Born in England in 1946 Peter T. Harrison began his musical education (and a life-long fascination with singing) as a boy chorister at King's College Cambridge where he also studied 'cello and piano - an extraordinary experience for a youngster musically, aesthetically and spiritually.

In his teens an introduction to the singing of Jussi Björling, Rosa Ponselle and other great singers from the first half of the 20th Century focused Peter's attention more deeply on the human voice as such - what I had hitherto thought of as an instrument to be played on like any other, I began to realize was actually the expression of a person in sound. He decided to pursue a career in singing, and entered the Royal Academy of Music - it was only when I began studying with Joy Mammen at the Royal Academy that I experienced what might be achieved through methodical and meticulous hard training.

Consequently Peter developed an early interest in teaching and, after further study in Italy, became one of the youngest teachers to teach for the Royal Academy, the London Opera Centre and at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama - even so I was never happy with the institutional ethos, which seemed to favour only a chosen few. Having become one of the most sought-after vocal pedagogues in Europe, Peter opted out of the system and concentrated on his private practice.

One of the first members of the Association of Teachers of Singing, Peter was also an advisor to the British Voice Association when it began as the Voice Research Society in 1986. Of the latter which he still supports and finds valuable he confesses, I am more of a wondering spectator than an active contributor.

For more than 30 years Peter T Harrison has enjoyed conducting workshops in the UK, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Mexico, many of them supported by the British Council, the Spanish Ministry of Culture and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation - I particularly enjoy working with youngsters whose voices are fresh and alive and whose minds are not cluttered with a lot of technical nonsense!

In 2000 Peter was invited to help found the Estúdio de Ópera do Porto, and to be its Director of Vocal Studies - a unique training facility, geared to the rhythm, pace and changing needs of each individual, with daily voice training, frequent performing opportunities and the expertise of the cream of coaches and directors from Europe and elsewhere. Sadly the Studio closed at the end of 2006.

As a writer and freelance teacher, Peter Harrison now divides his time between studios in London, Amsterdam and the Iberian Peninsula.