Meet a Certified & Licensed Vocal Technique Instructor
Inspirational, Spiritual, and Motivational, describes Zena. She has been singing for over 30 years, which stemmed from singing gospel music from a very early age. Her experience includes performing in UK, Norway, Germany, Caribbean and USA. Singing to diverse audiences of all sizes. Whether singing as a soloist, singing with groups, or choirs, this has helped develop her gift.Besides having a vocal tone that's not easily forgotten, she knows and understands how to blend her tones in order to compliment harmonies. Zena's experience has brought her to teach vocals and is in demand throughout Europe. Presently being, certified and licensed Vocal Instructor, she is able to help many singers extend their range, achieve a better balanced voice, maintain longevity and develop clear distinct intonation. As she continues to develop her ability to building the voice she continues to perform with others, inspiring her listeners, and those she teaches. Read on for more detailed information:
From Graphics to Vocal Art
Even though Zena’s career in the creative and publishing world began as a typographer and led her to becoming a graphics artist, she managed to maintain her singing appointments and requests. On this journey, many have wondered how on earth did she manage whilst working, but she believes it was her faith and love of singing, not because she could but to help bring "good news" to a listener’s ear. She knows that out there in the world life is hard, and even though we may have all what we want around us, some of us have been been given gifted to share and help bring happiness. She states: "You don’t know until you serving others how valuable your gift is." Inspiring is a beautiful way of sowing seeds of positive elements in others and allowing them to grow, and from her artistic background to her music, all she has worked with and around all have left her presence with hope.
From Congregational Singing, to Choir, to Performance Singing
Most of her singing experience has been developed within her church life, were she has broken many barriers in order to share the gospel, this is because of her creative way of being inclusive, and her beliefs in that we were all made to sing.
Zena’s singing career began to take shape whilst helping with the arrangements for a choir, and a five-piece female group, who mainly did acapella songs. Teaching and leading out in the choir, gave her the space to create harmonies that would take a song in an unexpected direction. Zena had a unique determination at a very young age, and singing as part of a church congregation was also an area of creativity for her. She would even be found leading out on a regular basis, congregations of various sizes.
From Church, to Community, to Worldwide
In the year 1999, having gone through some challenging moments and changes, Zena began on a journey with singers from the community of Lancashire. This 40-50 voices soon became the One Voice Community Choir, which led to connections with Urban Voice member “Tyndale Thomas MBE,” a Gospel Music Director of many projects within the North West. With harmonies being a noticeable gift, and ability to hold and teach harmony to others, she stood out for her ability to learn quickly in such a short space of time, and was soon given the opportunity to become the 2nd Maestro for One Voice. Leading out in rehearsals, warm-ups and conducting in performances helped give her a taste of how to director a choir and help them to be the best they can be. Being in the choir, added to her singing experience, especially with her lead vocalist performances, which helped build her confidence in many ways. From weddings to corporate events, from audiences of 50 in either a prison or old people’s home in the UK to an audience of over 9,000 in Europe, Zena has had the privilege of performing. Christian audiences to mainstream pop audiences, charity events to being a backing vocalist on several albums. In the midst of all this, Zena still maintained her first love, which was to enjoy worship in church, singing and ministering to the hearts of many, not just on a local level but as far as Norway and Germany, USA and the Caribbean.
From Conservative Gospel to Contemporary Gospel
Her experience performing with Sweet Harmony, Unity, Inspiration, Manchester SDA Chorale, Urban Voice, One Voice Community Choir, Liverpool Gospel Community Choir, Audrey Mattis Chorale and many others, has given her the exposure for performing in a wide range, which she is grateful for and never will forget. During the many trips and gigs Zena has performed at, people always seemed to ask her three things, where did she learn to sing? Would she be able to teach their daughter or son or themselves? Or where else do you perform, we’d love to come and watch? Or the most funny one is, “I’d like to come to your church.”
From Vocal Therapy to Vocal Instructor
In the midst of the worlds changes and redundancies being made, Zena has begun her journey on the road to helping others find their voice, and at the same time strengthen her own. Having experienced vocal problems, she was advised by a Vocal (Speech) Therapist, to make sure she gets the right type of Vocal Coaching, and she followed that through, and to this day she doesn’t just have her own Vocal Coach. After a couple of lessons, she was amazed at how this technique was helping her. So she decided that she’d like to teach this technique. Today, learning about the voice, has become part of her journey and now teaches, and instructs all levels, and various genres or musical students. Not just amateurs or semi-professionals, but all ages, starters and even those who just want to make a birthday party special and surprise a friend or family member.
"Zena is now certified and registered as a vocal instructor, and teaches many to achieve their goals in bettering their voices, not just as a singer but even as preachers or teachers, she has been found to be an asset in these areas."
As she looks over her life, Zena now wants to develop this service more, helping them to achieve their purpose either creatively or musically. She believes that through her continued studies and vocal coaching experience, many individuals will benefit, and see the value of their own unique voice. Learning from top Vocal Master Teachers, and Voice Scientists from around the world, she is determined to give her students the best sound advice. Having tasted Speech Level Singing and the IVA Technique, they've both opened her eyes to the value of how important it is to sing from the right place and to use the right muscles. She recognizes that despite what we think we are good at doing, there is no room for complacency, and that life is not static so why should our voice be. Let’s develop what we have, by learning more about it. Which is what she also spends time doing.
Motivating & Mentoring Singers to Value True Technique
Today, Zena’s aim is to mentor singers from different walks of life, motivating and inspiring them, and helping them to value the true elements of good technique. As she develops a wider understanding of the voice, she is privileged to have students and supporters who are eager to see her aspire. From family, friends, work colleagues to musicians and bathroom singers to professional singers, Zena brings a unique difference to lives wherever she goes. Hope that you allow her to help you become a performer or a minister of song in your own right.
“Studio With A Vision” a slogan that she has at the forefront of her mind, when any singer or student stands before her.
Are You Ready to Extend Your Range, Sing with Ease . . .
Are you ready to begin the journey as a singer or minister of song? Can you imagine what you could with an extended range, ability to sing with ease, and less tension in your throat? You could sing songs without the worry of it being too high or too low. Why not book some lessons with aSinger’s Mentor to help you unfold those goals and dreams.
