My name is Kate Aiken, and I am a speech, drama tutor based in Oxfordshire. I teach individuals both face to face, online, and internationally. I am also an examiner for LAMDA both in person and online.
I am passionate about bringing communication and performance skills to my students, using fun games and exercises to engage and empower my pupils. I use the LAMDA graded examinations as a progressive structure to guide learners of all ages to increase their skill set and build confidence and self-esteem. The lessons are focussed on helping students to find their own voice and confidence both for the stage and for life.
Examinations can be entered at any of LAMDA’s public centres and most can also be entered as a Remote Online Assessment.
I have been passionate about the performing arts all my life and after a career in the Women’s Royal Naval Service I began my journey with LAMDA. Firstly, by taking Level 3 Grades and two Diplomas including the LAMDA Diploma in Speech and Drama Education and then I also qualified to teach learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. I taught at a specialist school for over 15 years entering hundreds of pupils with SEN for LAMDA examinations, with great success and 100% pass rate.
I gained a degree in Theatre Studies with Rose Bruford College, part-time and learned to work and interact successfully online, as well as gaining valuable knowledge about Theatre, playwriting, directing and performing.
I was well placed to switch to online teaching when lockdown happened and found that there were many positives to the process, not least the convenience and flexibility of lessons. I have continued to offer these lessons and their popularity has grown immeasurably.
I am an experienced speech, drama and musical theatre teacher. I specialise in preparing children and adults for examinations, presentations, speeches, and auditions.
LAMDA stands for the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. LAMDA is a prestigious and internationally recognised Drama school and an examinations board for speech, drama and musical theatre examinations. They have been offering grade examinations since 1890s.
More information can be found about LAMDA on this link: https://www.lamda.ac.uk/
LAMDA graded examinations are a structured progression of learning from the very early Introductory examinations right through to Grade 8 and diplomas beyond.
There are a multitude of different choices of examinations from Acting, Devising and Mime to Speaking Verse and Prose, Reading for Performance and Speaking in Public. There are also separate syllabi for Musical Theatre and Shakespeare examinations.
Yes – At Level 3 (Grade 6,7 and 8) the examinations carry UCAS accreditation and depending on the grade of pass there are points awarded.
Kate is available for online lessons nationally and internationally and for face to face in the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire area.
The length of lesson Is flexible and will be tailored to the learner but in general the optimum length for online is 45 minutes and for face to face 1 hour.
Kate is happy to teach individuals, duos and groups face to face, and will teach individuals and duos online.
Yes absolutely, Kate is very experienced at teaching and examining online and there is also an option for examinations to be taken remotely.
Yes, Kate is a qualified teacher of learners with Special Educational Needs and has over 15 years’ experience teaching these learners very successfully.
Kate has been a centre coordinator for many years and also enters candidates for public exams, so she is able to guide you through the process with ease.
Sitting the exams is not essential but they provide a good progressive structure for learning, and we follow this pathway with or without the exams. We have found that achieving success at examinations greatly increases the learner’s confidence and provides certification for future interviews, school entrance examinations, auditions, and jobs.
I am passionate about bringing communication and performance skills to my students, using fun games and exercises to engage and empower my pupils. I use the LAMDA graded examinations as a progressive structure to guide learners of all ages to increase their skill set and build confidence and self-esteem. The lessons are focussed on helping students to find their own voice and confidence both for the stage and for life.
| Lesson type | Duration | Learners | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face to face or Online | 1 Hour | Individual | £45 |
| Face to face or Online | 1 Hour | Duo | £60 (£30 per learner) |
| Face to face or Online | 45 Minutes | Individual | £35 |
| Group -Face to Face only | 1 Hour | Up to 6 | £20 |
| Corporate Per hour | As required | As required | £150 |
| Musical Theatre | 1 Hour | Individual | £50 |
| Duo | £60 (£30 per learner) | ||
| Diploma Tuition | 1 Hour | Individual | £60 |
| Voice over Speaker Announcer | As required | N/A | Negotiated as required |
