Iolanthe
  • Yeomen of the Guard
  • Gondoliers

Roles

Colline La Bohème

  • New Devon Opera
  • First Act Opera (Italian)
  • Beaufort Opera

Sarastro The Magic Flute

  • Guildford Opera
  • Opera Loki
  • Opera Oxford

Speaker The Magic Flute

  • Opera Del Mar 2006

Prince Gremin Eugene Onegin

  • Oxford Touring Opera

General Freen The Golden Penguin

  • Children's opera by Alla Sirenko

Balthazar Amahl and the Night Visitors

  • Opera Anywhere

Bartolo The Marriage of Figaro

  • Guildford Opera

The Doctor Vanessa

  • Trinity College of Music

Cold Genius & Aeolus King Arthur

  • Trinity College of Music

Oratorio

  • Verdi Requiem
  • Haydn Creation
  • Nelson Mass
  • Handel Messiah Pt1
  • Handel Israel in Egypt
  • Handel Dixit Dominus
  • Handel Nisi Dominus
  • Mozart Requiem
  • Mozart Solemn Vespers
  • Puccini Messa di Gloria

Choir & recordings

  • Berio Stanze BBC Proms
  • Ligeti Requiem Lucerne Fesival
  • The Snow Queen BBC
  • Paul McCartney’s Ecce Cor Meum EMI classics (DVD)
  • Bryn Terfel, First Love Universal Music (CD)
  • Geoffrey Mitchell Choir Recording and concert work for Opera Rara

Film Scores
(London Voices)

  • Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
  • Disney's A Christmas Carol
  • Ink Heart
  • The Golden Compass
  • The Passion of The Christ
  • Iron Man 2
  • Kung Fu Panda
  • The Green Lantern
  • Immortals
  • Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
  • The Hunger Games
  • The Pirates! In an Adventure With Scientists

Rates and FAQ's

What are your rates?

I generally charge £50 per hour (a reduced rate is possible for students or younger people). If money is a problem we can normally work something out.

Where do you teach?

I teach at The Music Studios in Marylebone but am based South West London and can teach at your home if you have a piano or keyboard and a suitable room.

Do you teach absolute beginners?

Yes, I teach students at all levels - everyone benefits from a firm technical foundation to their singing.

Do you teach non-classical singers?

Yes, I teach a number of singers who sing in non-classical styles. Many find more of their voice and gain greater stamina and consistency.

How often will I need lessons?

This is entirely up to you. Some come to me every week, some once a month. Regular lessons are beneficial, but don't be put off if you can only come once in a while.

How long have you been teaching?

I began teaching in 2002 and have worked with students of all ages and abilities, from interested amateurs, to those attending music college and singing professionally.

‘Brilliant, just brilliant. I am in my 70s but thanks to Russell, my voice is in excellent trim. At a recent re-audition for the London Symphony Chorus I was told my voice is getting better and better. If you want help, fun and enthusiasm, Russell is the guy.’

Geoffrey Newman OBE Bass, London Symphony Chorus

Interested in discovering more of your voice?

Call 07932 659077 or email mail@russellmatthewsbass.com or visit my Google Places listing