In April 2023, I was offered the chance to step into the role of Acting Head of Music at the Prep. school where I had been working as a singing teacher since 2019. This opportunity arose between completing our Down the Rabbit Hole Tour and commencing work on a new opera called Bronte. During my six years of education at both the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the Royal College of Music I received training in teaching modules. Additionally, I had experience teaching dance classes and singing classes and had completed a LAMDA speech training course.
In the role I was entrusted with creating lesson plans for the final term of the school year, where I took on the teaching of singing and drama classes for students from years 1 to 6. I enthusiastically delved into the tasks and taught two Shakespeare plays (adapted for children), “Julius Caesar” and “Macbeth”, which we performed in promenade theatre style around the school grounds. Furthermore, I organised and executed a whole-school Proms event in the park inspired by Shakespeare, instructed the orchestra on their final performance piece of the year, and provided musical arrangements for school events like a Father’s Day demonstration and music concerts.
This experience was not just fulfilling, it was a source of immense joy. I seized every moment, finding great satisfaction in the work. It was both rewarding and enriching, and I was deeply passionate about it.
This newfound responsibility allowed me to grow both professionally and personally. I discovered that leading a department required a blend of creativity, organisation, and empathy — skills I was thrilled to develop further. Working with such diverse students, I was constantly inspired by their enthusiasm and talent. Their eagerness to learn and perform pushed me to innovate and elevate my teaching methods.
As the term came to a close and I prepared to hand over the department I was thrilled to be asked to stay on and take on the role of Director of Performing Arts at the school. In this new role, I continued to lead the team but faced the exciting challenge of designing a new curriculum and shaping the department. In my first year, I organised multiple concerts and performances, developed “relaxed recitals,” a series of weekly performances where pupils could volunteer to perform as musicians, actors, comedians, and dancers. I produced a range of performances including a school opera and a musical.
Alongside my work at the school, I have continued my singing practice and actively performed in concerts, both at school and in external recitals. I am committed to arranging more bookings for future performances and plan to record repertoire to share on my blog. This allows me to express myself musically, challenge my technique, and continue to grow as a performer. My passion for singing remains a central part of my life, and I am dedicated to pursuing opportunities that allow me to share my artistry with a wider audience.
As I look back on this period, I am grateful for the trust placed in me and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact. It reinforced my belief in the power of music, drama and dance to bring people together and create lasting memories. Moving forward, I am excited to continue nurturing young talents and sharing the transformative power of the arts with future generations.
Congratulations on this engagement, Charlotte. I think the kids will benefit immensely
Wow, Dear Charlotte, as we say in french “je te tire mon châpeau” !!!! I’m very proud of you dear Miss Rainbow voice ! You’re an example for the younger generation; you’ve developed your gifts without ever giving up, by working hard and keeping your smile, your kindness and your humility!
Congratulations and big pieces of love for you my friend !
Oh, dear Charlotte, I am over the moon thrilled for you! What blessings shall come of this for ALL involved directly or indirectly. I am smiling from my heart. xx
Charlotte, this is truly exciting, and I, too, am thrilled for the children who will experience the power of your passion for performance in the arts. I have such admiration for your life and its impact for good.
Onward.
I’m loving it Sheila, my first ever Lamda pupil after I put myself through the training course just got a distinction in her externally marked exam. I’m still singing and have had to pick up old skills like conducting, violin, recorder etc.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Congratulations! What a great honor for you!!
Thank you Peter it was, and quite a curve ball. I’m also teaching years 7 and 8 and have prepared composition training for this term for them, it was great getting my text books out and devising a program, I was thrilled last week when they really fully and actively participated and were excited to do it.
My little orchestra after school practice will start up again next Monday so conducting classes at both the junior Royal Northern and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland didn’t go to waste 😊. I’m also teaching baroque music to one year group so am getting my head around a new Handel aria I want to share with them.
All in all it’s been a very busy summer. I hope to take you all along on this new journey with me.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Wonderful,Charolette.
Congratulations. Your skills are so ripe to enrich students. Wishing you the best Charlotte.
Heartfelt congratulations, Charlotte. In the world in which we live, to know that someone’s life is flourishing, and deservedly so, is a welcome relief. I don’t need to encourage you to make the best of it because you will.
A little tip: if you get the time and chance, go and see the revival of the Studio /ghibli film in the cinema: it is a perfect gem and you will love it immensely.
Oh, stupid, it’s called My Neighbour Totoro.
That sounds interesting Martin, I will check if it is on nearby. I’ll be performing up in Grindlesford this Christmas do you know the village? I was practicing the rep over the summer. I’m also teaching the children about baroque this term so I’m going to be learning some new Handel that I’ve wanted to learn before, if I get the chance to record it I will and share it with you. I’m very happy 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Congratulations! I don’t see “Acting”, so I assume this is a permanent position.
I have been permanent in the role since September last year 😊 it has been a challenge and I had to put in a lot of extra hours to write the curriculum in line with the ethos of the school and to hit inspection criteria and be unique. We have put on some great shows, one of my favourites was the opera for children written by Scottish Opera. I also had to refresh lots of instruments from recorder to violin, I was thinking of attempting to do some recordings with George to share here, maybe accompanying myself on violin or ukulele I do like a challenge.
Best wishes
Charlotte
That’s great you are expanding your role and getting more challenges in a diverse performing arts environment. It sounds like “relaxed recitals” are a good way to get kids to perform without a lot of pressure and have fun at it. There can be so much anxiety around performing. Congratulations. You are the perfect person for the role of Director of Performing Arts.
Congratulations, Charlotte! You have so many wonderful talents! ❤️😊🇬🇧
Congratulations, Charlotte! This is again great and wonderful news! It’s always a pleasure reading about your musical adventures.
Congratulations, Charlotte!!
Well done, Charlotte! And congratulations!
Congrats! 🎊
What a wonderful experience it must be for these youth, experiencing the joy of music through your gifted tutelage and enthusiasm for the artistry. Congratulations on this significant achievement.
Mazel tov, Charlotte. Well deserved. It is so wonderful to have a fulfilling job in the profession you love. Best wishes!
Wow! Fifty years on, my former school mates still talk and reminisce about the innovative teacher who came on to lead our performance group. (She kicked me off the team after my first audition with her – but that’s an entirely different story 🙁 )
Congratulations on this joyful news
OMG, look at our girl go!! Congratulations, Charlotte, I’m thrilled for you!
Give our best to George.
Wonderful, Charlotte, that you are teaching to young students. I’m sure they will learn a lot, being taught by such a talented individual.
Congratulations and keep the fire burning dear friend
Congratulations Charlotte! You will be a wonderful inspiration to young students.
Nancy
How wonderful, Charlotte! Congratulations! I am astounded by your energy at keeping all these different projects going at the same time. xx
This is wonderful! I envy your students the opportunity to be exposed to your knowledge, skill, personality and guidance! We should all be so lucky.
Thank you Jeff, I’m loving 🥰 working with the children.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Wonderful 😊
Dear Charlotte, You know you have arrived professionally when student becomes teacher. How lucky the students are to have the advantage of all your experience and guidance. I wish they could have traveled with you as you made the journey from your student years, as we have!
You’re a true inspiration and I believe you will have a massive impact on all the children, shaping a generation of singers and musicians. Well done Charlotte and congratulations! 👏👏🥰
You’re an enthusiastic young woman. I’m sure anyone who works with you comes out with eyes wide open to new perspectives…
Hats down.
Charlotte, you are extraordinary and go from strength to strength. Your hard work, enthusiasm, talent and ability to work with a variety of people using all your numerous skills amaze all of us who are following your career and will have a significant impact on all the people, young and old, that you lead.
What an honour and to know you are leaving your mark (a very positive one) is so rewarding. Girl power!
How fabulous and what a wonderful way to continue to pass on your knowledge!
I have always loved working in education even when singing most years I did productions in schools with Scottish Opera. I get a real buzz with this job and feel very appreciated which is nice.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Hello Charlotte!
I was wondering about your position at the school.
CONGRATULATIONS!
You sure have a lot going on. It’s a wonderful thing.
Resa ❦❦
Best wishes to you and yours!
Hi Resa, I took a couple of weeks off on a family holiday. I‘ve been loving writing a new curriculum for eight of the prep years music for this year, looking into musicals and operas for children and lesson planning for term one. I will be teaching composition to Years 7 and 8 which is age 11 and 12 so I‘ve been brushing up on that skill. I‘m also studying more advanced violin 🎻; British Sign Language next level; singing every day in preparation for a concert with George; and preparing for a post grad degree so in my typical fashion its been none stop.
I had to put my blog on hold to fit everything in but I will find time moving forward to take you on this new adventure with me.
Best wishes always,
Charlotte
You‘ll be pleased to know I‘m singing every day and learning some new Mozart and Handel that I‘ve always wanted to learn.
Yahoo!
Yes, blogging is cool, but there is so much more to do.
Sounds like teaching is crazy rewarding, and I know it is broadening your skills in various ways.
You play violin?
Sign language… there is a lot to that.
I’ve always thought you are a good actress, as well as a singer. It’s a joy, not to just hear you sing, but to watch you perform. Somehow. sign language plays into that.
Love that you are doing a concert with George. The 2 of you making music together is special.
YES, keep singing and learning. I look forward to the next piece of music you share with us.
I think you are fabulous, Charlotte! 🌟
Resa
🌹❦
Wonderful news, Charlotte! I’m sure your students will be all the better for having you in your elevated role.
-Alan