Testimonials
Read what my clients say about me... Thanks to all who have attended over the years! If you want to let others know how you find my coaching, feel free to drop me a note.
I knew nothing about singing up until about 6 months ago when singing live started to hurt about 20 minutes into playing so i decided i was in need of vocal coaching. The only name that ever came up in conversation with anybody was Talena Smith and rightly so, since having lessons with her I've advanced my technique to the point where I'm not worried about my voice anymore, actually to the point where I'm proud of what comes out of my mouth. She's a cool lady and has the patience to help anybody try and get what they want out of their voice, all power to Talena!
Talena is friendly and welcoming which is very important as singing is quite a personal thing really.
With very few lessons and some good advice I was able to keep my voice on top form for the months I've spent on tour over Europe and America. She is excellent with communication too, as when I was out of the country and needed advice from her, she quickly replied with in depth solutions. I recommend her to anyone asking me about vocals and will continue to do so.
Just a few short months ago I was screaming and shouting on stages all over the globe with such appalling technique that I was doing myself permanent damage and hitting notes that didn't exist in the tempered scale. But the worst problem was that after every show I couldn't speak the whole next day. After just a few lessons with Talena Smith, I've been able to focus on my breathing and with a few simple techniques I've had such a huge improvement in the areas of stamina, power and delivery that I'm frankly appalled and embarrassed that I subjected so many people to my wheezy barking over such a long period of time. And now I can speak always. Her house and incense are great too."
As a professional actor, I learnt at Drama School how to use my voice on stage, however I never learnt to sing. Until I entered the professional acting world, I had no idea how important singing was: until my first singing audition! I had about two days to rehearse and perfect a song, and it wasn't even for a singing part! Being a complete novice, and totally under-confident with singing I went to Talena's acting session. She took me through everything from warming up my voice, to learning and performing a song to a professional quality. She completely understood my nerves and taught me to use her methods to control them. Needless to say I got the part! Talena's approach was so warm and she tailored the session to suit my voice. I have continued to see Talena with weekly sessions and my voice has improved no end, and the techniques help with voice projection and accents as well! Worth every penny, even just to have a song in your back catalogue in case any casting directors throw it in at an audition!
An amazing and flawless performer Talena can access every area of the voice. She has lots of little tricks to get you to make the sound you want and anyone struggling to get out of their shell like me will love her to bits because she keeps it fun and challenging, with healthy splashes of madness.
Talena has not only developed and strengthened my voice with a range of techniques, she has provided the often needed encouragement for me to achieve my songwriting and performing goals. What's more - she makes it so much fun!
I started sessions with Talena around 5 months ago in an effort to improve my head voice as being a Baritone and concentrated far to much on my chest voice. With Talena's help I am improving with every lesson.
I have had three singing coaches prior to being with Talena but I can safely say I have achieved more in the last five months I have been with her than all the sessions I have had. She is also a very accomplished singer and singing 'technician'.
