Who we are
Founder
Lucy Willis
Based in the West Midlands, I am a qualified professional voice practitioner. I have over 10 years’ experience working with both private clients and within primary and secondary school settings.
I teach voice and communication skills to young people, from early years up to university graduates.
In addition to holding a Master of Arts degree in Professional Voice Practice (2020) from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Birmingham City University, I have a Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools (2013) from Shrewsbury College and an ITEC Diploma in Anatomy, Physiology & Body Massage (2000) from Kingsway College, London.
As well as DBS checked, I am a professional member of the British Voice Association (BVA), the Society of Teachers of Speech & Drama (STSD) and Equity.
I also have a wealth of experience teaching speech and drama as an extra-curriculum subject to young people. Having entered candidates into examinations annually since 2013. I have a 100% pass rate, with learners achieving grades in either a Merit or Distinction.
Over the years, with creative use of literary texts and prepared speeches, I have developed practical fun ways to teach communication and presentation skills to young people to boost their self-esteem and improve their wellbeing.
Principally, I achieve this by highlighting the importance of: understanding musculoskeletal (bones and muscle) movement, particularly involving breath and voice; tension versus unwanted tension; body alignment; voice health and breath support; and the physicality of voice articulators and resonators.
Through this practical and more often playful work, with the use of tongue twisters and interactive games, young people understand how their different sounds and phonemes are created physically and healthily.
My passion is for all young people to have the opportunity to be educated in the potential of voice and to work with schools and colleges to raise the profile of voice education locally and nationally.
Qualifications
Birmingham City University, Master of Arts in Professional Voice Practice, 2020
King’s College London, Bachelor of Arts in Classical Studies (including Greek and Roman Plays & Performance), 1992
LAMDA, PCertLAM (Presenting & Performance Theory), 2016
LAMDA, Grades 6-8 in both Speaking Verse and Prose and Acting, 2010-17
City & Guilds, Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools, 2013
ITEC, Diploma in Anatomy, Physiology and Body Massage, 2000
Continued Professional Development
Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Concepts, 2022
Prevent Duty Training, 2021
Local Authority Safeguarding Course, 2021
St John Ambulance Certified, Emergency First Aid at Work, 2021
School Experience
Wrekin College, Wellington
William Brookes School, Much Wenlock
Barrow 1618 CofE Free School, Barrow, Broseley
Brockton CofE Primary School, Brockton, Much Wenlock
Church Preen Primary School, Near Much Wenlock
