Kim Chandler is regarded as one of the UK’s leading contemporary vocal specialists, teaching singing since 1995 to literally thousands of students, both institutionally and privately. She has a busy private vocal studio in West London where she teaches and mentors an elite team of professional singers, recording artists and other vocal coaches. Aside from being held in high esteem in the vocal teaching community, Kim also receives referrals from eminent ENT surgeons and Speech Therapists to work with their pop singer patients (and vice versa).
Kim is a part-time Senior Lecturer in contemporary singing at the London College of Music from where she also holds a Masters degree (with Distinction) in performance. She is a regular presenter at national & international vocal conferences [read more], and in July 2008 also became a director and “Chair of Communications” of the prestigious multi-disciplinary organisation The British Voice Association (BVA). Kim has a keen interest in current vocal research, methodologies and pedagogy and, in addition to extensive reading on the subject, attends regular ongoing training [read more].
Vocal Production In The Studio
Because of Kim’s dual working life as a session singer and vocal coach, she has the perfect combination of skills and experience to make her very useful in helping artists to lay down their best vocal takes in the recording studio. If a vocal technique issue arises, then she draws on the coaching side; conversely, if it’s a musical or interpretive issue, then she draws on her decades of session experience. She also speaks the ‘language’ of the producers which can be different to that of the singers, making her the ultimate ‘translator’.
Vocal Consultant
Kim works for top artist management and record companies (e.g. Universal, 19, Rough Trade etc), and has been a vocal consultant to a variety of high profile clients including the following:
Kim was the "resident" vocal coach for the Cristo Foufas show interviewed live on LBC 97.3 each Sunday evening throughout Oct to Dec 2009 for her opinions on the "X Factor" live shows.
Kim coached the finalists of this prime-time GMTV competition and subsequently the winners in the recording of their album through Universal. [click here to watch highlights]
Kim was one of an elite team of vocal coaches brought in to help the contestants prepare their songs for BBC1’s prime-time series featuring celebrity duets.
Kim’s vocal coaching expertise was featured on ITV’s prime-time Saturday night series as one of a team of 5 “makeover” experts.
[Click here to view some clips from the show]
MTV Europe, coaching presenter Alex Zane on “Have Boy Bands Gone Busted?”
Kim was the proof-reader for the latest English edition of the ground-breaking vocal text "Complete Vocal Technique" by leading Danish vocal coach/researcher Cathrine Sadolin. Cathrine is one of a new breed of evidence-based coaches with the courage to explore and teach all voice qualities including those previously thought damaging to the voice, i.e. vocal distortion. She also invited Kim to conduct a day-long vocal masterclass at her "Complete Vocal Institute" in Copenhagen in December 2008.
“The One and Only” – KATY WON!
One of Kim’s private clients, Katy Setterfield, won the BBC’s prime-time TV competition "The One and Only". Kim was invited to screen test as a vocal coach on the show which is how Katy found out about it. She sang her heart out week after week as Dusty Springfield and went on to star in the "Legends" show in Las Vegas. Congratulations Katy!
"Kim’s infinite knowledge and endless enthusiasm for vocal coaching is an inspiration. I’ve been touring solidly for over a decade and, within a year, she has rejuvenated my technique, tone and sheer love of singing. Without Kim’s expertise I would never have entered, let alone won ‘The One & Only’", Katy Setterfield (winner "The One and Only", BBC1, 2008)
Seth Riggs Summer Camp 2006, Los Angeles USA.
Kim was invited to join the industry professional faculty (as the backing vocals specialist) at a 10-day intensive vocal training camp held by the world renowned "vocal coach to the stars", Seth Riggs. Seth is the creator of the "speech level singing" vocal technique (SLS). His prodigious clientele has included such luminaries as Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Luther Vandross, Madonna, Natalie Cole, Michael Bolton, George Benson, Cher, Annie Lennox, Lionel Richie, Tina Turner etc.
"I can’t say enough about how well Kim Chandler conducted herself and her classes on our Summer Vocal Program. Not only did she generously give of herself in her classes, but she provided the open mic performances with some of the best background vocals we’ve ever had at this program. What can I say? She was amazing! My only complaint is that she lives in the UK, and I want her to move to LA and help out with our students here. Kim, please come back …" DAVE STROUD (CEO Speech Level Singing INTL inc.)
Kim Chandler was the academic head of VOCALTECH in West London for 2 years (until the end of 2006). She wrote and taught various singing-related subjects from 1999 on their Diploma, Master Performance and Degree courses in popular music performance (the first of its type offered in the UK). Her association with the college now continues on a freelance basis. Vocaltech is Europe’s largest and most established pop vocal college and attracts hundreds of students from all over the world. [Watch an interview with Kim as former 'Head of Vocals']
