The Benefits of Joining a Professional Network ⏱ 2 Mins

June 3, 2024

Running your own singing studio doesn’t have to be a solo slog. By joining a professional network, you’ll get access to advice and learning opportunities.

Running your own singing teaching business has many perks. Being in control over who you teach and when you work can be creatively liberating and financially rewarding.

But there is a downside, too: having your own studio can be isolating.

When practical challenges crop up, there’s no IT, marketing or HR department to turn to for help.

And when a student’s progress falters, or they present with a vocal problem that you’ve not encountered before, imposter syndrome can set in.

The good news is that there is a solution to this dilemma. Being part of a professional network is a great way to get help and advice when you need it, improve your professional knowledge, and stay up to date with industry changes.

You can create such a network yourself or join an established one. Let’s take a look at both options.

Create your own professional network

Devon-based singing teacher Rose Kimberley and speech and language therapist (SLT) Claire Williamson from Bristol are the founders of the South West Voice Hub.

The hub launches later this year and will bring together ENTs, SLTs, singing teachers, laryngeal massage therapists and singers who are based in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset.

“Sometimes there is an assumption that everybody [in the voice world] is in London, and it all goes on in the capital,” Rose says.

“But there are some very knowledgeable and talented people in our area – it’s about making sure people in the voice community know each other.

“We want to make it easier for singers to access the support and resources they need without having the expense of going to London.”

The hub will host networking and CPD sessions as well as performance opportunities for singers. It will also enable voice professionals to refer students to local services or specialists when they need them.

To learn more about how Rose and Claire set up the South West Voice Hub, listen to this interview on the Singing Teachers Talk podcast.

Join an established network

If starting your own network from scratch doesn’t appeal, you could join BAST Training’s membership.

Members (who come from all corners of the globe) have access to masterclasses and teaching clinics and the opportunity to pick the brains of BAST trainers about teaching strategies.

BAST Training members can also share thoughts and experiences with like-minded singing teachers and feel part of a community.

Learn more about BAST Training’s membership here.