Illawarra Vocal Academy
Jessica Soden
Studio Owner and Principal Vocal Tutor
Qualifications
Master of Music Studies (Vocal Pedagogy), QLD Conservatorium of Music
Bachelor of Primary Education, Wollongong University
Diploma of Youth Work, TAFE Illawarra
Vocal Acoustic Pedagogy, New England Conservatory
Advanced Certificate Estill Voice Training
Jess has grown up in the Illawarra and has been active in the local theatre community for over 20 years. After being mentored in singing teaching by local teachers she moved to QLD to study the specifics of the craft. Here she studied under the leading voice teachers in the country; Irene Bartlett and Adele Nisbett. This course taught the specifics of how to change your voice to suit different genres of music as well as how to produce any sound you want without hurting yourself.
Before moving away to pursue tertiary studies, Jess had many years of vocal and dance training under local teachers, she undertook exams in AMEB and ISTD (tap and jazz). In 2007 Jess started a vocal group for local youth through Shellharbour City Youth Services, whilst studying for her Diploma of Youth Work. Jess then went on to complete an Advanced Certificate in Estill Voice Training whilst completing her Bachelor of Primary Education.
After completing her Masters degree in QLD, she returned to the Illawarra and taught at the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music. Here she taught both individual lessons and choirs to great success.
Some of her student achievements include:
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, QLD Professional Production.
The Magic Flute, Opera Australia.
(Jess prepared the choir for this performance).
'The Voice Kids' TV show.
Current professional gigging musicians.
Successful entrance into Universities.
Honours in AMEB examinations.
To find out more about Jess's teaching methods please click the 'about' section of the website.
Meet Your Teachers
Caterina Loss
Associate Vocal Tutor
Caterina is a local singer songwriter that has recently branched out into vocal teaching. She is studying vocal pedagogy under the guidance of Jess Soden and is working towards her Certificate of Teaching through the Australian Music Examination Board.
Caterina also studies Acting under Billy Milionis at the Actors Pulse, which focuses on the Meisner Technique. She has performed in several short films nationally.
Caterina was involved in a Kiama Vocal Group bringing her to perform in places such as the Sydney Opera House and Town Hall. She has recently released her debut EP ‘Here With Me Now’ which can be found on streaming services.
Caterina is excited to share her knowledge with students at the Illawarra Vocal Academy.
Naomi Grace
Associate Vocal Tutor
Naomi is a local singer songwriter and is currently studying her Associate Diploma in Singing Teaching through the Australian College of Vocal Arts. She is excited to bring her extended knowledge to her students to help them achieve their musical and singing goals.
Naomi is an experienced performer having showcased her talents at venues such as Relay for Life, ONE Music Festival and local school fetes.
She has also been performing in local Musical Theatre since 2017 in shows such as Mary Poppins, Annie, Aladdin Jr and Sound of Music. She is now a part of the Vocal Team for Frozen Jr with Junior Albartoss Musicals (JAM) in Nowra.
In her spare time she loves to write and arrange her original songs based in the Christian Contemporary genre.
Ava Fahey
Junior Vocal Tutor
Ava is a local performing artist with a love for musicals and Taylor Swift. You will often see her singing with her guitar in the Shellharbour area. Ava has studied singing under the guidance of Jess Soden for the past 3 years and loves that she can now start teaching the next generation of singers.
When she is not singing she is working as a teacher's aide at the Nowra Christian School. Ava is also studying a Bachelor of Arts at The University of Wollongong with the goal of becoming an English Teacher.
Ava always brings a smile to her student's faces with her love and boundless energy. She is always up to date on the latest music trends and is our go to teacher for song ideas!
Join the Team
This studio is planning to grow and requires more teachers.
All applicants must have qualifications in their instrument or have significant industry experience. Teachers at IVA are expected to access professional development opportunities annually. This studio believes in team teaching so it is imperative that you are open to collaboration. Not a vocal teacher? Perhaps you can add expertise in another area such as performance coaching, accompaniment or sound production. IVA believes in quality education and pay rates will reflect this.