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Our dd (14) has a really lovely voice, she's been having singing lessons since she was 7 and got her grade 5 last year.

My understanding is that to progress down the "normal" route to grade 6,she would now have to study music theory etc.

She has no interest in classical music/opera etc, she loves musical theatre and contemporary music.
School (where she has her lessons) and in particular the head of music, have said they would like to help her "achieve her vocal potential", and have suggested she join the choral soc. who are doing a requiem shortly. This holds no appeal at all for dd (or for me!).

By the way she's not chosen music as a GCSE option.

I've e-mailed the head of music and explained that she will always sing, and she understands that her lessons have trained her voice and taught her a lot, but she doesn't want to sing that kind of stuff any longer.

I've waffled, but my question is, if school can't provide it, how do I find a singing teacher that will teach the music she wants to learn?

And if such a thing exists, can one do grades etc?

She acts well but doesn't do dance at all, isn't thinking in terms of a career, just a really important hobby.

Thank you

Trinity RockSchool do vocal exams the higher tiers of which can contribute towards UCAS points (as ABRSM music exams are.)

Thank you BBK, I actually think this would really suit ds too (he's abandoned guitar lessons after 7 yrs). Any idea if there is a directory of teachers, can't see it on the website.

Not sure about the teachers.

My dd used to do the guitar exams and they were great- really not an easy option (easily as technically difficult as classical guitar just a different style.) Being classically trained, I was a bit sniffy about Rockschool when I first heard about them but they are actually quite difficult- in fact I think the technical and aural parts of the exam are harder than ABRSM.

She had a guitar teacher who taught the style that pupils wanted to learn (he also taught classical and acoustic guitars and worked towards the other exam boards.)

I would imagine most music shops would have a list of guitar teachers- many electric guitar teachers seem to do Rock school.

My dh is a musical theatre/pop singing teacher but he doesn't teach under 16's just those preparing for audition to drama school/professional work.

There are lots of teachers about who teach musical theatre but it is a bit of a lottery finding one who is right for you.

London College of Music offer accredited musical theatre singing exams

If you are near Cambridge, I studied Music Theatre at the LCM (amongst other things) and would be happy to meet up and discuss possibilities for teaching your DD. I've taught quite a few people locally along these lines.