Since I was a child, all I wanted to do was sing. That is why, when someone asks me how long I’ve been singing for, they get the standard reply, “Since Forever!”. Apart from singing, the other thing I want to do is leave my imprint, something that says “IzZy was here”.

This is why in November 2011, I made the decision that come what may, the next year I’ll be in London studying Vocals.

It had been some time since I last studied music in depth, having stopped playing the piano and studying theory around 4 years earlier, so I slowly started re-learning stuff which should have been child’s play to me.

I e-mailed a couple of Contemporary music schools in London and booked an audition with Tech Music Schools amongst others.

Under the excellent guidance of my brilliant teacher, Claire McCartin, I continued to work on my voice, making the songs my own and delivering the requested songs to perfection.

On the 28th of February 2012, I travelled from Kent to London, got lost, panicked a bit but managed to get there bang on time. A lecturer took me into one of the practice rooms and asked me to do some vocal exercises to check my range, some reading exercises and aural tests. Then he played some melodies on the piano, sang them and asked me to repeat after him to see how easily I took direction.

After that I performed the requested song, Isn’t she lovely and also a song of my own choice which was We Are by Ana Johnsson.

As we were walking down the stairs, I asked him when I would know if I got through and he replied that I shouldn’t worry because they were going to offer me a place on the course!  It can easily be described as one of the happiest days of my life!

In October 2012 I started a Vocals Diploma in Commercial Music Performance, which consisted of studying theory (starting from the very beginning), Reading, History and Industry, Techniques, Session Styles and Live Music Performance (LPW).

What is interesting about the LPW is that they combine 4 classes together – Vocals, Guitars, Drums and Bass, and we are assigned different songs each week. We started off with Blues, moved on to Rock and in Term 2, we’re doing Jazz. Then on the day, the teachers pick out musicians at random and we play that song together. This prepares you for the eventuality that you’re called in for a gig at the last minute without ever having met the band before.

Other interesting subjects have been Mic Technique, Band Technique (how to communicate with the band), Chest, Mix and Head voice, Anchoring, Resonance, being a DIY musician and all about the industry and how to make money from it.

I would definitely recommend Tech Music Schools to anyone who wants to study music seriously. The course I’m doing will teach you how to become a Session Singer. However, now in the meantime I have decided to do a degree and I have actually applied for a BA in Creative Musicianship rather than continue the course I’m doing at the moment. I believe it will develop me into an individual artist, showing me how to have the full package record labels and publishers are looking for.

Anyone who would like to know more about the school please visit www.techmusicschools.co.uk and if you do fill out an application, please do mention my name (Isabelle Luca Borg) in question 11 which asks how you found out about the school. It would really help me out as well 😉

On 7 November 2012, to celebrate National Unity Day, the Russian Centre for Science and Culture (RCSC) in Valletta welcomed me and my students into the Tchaikovsky Hall for a concert of up-and-coming Maltese talent.  My students, accompanied by two great musicians – Luke Grech on guitar and Andrew Triganza Scott on piano, put up a fabulous show.  Two students also performed their own original compositions – Mark Micallef singing Destiny’s Call and MarTina singing Soldier. I also sang two Russian songs – Nye uhodi pobud so mnoyu and A on mnye nravitsya. I would like to thank Oleg Beglov and his wife Viktoria at the RCSC for giving us opportunities like these. For students, it is important to get experience stepping out onto a stage and performing before a live audience. This is a valuable stepping stone in their singing career.

I, together with Joshua Alamu and Maria Abdilla,  organised our annual Artist Development Showcase on 1 December 2012.  This concert is always held to showcase our students’ talents and to be a platform for them to gain experience on stage. Music accompaniment is always live and directed by Mro. Paul Abela.  This time backing vocals were done by us three and up-and-coming talent Jasmine Abela. This is not a competition, however there were two judges in attendance to provide their feedback on the performance as a whole. This is for the students to know how well they are doing and what they have to work on in the future. Judges on the night were Raquela and Emi Green.

Once again De La Salle College was buzzing with energy this summer as the drama group prepared for their annual show.  Through drama, people learn to understand themselves better, relate to others and build a social awareness that allows them to face their fears and build their confidence.  As in previous years, I worked in this production as a vocal coach for the soloists and also some of my students took part.  This year’s theme was Destination: Musicals one more time and was held from 2-4 November.

I, together with some of my students, participated in this year’s edition of Voices – a 200-strong choir and a live band of volunteers who dedicate their summer every two years to raise funds for a deserving cause. This year’s theme was Dream a little dream.  Performances were held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta from 3-7 and 10-14 October 2012 and included a mixture of pop and rock classics from across the decades, including Beatles, Adele, Sting, Katy Perry, Zucchero, Queen, Abba, Alicia Keys, Pink Floyd, Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson.  The proceeds raised from the concerts will be distributed between the lead project, Dar Mamma Margherita and several other organisations.

Photo courtesy of Joe Peel