MLC Welcomes Samantha Hedley

Laura Spencer

July 20, 2021
9:31 am

We’re always excited to have new talent join us at the MLC.

New faces bring new approaches, different skill sets and new opportunities for both us at the MLC and, of course, our students. We were delighted when professional vocal coach and graduate from the Musical Theatre Academy, Sam Hedley, decided to join our teaching team at MLC West Bridgford. We caught up with her to find out more.

So tell our readers about yourself, Sam. How did you get to where you are now?

Well, I was in a competitive all-female choir from a very young age, so I can’t really remember a time when I wasn’t singing! When I was nineteen, I moved to London to train at The Musical Theatre Academy, graduating with a Professional Diploma in Musical Theatre in September 2019. After graduating and moving back to Nottinghamshire, I decided I really wanted to pass on my knowledge and help students improve their singing, so I became a singing teacher and have never looked back!

What first sparked your interest in music?

I think the first thing that really sparked my interest in music was watching and being a part of musicals. I used to spend my summers rehearsing for shows, and I just loved how the music in a musical tells such a unique story. I was always very interested in music theory because of choir, and I wanted to use this knowledge to write my own songs. I learned how to play Guitar and Piano, so I was able to accompany myself in concerts and when writing my own material.

What was the first album/single that you bought?

I genuinely have no idea! I think it might have been one of Ed Sheeran’s first albums because I saw him in concert in Nottingham, and I remember feeling so inspired by his songwriting ability.

Who inspires you as a musician today/who do you listen to and why?

A musician who inspires me is Carrie Hope Fletcher. She is a singer currently in the West End, starring in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella. She inspires me not only because her vocals are outstanding, but because she is an advocate for better education on mental health and body positivity in the performing arts industry.

When did you realise that you could make a living through music?

When I was in sixth form, I studied French, German, Maths and Chemistry. To begin with, I just thought it would be more sensible to keep music as a hobby, but then I realised that happiness is ultimately the most important factor when planning a career, and I was mainly being put off by my own doubts. I decided to apply for drama school and managed to gain a place at The Musical Theatre Academy in London; only twenty-two places were available, so I still feel incredibly grateful to have had that experience.

What are your aspirations going forward, where do you see yourself in 5-10 years’ time?

In 5-10 years’ time, I would absolutely love to be performing in a West End musical in London – my absolute dream would be to be in Wicked or Les Misérables. I am really passionate about professional development, so I want to have achieved a master’s degree in musical theatre by then too. I would also love to have set up my own studio for vocal coaching, and I will hopefully have gained the Estill Figure Proficiency (EFP) by then, which will massively improve my teaching ability.

What advice would you give to our younger MLC students?

I think one of the most important things I’ve learned is to just be yourself and to stay true to yourself. A lot of students will naturally compare themselves and their voices to others, but it is so important to recognise that your individuality is actually your strength. Each voice is completely unique and no one else can be better at being you than you!