MairRees-Davies

Singing and piano teacher, and the founder of Primadonna Music, known on social media as the Primadonna International Academy of Voice.

Act I — The story

Why she teaches.

Mair teaches singing and piano to children aged six and up at Channel View Music Studio in Dover, and singing online to pupils around the world. Her studio is a place where shy children find their voice and confident ones learn to use it well.

Mair began singing and playing the piano at the age of six, in Wales, the Land of Song.

She trained at the Royal College of Music in London: first a three-year teaching diploma in singing and piano, then two years at the RCM Opera School. There she sang the Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors before Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the opera's composer, Gian Carlo Menotti.

A two-year Italian Government Scholarship then took her to Rome, to study at the prestigious St Cecilia Conservatoire under the late international baritone Paolo Silveri, and to sing in concerts across the city.

She has since given concert and oratorio performances around the world, and has sung and accompanied singers at the piano in concerts across the UK and the USA. For 30 years, she has passed all of it on to her pupils.

An adult and child seen from behind during a piano lesson. — Piano lesson · editorial illustration

Act II — Philosophy

How Mair teaches.

Four ideas sit underneath every lesson, whatever the age, instrument or ambition.

Confidence first
A child who feels safe will try things. Every lesson starts by making that possible.
Technique, built gently
Breath, posture, tone and reading music, taught properly and in small steps, so good habits last.
Music they love
Pupils sing and play pieces they actually want to perform, alongside the repertoire that stretches them.
A stage when they're ready
Festivals, shows and exams are there for those who want them. Nobody is pushed on before they are ready.

Act III — Training & experience

The credentials.

The details parents most often ask about, in one place.

Teaching: 30 years
Training: Royal College of Music, London: teaching diploma and the RCM Opera School · St Cecilia Conservatoire, Rome
Qualifications: ARCM · RCM Dip Opera · Dip Mus (St Cecilia, Rome)
Awards: Clara Butt Award · London Music Society Award · two-year Italian Government Scholarship
Exam boards: ABRSM (singing and piano) · LCME (music theatre singing and piano)
Pupils' results: 100% pass rate in singing and piano exams, with 95% at Distinction
Performing: Concert and oratorio performances worldwide · concert piano accompanist in the UK and the USA · sang before Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Safeguarding: Enhanced DBS check, 2024