Elizabeth McDonald
Forfar,Angus
Summary
I am a passionate performer and educator with a First-Class Honours degree in Musical Theatre from Solent University. I will soon receive my Postgraduate Certificate in Education Studies and will begin a Master’s in Vocal Pedagogy this September. With a strong background in singing, piano and music, I enjoy creating positive, engaging environments where young people can build confidence, explore creativity and develop their skills. I bring energy, teamwork and a genuine passion for helping students grow through the performing arts.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Singing and Piano Teacher
Music Collective Scotland
Arbroath, Angus
2021.08 - Current
- Provide individual piano and singing lessons for students aged 4 to adult, preparing students for both in-person and performance ABRSM exams.
- Use tailored teaching methods and resources, including Piano Adventures and Piano Time, to support younger learners.
- Teach early years musicianship through the Kodály method as part of the Early Keys programme, developing rhythm, pitch, and basic theory skills.
- Deliver singing lessons in both classical and musical theatre styles, alongside acting through song and music theory classes to support overall musicianship.
- Direct a choir and musical theatre ensemble, and contribute to summer musical theatre programmes by teaching harmonies and accompanying performances on piano.
Music Director and Singing Teacher
Dundee Youth Music Theatre
Dundee, Dundee City
2021.08 - 2025.08
- Served as Music Director for ages 8–11 and Assistant Music Director for ages 12–17, teaching vocal warm-ups, harmonies, and performance skills including acting through song.
- Prepared students for full-scale musicals and showcases including Kipps: The New Half a Sixpence Musical, Oklahoma!, The Little Mermaid Jr., and Oliver!.
- Contributed to casting, ensemble coaching, and one-to-one vocal preparation with principal cast members for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
- Worked as Singing Coach for the summer camp programme, supporting performers aged 4–17 in developing vocal technique, confidence, and stagecraft, and accompanied the final showcase on piano.
Singing and Piano Visiting Instructor
High School of Dundee
Dundee, Dundee City
2024.06 - 2025.06
- Provided one-to-one singing and piano tuition for students of varying ages and abilities, preparing pupils for graded exams and performance opportunities while developing confidence, musicality, and technique.
- Collaborated with staff across departments and supported both curricular and extracurricular music activities and school events.
- Served as accompanist for the Arbroath Music Festival, performing over 40 accompaniments and supporting students in preparation for live vocal performances.
- Accompanied ABRSM singing exams and helped prepare pupils for internal school piano and vocal festivals, developing repertoire, stage presence, and performance confidence.
- Coached students in preparation for auditions for the school production of The Wizard of Oz and accompanied rehearsals and performances for the school nativity.
Singing teacher
Angus Centre for Performing Arts
Carnoustie, Angus
2023.11 - 2024.12
- Led group singing classes for mixed-age students (5–18), accompanying sessions on piano and supporting student performances.
- Integrated music theory alongside vocal technique to strengthen overall musicianship, particularly for students preparing for ABRSM and SQA music exams.
- Taught summer schools and accompanied yearly showcases at the Webster Theatre, Arbroath, as well as Christmas performances, providing live piano accompaniment.
- Fostered a supportive and creative learning environment while developing students’ confidence, performance skills, and musical understanding.
Singing Teacher
The MGA Academy
Edinburgh
2021.05 - 2023.06
- Taught group singing classes for Stage Academies (ages 6–11) and Fierce (ages 12–17), preparing students for performances including the annual Christmas concert, A Christmas Wish.
- Delivered advanced harmony and musical theatre choral training with the Fierce group, focusing on sight-reading and interval recognition.
- Provided one-to-one singing tuition, preparing students for Trinity exams and audition processes, including intake auditions for the Fierce team.
- Worked on the Six: The Musical themed summer school (2022), accompanying rehearsals, supporting alumna Caitlin Tipping, and accompanying the final showcase.
Performer
Glamis Proms
Glamis, Angus
2024.08 - 2024.08
- Performed a programme of Scottish and classical repertoire at the Glamis Proms, a large-scale concert event.
- Presented Scottish songs alongside classical works in a high-profile cultural setting.
- Maintain an active performance practice to support and inform my teaching, bringing practical stage experience and musical insight to my students.
Singing Teacher
Stagecoach
Perth, Perth and Kinross
2021.12 - 2022.08
- Taught singing to three age groups (6–17 years), covering a wide range of musical theatre repertoire.
- Developed students’ harmonic awareness, vocal technique, and performance skills through structured group sessions.
- Accompanied all vocal warm-ups and singing classes on piano.
- Prepared students for performances and showcases, supporting their confidence and stage presence.
- Fostered a positive and encouraging learning environment where students could develop creativity and teamwork.
Singing and Piano Teacher
Graham Woods Music School
Online
2021.05 - 2021.12
- Delivered online piano and singing lessons to students of varying ages and abilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Prepared students for ABRSM exams, covering repertoire, scales, aural skills, and music theory.
- Designed tailored vocal exercises and piano practice strategies to support individual technical development.
- Adapted teaching methods and resources for effective online learning, maintaining engagement and progress in a virtual environment.
- Supported students’ confidence and musical development through regular feedback and performance preparation.
Education
BA (Hons) - Musical Theatre
Solent University
Southampton 2018.01 - 2021.01
Postgraduate Certificate - Education Studies
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Glasgow 2025.08 - 2026.03
Skills
AOTOS Member
AOTOS Essentials CPD training course in Vocal Pedagogy (2026)
Piano Accompaniment
Grade 5 Music Theory
TRAINING/WORKSHOPS
- Classical Soprano Voice – Grade 8 (ABRSM)
- Piano – Grade 8 (ABRSM)
- Music Theory – Grade 5 (ABRSM)
- Earl Carpenter: Working on the West End Stage – Workshop (2021)
- Amis and Clements: Close Vocal Harmony – Workshop (2021)
- Fitzmaurice Technique – Michaela Bartoskova (2020)
- Barry Donegal-Daly: Acting Through Song – Workshop (2020)
- Perdekamp Emotional Technique – Maggie Tarver (2019)
- Alba Emoting Technique – Maggie Tarver (2018)
- The University of Aberdeen – (2017–2018)
PERFORMANCES
- Glamis Proms (2024) – Glamis Castle
- Dundee Alexandria Twinning Association Dinner (2024)
- Rachel Tucker Concert: "I'm Home" (2024) – Ensemble Member, Whitehall Theatre, Dundee
- Anything Goes (2024) – Dundee Rep Theatre
- Oklahoma! (2023) – Dundee Rep Theatre
- Kipps! The New Half a Sixpence Musical (2022) – Dundee Rep Theatre
- Urinetown (2021) – Solent University
- Rent (2020) – Solent University
- Cabaret (2019) – Solent University
- BBC Proms (2018) – Royal Albert Hall
Affiliations
- Amateur Dramatic Societies - Dundee Rep
- Baking
- Hiking
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Postgraduate Certificate - Education Studies
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
2025.08 - 2026.03
Performer
Glamis Proms
2024.08 - 2024.08
Singing and Piano Visiting Instructor
High School of Dundee
2024.06 - 2025.06
Singing teacher
Angus Centre for Performing Arts
2023.11 - 2024.12
Singing Teacher
Stagecoach
2021.12 - 2022.08
Singing and Piano Teacher
Music Collective Scotland
2021.08 - Current
Music Director and Singing Teacher
Dundee Youth Music Theatre
2021.08 - 2025.08
Singing Teacher
The MGA Academy
2021.05 - 2023.06
Singing and Piano Teacher
Graham Woods Music School
2021.05 - 2021.12
BA (Hons) - Musical Theatre
Solent University
2018.01 - 2021.01