Singing Workshops in Paris This Summer - 2026 Edition
- Kayla Collingwood
- Mar 10
- 9 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Intimate vocal workshops in Musical Theatre, Classical Voice, Contemporary, and somatic voice work - for all levels, in the heart of Paris.
I'm opening the doors to a series of intimate singing and vocal workshops in Paris: small groups, multiple genres, and a range of formats to suit however much time you have. From beginner to advanced voice users, this is your opportunity to level up your singing in a focused, supportive space!
Who I am - and why I created these workshops
I'm Kayla Collingwood: a New Zealand-born contralto classical singer, music educator, and founder of Sound Garden: Classical Music Immersion, based in Paris, France.
My training is rooted in classical vocal tradition. I hold a Master of Music in Classical Voice from the University of Auckland and a Graduate Certificate in Theatre Studies from the University of Waikato. I made my professional singing debut in 2016, went on to perform as a soloist across Europe, and have spent years working in private contexts, schools, crèches, and hosting workshops related to singing and music. You can read more about my performance background on my biography page.
Classical technique is the at the foundation of everything I teach, but it is not the limit. A rigorous understanding of vocal anatomy and voice science means I can work with voices across genres: teaching healthy belting alongside bel canto, helping a jazz singer find brightness or warmth in their tone with the same anatomical understanding I bring to a classical recitalist. The genre changes. The body doesn't.
Beyond technique, what drives my work is a conviction that the human voice is not just a musical instrument. It is a vehicle for identity, healing, and connection.
My approach is holistic, person-centred, and trauma-informed. I draw on classical singing, stagecraft, theatre, somatic practice, and ongoing training in therapeutic principles to create spaces where musical growth and personal growth happen alongside each other. You don't have to leave any part of yourself at the door.
These summer workshops are an extension of that practice.
Paris singing workshops 2026: the four streams
All workshops run in intimate groups of 10 to 15 participants and are available in multiple formats. The three performance-focused streams include a balance of ensemble work and individual solo coaching. The fourth, Breath & Bloom, operates differently by design.
🎭 Musical Theatre Voice Workshop
For adults and teens · Beginner to professional
A great musical theatre singer needs to move fluidly between legit classical tone and the chest-dominant, speech-quality sounds of contemporary MT styles; between intimate storytelling and full belt; between the body of a singer and the presence of an actor. These are not separate skills. They are one integrated instrument, and developing them takes real technique.
That technique starts in the body. Grounded in classical vocal principles and informed by voice science, this stream teaches healthy belt, chest voice, mix, and head voice: not as separate modes to switch between, but as a continuous, responsive spectrum. We work on vocal technique, stylistic range across the breadth of the musical theatre repertoire, and the interpretive skills that make a performance land: song analysis, character, intention, and text.
Every format includes ensemble scene work, because musical theatre is a collective art, and dedicated solo coaching with a collaborative pianist, because your individual voice and repertoire deserve focused attention too.
Whether you're stepping onto a stage for the first time or bringing years of experience into the room, this stream meets you where you are and takes you further.
Good for: aspiring performers, drama school applicants, musical theatre lovers, professional singers expanding their stylistic range, and anyone who wants to understand what their voice is actually doing and why.
🎼 Classical Voice Workshop
For adults and teens · Beginner to professional
Classical voice is at the heart of my own practice as a performer. As a contralto, one of the rarest voice types in classical singing, I know firsthand how much it matters to be truly heard and understood as a singer, not slotted into a category that almost fits.
Vocal categorisation is an area of particular interest and great care in my teaching. Too many singers spend years working with repertoire that sits too high or too low, too light or too heavy for their voice, either because they were never properly assessed or because a teacher or institution needed them to fit a particular mould. My goal is not to put you in a box, especially if your voice has not yet fully matured. It is to help you understand the unique qualities and features of your voice, and to build a technique that serves that voice rather than a generic ideal.
That technique is grounded in classical tradition and informed by vocal anatomy and voice science. Repertoire can include vocalises (Sieber, Vaccai, Marchesi, and others), folk song, art song, arias, oratorio, and contemporary classical works, shaped around the level and goals of each cohort. How the voice works, how the breath functions, how the body shapes tone: these are not abstract concepts here. They are taught through clear, practical understanding of what is actually happening, and why.
My approach is also trauma-informed. If you are carrying difficult experiences from past training, you will find this space different. Whether you are a curious beginner, a singer returning after a hard time, or an advanced performer wanting to go deeper, you will be met with care, rigour, and genuine curiosity about your voice.
Good for: classical singers of all levels, singers who are unsure about or curious about their voice type, those preparing for auditions or recitals, adults returning to singing after a break, and curious beginners with no prior experience at all.
🎵 Contemporary Voice Workshop
For adults and teens · All levels welcome
Contemporary voice is a broad, living category, and this stream reflects that. Whether your sound lives in pop, soul, R&B, alternative, indie, folk, jazz, or somewhere harder to name, you are welcome here.
Contemporary singing makes real technical demands, and they are often underestimated. Developing a distinctive and sustainable personal sound, moving freely between different parts of your voice, singing with stylistic authenticity across genres, building the stamina that expressive performance requires: these skills deserve the same rigorous, anatomy-informed approach as any classical discipline. That is exactly what we bring to them here.
We work on contemporary vocal technique rooted in voice science: understanding how your voice functions and how to use it freely and safely, developing your own sound, and genre-specific style and expression. There is always space to bring your own songs or original material. Sessions can be piano-accompanied, self-accompanied, or backed by a track - whatever serves your voice and your repertoire best.
No prior formal training needed. Your musical instincts are already a foundation. We build on them.
Good for: singer-songwriters, pop and soul singers, indie and folk artists, jazz singers at any level, R&B vocalists, and anyone who has always sung and wants to understand what their voice is actually doing and how to use it better.
🌿 Breath & Bloom
For adults only · All levels · Trauma-informed somatic voice work
Breath & Bloom is a unique stream where performance is not the focus.
It is for people who want to reconnect with their voice: not to perform it, not to perfect it, but to come home to it. Perhaps you used to sing and something got in the way. Perhaps you've always been told you can't. Perhaps your voice feels locked, far away, or simply unfamiliar. Perhaps you've never had a safe space to make sound in.
Breath & Bloom works with the mind-body-voice connection at its core. The breath is where we begin, because breath is always the origin of sound, and learning to work with the breath rather than against it is the first act of vocal freedom. From there, sessions weave together gentle group singing, somatic voice exercises, breath and body work, supported solo moments, and space for reflection and sharing.
The piano is improvised, responsive, and part of the container rather than a performance element. Instrumental backing is used where useful, but the focus is on the voice.
This work is trauma-informed and somatic-based. There is no pressure to perform, no hierarchy of ability, no right or wrong. We begin with the breath. And then, when you're ready, we bloom.
Good for: people reconnecting with their voice after trauma, loss, or a long absence; those who have been told they can't sing; anyone who wants to explore voice as a wellness and embodiment practice; and singers who want to return to the roots of their sound before working on repertoire.
Paris workshops - for visitors and locals!
For those visiting Paris this summer, this is an experience that goes well beyond the tourist trail. For those who already live here, it is an invitation to go deeper into your own voice, in your own city, with a small community of people who showed up for the same reason.
Workshop formats - 2026
Performance workshops are available as:
Half-Day Intensive A focused three to four hours, ideal as a taster or a standalone experience. We cover vocal anatomy, technique, expression, and ensemble singing together. Individual coachings are not included in this format.
3-Day or 5-Day Workshop A deeper immersion across several days. Mornings are dedicated to ensemble work and concept development; individual coaching sessions are scheduled across the afternoons, so everyone has focused one-to-one time with me and the pianist. Coachings are open for other participants to observe and learn from. The programme closes with an informal sharing - a low-key, supportive space for participants to bring what they have been working on, for the group rather than an outside audience.
Breath & Bloom runs as a full day. The morning is dedicated to the foundations: breathwork, bodywork, and a gentle introduction to vocal sound.
The afternoon opens into exploring the voice through text, simple vocal improvisation exercises, and a gentle introduction to ensemble and solo singing. Nothing needs to be prepared.
Exact dates, locations, and pricing are coming soon. Join the mailing list below to be the first to know.
Is this for you?
These workshops are for you if:
You've always wanted to sing but never felt like you belonged in a traditional music class
You're a trained singer looking to grow in a warm, non-competitive environment
You want to understand why your voice does what it does, not just follow instructions
You're visiting Paris this summer and want a cultural experience with real depth
You're working through something and sense that your voice is part of the journey
You simply want to make music with other people in a room that feels good to be in
How to sign up - join the mailing list for early access
Exact dates and locations for 2026 are still being confirmed.
Sign up to the mailing list below for updates, or register for events which have opened bookings. I'll be in touch soon.
- Kayla
Frequently asked questions about the Paris singing workshops
Do I need singing experience to join? Most streams welcome all levels. Contemporary and Breath & Bloom have no prerequisite at all. Musical Theatre and Classical Voice have separate beginner/intermediate and advanced/professional tracks, so everyone is well-placed from the start.
Are sessions in English or French? Sessions are led primarily in English, with French support available. Repertoire will naturally span French, German, Italian, and English depending on the stream.
How big are the groups? Most streams run with a maximum of around 15 participants, with a little flexibility depending on the specific needs of the group. Intimacy is a core design principle, not an afterthought.
What does "classical technique foundation" mean in practice? It means we work from an understanding of vocal anatomy and physiology rather than imitation or convention alone. Whether you are learning to belt safely or interpret a Schubert song, you will understand what you are doing and why. That knowledge travels with you long after the workshop ends. And if a question stumps me (it does happen!) I will go and find the answer. You won't be fobbed off with a guess.
I'm not sure which stream is right for me - can I ask? Absolutely. Get in touch via the contact form on my website, or reply to any newsletter, and I'll help you find the right fit.
I'm a professional singer - will this be too basic for me? The Musical Theatre and Classical Voice streams both have advanced/professional tracks. Contemporary and Breath & Bloom are genuinely valuable at any level. I am a professional singer myself, and I work at the technical level each singer brings. Professional participants often find the somatic work and cross-genre technical conversations the most surprising and useful part of the experience.
I've been told I can't sing. Is Breath & Bloom still for me? Yes. Especially yes. Breath & Bloom exists precisely for people who have been given that message. This is not about performance or assessed ability. It is about returning to your voice on your own terms, at your own pace, in a space that is genuinely safe.
Kayla Collingwood is a contralto classical singer, music educator, and trauma-informed voice practitioner based in Paris, France. She is the founder of Sound Garden: Classical Music Immersion and offers individual lessons, workshops, and bespoke educational experiences online and in person.
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