HIDDEN away in a remote part of the Tyne Valley is a music making factory which is producing stars of the future.

Julie Miles started her Vocal Ovation business around six years ago in a custom-built studio in High Mickley, and its reputation has gone through the roof, with a waiting list in place due to high demand.

In the past few years, she has worked with singers from across the North-East and Teesside, watching some of her clients on TV as they have progressed in talent shows such as X Factor and The Voice.

Julie was also in the crowd as one of her star pupils Samantha Lavery played at Wembley Stadium, while others have went on to win regional talent shows and appeared on stage at Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena.

And the success of her clients is proof of Julie’s high prestige, justifying the big tag of being one of the best vocal coaches in the region.

Julie said: “There’s a difference between being a good singing teacher, or a really, really great one, and that is making sure it’s not about you.

“It’s all about the client, whereas so many singers think, ‘I can sing so I will teach others’, but that approach doesn’t work.

“My focus is them, and my biggest sense of achievement is when you see them on a stage doing absolutely amazing which, one year ago, they couldn’t do.

“They possess the talent and it’s about using that to their advantage. They take the praise, although it is nice when they acknowledge you in playing a part in some of the success.”

Julie’s early life was dominated by music, her weekends filled with gigs as she performed as a professional singer.

But when she reached the age of 30, she decided she wanted her weekends back and worked as a sales manager for software company Sage for 10 years.

However, her husband Neil had a surprise birthday present up his sleeve which would throw Julie back under the musical spotlight.

She said: “My husband booked me a surprise singing lesson with David Grant, known for his role on Pop Idol and Fame Academy, and on the Tube there he asked if I had ever thought of becoming a singing teacher as I had taken voluntary redundancy.

“I had the lesson, which was absolutely fabulous, and then David said I should think of doing vocal coaching, so it was one of those strange coincidences where we had just been talking about it!”

Over the years, word has spread about Vocal Ovation to the point where Julie has been heavily involved in regional singing competitions Open Mic and Teen Star as part of the Future Music brand.

A group of her students also formed the Beyond the Lights talent contest, of which she is a part of.

Julie said: “I do feel lucky to work with all these great singers, even though I do work really hard for my reputation.

“I do genuinely care about the people I work with, more than I care for myself, and I will regularly work in my studio until God knows what time as my clients contact me non-stop. My job never stops.

“I think that is how I have built up this reputation, as I’m always around to give advice on a song or whatever, even if it is tiring.”

Julie claims she has a job which provides the ‘wow factor’ on a daily basis, when one of her clients blows her away with their development.

It’s not just the potential superstars she works with, with people of all ages and abilities signing up for a High Mickley session.

Lessons with the less talented singers can help with confidence issues, and aids in personal and social development.

Julie said: “The aims of the business change all the time, depending on what the client wants from the sessions.

“Not everybody who comes here wants to go out there on a stage, and I find that, when we have worked together, I might see an avenue they haven’t though about.

“There’s many people who are conservative due to confidence but, when I hear their voice and I spot real potential, I will encourage it to come out.

“I tailor the lessons to each client but ultimately I want singing to be fun and enjoyable, because that is what singing should be like.

“The important thing is they are enjoying it and I will make sure their voice is developing, and they’re singing in a safe way and gaining more confidence along the way.”