UPCOMING WORKSHOPS – full info below
2025
17th July VOCAL JAZZ ZOOM MASTERCLASS
19th July SCATLAB + VOCAL JAZZ ZOOM MASTERCLASS
23rd July VOCAL JAZZ ZOOM MASTERCLASS
26th July SCATLAB + VOCAL JAZZ ZOOM MASTERCLASS
30th July VOCAL JAZZ ZOOM MASTERCLASS
31st July VOCAL JAZZ ZOOM MASTERCLASS
Sat 2nd Aug SCATLAB + VOCAL JAZZ ZOOM MASTERCLASS
Tues 5th Aug VOCAL JAZZ ZOOM MASTERCLASS
9 – 16th and 17 to 24th August THE INTERNATIONAL JAZZ SUMMER SCHOOL 2025 near Oswestry, Shropshire (IN PERSON)
11/12th Oct UP CLOSE & PERSONAL VOCAL WORKSHOP
30 Oct – 2 Nov MADE-TO-MEASURE VOCAL INTENSIVE in Seahouses, Northumberland – 1 space now available (IN PERSON)
6 – 9th Nov MADE-TO-MEASURE VOCAL INTENSIVE in Seahouses, Northumberland – FULLY BOOKED
29/30th Oct UP CLOSE & PERSONAL VOCAL WORKSHOP
2026
19th to 22nd Feb MADE-TO-MEASURE VOCAL INTENSIVE in Seahouses, Northumberland (IN PERSON)
26th Feb to 1st Mar MADE-TO-MEASURE VOCAL INTENSIVE in Seahouses, Northumberland (IN PERSON)
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TERMS OF PAYMENT for all the Vocal Jazz Workshops listed below
The deposit is non-refundable.
The balance of fee for cancellations within 14 days of the workshop start date will be non-refundable unless a replacement student can be found.
Instalment payments are non-refundable.
In case of the workshop having to be cancelled by us any deposit and balance of fee paid will be reimbursed.
ZOOM WORKSHOPS
VOCAL JAZZ ZOOM MASTERCLASSES
Come and join me online to explore some of the amazing jazz standards. Ahead of each Vocal Jazz Zoom Masterclass I will send you a lead sheet for the featured song plus a recording of me singing the written melody so you can learn the song aurally and/or visually before the masterclass. We will then explore the techniques involved in singing the song, the harmony for any exploration of improvisation you might want to do and analyse what the songwriter has given us singers to use in our interpretation of the song. Each of you will have opportunities to share your individual singing during the masterclass.
£25 per masterclass with a maximum of 3 participants
Please book the relevant time slot/s for your chosen masterclass/es here
Thurs 17th July:
6.45pm – 7.45pm ANGEL EYES by Matt Dennis and Earl Brent
Sat 19th July:
3.15 – 4.15pm ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe
Wed 23rd July:
6.45pm – 7.45pm DINDI by Antonio Carlos Jobim
Sat 26th July:
3.15 – 4.15pm ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields
Wed 30th July:
6.45pm – 7.45pm RIO DE JANEIRO BLUE by John Haeny and Richard Torrance
Thurs 31st July:
6.45pm – 7.45pm SECRET LOVE by Sammy Fain and Paul Francis Webster
Sat 2nd August:
3.15 – 4.15pm THE NEARNESS OF YOU by Hoagy Carmichael and Ned Washington
Tues 5th August:
6.45pm – 7.45pm ONE NOTE SAMBA by Antonio Carlos Jobim
£25 per masterclass with a maximum of 3 participants
Please book the relevant time slot/s for your chosen masterclass/es here – you will automatically be sent a zoom link for your chosen masterclass/es and I will send you the lead sheet, recording of the written melody and payment details in the run up to the masterclass.
If your chosen date and time of masterclass is not available I am afraid it means that it is now fully booked but please do let me know and I will book the same song masterclass in for another date.
If I end up with only 1 booking for a masterclass I will offer a 30 minute individual session on the song if you still want to go ahead or refund your payment 🙂
Don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions.
SCATLABS
Learn how to scat at my new SCATLABS.
Once you have booked in for the scatlab I will send you a recording of me singing the chord changes and scales associated with the chord changes of the particular jazz standard we are working with, so that you can learn the harmonic structure of the song by ear. I will also send you a lead sheet.
During the scatlab, everyone will remain on mute, so noone will hear your individual scat explorations, but I will be playing and singing – encouraging you to scat – and I will discuss the song, its harmony, scat sounds etc so it will give you a good opportunity to experiment with your scatting and improvising whilst being guided by me and without feeling that you are being listened to.
I will be running a ZOOM MASTERCLASS of the songs and chord sequences that we work on in the following week which might be of interest for you to sign up for so that you can try out some of your scatting in that group setting.
£15 per SCATLAB
Please book the relevant time slot/s for your chosen masterclass/es here
Sat 19th July:
2pm – 3pm RIO DE JANEIRO BLUE SCATLAB
(asscociated zoom masterclass is on 30th July)
Sat 26th July:
2pm – 3pm SECRET LOVE SCATLAB
(asscociated zoom masterclass is on 31st July)
Sat 2nd August:
2pm – 3pm ONE NOTE SAMBA SCATLAB
(asscociated zoom masterclass is on 5th August)
£15 per SCATLAB
Please book the relevant time slot/s for your chosen masterclass/es here – you will automatically be sent a zoom link for your chosen SCATLAB/S and I will send you the lead sheet, recording of me singing the associated chords and scales for learning the songs harmony by ear, and payment details in the run up to the masterclass.
If your chosen date and time of associated zoom masterclass is not available I am afraid it means that it is now fully booked but please do let me know and I will book the same song masterclass in for another date.
If I end up with less than 3 bookings for a scatlab I will refund your payment 🙂
Don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions.
DAYS @ 32
Songwriting, Breadmaking and Sound Walk/Creative Writing Days
INCLUDING
SUMMER SONGWRITING DAY
21st July – SOLD OUT
28th July
4th August
Spend a day with Sophie Bancroft in Pathhead, Midlothian developing a song idea and working on your songwriting technique (in a one-to-one session or book as a group of 2 or 3 participants).
The session includes writing exercises, working on lyrics, melody and chords, a demo recording of your resulting song idea plus a notated song chart
and is approximately 5 hours long, 11.00am – 4.00pm, including a mid-session break for homemade vegetarian soup and bread.
£250 for 1 person
£175 each for a group of 2 people
£150 each for a group of 3 people
A non-refundable deposit of £50 will be required to secure booking with the balance paid in full 7 days before the workshop. If you need to cancel and have a replacement, you can transfer the deposit to the next person.
AND
SOUND WALK & CREATIVE WRITING DAY
20th July
3rd August
Join Tom and Sophie for a day of sound walks and creative writing in the beautiful surrounds of Pathhead, Midlothian and their cosy cottage. Sound designer Tom will guide you through the woods and fields walking on the recently-built local path network, (all easy walking terrain,) bringing your attention to the myriad of sounds that fill the air. On return to the cottage Sophie will invite you to explore your imagination and freshly stirred senses through creative writing exercises and time and space to develop ideas, whether prose, poetry, memoir, song lyric – wherever your imagination and senses carry you. There will be opportunities to share your writing and receive constructive feedback and creative writing guidance if wanted.
Join Tom and Sophie for a day of sound walks and creative writing in the beautiful surrounds of Pathhead, Midlothian and their cosy cottage. Sound designer Tom will guide you through the woods and fields walking on the recently-built local path network, (all easy walking terrain,) bringing your attention to the myriad of sounds that fill the air. On return to the cottage Sophie will invite you to explore your imagination and freshly stirred senses through creative writing exercises and time and space to develop ideas, whether prose, poetry, memoir, song lyric – wherever your imagination and senses carry you. There will be opportunities to share your writing and receive constructive feedback and creative writing guidance if wanted.
The day is approximately 5 hours long, 11.00am – 4.00pm, including a mid-session break for homemade vegetarian soup and bread.
SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFER OF £65 per person (normally £85)
Workshops take place in Pathhead, Midlothian
To book or for further info please contact Sophie
A non-refundable deposit of £40 will be required to secure booking with the balance paid in full 7 days before the workshop. If you need to cancel and have a replacement, you can transfer the deposit to the next person.
The workshops will take place with a minimum of 3 attendees. Any less and the date will be rescheduled, or you can receive a full refund (including your deposit).
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL (ON RECORD) Vocal Workshops
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL (ON RECORD) Vocal Workshops
Sat 11th Oct / Sun 12th Oct 2025
Sat 29th Nov / Sun 30th Nov 2025
Treat yourself to this fun, intimate and intensive workshop with a huge amount of individual focus as well as group work (4 workshop participants max) @ Sophie and Tom’s house in Pathhead, Midlothian – 25 mins from Edinburgh city centre. B+Bs nearby if needed.
Input on technique, repertoire, phrasing, improvisation, working with musicians, intros + endings, confidence, performance skills, rehearsing + performance preparation, microphone technique, music theory + much more PLUS a recording of a 1 or 2 song demo.
£425 per weekend workshop, 10.30am – 4.30pm Saturday and Sunday. Please bring your own lunches.
Email Sophie to book – a non-refundable deposit of £200 will be required to secure booking. Monthly payment plan is possible too.
MADE 2 MEASURE VOCAL INTENSIVES
MADE-TO-MEASURE VOCAL INTENSIVES in Seahouses, Northumberland
Thurs 30th Oct (evening) to Sun 2nd Nov 2025 1 SPACE AVAILABLE
Thurs 6th (evening) to Sun 9th Nov 2025 FULL
Thurs 19th (evening) to Sun 22nd Feb 2026
Thurs 26th Feb (evening) to 1st Mar 2026
With tutors Liane Carroll, Sara Colman and Sophie Bancroft in a wonderful seaside location in Northumberland. 6 students participate in 3 days of intensive study in the beautiful surroundings of the Northumberland coastline by Seahouses and Bamburgh. In your time off there are fantastic beaches to walk, castles to explore and the fresh sea air to breathe. Workshop starts 7pm on Thurs evening and finishes around 6.30pm on Sunday evening.
Workshop Fee £765:includes all tuition, welcome drinks and nibbles on Thursday evening, tea and coffee each day, dinner on Saturday evening and lunches on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. BYOB for jam sessions on Saturday evening. A monthly payment plan is possible if of use.
Each day an individual student’s MADE-TO-MEASURE VOCAL INTENSIVE timetable will include:
• 30 mins technical warm up
• 2 x 60 mins masterclass with 2 students
• group session with 1 tutor
• individual lesson with 1 tutor
• jam session – Thursday and Saturday evening
There are numerous hotels, bed and breakfasts and self-catering accommodation close to the workshop venue as well as plenty of good cafes and restaurants plus a COOP supermarket that is open until 10pm each evening (4.30pm on Sunday). Workshop participants who would like to share an Air BnB can be put in contact with each other if of interest. Closest mainline station is Berwick-upon-Tweed Train Station. We can pick you up / drop you off from Berwick-upon-Tweed Train Station, coordinating with other students arriving by train @ £25 each way or less if other students sharing the lift.
FEEDBACK FROM RECENT MADE-TO-MEASURE VOCAL INTENSIVE PARTICIPANTS
“What a great weekend! A hugely rewarding experience, with lots of advice about improving your technique, learning new skills and building confidence. Everyone is so supportive which enables you to try new things in a safe environment. Great tutors, each with their own unique take on songs. Would highly recommend.”
“A challenging, scary but hugely rewarding experience with three great inspirational tutors who all give a different flavour to their craft. I found it very helpful in restoring some lost confidence and lovely to see so many smiley faces.”
“I’ll confess , I’m addicted to the Sophie/Sara/Lianne workshops! For me – they’re complete escapism into a very happy , stimulating, musical world – like a children’s Disney film , but without any ‘Baddies’!
The 3 tutors are excellent, welcoming , and all compliment the learning process , each offering a slightly different aspect to improving the delivery of the song. But for me , most importantly, they’re all great fun and refuel my enthusiasm for so much more than just singing jazz. They’re a remarkable trio !
I’ve met fantastic fellow students on these courses , people I otherwise would never have met, and I now consider them as friends. The students are always mutually supportive, at whatever level of singing skill , and we all have learnt from each other, particularly when in the 2 student masterclasses.
Seahouses itself is ideal , easy to get to with good types of accommodation available. My tip would be …bring a bike if you can…enormously useful.
If you have any vague interest in developing your singing…then these workshops are well worth giving a go. I absolutely love them and I’ll keep turning up for them as long as is possible. …what stronger recommendation can I give?”
THE INTERNATIONAL JAZZ SUMMER SCHOOL 2025
With vocal tutors LIANE CARROLL and SOPHIE BANCROFT
Week 1: Saturday 9th (evening) – Saturday 16th Aug (depart after breakfast)
Week 2: Sunday 17th (evening) – Sunday 24th Aug (depart after breakfast)
Please visit here for information
NB please see the IJSS website for their terms of payment – this summer school is run by a different organisation to the Vocal Jazz Workshops listed above.
Any questions about any of the workshops, please do contact me
STUDENT TESTIMONIALS FROM THE VOCAL JAZZ WORKSHOPS
Huge thanks to you all for another brilliant weekend. What a team!!! I’ve never been to a health spa, but whatever their claims I can’t believe they come anywhere near the benefits of your workshops. The Heineken effect; you get to the parts that others don’t reach.
Thank you so much, it was a wonderful weekend and I learnt so much – surprisingly emotional too, it felt very cathartic.
I wanted to thank you for such a marvellous course. I got so much out of it and was able to have the confidence to go a little bit further with all the things I find challenging. I love singing so much and interpreting the great songs brings so much emotion as well as bringing you close to some great people. I have always felt hampered by my lack of confidence as a relative newcomer to jazz but I gain something from each course and the skill and manner of the teaching really helped me to be a bit more daring.
Thanks for the kind comments and for all your hard work and very valuable input from all three of you this weekend. I hope it will all help to close the gap between where I am with my singing and where I’d like to be.
Thank you for the weekend, which was inspiring. I have taken many good things away from it, and although it’s too early to say how it will all impact on my singing, or my teaching, one thing I feel absolutely sure of is that it will.
I have to say that for me personally, it was the most terrifying thing I think I have ever done – and I will treasure every second of it in my mind for ever because it has changed me for ever in a way that is extremely growthful and empowering.
Thanks again for a wonderful workshop, it was really inspirational and I cant wait to to start singing again
What great teachers!
I love and look forward to spending time with you all and consider myself hugely privileged to be a participant in your workshops. I learn so much and am keen to have opportunities to put it all into practice.
Thank you both so much for all the help and support you have given me as a singer and as another human being.
You are all such inspiring teachers…
