RUHAAN CHAWLA

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 I have been attending classes at Vocal since I was a 5 year old boy. Countless practice sessions, monologues and presentations has made me into a confident individual. 

Under the guidance of Tracy ma’am and Lisa ma’am, I have appeared for Oral communication exams from the University of West London where I have achieved high distinctions. 

The skills learnt at Vocal has helped me participate in many events at school and successfully host multiple events. I am forever grateful to have been a student at Vocal for over 10 years.

Thanks to Vocal, I have received an offer from the London School of Economics for B.Sc. in Business Management!

Looking back on my childhood, Vocal always brings a smile to my face. It was my weekly escape from the monotony of school work and studies, a place where I could let loose and have fun. Making new friends and skipping two hours of studying were just bonuses. At the time, practising extempores, impromptu mimes, and monologues may have seemed like mere fun activities, but little did I know that they would prove to be the foundation for my success and growth.

Not only did these classes enhance my communication skills, but they also taught me valuable life lessons that have shaped me into the person I am today. Through Vocal, I learned the importance of time management as I had to balance my class with my other commitments. Prioritizing my tasks to ensure that I met my goals while still enjoying my passion was a skill that has been instrumental in my personal and professional life, enabling me to accomplish more in less time.

Furthermore, it taught me the significance of practice and hard work. I realized that to excel in any field, I must put in the hours, practice consistently, and be committed to continuous improvement. This lesson has been vital in my academic and career endeavors, where I have learned to embrace challenges and persist in the face of obstacles.

Finally, Vocal taught me the ability to receive and appreciate criticism. I learned to listen carefully to feedback, absorb it, and make necessary changes. This skill has helped me grow both personally and professionally, as I have learned to accept constructive criticism and leverage it to improve myself.

These skills have been instrumental in my holistic development. The ability to think on my feet, persuade others, and take charge of situations has been critical in securing internships and jobs. Similarly, my vocal training has equipped me with the skills necessary to lead teams, manage projects, and engage with others through effective communication and presentation. And the practice and delivery of monologues with emotion and precision have helped me craft impressive startup pitches, wow investors, and secure funding.

As I reflect on these successes, I will never forget the tireless dedication of Tracy Ma'am. Her unwavering commitment to my growth and development has been a significant factor in me securing 2 internships, leading 4 engineering clubs, and securing $50,000 in funding for my startup. The confidence and ease with which I approach any speaking engagement or leadership opportunity is a testament to the impact of my childhood Vocal classes.

From vocal projection to stage presence, these skills are now an intrinsic part of who I am, and I know that they will continue to serve me well in all aspects of my life. I am grateful for the countless hours that Tracy Maam, Lisa Maam, and the faculty put in, making me a better communicator and a better person.

I have always harboured a keen interest in public speaking and performance arts and at Vocal, I have been able to pursue these interests to incredible new heights. I joined Vocal in 2017 and began training to appear for a Grade 8 exam in Acting with the University of West London. 

Before this I had never thought of myself as a theatre person, but through the engaging curriculum and the unbridled enthusiasm and passion of my teacher, Ms. Tracy, I too fell in love with performing on stage. After achieving a Distinction in my Grade 8 exam, I was encouraged by Ms Tracy to appear for the ATCL Diploma in Public Speaking with Trinity College London. This exam was a new and daunting one, and it was truly a challenge to juggle it with my college obligations, but again with the encouragement of my teacher and also my peers I was able to appear for this exam with utmost confidence and composure. 

With Vocal I have had the opportunity to grow into a qualified young woman with new talents and endless prospects. I have also had the opportunity to meet other young people who have the same interests as me, and this has greatly influenced my future plans and my outlook on life. Vocal has made me realize my own potential and has opened up new doors for my future. I thank Ms Tracy for accompanying me on this beautiful journey, and I look forward to many more learning experiences at Vocal.  

Vocal has given me nothing but beautiful memories to cherish. From the very first exam I gave when I was 11 to studying, learning, and being guided by the amazing teachers here as well as growing as an individual has helped me realise that my voice matters and I soon started feeling happy when it came to how I have evolved after being trained under Tracy Ma’am and the truly understanding staff who have the brightest of smiles and are always there for the students. 

I’m about to turn 19 in a month and I got the chance of a lifetime to enhance my spoken communication skills: something that I truly feared of, before. I wasn’t confident about the way I spoke or my command over words. Drama was fun but being challenged by Ma’am to believe that I could create a change in my own capabilities made me realise how crucial it was to take that extra step and see beyond the constrains of what I imagined myself to be. 

In the same process of giving the examination, I got the chance to teach the children at Vocal, as it helped with the practical aspects of improving my communication skills and I felt truly empowered and inspired to do my best when it came to creating a vibrant atmosphere inside and outside class. ATCL, is a huge accomplishment for me. On some days, it felt like I wasn’t good enough but realising that all of us had our own personalities shining through each of our speeches gave me reassurance that we are indeed going to try our best to make our speech, ours alone by truly striving to bring out character and depth. 

I am truly grateful to Vocal and the teachers who made it possible for us to sail through smoothly. I’ll definitely use my certifications for my course admissions for Masters after studying Undergraduate!

Vocal has been a tremendous source of support for me in many ways. Pursuing an ATCL under the guidance of Tracy D’Souza has not only been among the few good choices I made, but also a fond memory to look back upon. The late night practices, and relentless do overs to make sure we were nothing sure of perfect contribute to the reasons why vocal will continue to produce quality results and brilliant students.

I have nothing but gratitude and love for everybody at Vocal.