Teaching
"When we sing we must engage our heart, our brain and our body. Only when all three are engaged can the truth be heard"
My Philosophy
"As a teacher, it’s so important to approach each voice, as we do each person, as an utterly individual creation. We find certain voices compelling if they are able to express, as freely as possible, the singer's unique vision of what it is to be human. It's that freedom, and the ability to find an authentic sound, that can be so thrilling to a listener.
To teach is to equip a singer with the ability to naturally express truthful emotion, with an understanding of the physicality of producing a sound, the importance of text, and the specific demands of different music genres. There's also a healthy dose of compassion and pinch of psychotherapy. Singing is not for the faint-hearted, and it's my job as a teacher to help any singer tailor a suit of living, flexible skills so that they can approach the slings and arrows of this wondrous art form with joy and without fear"
"I’ve recently started studying with Andrew Foster-Williams, and from the very first lesson it was clear how fortunate I was to have found such an inspiring teacher. Andrew has an infectious passion for singing that has completely changed the way I listen and approach my own practice.
The lessons have given me real confidence in how to develop my voice and have also inspired me to explore new music, styles, and composers.
What stands out to me about Andrew’s teaching style is his ability to identify the root cause of any singing challenges and provide practical, engaging exercises that make a real difference.
He’s opened my eyes to how subtle physical adjustments can create far greater expression, colour, and character in the voice.
It’s hard to describe quite how transformative Andrew’s teaching is. It’s like I was previously singing in two dimensions and have now begun to uncover a whole new dimension to my voice"
Experience
Andrew Foster-Williams (FRAM, DipRAM, LRAM, BA Hons) graduated with First Class Honours from The Royal Academy of Music in London. He was later made a Fellow of The Royal Academy of Music, indicating significant career achievement and standing within the institution. During his time at the Royal Academy he was awarded many prizes including The Opera Prize, The Oratorio Prize, The Flora Nielsen Recital Prize and The Elena Gerhardt Lieder Prize. After graduation he was a prize winner at The Kathleen Ferrier Awards. He has made many award-winning recordings, and the Theater an der Wien production of Peter Grimes in which he played Captain Balstrode won Best New Production at the International Opera Awards.
Extensive training, combined with a rich and diverse international career at the highest level on both the opera stage and in the concert hall, has provided Andrew with invaluable experience to draw upon in the teaching process.
Any student of singing needs to know not only where the healthy 'sweet spot' of their voice currently lies, but also an experienced guide to help them navigate any future vocal developement. In today's world it's important that both student and teacher work together to understand how to utilise the voice in order to fashion a varied and long-term career that keeps them interesting, and interested, as an artist.
Alongside a busy international singing career Andrew has led masterclasses in places as varied as Washington DC, Adelaide, London and New York. He is a Professor of Singing at The Royal Academy of Music in London and will be working on future projects for other music organisations.
Andrew believes that psychological insight and sound mental health, alongside a deep understanding of anatomy, are essential for any vocal practitioner, a conviction that has led him to pursue training in counselling, psychology and anatomy - tools he is now integrating into his teaching practice.
In addition to his professorial teaching, he also teaches private students online and in person.
Please send him message below if you'd like to enquire about an initial consulation or lesson.
