VOCAL ARTS

where you can shine like stars

Sydney Vocal Arts is a high-calibre teaching centre offering adults and children private tuition for voice and guitar; choirs for all ages; and private preparation for auditions, exams and performances.

The history of Sydney Vocal Arts Centre dates back to the late 1990’s when it started. After establishing itself in Manly for 3 years it was taken over by Margi Coen, who was one of Sydney’s most sought after singing teachers and the recipient of Manly Council’s ‘Best Community Event of the Year ’ Australia Day Award for her 2008 production of ‘The Sound of Music’ (which she produced and musically directed). Many of Margi’s private students have experienced phenomenal success in professional musicals, operas and television programs such as Australia’s Got Talent, X-Factor, The Voice and The Voice Kids. She has now moved to Queensland and the new director (2022) is Samantha Shaw.

Sam trained at the Arts Educational College of Performing Arts in London and has a long, successful and diverse career history in performing in London’s West End and as a top session vocalist. She moved to Australia in 2008 and joined Vocal Arts as a singing teacher in 2013 and loved being a member of the team under the direction of Margi Coen. Her passion is to pass on her incredible experience as a singer/actor/dancer to next generations and create an environment at Vocal Arts, as the current owner/director, where students can grow their talents and truly express themselves. She believes in teaching from a holistic (whole body) perspective and loves to see the excitement and joy in her students that comes from their commitment to practicing and ultimately their performance!

Sam has taught many choirs, from children’s school choirs and teenage choirs to adult choirs and has been singing coach to primary school’s productions including Aladdin Jnr, Mulan Jnr and Mary Poppins Jnr.

Sam has always loved being part of a team and feels privileged to be heading up the teaching staff at Vocal Arts, amongst whom are some of the very best teachers in NSW with a ton of industry experience behind them, ready and waiting to guide and encourage their students.

At Vocal Arts we are so proud of our students who have appeared in professional musicals, operas, TV shows and community musicals and concerts all over Sydney.

Some of our Star Alumni include Tilli Kay (singer/songwriter); Milo Browne (lead singer and bass guitar in the band Bangalley); Summer Rain (singer/songwriter) all of whom you can find on current music platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music. Also, Jack Vidgen, The Collective, Tom Jordan & Mitchell Thompson, Natalie Theodore, Julia Manias, Ella Freestone and Callan McAuliffe.

Our Stars

SYDNEY VOCAL ARTS STAR ALUMNI

Tilli Kay – 2 singles released in 2025; competition winner; support artist to Missy Higgins and Jessica Mauboy 2025
Summer Rain – EP released 2026
Milo Browne – 3 singles released with Bangalley in 2025
Jack Vidgen winner of Australia’s Got Talent 2011
Will Singe and Trent Bell from the hit boy band ‘The Collective’ 3^rd place ‘X-Factor’ 2012 signed to SONY
Natalie Theodore & Julia Manias – semi-finalists ‘Australia’s Got Talent’ 2013
Mitchell Thompson ‘The Voice’ and ‘X-Factor’
Callan McCauliffe ‘The Great Gatsby’, ‘Cloud Street’
Ella Freestone signed to Universal Music
Tom Jordan award-winning singer/songwriter
Harmony Lovegrove Semi-finalist Young Talent Time (talent section), The Voice Kids – Team Delta Final 5, The Schools Spectacular, winner of ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Australian Event Awards 2012
Callum Rogers ‘Matilda the Musical’, Faust (Opera Australia)

Natalie Theodore ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ (Belvoir St Theatre), Turandot (Opera Australia), The Sound of Music
Julia Manias ‘The King and I’
Isabel Young ‘The Sound of Music’
Olivia Swinton Les Miserables, and Universal Studios, Tokyo
Adrian Escudero-Genc La Boheme (Opera Australia)
Jenna Keenan Grey Gardens, The Seymour Centre
Paolo Lieghio The Music of Danny Elfman &Tim Burton with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, The Magic Flute (Opera Australia)
Oscar Rayel Don Giovanni (Opera Australia)
Levi Mackee The Sound of Music
Jasmine Younger Mary Poppins
Kristin Henry Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Isabella Harvey La Boheme & Die Tot Stadt (Opera Australia)
Jack Tier – The Lion King

OUTSTANDING RESULTS

Sydney Vocal Arts students are regularly performing in community musicals and concerts all over Sydney. All Vocal Arts tutors have fantastic track records with their students consistently achieving success in AMEB examinations, HSC music and vocal/band competitions and Eisteddfods.

COMMUNITY SUPPORTER

Sydney Vocal Arts has established a strong professional association with the Northern Beaches Council. For 16 years Vocal Arts has provided soloists, choirs and ensembles to entertain at Council events such as Anzac Day, Citizenship Ceremonies, Jazz Festivals and the hugely popular annual Manly Christmas Choral Concert.

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Our son Alex has been a student of SVAC right throughout his high-school years during which his vocal technique has matured and improved under the nurturing and professional tutelage of Margi and her wonderful team. “Whether it be jazz, musical theatre, contemporary, classical or indeed, all of the above, the team at SVAC have the experience, dedication and patience to bring out the very best in any young and upcoming performer
D Young, Parent

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Over the past two years, Margi has developed my daughter’s voice from very pleasant to professional and outstanding. Grace now sings with strength and confidence and would like to sing professionally in the future. Under Margi’s instruction Grace has won awards at singing eisteddfods and won leading roles in musical theatre productions. I highly recommend VAC to anyone who is serious about developing vocal talent.
K Rowland, Parent

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I really look forward to my singing classes every week with Margi, as I am able to learn in such a positive environment. Over the past 5 years I’ve learned so much about technique and stage presence and feel so comfortable exploring a variety of songs that Margi has such an extensive knowledge about.
I Harvey, Student

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I called Andie in a panic because Olivia had an audition for Universal Studios Tokyo and although she was in Les Miserables at the time, we are not from Sydney so didn’t have a singing teacher to turn to. Andie said “Don’t worry – I’ve got the perfect person for you” and she was right! Finding Margi was a godsend! Olivia got the Universal job and we were so grateful for Margi’s help.
A Swinton, Parent

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Thanks for doing a great job as always with the kids. Josefine and Cassie love their musical theatre and drama classes and have both grown so much as mini performers
P Orrenius, Parent