We are so pleased to be running a full workshops programme again at Gresham House during 2026. Please browse our offer below for the courses and dates we have scheduled in for this year.
For more information or to book a place on the singing workshops please email to Helen. helenportermusic@gmail.com
For information or to book a place on the bookmaking and lino printing workshop in September please email to Peter. peter@peterursem.co.uk
Online Vocal Workouts with Helen Porter
Mondays 9.30am, Wednesdays 9am and 10am, weekly
£30 for 6 sessions including Youtube recordings of the sessions
A weekly half hour vocal gymnastics session designed to keep your voice supple, including exercises and tips on how to manage high and low notes, breath control, resonance and other aspects of good vocal technique.
Jazz Singing with Liane Carroll & Helen Porter
Legendary jazz artist Liane Carroll teams up with renowned voice coach Helen Porter, drawing the very best out of eight jazz singers.
Gresham House Studios, March 27th-30th
(Friday lunchtime til Monday morning)
Non residential: £365
Residential (3 places): £510 (fully booked)
Liane and Helen team up to run their first jazz singing residential programme together. Helen will help to hone your technical vocal skills, focussing on aspects of vocal control and singing technique, while Liane will work her magic with her focus on delivery and song interpretation. Participants will sing solo, working with both tutors to bring out the best jazz singer in everyone. There will be a public showcase on Sunday evening, with a debrief (optional) on Monday morning.
Madrigals Weekend with Helen Porter and Alexander Ling
A glorious weekend of part singing – intense and joyful rehearsal with Helen Porter and Alexander Ling, with a public showcase at the beautiful Calstock Arts Old Chapel.
Calstock Arts, Calstock, May 2nd & 3rd
Saturday 2nd 10am – 4pm, Sunday 3rd 10am – 4.30pm (public showcase at 4pm)
Non residential: £105
Residential (3 places): £225
You know that spring is on its way when Madrigals Weekend is just around the corner. This year’s selection of English madrigals (selected from the Oxford Book of English Madrigals) will keep singers on their toes with attention to detail, intonation and ensemble singing. Expect equal measure of fun and hard work in rehearsal with Helen and Alex, joyous ensemble singing and an uplifting public showcase at the end. A lovely weekend in the beautiful Old Chapel venue (Calstock Arts) with views of the river and the inevitable Calstock sunshine.
Exploring Your Voice
Discover your vocal potential through different genres of music, helping less confident singers gain understanding of the exactly how the voice works.
Gresham House Studios, June 15th-17th
Monday to Wednesday
Non residential: £225
Residential (3 places in house: £390, studio apartment: £435)
(Residential guest arriving Sunday evening)
This singing course will help participants realise their vocal potential through the exploration of a variety of genres. Each singer will prepare one song in advance in any style – classical song (English or foreign language), musical theatre, jazz, folk, pop – every song style is welcomed. Singing in a variety of vocal styles during the course will enhance your understanding of how your voice works and will help to build confidence in your singing abilities. Participants need not necessarily be experienced in solo singing and might not want ultimately to sing as soloists or might be experienced in one style and interested in exploring others to learn more about the potential of your own voice.
How To Improve Your Singing
Intense tuition for choir singers and choir leaders which will enhance both your enjoyment of choir and your vocal abilities.
Gresham House Studios, June 29th – July 1st
(Monday lunchtime until Wednesday)
Non residential: £185
Residential (3 places in house: £305, studio apartment: £335)
If you sing in, or lead, a choir, you may benefit from an intense weekend of vocal tuition. By improving aspects of your singing, and your understanding of the voice, you will enormously enhance your enjoyment of singing in, or leading, a choir. This course is designed to help participants understand what aspects of their singing can be improved upon, (a small adjustment can make a very big difference) and how to strengthen and maintain vocal health. The training during these two days will also show you how to practice to continue to develop your singing. There will be the opportunity for solo singing, but it is not obligatory.
Creative writing: Songs & Stories, with Peter Ursem and Helen Porter
A weekend to delve into the magic of story telling through song or just on paper.
Gresham House Studios, July 3rd – July 5th
(Fiday lunch time until Sunday)
Non residential: £185
Residential (3 places in house: £305, studio apartment: £335)
Whether you are a complete beginner who has an itch to write, or an experienced writer or song-writer who needs time and space to work, our creative writing weekend will help to facilitate your writing ambition. As well as practical exercises for creative thinking, drawing out ideas and getting started, you will have time and space to work alone. Guidance in all aspects of writing, whether prose, poetry or lyrics, will be given by Helen and/or Peter. There will be opportunities to share work and try out ideas in a positive, creative and nurturing environment.
Vocal Technique and Close Harmony Singing
All aspects of vocal technique, working with ‘miniature’ close harmony songs written by Helen especially. For singers who are able to hold a harmony line with confidence.
Gresham House Studios, July 24th – July 26th
(Friday lunch time until Sunday)
Non residential: £185
Residential (3 places in house: £305, studio apartment: £335)
This course will include all aspects of vocal technique, and is for relatively experienced singers who can confidently hold a harmony line. As well as incorporating vocal technique required for good close harmony singing, we will also be working on blend, balance and how to make meaningful musical connection with other singers in the group. Participants must be reasonably confident and have experience of singing in harmony. We will mainly be working on miniature songs composed especially for the weekend by Helen.
Jazz Residential & Diva’s night, with Helen Porter & Jonathan Taylor (tbc)
Immerse yourself in the wonderful world of jazz singing. Each solo singer will perform three jazz standards with our instrumentalists during ‘Diva’s Night’.
Gresham House Studios, August 4th – 7th
(Tuesday til Friday)
Non residential: £460
Residential (3 places): £640
It’s been a while since our last full-scale jazz residential, but we’re thrilled to be reviving this wonderful course. Superb pianist Jonathan Taylor (tbc) teams up with Helen to mentor eight jazz singers and lead them towards a solo performance. We aim to wow an audience on Friday with ‘Diva’s Night’, where each participant sings three jazz standards of their choice, accompanied by Jon and guest double bass player. An absolute must if you are looking to develop your jazz singing and have the opportunity to hone your performance skills.
Bookmaking & Lino Printing with Peter Ursem
Explore the magic of lino printing and create your own hand made book with original prints.
Gresham House Studios, September 1st – 3rd
(Tuesday til Thursday)
Non residential: £225
Residential (3 places): £390
One of the beautiful possibilities of lino printing is bringing words and images together in a small hand made book. In this three day workshop we will do both. Peter will guide you to create two unique new lino cuts. Participants will print these in a small edition, to be shared between us, before we put them together in a highly original binding for each of us to take home.
Any questions?
Get in touch via our contacts page.