Singing 1

Siobhan is a classically trained Soprano teaching at the City Lit since 2006. She has performed extensively during her career including several years singing with the A Cappella trio ‘The Madrigirls’, at the Thursford Christmas Spectacular and with Paul Daniel conducting the Dartington Festival Orchestra. Her operatic roles include Euridice (Orfeo ed Euridice), Suzanna (Marriage of Figaro), Ginevra (Ariodante), Frasquita (Carmen) and Venus (Orpheus in the Underworld) as well as Maria (West side story), Velma (Chicago) and Mabel (Pirates of Penzance) on the lighter side. She has appeared as a soloist in many Oratorios as well as numerous recitals, most recently performing at Blackheath Halls, Pushkin House and the Swiss Church. Her favourite recital to date: Spanish song exploring the relationship between Joaquin Rodrigo and his contemporaries. She has a degree in Classics from King’s College London and a Diploma in Opera studies from Birkbeck University London and has trained with Sybil Michelow, Justin Lavender and Linda Hutchison. Her teaching expertise extends from Singing technique (including accent method) through to music theatre, planning recitals and teaching.

Trevor Alexander studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and has worked as a professional singer for over 30 years. Alongside his performing he has run vocal workshops and taught singing, and joined the teaching staff at City Lit in 2005. He began working with City Lit Opera on stage craft, performance skills and directing their scenes, and is thrilled that some of those students are now carving out a career in the profession. In 2006 Trevor joined the vocal teaching staff and began to teach the foundation level classes and has always found it extremely rewarding helping students to develop vocally, and enable them to explore the wealth of wonderful repertoire. Outside City Lit Trevor has worked professionally with many opera companies and travels all over the country singing in oratorio and concerts. He has just started a year's contract with the Royal Opera House Chorus and is preparing to sing The Marquis de la Forse for Midsummer Opera’s production of Dialogue of the Carmelites in November 2019.

Shachar (Shar) Shamai is an Israel-born, London-based musical theatre creative and vocal coach. He holds an MA in Classical Singing from the Jerusalem Academy of Music and an MA in Musical Theatre from Guildford School of Acting (GSA). Shar has taught at notable musical theatre academies like PPA, ICMT, Urdang Academy, and LSC, as well as lecturing in Israel, the Netherlands, and Italy. As a bookwriter and lyricist, Shar is involved in two major Israeli musical theatre projects: "Sonia" (premiered in 2023) and "Exposed" (in development). Shar recently worked as a vocal coach on the Israeli production of "Waitress" at The Cameri Theatre in Tel Aviv. He is also the founder and artistic director of The JEWish CABARET, a collective that explores identity through original works. The group’s inaugural production, "Cafe named Desire," was acclaimed in London and later invited to tour Israel. As a poet, Shar's work has been featured in a large number of books and magazines.

Ruth is passionate about teaching singing in adult education, having entered the profession as a career change. Ruth studied singing alongside a biology degree at Bristol University, and a career in the charity sector. Gradually the singing side of her life took over and she now works full time as a freelance teacher and singer. She gained a Diploma in Concert Singing from Birkbeck University, with Distinction, in 2006, and now studies with Veronica Veysey Campbell (vocal professor at the Royal College of Music). Ruth continues to undertake regular professional development, most recently the Vocal Pedagogy course with renowned singing teacher/speech therapist Ron Morris at Musicfest Aberystwyth. Ruth sings as a professional chorister and soloist in London churches, synagogues and choirs, and also loves putting on recitals with friends. She teaches beginners to advanced levels at City lit and has a busy private teaching practice. She loves helping singers to find more confidence and freedom in their singing through healthy voice use, at every stage of their journey.