Tom Bathgate has spent the last 16 years helping singers discover their voices and realize their full potential. As an Advanced Level IVA Instructor and one of the eight founding members of IVA, Tom combines his passion for teaching with his role as the organization’s Chief Executive Officer. Leading IVA, he’s on a mission to spread the joy of singing through high-quality education and a thriving global community of voice teachers.

Tom believes every singer’s voice is unique and deserves tailored guidance, not cookie-cutter instruction. His approach empowers singers to unravel any vocal challenges and confidently reach their goals—because singing, as he says, “isn’t as complicated as it seems.”

Tom’s love of performing started when he saw Riverdance during the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest. Inspired, he taught himself the steps before joining dance classes—a journey that led to performances all over the UK and Europe. One standout memory? Performing for 100,000 people in Sicily when his dance shoe flew off and nearly hit the town’s mayor. (He survived—the mayor, and Tom.)

Outside of music and dance, Tom is a man of many talents. He’s run two businesses, has 15 years of experience in marketing, and boasts expertise in everything from finance and IT to content production and website development. Whether working in the private or charity sector, his thoughtful, hands-on approach always shines through.

Fun Facts You Should Know about Tom

• Dog Dad: Tom shares his life with Eddie, his West Highland White Terrier, named after the dog in Frasier.
• Creative Spirit: He loves to quilt with patchwork techniques and experiment in the kitchen with new recipes.
• Sci-Fi Fanatic: A lover of space fiction, a good murder mystery, and The West Wing.
• Musicals and Mountains: Tom enjoys attending concerts and musicals as much as he loves hiking holidays in the stunning Cairngorms of Scotland.
• Quirks: He hasn’t had coffee in 15 years but will never say no to a chocolate digestive.

Whether you’re a student looking for vocal guidance or a fellow teacher searching for community, Tom is someone who’s thoughtful, kind, and always happy to help others on their journey. Just don’t ask him about podcasts—he’ll gladly host one but hasn’t listened to a single episode.

“Every voice is unique, and with the right guidance, every singer can thrive.”
– Tom Bathgate