Testimonials

An eminent singing teacher

Pius Hume is an eminent singing teacher who I’ve had the pleasure to work with over the years at both The Sheffield Voice Clinic and private referrals. His teaching abilities are renowned.

My whole livelihood was in balance

‘In every lifetime perhaps only once you encounter a watershed moment, a chance meeting that alters your whole life’s direction.

The diagnosis given to me by a ENT Specialist of my vocal complaint known as Reinkes Oedema, (essentially badly swollen Vocal cords) placed my whole career & ultimately my livlihood in the balance. A mutual friend recommended visiting Pius Hume who single-handedly repaired my complaint allowing me to a) never cancel a performance ever again & b) to improve my vocal technique, tone & range beyond all recognition.

Pius knows the mechanics of the voice from inside out & I am relieved to say that my career was saved by him. My voice and singing was honed & improved by him and most importantly my future career was secured by his expert work’

Further Professional Success after rediscovering my voice

As an actor with a musical background but one who had done little singing for many years I first went to see Pius because I felt the need to get my singing voice working again. As a result of the nature of my work I could not commit to regular lessons but Pius was completely understanding and has been happy to fit in lessons around my unpredictable timetable. I really can not speak highly enough of my time working with Pius. It has been a process in which I have gradually come to feel so much more in touch with my own voice. I’m delighted to be able to say that I now have a renewed confidence when asked to sing and have been told by others how much stronger my voice is with a far greater range, I have also taken on more work as a musical director in the theatre and found my experience with Pius has helped enormously when working with other actors. I never anticipated quite how rewarding singing lessons would be!

Personable, Encouraging and Supportive

‘I was 40 when I began having singing lessons with Pius, having never had any prior training, and have been having weekly lessons now for over 12 years. I have always found Pius to be a very personable, encouraging and supportive teacher and I continue to be astounded by the development of my vocal capacity and his ability to tune in to me and the depths of my voice.

Whilst learning to sing (and getting the most from it), requires a commitment to practice regularly, I have found the experience to be highly rewarding and have far exceeded the ambitions I had when initially starting lessons.

With ongoing support from Pius over the years I have gone on to sing as a principal and concert soloist with a number of Societies around Sheffield. I now perform a repertoire that extends through Music Hall, Gilbert & Sullivan, Oratorio and Grand Opera. Working with Pius has also been great fun, and I would not hesitate to recommend him if you are thinking of having singing lessons or are having difficulties with your voice.’

I highly recommend Pius

‘I have been having singing lessons with Pius for almost four years now. I sing (soprano) with two choirs, one of which requires regular re-auditions to retain membership. Around five years ago I started to notice that I was losing my technical singing ability.

I would frequently be hoarse after rehearsals and sometimes unable to sing in a concert due to hoarseness following the rehearsal immediately before the concert. When our conductor announced our next piece was to be Beethoven’s Ninth, I was concerned that that the sustained high Soprano part would be beyond me and I looked for singing teachers who could help me to prepare for this piece. It was actually difficult to find a teacher who would agree to this specific task. Pius stated in his advertising that voice problems were his speciality and much to my relief agreed to take me on for a series of six lessons.

This course of six lessons was extremely helpful and though initially I had just been focused on a ‘quick fix’ I realised that I had much more to gain from regular one-to-one feedback on my singing. After four years of regular half hour lessons I am now singing better than I ever have done before.

At my last audition the choir master commented that my sound quality and volume was much improved. My upper range has increased so that I can comfortably sing top B flat (not bad for a second soprano). Obviously singing is my hobby and I have to fit lessons and practice around my day job. Pius is very flexible with lessons times. I have a general regular weekly slot but can vary this quite easily with sufficient notice. I highly recommend Pius as a teacher and ‘voice problem’ solver.’

Absolutely vital to my career

Solid vocal technique is the essential foundation for any type of vocal production and Pius’ understanding of the human voice, his unique approach to technique and his holistic teaching for the psychology of the performer has been absolutely vital in my career

Confidence to succeed in auditions

‘Before starting lessons with Pius my voice was untrained, I struggled to reach higher notes and had very limited capabilities when singing. Pius introduced me to series of techniques and exercises that really opened my range and developed me as a singer, as well as training me so that I was capable of singing a wide range of musical styles.

It was Pius’ lessons that gave the confidence to succeed in my auditions, which have now gained me a place at Rose Bruford College, one of the top drama schools in London.’

Professional and Focused

‘I’d had a few singing lessons in the past which had knocked my confidence. I wanted to try again, and a few people recommended Pius as being a ‘proper singing teacher’. At the first lesson I discovered that Pius is very professional and focused, and that he has a gift for explaining technical aspects of singing in a way that are really easy to understand.

Pius has the rare ability to give you feedback which stretches you, whilst never making you feel criticised. The lessons have been a revelation – I didn’t expect them to be so much fun.’

Very happy to recommend Pius

‘I have been taking singing lessons from Pius Hume for many years and I have been impressed by his understanding of the human voice and of the individual needs of his pupils.

In addition to the usual vocal exercises and general “voice maintenance” Pius has been really helpful in selection of suitable pieces and the coaching in actual performance and presentation aspects of singing. I would be (and have been) very happy to recommend Pius as a teacher of singing.’

Patient and Encouraging

‘I have been studying with Pius for almost six years. During this time he has been working to improve my vocal technique and breathing and this has enabled me to sing solo with much greater confidence.

He is always patient and encouraging and has provided me with the opportunity to sing a variety of music to suit both my temperament and vocal ability at the time. Lessons are always enjoyable, even if exhausting! Thank you Pius.’

Every aspect of my voice improved

‘I had been singing in choirs for a number of years before I decided to have lessons. Once I started working with Pius every aspect of my voice improved. With his help I am still improving my technique and I am sure this will lenghten the time I will be able to go on singing with my choir. Lessons with Pius also great fun!’

Dedicated Professional

‘I have had the pleasure of being trained in Classical singing skills by Pius for the last two plus years. In this time I have studied up to Grade Three Trinity Guildhall London examinations and am currently working towards my Grade Four examination in March 2012. Pius is a dedicated professional singing tutor who coaches his pupils with genuine skill and encouragement.

Any criticism is always positively expressed and each lesson is the highlight of my working week. Pius puts his pupils at their ease in order for them to fully concerntrate on reaching their true potential with their voices. I would highly recommend any student to Pius Hume without reservation.’

Being a family man…he really understands children

‘When my daughter first joimed Pius 4 years ago, I thought she could really sing, but 4 years hense the techniques that Pius has taught her have really developed her singing skills. Her confidence has grown, and the support and encouragement that Pius gives her is truly amazing. Being a family man himself I just think he really understands children of all ages. Glad my daughter is with Pius, highly recommended.’

With the right teacher you can achieve your dream

‘Having come to Pius with absolutely no natural singing talent what so ever and no ear for music I am now an established Solo Singer and have been for some years now which proves that if you put the time in with the right teacher you can achieve your dream. Thank you Pius, X Factor here I come!!’

A Major highlight of our daughter’s week

‘When we were looking for a singing teacher for our daughter, the musical friends we asked all suggested Pius Hume straight away. Over the subsequent eight years that Pius has been teaching her, we have found out why he comes so highly recommended. Pius cares passionately about the need to nurture and develop vocal talent carefully and sensitively. He has built our daughter’s confidence over a range of musical styles, picking up on her preferences, working with them, and pacing her progress so that she sings in a way that’s appropriate to her physical development. Pius is easy going and popular with adults and children. He has a friendly, open teaching style, which enthuses and engages his pupils. For our daughter, a singing lesson with Pius is a major highlight of her week.’

Relaxed and Enjoyable

‘I have been having weekly singing lessons with Pius Hume for three years and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

I have found the level of teaching quality to be consistent with Pius’s professional background and qualifications. Although the focus during the lesson is on serious endeavors, the work is relaxed and enjoyable. The only criticisms I receive are constructive. Even though I am not a naturally talented singer, I have never experienced judgemental comments from Pius, only encouragement.

Most important is the fact that my singing has improved substantially’

I couldn’t recommend Pius enough

‘My son has been attending a weekly music lesson with Pius for nine months and I am amazed at how much he has progressed. Not only has his singing ability improved, his confidence has too and he was recently invited to sing solo in a Sheffield School’s Music Festival. It takes someone extremely patient, dedicated, nurturing, caring, supportive and fun to work with children and Pius displays all of these qualities. My son looks forward to his weekly lesson with Pius and views him not only as a teacher but also as a friend and someone he looks up to. If you are looking for a gifted singer and teacher who works well with children, I couldn’t recommend Pius enough!’

Remarkable Changes

‘I left hospital on 29/10/10 after 8 months, having suffered a severe brainstem stroke with locked in syndrome at just 39 years of age. At one stage, I was not expected to ever talk or swallow or eat or walk again, let alone sing! Thankfully, I do them all now.

My friend and fellow singer who is also a Pius student, Anita, introduced me to him late in October 2010. He was tasked to specifically work on my diaphragm function and octave range. Would you believe that I could only ‘sing’ 3 notes at first! Not only did Pius increase my Octave range, but amazingly I now talk almost as I used to before my stroke. (The rate at which I now talk now, is not always appreciated!!!) He recorded my voice each week and gave me a lesson CD, which shows the remarkable changes to my in pitch, range and tone.

My daughter India, is now having singing lessons because she has her sights set on a career in performing arts. I feel she is not only in extremely safe hands but I’m also so very lucky to have been recommended him through Anita in 2010. Thank you both!’

Professional knowledge and extensive experience

‘As a working actor with an untrained singing voice, I decided to have lessons to improve my confidence at auditions where singing forms a small part of an acting role. Pius has definitely helped me to achieve this: for example, I was cast in a role in ‘The Wizard of Oz’ at the Wales Millenium Centre which previously I would never even have auditioned for. His in – depth professional knowledge and extensive experience enable him diagnose and address problems which are preventing voices from achieving their full potential. I also found his experience as a director invaluable in giving advice about choice and interpretation of material. His teaching style is focused but friendly, and I have thoroughly enjoyed our lessons while developing my confidence and technical ability. I would recommend Pius without hesitation to anyone looking for a singing teacher.’

Got my voice back after surgery

‘I have always enjoyed singing and being a member of the Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus but after two throat operations I thought that my singing career was over as I lost the top octave from my singing range. This meant that even as a second alto I was unable to reach all the notes in the choir’s repertoire. However, I discovered Pius who has been excellent in helping me to regain my voice: I now have half of my range back, passed my most recent audition with flying colours and am looking forward to many more years of taking part in the great choral repertoire.’

Able to answer every question

‘I’ve sung in choirs since I was a child and had always been able to get by on musical competence rather than by being able to sing well. I’d had some singing lessons over the years with various singers and had picked up a lot of things. However there was no connection between all the things I’d learned, and on their own they weren’t much use. Pius was able to to immediately identify the core problem (I wasn’t placing the voice correctly) and help me fix it. Once we’d done this, all the things I’d picked up over the years started to fit into place. He’s been able to answer every question and address every problem I’ve brought to him and has always been able to tell me what the next stage is. Furthermore, he’s completely unfazed if you turn up with a small child and produces boxes of toys to keep them amused. I happily recommend him to anyone looking for a singing teacher.’

Renewed confidence, greater range

‘As an actor with a musical background but one who had done little singing for many years I first went to see Pius because I felt the need to get my singing voice working again. As a result of the nature of my work I could not commit to regular lessons but Pius was completely understanding and has been happy to fit in lessons around my unpredictable timetable. I really can not speak highly enough of my time working with Pius. It has been a process in which I have gradually come to feel so much more in touch with my own voice. I’m delighted to be able to say that I now have a renewed confidence when asked to sing and have been told by others how much stronger my voice is with a far greater range, I have also taken on more work as a musical director in the theatre and found my experience with Pius has helped enormously when working with other actors. I never anticipated quite how rewarding singing lessons would be!’

Pius has been excellent

‘I have always enjoyed singing and being a member of the Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus but after two throat operations I thought that my singing career was over as I lost the top octave from my singing range. This meant that even as a second alto I was unable to reach all the notes in the choir’s repertoire. However, I discovered Pius who has been excellent in helping me to regain my voice: I now have half of my range back, passed my most recent audition with flying colours and am looking forward to many more years of taking part in the great choral repertoire.’