What is The Song Space?
The song space is a brand new and exciting extracurricular vocal academy offering one to one singing lessons to children and young adults aged between 5-18 years. The Song Space specialises in pop, rock and musical theatre and has future plans to include choirs and singing workshops.
It has been set up by vocal coach Jess Kershaw who invites you to come along and try it out.
What support have you received from the Prince’s Trust – how has that changed things for you?
I completed a year-long course in Business Enterprise with the Trust, where I had to complete a business plan and then present it to a panel of well-respected business mentor volunteers who work for the trust. I was then granted a small loan to help cover my costs to pay for advertising and equipment I needed to start the process of The Song Space.
Where did you study and what did you study? I know your website says you are a vocal coach – what does that mean?
I describe myself as a vocal coach and singing teacher. My job is to teach technique and all the relevant music skills, however, it is also to help build students confidence and to support and encourage them to perform live and further their career in singing whatever path they choose. I studied at Leeds College of Music gaining a BA in Popular Music Studies back in 2012. T
What about you? Do you sing? what kind of music do you really like?
I do sing! I have been singing since I was 7 and used to be a wedding singer for four years. I also write my own music and have performed in choirs in venues as big as the Royal Albert Hall in London. During my time at Leeds College of Music, I even got the chance to perform with the producers, which is a band that consists of Trevor Horn the well respected music producer and singer of The Buggles, Lol Creme from 10cc and Godley and Creme, the well respected session player Ash Soan and record producer Stephen Lipson.
In my recent years, I mainly focus on teaching and have taught at many performing arts academies based in Yorkshire where I was originally based before moving to Edinburgh. My taste in music may seem a bit dated as I tend to listen to older artists rather than today’s charts.
Songwriters like Joni Mitchell, Carol King and Paul Weller are my main inspiration but most recently I went to see Christine and the Queens at the Usher Hall and thought it was outstanding. I would say she is my favourite modern artist at the moment.
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