Jean-Claude Ohms

Vocal Teacher

Originally from the Netherlands, Jean-Claude Ohms has been teaching singing for over thirty years. He began his teaching career in Brussels at the Music Academy of Schaerbeek and at Muziekhumaniora, a secondary school specialising in the performing arts.

Jean-Claude currently teaches at the Royal College of Music Junior Department and at St Paul’s Cathedral, where he teaches the Choristers, as well as privately in London.

He graduated from the Lemmensinstituut Leuven (Belgium), where he gained a PGCE in Music, recognised as Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in the UK. He subsequently completed a Chamber Music Diploma at the Royal Conservatoire of Ghent, a Vocal Pedagogy Diploma at the Royal Conservatoire of Brussels, and undertook further vocal studies at the Sweelinck Conservatoire in Amsterdam. More recently, Jean-Claude completed an MSc in Mindfulness Studies at the University of Aberdeen.

As a singer, Jean-Claude has performed extensively throughout Europe as both an ensemble singer and soloist, with repertoire ranging from early Baroque to contemporary music. He has worked with companies and ensembles including the Flemish Opera (Antwerp), Chapelle Royale (Paris), Flemish Radio and Television Choir (Brussels), the Dutch National Opera (Amsterdam), Opera Holland Park, Grange Park Opera, and the English Bach Festival. He has extensive experience in both Lied and Oratorio.

Jean-Claude has always been passionate about teaching, with a particular focus on body alignment, breathing, and their relationship to vocal freedom and wellbeing. His approach integrates mindfulness and self-compassion, supporting singers to develop greater awareness, emotional regulation, and a kind, sustainable relationship with their voice. This holistic framework aims to foster both technical confidence and personal resilience in performance.

In addition to his vocal training, Jean-Claude is a qualified yoga teacher, having completed a 200-hour training with Max Strom at Triyoga London.

Faculties / departments: Junior Department