The Voice Studio of Maggi Ballantyne

The Voice Studio of Maggi Ballantyne Professional singer and vocal expert with over 40 years of live worldwide performance experience at a 6-star level. Maggi now has a buoyant business.

I use my wealth of experience to coach all types of singers, from absolute beginners to professionals, and of all age groups and genres. The Voice Studio was born out of 40 years of professional working experience. Maggi can hardly remember a week when she did not stand on a stage. Now she passes her knowledge and experience on to the many students who have gone through her hands in the last 22 ye

ars. Maggi was initially employed as a Lecturer by Middlesbrough College and Vocal Coach for both the Music and Performing Arts Departments teaching BTech and HND. She also taught Voice for Stage Coach Hartlepool and Darlington branches. At this time she began teaching one to one, mostly professional singers, vocal technique and sorting out damaged voices. North East agents sent new young acts to prepare for their professional career being taught singing, performance, audience management, communication skills and much more. She also acted as a consultant to many acts needing advice how to enter and to work the business and sustain a career as well as deal with the many pitfalls along the way. She has a Studio at Washington Arts Centre, Fatfield. She now teaches all age groups from the age of 7 upwards. Maggi’s oldest student is 77. Every single student gets the same opportunity. Young and old alike without exception become better singers and many have gone on to be professional singers themselves. Many young people who have started out with no singing ability at all fall into this category, and others have enjoyed their moment through the many student shows set up to develop the skills needed for stage and to propel them into working harder to achieve their dream or their goal. Many of the students prepare for auditions and achieve scholarships to Performing Arts Schools throughout the country, or university/college places to pursue their careers on stage. Some other long term students have entered into teaching themselves making Maggi The Teacher’s Teacher. Maggi is also employed by Newcastle University to coach voice for popular music degree students to graduate level. Vocal technique is about learning the mechanisms to have a strong supported safe voice. You will be taught good breathing. The correct use of the many muscles involved in the singing process. The aim is to improve range, tone, resonance, pitch, power, etc. In addition musicality, dynamics, phrasing, and getting the ‘atmosphere’ right. There are many methods you will learn
that aim to point you towards better singing with good technique. Your performance will improve and your ability to engage with your audience verbally and non verbally with good communication skills. Really the teaching never ends and some students have stayed upwards of ten years and still come back for top ups to up their game. It’s a fabulous journey. All it takes is patience, focus and determination. When Covid hit, the business of teaching singing moved on line. This turned out to be very successful and everyone continued to improve. Vocal Coaching became available to a wider audience. Now with students in London, Scotland, Yorkshire and Northumberland - on line teaching has stayed in place. Now students have a choice. On line or face to face at The Studio. Spoiled for choice and you can mix it up too. So that’s what The Voice Studio is about. Maggi Ballantyne brings her particular teaching style. It never fails to build your confidence whatever age and whatever standard. Everyone is welcome.

WHEN THE SINGING IS OVERPLEASE SHAREJust like everyone else I like to sit down at the end of a working day satisfied tha...
02/02/2025

WHEN THE SINGING IS OVER
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Just like everyone else I like to sit down at the end of a working day satisfied that I’ve done a good job. The weekend gone has seen students come and go with varying degrees of complexity in the songs they want to sing. Christina Aguilera still today finds some students facing those vocal challenges. Songs from various shows - Dear Evan Hanson, Les Mis, Hamilton and more. Some Sinatra, Van Morrison, Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish. The list goes on. Keeps me on my toes. One mum who sits in on her daughter’s lesson says she loves just sitting back waiting for magic to happen. Little adjustments can make significant improvement happen. Yes let’s make the magic happen. House phone currently not working folks so message me here if you want more details x
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PLANNING AHEADPLEASE SHAREAt The Voice Studio we prepare for months to give you our best performance via student shows. ...
29/01/2025

PLANNING AHEAD
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At The Voice Studio we prepare for months to give you our best performance via student shows. Solo shows where everyone gets the same opportunity. Now approaching February - can you believe that already - time to get some dates in for Arts Centre Theatre. So will be soon checking in with you students for your availability. You’re already starting to select material. Let’s find GREAT SONGS PLEASE. It’s all about the songs. So think carefully x
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25/01/2025
GOD BLESS THE BROKEN ROADSunderland Cremetorium was packed yesterday with friends and family for Karen Layaida - my frie...
21/01/2025

GOD BLESS THE BROKEN ROAD
Sunderland Cremetorium was packed yesterday with friends and family for Karen Layaida - my friend - my student. Karen’s sister Sue and her brothers David and Gerrard all had words and memories to share. My contribution was to sing my tribute to Karen. The song she always came back to at the studio. The Rascal Flatts song - God Bless The Broken Road. We were working on an A Capella version of the song so that’s how I wanted it to be for her. The Celebrant gave a glimpse into Karen’s life from childhood through her career as a dancer, her love of music and singing, her office job at Sunderland University , and how brightly she shone around all who knew her. Her kindness and her deep love for her family. It was clear how loved she was by her nieces and nephews and of course by her mum Margaret and her siblings. I hope she heard my tones singing my heart out one last time for her. We may have turned the page now the funeral is over but we shall all remember Karen with a full and open heart x
Karen Layaida Rest In Peace x
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IN BETWEEN LESSONSPLEASE SHARE.Taking a moment to catch my breath. We had a wonderful time in Scotland. I have 4 sisters...
08/01/2025

IN BETWEEN LESSONS
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Taking a moment to catch my breath. We had a wonderful time in Scotland. I have 4 sisters and too many nieces and nephews to start counting- all coming together in Scottish tradition house gatherings. After the new year celebrations it was - wham back home and back to the studio feet hardly touching the ground. So a little time off to get organised ready to start again this weekend. All the singers ready to soak up any new knowledge that will make them better and safer singers. I love it and so do they. Feel free to contact me if you would like me to try and find you a slot. Very limited space but I will try. Call me
Maggi Ballantyne- 0191 417 4999.
Or message me x happy to help x
.thevoicestudione.co.uk

08/01/2025

IN BETWEEN TEACHING
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It was straight back to the studio when we got back after New Year from Scotland. I have 4 sisters and too many nieces and nephews to start counting. Lovely gatherings then wham - back at the studio. So the days off are time to recharge before starting in earnest next weekend. All the singers ready to get going again soaking up any advice that will make them better singers. Love it. You can reach me - Maggi Ballantyne- on 0191 417 4999. Or message me here. Limited space but you’re welcome to see if I have a slot. ###

WINTER ON THE COURTYARDPLEASE SHARESinging continues at The Voice Studio whatever the weather. The students get organise...
05/01/2025

WINTER ON THE COURTYARD
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Singing continues at The Voice Studio whatever the weather. The students get organised and get here regardless. So we’re cozy here singing our hearts out learning more about technique each lesson. That’s the focus now at the beginning of the year. Getting you all into a practice regime again after the Xmas festivities. So if you’re on your way please stay safe. See you soon x
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AS THE YEAR CLOSESPLEASE SHAREAlready texts are coming through with well wishes for the coming year. And very welcome th...
31/12/2024

AS THE YEAR CLOSES
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Already texts are coming through with well wishes for the coming year. And very welcome they are too. At The Voice Studio we sang our way through 2024 with our shows mid year. All a resounding success. We had fun with the Virtual Reality Project just a month ago. The wheels just keep turning as students continue to improve their craft and technique and learn more re performance, stage presence, audience management and so on…Everyone has found out more about themselves as singers, writers, artistes, and we continue to help our new young singers into the professional market. The students before them do their bit as other students before did for them. Our younger singers are having some success claiming solos in their various stage schools and so on. So I’m happy to look back on 24 with satisfaction that we continue to grow in our art.
On a personal note we as you know have had some losses. At the end of last year we lost my brother Joe. Then my good friend Diarmid whom I toured with in our teens to early 20’s. And at the end of this year our young friend Simone and then Karen. All of it has been heartbreaking.
Alan fell out the loft a month or so ago and is still recovering (definitely 9 lives there). And to crown it all our house sale fell through 2 days before we were due to move. Still on with sorting the carnage with that one.
Yet still I smile quietly at how lucky we are to still have a business that I love and music still the hub of my life. We still have strong bonds with students and friends and the most wonderful family. I have more time for myself these days having cut back on work and that’s working for me. We look forward to the year ahead with hope and excitement for the future.
With all my heart we wish the same to all of you. Raise a glass to Alan and I at midnight and we shall do the same to you.
HAVE A GREAT HOGMANAY ###
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#2024

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE STUDIOPLEASE SHARE.A couple of weeks ago students past and present came to the Studio to take pa...
30/12/2024

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE STUDIO
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A couple of weeks ago students past and present came to the Studio to take part in what might turn out to be ground breaking research for Manchester University. Some professional Voice Studio singers came along to help too. This research was being conducted by Pippa Anderson who needed unlimited people with some vocal training for the project. That’s where yours truly came in and was happy to help. Pippa is a fellow Vocal Coach who has been diverting into other avenues using her skills to assist this research using Virtual Reality. The idea was/is to use vocal sounds to cause voice activated images. This ultimately would be used to create a computerised programme to help singers to sing more safely and resolve voice issues. It’s in the very early stages but our people were glad to be involved in something innovative and interesting. One after t’other they donned the head gear and filled in questionnaires. Was rather proud of them. Hoping Pippa managed to collate some good data and hoping our Voice Studio Singers helped her to do that ###
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SAYING GOODBYE TO KARENPLEASE SHAREI hardly know where to start to tell you we have lost another much loved student. Kar...
29/12/2024

SAYING GOODBYE TO KAREN
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I hardly know where to start to tell you we have lost another much loved student. Karen Layaida wasn’t just a student here. She was a close friend. The person I went walking with around the river with in the summer. Only weeks ago we were at the arena watching The Corrs. We went to many shows over the years. We laughed. We put the world to rights. We shared our woes. She was taken in to the QE just weeks ago. And after a very short illness she passed away in the wee small hours of Christmas Eve leaving us all reeling. Alan and I spent time with her during her hospital stay supporting her and her family the best we could whilst the doctors tried to work it out.
The page isn’t enough to tell you how heartbreaking losing Karen has been. Her wonderful family were there day and night.
Many of you know Karen from the shows you shared with her. She loved those shows and she loved her lessons. She always said she would do 3 lessons a week if she could. No one practiced more than Karen.
From the time I met her I had a kindred spirit. She had danced professionally so I had someone there in my life who identified with the life I had had as a singer. In fact she remembered going to see my band when I was younger before I lived in the north east. I’m told she was a beautiful ballerina as a child - in fact she still went to weekly ballet classes. She had a lovely performance style in our shows. A certain ‘something’ going on. And some great moves. She was bright, bubbly and never had a bad word to say about anyone. She was an independent, disciplined and strong woman who looked after herself in every way going to yoga classes once a week.
I don’t want to leave her here on the page and close the post. While I write I can stay with her a little longer and feel her presence around me. All I can say is that I was privileged to have had Karen as a true friend in the years I knew her. I shall be looking through the glass at The Studio wondering if she’s waiting for her lesson for a long time to come.
To her family particularly her mum Margaret and sister Sue. No one could have done more. Sending you our love and deepest sympathy. And to Karen - thank you for your friendship - now rest in peace x
.co.uk

28/12/2024

SIMONE IN CONCERT
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I promised you I would post a video of Simone singing. So here she is in all her glory singing My Man at one of our shows a few years back. Thought she was great so do give it a watch right till the end ###
.co.uk

SAYING GOODBYE TO SIMONEPLEASE SHAREWith permission from Simone’s parents I want to take a moment to share the grief we ...
27/12/2024

SAYING GOODBYE TO SIMONE
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With permission from Simone’s parents I want to take a moment to share the grief we have felt when Simone Phillipson passed away. Last week we attended her funeral. She was a young woman of some valour. Although she suffered Ill health her entire life she smiled through adversity and would have no one feeling sorry for her. She had a great sense of humour and wise words for every situation despite her young years. She had a sharp brain and well informed opinions. She loved her hours at The Studio. Many times we did very little singing and more putting the world to rights as her condition interfered with her lungs making exhalation very difficult. The first photo below was taken the evening we went to see Les Mis. And the second photo was taken the day we had a girly session at The Studio with yours truly doing her make up and her hair. We were at her 18th and her 21st birthday party. Alan taught her how to set up her stall when she started her soap making business. She was a lovely singer (I will share a video another day) but the down side of her declining health was her inability to keep going with her lessons. We went to visit her at home a month before she passed away. She talked of getting back to the studio. It wasn’t to be. At her funeral they played Simone singing What A Wonderful World as they brought her in. One of the many recordings we made at The Studio over the years. I have to say that the tears rolled very freely hearing her sing. Her parents were playing her first Christmas cd on Christmas Day just gone and thanked me for the legacy of recordings she left behind. So. We may be saying goodbye to Simone but she will stay with me in my heart until I leave this world. Thank you Simone for all the years of friendship. All my love to you and your family now and always ###
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WISHING YOU A HAPPY BOXING DAYPLEASE SHAREWe’ve spent most of today in front of the TV eating rather too much. But that’...
26/12/2024

WISHING YOU A HAPPY BOXING DAY
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We’ve spent most of today in front of the TV eating rather too much. But that’s ok. We have plenty of time later to sort out the aftermath of that. Just saying hello from our house to yours. It’s been a lovely Christmas. Just being really grateful to be where we are. The end of this year has not been a good one. We’ve had losses that we’re carrying heavy in our hearts. But this time is for festivities so I really hope you’re making the most of it. Before you know it we shall all be back to work or school. Back to normal whatever your normal is. Do hope you’re making a little time for singing practice. And to all my professional singer/students past and present please take care out there on the road. Have great gigs. People are counting on you to lift their spirits so give them your all ###

A HAPPY XMAS EVEPLEASE SHAREHoping you’re all living the festive life as we approach Christmas Day. The shutters have be...
24/12/2024

A HAPPY XMAS EVE
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Hoping you’re all living the festive life as we approach Christmas Day. The shutters have been down at the studio for several days now and it’s nice to have some down time. No Vocal Coaching this week or next - just doing what people do and enjoying family time. Alan and I both just taking time to breathe. Wonderful. So leave the stress behind and enjoy each other enjoying Christmas Eve. Unless of course you’re still wrapping presents at 3am in the morning put your feet up and watch some Xmas movies. Whatever you’re doing - have fun ###
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LIFES LITTLE TRIALSFEEL FREE TO SHAREBeing honest it’s been good getting to the studio for a rest from the relentless ta...
20/11/2024

LIFES LITTLE TRIALS
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Being honest it’s been good getting to the studio for a rest from the relentless task of packing up a house. The volume of possessions is staggering. Alan’s been flat out for two months. We were stopped in our tracks two days ago when the loft ladder snapped in the middle while he was at the top. The ladder followed by Alan saw him making an 8’ drop on his back to the floor. For once he did as he was told and stayed down whilst we assessed the damage. Then 8 hours in A&E. Although very long they were quite thorough and after a CT scan we were pleased to be sure no internal organ damage or fractures. But torn tissue and ligaments, bruises and cut. He/we have been so lucky here. A terrifying moment in time and Alan lives to see another day. Moving is very stressful from every point of view. Teaching people to sing is a much more relaxed activity. Meanwhile Alan is joking as he is prone to do but dare not laugh, cough, bend, stretch or twist. And still he smiles and jokes on. What a man. Our thanks to the lovely staff at Sunderland Royal for making sure he was ok. xx
.co.uk

WHEN ALL ELSE FAILSPLEASE SHARESING. Yes if you’re feeling sad or low, singing can really lift you. Even if you don’t fe...
29/10/2024

WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS
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SING. Yes if you’re feeling sad or low, singing can really lift you. Even if you don’t feel like it just stick at it for 15 mins and chances are you’ll still be there 2 hours later. It steadies your breath and feeds your creativity. Gets your diaphragmatic breathing working and that’s a winner to calm you down. Add a bit of daft dancing to that and you’re on your way to feeling so much better. Try it. You’ll be surprised x
.co.uk

HELLO AGAIN HELLOPLEASE SHAREIt was nice to see you’re still out there on last nights post. I’ve been having a bit of a ...
28/10/2024

HELLO AGAIN HELLO
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It was nice to see you’re still out there on last nights post. I’ve been having a bit of a break from Facebook. In fact I’ve been having a bit of a break from teaching too. However I can assure you that I’m still around. You’ll find me at The Voice Studio at Washington Arts Centre. NE38 8AB. As always coaching voice and everything to do with singing. It’s what I do. If you want to call you’ll find me on 0191 417 4999
Or message me Maggi Ballantyne - at your service x
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Washington Arts Centre
Sunderland
NA388AB

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