Head Vocal Coach & Director
Alisha Gartland

Alisha Gartland is a graduate of Melba Conservatorium of Music (Dip.Mus) and the Victorian College of the Arts (B. Mus in Musical Performance: Voice) whom has studied and worked professionally as a contemporary pop, musical theatre and opera singer. On stage as a dancer/performer from the age of 5, her childhood consisted of training in all forms of competitive dance whereby her love of all things artistic led to voice, featuring in musicals such as: Westside Story, Wizard of Oz and King and I, alongside guest performances in cabarets, movie features and in large corporate events such as Australian Super Bikes 2002 (national anthem), Solo Guest work and Showcases.

Alisha was awarded a scholarship into Melba Conservatorium of Music in 2003 to complete Dip.Music leading to entry in 2006 to the prestigious Victorian College of the Arts to complete her B.Mus under the heads of department Anna Connolly/Stephen Grant, alongside post graduate vocal studies and further training with world renowned coaches Raymond Connell and Garry May. As well as wealth of post graduate masterclasses and teacher workshops with vocal pedagogues, favourites including Neil Semer, David Sisco, Janice Chapman and Elizabeth Blades. Alisha’s additional qualifications include full AMEB completion and AUSMusic Certificate IV in Music Industry Studies. Registration as a fully qualified vocal teacher with national and internationally recognised associations: ANATS (Australian National Association of Teachers of Singing), VMTA (Victorian Music Teachers Association), NATS, AVA and AMUSE and has a Working With Children check.

Whilst Alisha’s HOV method is unique in its approach and delivery. Alisha’s training formed its fundamental basis at the Victorian College of the Arts and post graduate studies. Despite a largely operatic/musical theatre background, Alisha furthered her studies in crossed/mixed method teaching within musical theatre/contemporary voice, and is particularly passionate in training dynamic singers. Influenced by parts of each of: Janice Chapman, Richard Miller, Bel Canto, a variety of CCM (Contemporary Commercial Music) methods, Estill Technique, Speech Level Singing, Pere Bristow, Andrew Byrne and CVT methods in combination with her own research/designed approach. Always developing her knowledge as a singer with new techniques to better deliver her method’s performance.

Photo of Alisha Gartland

Additional Qualifications

Alishas additional qualifications include full AMEB completion and AUSMusic Certificate IV in Music Industry Studies, with fully qualification under ANATS (Australian Association of Teachers of Singing) VMTA (Victorian Music Teachers Association), NATS, AMUSE and has a Working With Children check. To the side of her list of musical achievements, Alisha also event manages large music festivals within Melbourne and holds 2001 Young Citizen of the Year (Australia Day Awards) for music event management.

Student Success

Alisha brings 20 years of singing performance and vocal coaching experience & 13 years dance/acting training to students at HOV.

Alisha teaches many students from beginners (of all ages) to students already working in the music industry, rebuilding technique, resolving strong vocal habits including inefficient mental/emotional patterns that block the voice, developing vocal style within original songs as well as preparing auditions.

Alisha has prepared singers from beginners to up to being awarded lead roles in major musical as well as singers up to being signed to a variety of national and international record deals, featuring in Rolling Stone and on major national tours including Splendour in the Grass, Falls Festival, Groovin the Moo, St Jeromes Laneway Festival and major international circuit SXSW.

Alisha is an expert coach for VCE Unit 1-4 with all her students in 10 years never receiving lower than a B+ with A/A+averages- knowing the exact training to ensure students success within this syllabus. Alongside this Alisha prepares many tertiary students in their Bachelor of Music/Performance or Songwriting across various institutions (Monash, Box Hill and Collarts) who receive High Distinctions/Distinctions from her preparation, alongside those studying in courses such as Theatre Blacks and Showfit .

All students whom completed their AMEB Certificates/VCE under Alisha’s guidance have received A/A+ averages in their results in both CPM & Singing for Leisure from Preliminary to Grade 8.

Other student successes have been in her singing students winning many major worldwide competitions as singer-songwriters and singers over the years, with recent competitions in 2020 being Permission to Shine (Rock Category) and Pop/Contemporary at WCOPA (World Championships of Performing Arts USA)  prepared from our online school over COVID-19.

Alisha’s passion alongside performing includes developing HOV’s music based community, working closely with students to achieve successful musical outcomes and develop students self esteem, discipline, musicality, musicianship and sense of accomplishment.