A PROFESSIONAL singer from Bingley who started her career doing open mic nights is now helping to teach the next generation of performers.

Emi Hall, 23, has recorded her debut album, won songwriting awards, and made it to the semi-finals of a national songwriting competition since her first open mic night at The Villager pub in Wilsden three years ago.

After graduating from Leeds Trinity University last year with a degree in Media, Miss Hall was awarded with a £500 bursary by the university through its Inspiring Futures Programme.

Miss Hall said her ultimate ambition was to set up her own business inspiring others to sing, and used the money to complete a Higher Certification of Teaching Contemporary Singing course through The Voice College, which has enabled her to teach others to sing.

After completing the final stages of her course in April, Miss Hall is now pursuing her dream to teach singing in schools, at home and to groups.

She runs a weekly choir, is making a dance track for the summer with local music producer Jorge Wray, and has a number of concerts lined up with her band Bittersweet.

Her song, titled ‘Why’, has also been released online by American record label Lux Capital Records.

Miss Hall said: “I learnt about breathing techniques, different vocal registers and how the whole body contributes to the vocals – which was useful for improving my own singing, as well as teaching others.

“I had to teach a live lesson in front of a tutor and prepare for delivering lessons to groups and individuals.

“I want to help people to become better singers, but I also want them to improve their confidence.

“I was always a very shy singer, and still struggle now, but singing can help self-confidence and I really want to encourage my students, as well as just teaching them how to do something.”

Miss Hall started singing at the age of eight, but it wasn’t until she was a student at Parkside Secondary School in Cullingworth that she starting taking singing lessons.

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Since her first open mic night three years ago, she has been improving her singing and business skills at Leeds Trinity’s Enterprise Centre.

Phil Williams, start-up business adviser at Leeds Trinity, said: “Our Inspiring Futures programme aims to help our graduates achieve their

dreams.

“Emi’s story is indeed inspiring as she is consistently and determinedly following her dreams of a career in music and has used the skills developed within her media degree to help her with this.

“We are really proud to support her through the Inspiring Futures Enterprise Fund.”