Kristina Takashina
About
- I have extensive experience of working with voices of all types, ages and both male and female, in a wide variety of genres, from classical through music theatre and jazz to pop, rock and folk, as well as voice artists and actors. I trained as a postgraduate classical/opera singer at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, and have experience with various stage and opera companies, having performed in many large and famous theatres across the globe.
I also had a career as a voice artist, doing narration for books and characters for Nintendo. As a teacher, I am a passionate energetic and enthusiastic person, very supportive and with a huge range of music tastes to supplement your own. I have taken students right through from beginner to music and drama college and work at whatever level suits you. My experience recently has largely been with teens, but I’m happy to work with any age. I enjoy teaching pop just as much as classical repertoire and often put pupils through pop exams and musical theatre auditions if that seems suitable.
I have worked with Wiltshire’s Music Service for several years, mainly in secondary schools. I enjoy encouraging song writing as well as performance and I love it when a student wishes to accompany themselves on guitar or piano, though it’s not essential at all. If students want to bring members of an ensemble along and share recordings and harmonies, this is also something we can work on.
I’m just as interested and passionate about working with amateur musicians as aspiring professionals. Whether it’s for fun or professional development, I have a lot to offer!
I am a member of the Association of Teachers of Singing and regularly attend CPD on the use of the body and voice. I have a strong interest in Kodaly.
What I / we help young people achieve
My style of teaching works with the whole self of the pupil, to develop physical and communication confidence. Musical sensitivity and understanding is backed up with thought about lyrics and performance.
Technical ability is always improved within the natural flow of the body and the breath so that the voice is always produced safely and confidently and nervousness is forgotten. This impacts upon the student's wellbeing across the board, as students become more confident in themselves and more self aware about how they want to be in the world around them.
I encourage them to choose their own music, to follow their own interests and learn to nurture their own performance package to their full potential.
Opportunities for children & young people
- To learn to play an instrument and / or develop skills on an instrument
- To learn to sing
- To create / write music and / or lyrics
- To play, perform music with others
- To learn things about oneself , other subjects or life-skills through musical activity
- To work with and support other young musicians
- To develop their wellbeing
Times
- Term Time
- After School
- Project based
- Seasonal
- Drop in
Working with special needs
I am also trained as a Humanistic and Integrative Creative Arts and Dance Movement Psychotherapist (Accredited with the UKCP) and have experience with a variety of special learning needs, including autism, aspergers, dyslexia, adhd, as well as psychological difficulties including anxiety and depression. Learning to sing can be a very empowering addition to the lifeskills of any person and should you have additional needs, do not let this put you off!
Taught Instruments
- Singing / Voice
- Curriculum Music (Primary)
- Music Theory
Ages Taught
- 4 and under
- 5-6
- 7-10
- 11-13
- 14-15
- 16+
Level Taught
- Beginners
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Qualifications, Grades & Certificates Taught
- Instrument grades
- Rockschool
- Arts Award
- Duke of Edinburgh Award
Musical Clusters Covered
- Chippenham
- B-on-A / Corsham
- Calne & Melksham
- Trowbridge (CSL)
- Salisbury / Wilton
- Devizes
- Warminster
- Westbury
My Training & Development
I’m constantly attending CPD on how music learning and creative output can be improved but also in the fields of mental health, wellbeing, trauma, development and social justice.