Tom Bathgate, Co-Founder – Institute for Vocal Advancement, Certified Advanced Instructor
Tom Bathgate is an Advanced Level Certified IVA Instructor who has taught voice lessons for 15 years. As well as being a singing teacher, Tom is one of the eight co-founders of the Institute for Vocal Advancement. This global organisation trains and certifies singing teachers worldwide. He currently runs the organisation as the CEO.
Before he opened his vocal studio, he also ran a web design and marketing business.
Tom has performed all over the UK and Europe as an Irish Dancer. His dancing has seen him perform in front of crowds of over 100,000 people. He’s appeared on BBC 1 Saturday night prime time TV with the dance troupe and still enjoys the odd jig now and again when time allows it!
Growing up, his musical influences included everything from Michael Jackson to Simon & Garfunkel and musical theatre to classical music. He started piano lessons at the age of 11 and sang in various choirs throughout High School:
“I love singing and find it very difficult to put any music on and not sing or hum along with it.”
What’s your favourite part of being a voice teacher?
Working with my students in their lessons, I love watching them progress as singers, growing in confidence and getting to where they want to be. It’s one of the best jobs in the world! I mean, for someone who loves to sing, what could be better than spending all your time working with singers? I love problem-solving, getting in there and fixing those tricky voices.
What is your vision for Your Voice Studio (YVS)?
YVS is an open, professional, transparent and ethical organisation where everyone involved is working towards the same common goal: furthering vocal education in Edinburgh and beyond.
There are so many techniques and people contradicting things about singing. But, whilst that will always be the case in life, there are so many people out there who make a lot of money out of not knowing how the voice works or how to help singers, which bugs me.
Don’t get me wrong, the voice is a highly complex instrument that changes daily. Being a good singing teacher takes hard work, dedication, constant education, study, research and practice. It’s a never-ending process; whether we have been doing it for six months or 25 years, we never stop learning.
My goal is to clear some of that static surrounding vocal education and make it easier for singers to get the help they need. I LOVE singing. I wake up and sing from the minute I get in the shower to pretty much cleaning my teeth to go to bed, leading to quite a few shirts ending up in the wash from being covered in toothpaste!
Music is in my blood; I live and breathe music and singing. It’s my life and passion, and I am so fortunate to be able to work in the field I love.
Every time I sit at the keyboard to teach, I aim to help other singers who share my love and passion for singing find their voice and reach their goals and dreams.