TEACHING

With students at Tessa’s “Various Paths to Songwriting” clinic for Suffolk County Music Educators Association Day of Jazz

I love teaching and learn from and am inspired by every student. I am available for individual lessons as well as master classes and clinics via Zoom or in person.

Two incredible singers and educators have had a huge influence on my life and music. Legendary jazz vocalist Mark Murphy, mentored me in exchange for running his private lessons and monthly workshops for four years. I learned so much working with him one-on-one, as well as overseeing and partaking in his workshops for all that time and we remained close for the rest of his life. I was also lucky to work and study with the great Sheila Jordan, NEA, who first suggested that I should teach. Self-taught until my early 40s, the blessing of being coached by these two wonderful musicians was like putting on seven league boots. My job as a teacher is to help you to put on yours.

Teaching a master class at the Minsk Academy of Music, Minsk, Belarus

If you would like to schedule a lesson or have any questions, please email me at tessa@tessasouter.com

"It is a great pleasure to work with Tessa and I highly recommend her!" I worked with Tessa on preparing my songs and vocals for recording sessions and coaching through the whole process. Tessa is a master musician, who has an astounding and comprehensive knowledge of singing and songwriting born from years of tuning her own instrument and performing and recording her own songs at the highest level. As a songwriting and vocal coach her insight and advice on the finest nuances of prosody, semantics, phrasing and intonation is unparalleled and priceless. She understands from the head and the heart the manifold dimensions of a song and helps to polish all aspects of the message from perfect technical pitch, through to the emotions and on deep into the spiritual soul of the music. In her lessons she is clear, structured and creative, focusing on the students ability and artistic needs. In her coaching she is very sensitive, supportive, mindful and compassionate, yet highly goal oriented. —Ollie Williams, singer-songwriter

“I coached with Tessa when I was in the midst of recording my EP and writing new songs - I knew I needed to be on a fast learning curve. Tessa was right there with the support I needed. For the EP, she talked me through how to handle certain new experiences, from the session itself to the final mix. For the songs, she was quick to identify what was working and what needed work. Tessa is smart and talented, and funny to boot; she is a generous master, someone who has no fear of sharing the wealth of knowledge she has gained as a working singer. She will be in your corner, and you will be the better for it.” —Kate Chaston singer-songwriter

The Peacocks
The Island Tessa Souter
Nara's Song - Little Sunflower
Caravan
The Look Of Love Tessa Souter
Usha's Wedding
Love Theme From Spartacus
Listen Love Tessa Souter
Chiaroscuro Tessa Souter
I'm Glad There Is You Tessa Souter