ABOUT
Christabel Cossins started out as a professional singer over 20 years ago, and still works as one today. She got into teaching singing lessons quite by accident 17 years ago, when she was fresh out of doing her Master’s degree. Christabel applied for a job to teach singing lessons to pre-school children at a music school in Brighton. When she arrived for the interview, she was greeted by the owner of the music studio, who turned out to be a guy called Nick Minnion. This was a surprise for Christabel as he was someone she already knew: the first musician to book her for a paid gig as a singer a few years before! Unfortunately she didn’t get the job teaching toddlers, but Nick did ask Christabel to train with him as a singing teacher in Brighton and that is how her teaching career began. So thank you Nick Minnion!
Further training came in the form of a Post Graduate Certificate in Vocal Pedagogy (Work Based Learning), in which Christabel attained a distinction. Christabel is a qualified NLP practitioner and a member of the British Voice Association. She believes in continued education and is currently doing a master’s degree in Performance Coaching, which gives insight into the psychology of the performer.
Over the years, Christabel has given singing lessons in Brighton and Hove to literally hundreds of people, both one to one, and in groups. She specialises as a singing teacher to women and children, helping them to develop healthy vocal technique and to grow in confidence as performers – which often has the added bonus of increased confidence in life!
Christabel provides one to one singing lessons in Brighton and Hove and also does online singing lessons. She also runs two choirs: Sing Out Sister Women’s Choir in Steyning and Sing Out Henfield (in Henfield).
Christabel believes that singing is a truly human endeavour. Her teaching ethos is based on the idea that singing is as natural to humans as laughing and dancing, and that we can all enjoy it as a activity, either alone or in groups. She believes it is a wholly inclusive pastime which no one should be excluded from. This is how she runs her singing lessons and it is how she runs her choirs.
“The action of breathing is not only essential for taking in oxygen and getting rid of carbon dioxide, it supports many other body functions. The gut, liver and spleen are massaged by the motion of the main muscle for breathing; the diaphragm. Therefore good breathing mechanics are vital for good gut function; detoxifying the body of impurities; maintaining a strong immune and circulatory system. Relaxed deep breathing is reported to reduce stress levels and improve quality of sleep.
Singing can help to improve breathing mechanics. A teacher can help to break old habits like shallow breathing, using exercises that also improve the quality and control of your voice. As breathing mechanics improve, there is usually a notable positive change in posture.
I highly recommend singing lessons to anyone suffering from asthma or long term postural problems.”
“My daughter, Mia, has been attending singing lessons with Christabel Cossins for over 2 years now. It’s the highlight of her week and her confidence has grown immensely. She’s happy to sing alone in front of people and she sounds better and better each week.”
“Christabel has taught me for 2 years, helping me with auditions for my musical theatre, competitions and pop songs with my guitar. She always helps me to find the right song to suit my voice and helps me feel confident to perform.”
“Singing lessons with Christabel are always fun and my daughter’s voice and confidence are improving every week.”
“My daughter Jess has been having lessons with Chritabel now for seven years. She started as a really anxious shy seven year old and we had no idea that she had a voice! Chrisabel’s energy and encouragement has literally transformed Jess and brought her out of her shell, as well as giving her a passion for singing and music. Her vast knowledge and experience is shared in a really fun and engaging way combining theoretical knowledge with a playful way of learning. Jess has been supported through scholarship applications, which she received and numerous auditions etc. Christabel has really been a significant influenece on her development. I cannot recommend her highly enough.”
