Toy Valentine
Toy studied Diploma vocals at The Brighton Institute of Modern Music after being awarded a Ronan Keating Scholarship. After graduating with a distinction, she completed a Higher Diploma in songwriting and then joined all girl pop-rock trio ‘The Faders’ as bassist/backing vocalist.
The Faders signed to major record label, Polydor, and released two top 30 hits including debut single ‘No Sleep Tonight’, which charted at 13. The band toured in South East Asia and also supported Kelly Clarkson on her tour of the UK and Ireland, playing live to around 100,000 people in two weeks in venues including The Hammersmith Apollo, The Dublin Point, Birmingham NEC and The Manchester MEN.
The Faders’ songs were used in TV shows including Grey’s Anatomy, Sugar Rush and Veronica Mars, adverts including the Cingular ROKR phone with iTunes (US) and the Vodafone ‘Stop The Clock campaign (UK) and films including ‘She’s The Man’, ‘Bratz The Movie’ and ‘The Sisterhood Of The Travelling Pants’. They also rerecorded two tracks in Simlish for top selling computer game, ‘The Sims 2: Nightlife’.
Toy has extensive live, studio and TV experience and has appeared on shows including Top Of The Pops, CD:UK, Popworld, The Disney Channel and also on American hit TV show, Veronica Mars.
Jordan Parish
Jordan started playing piano at an early age and quickly developed a passion for music, exploring a number of different genres including contemporary, jazz and classical music. At the age of 13, Jordan started composing her own music and began to record and develop her material shortly afterwards under the guidance of Robin and Richard Henderson.
As well as gigging in the local area, Jordan has also won various local competitions in the past few years, winning the under 18 duet class for the second year in 2010, and achieving the title of best open class choir for the third year in 2009, giving her the opportunity to perform in venues such St Paul’s- or “The Actor’s Church”- in Covent Garden.
Now completing her studies, Jordan has excelled both in her academic achievements as well as reaching Grade 7 level in piano and vocals. Jordan is currently working towards her Grade 8 vocal examination. She continues to perform in various events showcasing musical talent, was selected to play at the Mayor’s Civic Ceremony and more recently has her original material played on Eagle Radio.
Holly Watts
Holly has been singing for 15 years and has played with bands and other artists throughout this time. She is currently in her last year of studying for a vocal degree in popular music performance at The Academy of Contemporary Music. After receiving a distinction in her grade 8 vocal exam and being awarded vocalist of the year at her local music school, Holly then went on to complete a Higher Diploma at the ACM.
She recently received training in London from the prestigious vocal tutor Line Hilton (previous head of vocals at the ACM) in vocal teaching methods and was trained to provide teaching that allows for optimum results for vocal health and performance, matched with a course of treatment from the UK’s leading vocal health professionals. Holly would love to provide lessons to students based on individual needs in regards to both technique and vocal abilities.
Natasha Raffle
Following singing at Stagecoach, Natasha joined the Rock Band course and her powerful vocals quickly attracted the attention of tutors.
After a number of fantastic performances at the end of term showcases, Natasha joined Realistic Rock coached band, Hidden Fires, gaining valuable experience songwriting and honing her live performance skills.
Natasha began teaching on the Rock Band course as a vocal tutor and expanded her experience by teaching on the We Will Rock Live workshop, proving an immediate hit with students and staff alike.
Her recent performance credits include fronting the Realistic Rock tutor band at Epsom Playhouse, Bar XLR and Bourne Hall as well as performances with her band, Hidden Fires.