JENNI SIMMONDS
the acting coach for singers
hello
I'm Jenni. I specialise in acting coaching for professional and amateur singers.
*Due to demand I'm also pleased to be offering singing lessons to a limited number of clients from January 2027. See 'coaching' for more details.*
A bit about me:
Since 2012 - 15 years of teaching and directing experience for professional touring theatre companies, community theatre groups, schools and drama clubs. I've helped clients from 5 years old to 80+ give performances they can be proud of on stage.
Since 2018 - 9 years working as a professional actor and singer. Netflix, ITV, The National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company, TUI Cruises and Forbear! Theatre are highlights. I'm proud to have worked consecutively every year since entering the industry.
Since 2022 - 1 year training full-time at the world-renowned Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, where I received my Masters degree with Distinction in Music Theatre and signed with my wonderful agents at YOU Management.
Since 2026 - 1 week training at RADA on their intensive full-time Intermediate Acting for Camera course, and currently waiting to begin Advanced Acting for Camera, because we should never stop learning! I always look for opportunities to practise and learn more so I can continue giving the best quality teaching.
coaching
acting coaching for singers
Work with me on an ad-hoc basis to prepare specific pieces/roles for audition or performance, or on a weekly/fortnightly basis to explore the art of acting through song (or singing through text if you prefer!).
As singers we are often just given blocking, with little or no character direction, and are left to discover for ourselves how to 'act' the scene beyond the absolute basics. Developing trust in your impulses and creating your own emotional cues can elevate your storytelling, and your confidence as an actor, greatly. If you feel excited about accessing more presence, depth and connection within your performances then please get in touch via the contact form.
"Jenni's feedback on my work is exceptionally perceptive - she identified an internalised performance issue which I have been struggling with for years and had never been noticed by anyone before. I now have far greater storytelling tools, and a process to access emotional truth." Robyn - Mezzo-soprano
"With Jenni's thoughtful guidance I've found multiple stories to tell, in a song in which I previously struggled to find the acting journey! I highly recommend her, especially if you're navigating performance anxiety or how to figure out performances after health changes."
Maria - Soprano
"Jenni knows how to describe the process of bringing a character to life, and quickly applies it to the songs I am working on. I am able to improve my delivery a huge amount in just one lesson. I wholeheartedly recommend her if you are looking to improve your acting ability, especially if you are a singer. She is the “secret weapon” for my performances!"
Karen - Mezzo-soprano
For professional and amateur singers from all genres of music and performance, wishing to build on their connection with acting through sung and/or spoken text.
how i help
"A great acting masterclass Jenni. So much more confident now. You've made a big improvement in my performance, thank you."
Mark - Bass
"Anxiety was kicking in and I was losing confidence. Jenni stepped in a week before the show opened and taught me some simple exercises so I felt safe to perform. She just gets it. She puts me at ease, and gives me tools to work with."
Jess - Soprano
Photo copyright Jon Lo Photography
singing lessons
New for January 2027 - Singing lessons for beginners looking to learn the basics of singing, and more experienced amateur singers wanting to work on their technique and performance.
These sessions will start back up in the new year once I've returned from panto-land! Work with me on a weekly or fortnightly basis to explore and improve your voice. I'll give you useful exercises and warm-ups to practice at home, work with you on songs you bring to the sessions, and help you fall in love with singing. Whether you're completely new to singing, revisiting it after a long time away, or preparing for an audition or performance, I'd love to help you! Limited spaces available. Please get in touch via the contact form.
how i help
"Jenni's singing lessons are fab. She's managed to unearth a voice that's been gathering dust in the cellar for decades! My friends are now queueing up for lessons with her."
Rebecca - historic music enthusiast (and soon to be folk singer)
where
Currently all sessions are held on Zoom. Check your internet connection, grab your device and headphones, and be sure to turn on 'original sound for musicians'. You are now ready to sing over Zoom!
how much
one-off solo session
solo packages
duo session (acting coaching only)
One person
One hour
£55*
Includes:
acting work on sung material and monologues
Or
singing lesson
*Discretionary discounts are available on one-off solo sessions for those able to provide proof they are on low income or receiving certain benefits. I also offer skill exchange as a form of full or partial payment for solo sessions. If you want acting coaching/singing lessons and you're a professional rep coach/massage therapist/PT/nutritionist/beauty therapist/reiki practitioner/Bowen practitioner/anything else you can pitch successfully to me, I'm open - let's talk.!
Book multiple solo sessions** and save.
3 sessions for £150 (£50 per session)
5 sessions for £225 (£45 per session)
**Terms and conditions apply.
Two people
One hour 15 minutes
£30 per person
Includes:
acting work on duets and dialogue
acting coaching FAQs
What level of singing do I need to be at?
I coach professional and amateur singers. I expect you to have had some singing lessons and/or performing experience. I'm a trained singer with a sound knowledge of technique, but the focus in these classes is on your acting. You will therefore be responsible for your own vocal warm up before the session begins.
I'm new to acting techniques, will I be out of my depth?
So many of us from a musical background are taught that acting is to 'do' or 'show', and that therefore acting, especially through song, is supposed to be difficult. But 99% of the work behind an emotionally connected performance is simply about reacting, not 'acting'. Most singers are simply working too hard!
Will a more 'truthful' approach compromise the quality of my singing?
Connecting with emotional truth in performance can initially cause 'stuff' to come up to the surface, which often as singers we are encouraged to mask in order to maintain high vocal quality. But that's what lessons and practice are for! My studio is a safe space with zero judgement on vocal quality. It is far easier to access emotion, discover how we work around it technically, and then refine it, than it is to keep pushing for something we haven't yet discovered.
singing lesson FAQs
What level of singing do I need to be at?
Anything from complete beginner to regularly performing in amateur shows.
I'm new to singing, will I be out of my depth?
When we're first starting out on our singing journey, a lot of us feel a disconnect between our speaking voice and our singing voice. In your first lesson you'll learn that singing isn't scary - you just need breath, tone, pitch and resonance, things you're already naturally using every day to speak! You'll be taking ownership of your singing voice in no time.