vocal course tutors

We are proud to have the best vocal department anywhere in the world. From show tunes to extreme metal you will be taken through a comprehensive approach to modern vocal technique. Some of the UK's most respected vocal coaches and artists will push you to your performance limits in an atmosphere of total support. You will be asked to take your singing as seriously as we do. Take a look at our rooster of singing tutors!

		Kate Cameron - Head of Vocals A professional session singer for 15 years, Kate has sung on several gold albums including Ministry of Sound’s Ibiza ’99. Kate also enjoyed great success with Norman Cook’s band Freak Power and their amazing album ’Drive through Booty’. As well as being signed to MCA/Universal she has collaborated on several tracks in the UK Top 40. Kate’s credits include the likes of Judge Jules, Boy George, Tim Westwood, Danny Rampling and Paul Oakenfold!

		Carleen Anderson - Head of Vocals Carleen is a true star and has a talent, pedigree and charisma that is totally unique. Originally Carleen shot to fame as lead singer with the Young Disciples and later Brand New Heavies. Subsequent solo albums with Paul Weller on production duties whilst work with Bryan Ferry and Dr John, confirmed her status as the queen of British Soul. Amazingly she is also the God-Daughter of "The Godfather Of Soul" James Brown. Carleen continues her successful solo career whilst being totally committed to teaching - we are privileged to have her with us!

		Ann Bailey (Thunderlungs) - Vocal Tutor Ann is a highly professional and multi-talented vocalist, an “A” list session and backing singer, fronting her own highly successful band in L.A. as well as singing sessions and backing headline acts. With over 100 album credits and numerous stage and television appearances, Ann’s versatility has been utilised by a wide range of artists. Her credits include Donna Summer, Martine McCutcheon and Robert Brookins (Earth Wind and Fire). Anne recently had a hit on the UK top 40 that also went number one on the European Club charts ’Love Sensation’ with Kurd Maverick and Eddie Thoneick, with a second single at number 2 the same week ’A Deeper Love’ with Corenell.

		Billie Godfrey - Vocal Tutor Currently working as a much-in-demand session singer, and recording her own solo album, Billie manages to fit in teaching at BIMM into her hectic schedule. With experience that ranges from Grade 6 Opera, Piano and guitar qualifications, Billie has a unique range of musical experience. Her credits also include singing with the likes of Beverley Knight (as well as supporting Prince at the O2 with Beverley, culminating in two after show jams with Prince and his band at the after show parties!), Sting, Lionel Ritchie, Texas, Kylie Minogue, Chaka Khan, Jools Holland’s Rhythm and Blues Orchestra and INXS. It is easy to see that we are very fortunate to have a talent like this at BIMM.

		Heidi Berry - Vocal Tutor Heidi brings indie credibility to the school. Record deals with 4AD (Pixies, Throwing Muses), and Creation (Oasis, My Bloody Valentine) and tours with Tori Amos, Primal Sream, and Everything But The Girl might make you think she’s too cool for school. But she’s just as happy teaching as she is performing. Ivo Watts-Russell (founder of 4AD) had this to say about her... "Heidi is an incredible communicator, and a very subtle one. Out of all the records we released on 4AD, Heidi’s are some of the most important."

		Michael Bowes - Head of Level 2/Drum Tutor Mike is a world class drummer and has performed with artists including Nellie Furtado, Tears For Fears, Amerie, Mario, Heather Small (M People), Michelle Gayle, Sid Owen, Black Legend, BLOW and Macy Gray. He has performed on nearly every live tv broadcast going including: Top of the Pops, Big Breakfast, SMTV live, Richard Blackwood show, MTV, VH1, GMTV, and The Jerry Springer show (wow!). As Head of Level 2, he is responsible for day to day communication and teaching for all the Level 2 students and also teaches drums on Foundation Degree and BIMM Professional Diploma (Level 5).

		Ashley Slater - Vocal Tutor Ashley Slater is a Canadian born, American raised polymathic autodidact. He started off playing trombone for HM the Queen, before leaving the army and joining Loose Tubes, an English big band which was part of the ’British Jazz Explosion" of the mid 1980s. At the end of the 80s he formed the cult and influential funk band Microgroove, unique in boasting an electric tuba as the bass instrument. From there, he graduated to forming writing and singing Freakpower with Norman Cook, which scored a number 1 hit with "Turn On, Tune In Cop Out". He continues to sing with his own band BigLounge, The Lord Large Experience and several small and insane ensembles throughout southern England. He also scores for television and film, composes ad music for the Japanese, writes children’s songs, smokes fags and has an occasional career as a voice actor and voice over artist.

		Gerri Cunningham - Vocal Tutor Gerri has had a varied career to date as a freelance professional musician. Gerri has worked as a session singer - guide vocals for artists and TV scripts, voice over work for jingles, phone companies and adverts, extensive touring around UK, Europe and New York venues and festivals, writing and recording with a number of well known producers such as Raudhri Cushnan (George Michael) and Steve Bush (Stereophonics, Simon Webb and Corrine Bailey-Rae). Gerri has recorded and co-produced 3 complete albums and has regular function band work and preparing gigs for corporate events and parties, not to mention her TV work, performing with well known artists. Jan 2005 – 2006 saw Gerri assigned to Working Class Records with Wills and the Willing with Martin Wright and Jason Knight. Gerri is a graduate of BIMM.

		Kirk Brandon - Vocal Tutor Kirk started his musical career in seminal Post-Punk band Theatre Of Hate in 1980. His first album ’Westworld’ was produced by Mick Jones of The Clash. Kirk then went on to form Spear Of Destiny in 1983, whereby he recorded and toured extensively worldwide. Kirk is currently releasing Spear Of Destiny’s new album, ’Imperial Prototype’ in February 2008. The band will be touring the U.K. in December of this year 2007. Kirk is also a member of Dead Men Walking. The band consists of Captain Sensible (The Damned), Slim Jim Phantom (Stray Cats) and Mike Peters (The Alarm). A new album will follow with a tour in March 2008. Theatre Of Hate re-union tour is now being scheduled for February 2008 with dates in the U.K. and Europe.

		Elliott May - Vocal Tutor Elliot May singer /songwriter has been in many bands since the eighties both as a lead and a backing vocalist working with West London bands such as The Brand New Heavies, Stan Campbell and Gavin Rossdale. She fronted the jazz funk band Pushmipullyou and toured extensively in Europe in the mid nineties before working with ambient drum and bass dj LTJ Bookham...Her most well known track as lead vocalist is on Do your thing ..Basement Jaxx that reached no. 24 in the u.k top 40 , 2005 and is still heard on film /tv/ and radio frequently today...She’s currently working with a collective of established artists called ROAD touring and recording. Her other vast body of work includes radio 2 idents for the Jonathen Ross show and many other adverts around the world.