Before words,
there was song.

Originally from Scotland and based in Ballymena, County Antrim, since 1997, Sylvia Burnside is a professional singer, specialist singing teacher and vocal coach. She has been privileged to contribute as a soloist to the work of New Irish Arts, a Christian arts charity, through appearances with the New Irish Choir and Orchestra on BBC radio, television and Songs of Praise, as well as in concert venues across Ireland.

Sylvia completed her Graduate Diploma at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama—now the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland—receiving the Diploma of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (Teacher) in Voice: DRSAMD. She later completed a Master of Music at Ulster University, graduating with Distinction. Her final major project was an extensive practice-based exploration of singing pedagogy and the many processes involved in learning to sing. In 2005, she was awarded Fellowship of the Royal Schools of Music (FRSM) in Singing Teaching. She is also a Fellow of the Independent Society of Musicians (FISM). Over the course of her career, she has worked with hundreds of singers and voice users, combining considerable experience with an approach that remains thoughtful, encouraging and distinctly individual.

At the heart of Sylvia’s work is what she calls “core communication”: the meeting place of vocal technique, musicianship, expression and human connection. Whether teaching a developing singer, coaching an experienced performer or supporting a group, she aims to help people understand their voice, care for it well and communicate with greater freedom and confidence.