Singer opens coaching studio amid pandemic

LOCAL musician, Zara Jarvis, recently opened the doors to her new vocal coaching studio.

Complete with recording microphones, stage equipment and coloured lighting, the set-up is aimed at making students feel like their performing on-stage.

With over five years’ experience teaching singing at a performing arts school, Ms Jarvis felt it was time to open her own business.

“I had a booked-out schedule at the school so I thought if it’s this popular, I might as well do it on my own,” she said.

Currently studying music at Victoria University, Ms Jarvis said the classes she runs are more contemporary focused than others on offer.

Rather than teaching pupils in ensembles or choirs, she said it’s all about finding your individual sound as an artist.

“What I’m doing is something that Ballarat hasn’t really seen before.

“There’s lots of singing teachers here but there’s nothing that has lighting and cameras and recording. It’s so much more than just singing lessons,” she said.

“They come here and get a full package of being an artist, which will set them up to either start studying or make their own music.”

Branching out independently can be scary to some but for Ms Jarvis the experience has been gratifying.

“I didn’t expect it to take off this quickly, but I’ve already been so busy and I’ve pretty much got a booked out solo schedule,” she said.

“I’ll have to start thinking about launching more classes just so I can fit more people in.”