About | sarah larkham

I've been teaching singing for over ten years, teaching all ages from 5 to 75 plus. I love working with nervous singers and beginners as well as those who might have been told they are 'tone deaf' (why would anyone do that?) and also singers using their voice in bands, solo performers, career singers and those wanting to fix niggly problems or maybe practice for a specific gig.

I use music as a tool to enable expression and bring joy. I also work for Mind Your Music, Bristol's music and mental health organisation. I'm experienced at working with neurodiverse people, people with anxiety and I'm fully welcoming to all people from whatever background. I welcome support workers to sit in on lessons with clients. Please enquire as to my subsidised lessons for mental health clients.

I specialise in blues, country, jazz, soul, folk, musical theatre and pop music genres. If you want to learn strictly classical or opera vocals, drum n bass or R'n'B, then I'm not the right vocal coach for you.

ABOUT ME.

I've been singing from the age of 5 or 6. My first concerts - covers of Abba songs - were given to my neighbours in a cosy cul-de-sac in Portsmouth for an entry charge of 10p and half time refreshments consisting of polo mints and orange squash! By the age of 12 I was learning Spanish guitar, and that led me into songwriting. At 14 I was busking on the streets of Bristol, and by 15 I was on stage at Bristol Hippodrome and on BBC radio.

I started off singing with my brother Matt Larkham and from time to time we still LOVE to perform together.

I've been performing in various different bands ever since, and now sing professionally in the Bristol Americana act Larkham and Hall.

My influences are varied but in particular when growing up, my vocal influences were Emmylou Harris, Janis Joplin, Etta James, Joni Mitchell, Nina Simone and Aretha Franklin.

BIO FOR VENUES:

Original, poetic folk songs from a veteran of the Bristol acoustic music scene. As the daughter of a Bob Dylan fan in the seventies, Sarah grew up surrounded by the sounds of folk music and at an early age sang with folk legend Julie Felix. Her teenage years were spent busking unamplified around Bristol’s Watershed where she honed her powerful, soulful voice.

Sarah’s music is instantly memorable, effortlessly crossing genres to showcase her lyrical songwriting – mesmerising, engaging, often with a story to tell – and warm, impressive vocals. Her influences are thumbed all over her songs, from Melanie Safka to Janis Joplin, Emmylou Harris, Joni Mitchell and Nico. A lover of ‘60s music, Sarah blends rootsy, acoustic elements to create an honest, earthy sound with a touch of retro magic.

'A vocal dynamo. Sarah Larkham is a true songbird of British Americana' Bluesdoodles
'Astonishing voice.' Laura Rawlings, BBC Radio Bristol
'Achingly soulful' Bristol Folk Festival