Meet Your Coach, Lizzy!

I’ve been a professional singer since I was 17 years old. In my mid-twenties, I was singing on stages around the world and locally in Toronto, Ontario. During that time, I was studying and picking up gigs, working full-time, managing my bands and hustling for showcases. I found myself overworked, overtired and vocally spent. I did my vocal warm-ups as my teachers had taught me, but I still found that my voice was giving out regularly. My passion was singing, and my livelihood was music. Losing my voice meant losing my identity and independence. I had to find a way to make it work.

I was on the hunt for answers. I began my vocal research, and the rest is history. I began training other singers and coaches on what I had learned. I consider the voices from all sides when I work with my clients. I believe that singing confidently encompasses three main elements that are equally important: The Voice, Expression and Music.

the voice:

First, technique: how to use and understand your voice as an instrument. What is the larynx? And what does the diaphragm do? What are registers, and how do I use my mixed voice? I’ve spent years researching and learning about the voice and its workings. Vocal technique is built on three main pillars: Breath (the vocal power source, i.e. ‘support’), Range (the vibrating vocal folds and the registers), and Resonance (timbre and vowel shaping). What I’ve found is that each voice is different. Each person who sings has unique habits and experiences within each pillar that will guide the work they need to do to develop more strength and confidence. Your voice is unique; your vocal practice should be too.

expression:

I believe an emotional approach is valuable and necessary to get the most out of your voice. What are your vocal expectations? How do you feel when singing? Happy? Stressed? Free? What is holding you back? What can drive you forward? Do you experience vocal anxiety, and if so, how do you cope? Can you express honestly and authentically and face your vocal anxieties?

music:

Theory, composition, songwriting and improvisation. Your musicality connects you to the melodies you sing and the harmonies and grooves in the music you love. Understand how phrasing, dynamics, and melodic improvisation can improve your performances and musical experience!

and more:

Recording, Production. Mixing/Mastering. Sharing your music. Selling your music. Being an artist. Being a performer. Being a bandleader. Making a living. Touring. Starting a band… It’s all under the umbrella of being a singer. With the right guidance, you can do as much with your voice as you could dream, whether you’re a pro, an aspiring professional, a hobbyist or a karaoke master. Dream big and have fun.

Here’s a bit more about me!

Lizzy Clarke is a singing teacher and performance coach.

She combines her anatomical knowledge of the voice and body with her experience as a performer and professional singer in her teaching method. She has a holistic approach to vocal coaching. Encompassing elements of the voice and an instrument, creative expression and knowledgable musicality. Lizzy understands the challenges that modern singers face. Her patient and humanistic approach is what defines her teaching style.

Lizzy has been a leading figure in the Toronto music community. She has recently moved out of the city to the Village of Haliburton, Ontario. There, she runs a small private studio, teaches local singers and continues to explore the thriving arts and music community in that corner of the world.

Lizzy’s musical education began as a child with RCM piano lessons. Her studies continued in Cairo, Egypt, where she spent much of her youth learning classical voice practices and theory. At Cairo American College, she enrolled in the International Baccalaureate Music Program and the International Honour Choir (travelling to Berlin, Brussels). She also attended Interlochen Academy for the Arts. (Michigan USA) She came to Toronto in 2006 to study contemporary music at Humber College. Since receiving her BA, Lizzy has continued to expand her education through workshops and programs in Vocal Science, Speech and Language Pathology and music production.

As a performer and professional singer, Lizzy has sung on stages around the world. She sang, wrote and managed the internationally acclaimed vocal trio, The Spandettes. She also managed and sang lead vocals for one of Toronto’s most celebrated event bands, The Intentions. As a songwriter, Lizzy writes and records material at her home studio. You can hear a collection of her original work HERE.

Her goal as an educator is to help each student find vocal confidence. Every person who walks into her studio can expect patient, passionate and knowledgeable guidance in attaining their vocal goals. 

Solo career

Lizzy writes and records her original music from her home studio in Toronto. Learn more about her career as an independent artist on her website, lizzyclarkemusic.ca.

The Spandettes

In 2008, The Spandettes were formed. (www.thespandettes.com) Lizzy Clarke, Maggie Hopkins and Alex Tait front and lead this 10 piece group.  In 2014 their first album “Spandex Effect” was released. The album was released in Japan on the label P-Vine to raving reviews and critical success. The single “Sweet And Saccharine” spent 5 weeks on the Tokyo J-Wave top 40 as well as The Tokyo Top 100 list. In 2015 made their sophomore album “Sequin Sunrise”. This album too was very well received in Japan, reaching a top 10 spot on the charts. The group traveled to Tokyo in September 2015 to perform at the famous Billboard Live venue. The band also garnered attention in Germany, the UK, Canada and America. The album continues to receive radio play and TV and radio spots. In 2017 the band released a live album , "The Spandettes Live At 3030" to their Japanese Audience. The album was released internationally in Spring 2018.

The Intentions

Lizzy is also currently lead singer and band manager for local Toronto group, The Intentions. (www.intentionsband.com) The Intentions are made up of a diverse collection of musicians. The group plays monthly at 3030 Dundas West in The Junction Toronto. They play regualr weddings and events focusing on Motown and Soul music. In 2014 The Intentions raised funds to record a full length album of original music. Lizzy wrote and produced the self-titled album with band members Jon Ophek and Craig Clemens. The recordings were done at Magnephonic Studios, which specialize in analog recordings. The entire album, as well as two additional singles were recorded using vintage analog to tape technology.