Top International Vocal Coach Gives Students Tips For Audition Success

Top international vocal coach, Scott Harrison, has given students the inside track on how to stand out at auditions and beat the competition.

Mr Harrison, Lecturer of Musical Theatre at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and The University of Winchester, held a series of workshops at Grace Academy, highlighting the discipline and preparation needed for success.

The vocal coach was invited by West End performer and director, Adam Hepkin, who is the Academy’s Artistic Educational Developer.  Giving the inside track on how to pass auditions for entry to drama school, Scott Harrison told students:

“You have to pick material that reflects you as an individual, don’t pick material that is too hard for you, and find material that says something you want to say to people.  I look for instinct and make judgements based on whether people want to tell me a story and connect with me or not.  As an actor, if you are full of energy that’s more important than perfection.

“Above all, preparation sets people apart at audition.  You need to know what is expected of you, what to wear, how to present yourself, and have an understanding of the discipline required in the business.

“At drama school, decisions are taken about you based on your performance in a particular audition, so even if you have straight A grades, you could be beaten by someone with three C grades if they perform better than you on the day.

“I come from a working class background so I didn’t have the financial means to go to all the courses.  However, I feel I have a duty to give something back to students who deserve the opportunities I was given.  Without some key people in my career, I wouldn’t have had a clue where to start with an audition.”

Year 14 student Morgan Danks, Grace Academy Solihull, who would like to pursue a career in the performing arts, said:

“I’ve learned you need to be strong and deal with rejection.  You are competing with loads of people for one space so you have got to do everything you can to make sure you get in.  You have to be yourself and wait until you are part of a show to be someone else.”

Students were also joined on the day by Andy Rose, a drama student at The Urdang Academy, who said:

“I was getting into trouble at school all the time until Adam Hepkin turned my life around when I was in Year 9 by starting a musical theatre company at our school.  Doing shows with him gave me more of a drive to do what I would like to do, and I’d love to influence and encourage other students and do what Adam did for me.”

Adam Hepkin, Grace Academy’s Artistic Educational Developer, added:

“It’s important we give as much support to students applying for vocational courses, as we do to those going to University so workshops like this, where we draw on the experience of experts, is key to raising their aspirations.”