Carrie Simone Birmingham - Director & Advanced Vocal Teacher
About Carrie
Carrie Simone Birmingham founded Pro Vox in 2013, alongside training and developing a range of up-coming singing teachers from the Merseyside area. Carrie is a hearing-impaired singer/songwriter and vocal specialist from Preston, Lancashire. She moved to Liverpool in 2005 to further her training in her passions for music and performing arts.
The Early Years
Carrie's journey in performing arts began with dance, studying Ballet and Modern from the age of 3 to 17. She earned dance qualifications and awards from BBO, ISTD, and RAD, gaining valuable performance experience across the North West. Her musical journey started at age 7 with her first keyboard, recorder and eventually flute, sparking a lifelong love for music.
Secondary School and College
Carrie attended Fulwood High School & Arts College in Preston, where she trained professionally in Flute and Alto Saxophone, taking graded exams with ABRSM. She was a member of the Lancashire Music Centre Woodwind Orchestra and Jazz Band. During her secondary school years, Carrie developed a strong interest in acting taking numerous lead roles in school musical productions, where she discovered her natural singing ability. She also began writing songs and learning guitar, performing with rock bands from age 14.
After secondary school, Carrie joined Imagine Productions, performing in musicals like "Annie" at the Charter Theatre in Preston. She studied AVCE Performing Arts and A-Level Music Technology at Cardinal Newman College, further honing her skills in voice, songwriting, piano, and guitar.
Higher Education
In 2005, Carrie moved to Liverpool on a gap year taking part in numerous arts events most notably with NOISE youth project on Hanover Street. After a gap year further exploring her musical and arts interests and future career pathways, she began studying for a Ba(Hons) in Popular Music & Drama and Theatre Studies at Liverpool Hope University. She actively engaged in songwriting and performances as part of her University course, enhancing her skills as a singer/songwriter.
Early Teaching Years
After University, Carrie's passion for singing led her to train as a vocal teacher. She trained with VoiceAbility Ltd., under the guidance of LIPA graduate Mr Andrew Stephenson. Training saw her earn Graduate Singing Teacher status in 2009 after several months of teaching part-time. She received her teaching diploma from the London College of Music in 2010 and has since guided around 180 students through Popular Vocals and Musical Theatre examinations with a 100% pass rate - Over 90% at Distinction. During her almost 5years with VocAbility, Carrie expanded her teaching experience, taking on various managerial and office roles and earning Intermediate Singing Teacher status in 2011.
Founding Pro Vox
In 2013, with the closure of VoiceAbility announced, Carrie launched Pro Vox Vocal Training to provide professional vocal training for all ages within Contemporary Commercial Music genres. In 2015, Pro Vox was nominated for 'Best New Comer' and 'Young Entrepreneur' at the Women in Business Awards in Liverpool.
Gaining Knowledge and Experience
Alongside teaching, Carrie performed with acoustic rock trio Tres and alternative rock band Figures, gaining exposure and accolades. Figures released music and gigged regularly between 2015-2020 and have had radio airplay as well as being highlighted as one of BBC Introducing Lancashire's 'Bands to Watch' in 2018. She completed her Masters in Vocal Pedagogy in 2019 and began PhD studies at the School of Music, University of Leeds in 2020. Carrie is an endorsed teacher of Voice Study Centre and holds certifications in Teaching Young Voices and Advanced Vocal Anatomy alongside Vocal Health First Aid.
She serves as a council member for the Association of Teachers of Singing (AOTOS) initially as the North Area Rep 2017-2023, Conference Director since February 2023 and has now been voted as Chair-Elect in July 2024 to which she will stand as Chair 2026-2028.
Carrie's 16 years of teaching has seen her teach 1to1 and small group singing classes in primary, secondary and sixth form settings as part of Knowsley Music and Performing Arts Service, St Helen's Music Service and PPA Ltd. between 2014-2019.
In 2017 Carrie took her first time into higher education teaching, initially training 3rd year undergraduate in contemporary vocals at Edge Hill University on their Musical Theatre degree course, then joining the Leeds Conservatoire between 2018-2023 at a Senior Popular Vocals Lecturer working with undergraduate and postgraduate vocalists studying contemporary genres.
Recent Years
Carrie's research in voice science has been presented at prestigious conferences, including the UK's Voice Geek Conference and the Pan American Vocology Association. She has volunteered at the Royal Liverpool Broadgreen Hospital voice clinic and holds an honorary contract with the NHS as a Vocal Rehabilitation Coach.
In 2020, Carrie began PhD research on 'Singers perceptions of vocal output when singing performing with earplugs' at the University of Leeds, expected to complete by 2027.
In September 2023 Carrie was proud to join the Arden Theatre School, Manchester were she is a singing lecturer to undergraduate performers on Ba(Hons) Vocal Studies and Performance and Musical Theatre.
Carrie continues to inspire and lead at Pro Vox, nurturing the next generation of vocal talent with her vast experience and dedication to vocal excellence.
Interested in lessons?
Bookings are available Mondays to Wednesdays and Saturdays with Carrie. Or book a Consultation with Carrie to find out more about how we can help and which teacher would most suit your needs.
Go ahead and Contact Us / email: carrie@pro-vox.net
