I met Linda in 1984 when I was preparing a film about Puccini with Robert Stephens & Virginia MacKenna. The film concerned the appalling death of Puccini's maid, Doria Manfredi, and the devastating consequences of the resulting scandal (Mrs Puccini was sent to prison, a fact almost entirely ignored by Puccini biographers). I was convinced that this was the main source of the inspiration for Turandot - Liu is Doria, and Turandot Mrs Puccini. We planned to film a production of the opera in parallel with the true life story. Linda was to sing Turandot and Elvira to be played by Virginia MacKenna. The finished film won prizes all over the world. When we began production of the opera, I knew that Linda was in a fragile condition psychologically and vocally, and although we eventually had to cheat a little in the finished film (so what? did Audrey Hepburn sing Eliza in My Fair Lady?), the early rehearsals with Linda were some of the most thrilling I have ever had the privilege to witness. Richard Jones, then my assistant, subsequently a very fine director of opera, told me at the time he was awestruck by Linda's emotional power and physical presence on stage. Few performers are naturally 'stars', that is those who dominate the stage by the merest twinkle in their eye. I have no doubt whatsoever that Linda is one such, glittering in a profession of the lamentably mediocre merely tarted up by good PR. Those who never saw her on stage missed something very special indeed.

There are teachers who may understand elements of the requirements of such singing but Linda has the experience, skill, knowledge and desire to embrace every aspect of true bel canto singing and is able, through her unique ability in hearing and identifying vocal faults and difficulties, to guide the student to a better vocal placement and consequently a healthier vocal life. Her passion for such singing is nothing short of awesome and I feel privileged and thankful to be one of her students. Whilst never settling for less than the technique demands, there is also a huge amount of laughter along the way! Every lesson with Linda is a voyage of discovery. She is quite simply the most remarkable person I have ever met. Her talent, passion, creativity, insight, determination and huge heart are a constant source of inspiration to me and the admiration and gratitude I feel towards her can hardly be measured.

Linda has been the most wonderful inspiration to my career as a singer. I have studied with her for the past twelve years, starting just before I graduated from the Guildhall School of Music in London and through my early work in opera in the UK, Italy and France as well as a stint in Phantom Of The Opera in London's West End. Each lesson brings a new and exciting discovery about my voice and it capabilities. This is because Linda has challenged me and helped me to build my confidence to a degree that I can perform thee beautiful music written for lyric soprano ranging from Bellini, to Donizetti, Puccini and beyond.

Without Steven's patience and persistence Linda would not have found the courage to look for and find her voice again He reawakened the desire to perfect and work her instrument to its full potential. They have both discovered wonderful information about how the human voice works and both have delight in passing this on to a new generation of singers.

"Linda has given me a gift I cannot repay through her knowledge of the workings and whims of the voice. I really cannot recommend her enough as a coach and guide". "Linda has a wondeful talent for finding your real voice, showing you the colour and giving you the knowledge to shape it. You'll be amazed at the journey!" "Nowhere else have I come across a voice teacher with such a clear vision of what makes a voice work and so many ways of getting you to see it too."

"Linda was one of the finest singers I have had the privilege of working with. She had a wonderful technique and a great personality. She will be an excellent teacher."

"The inspiration that I receive from Linda is invaluable. Every time that I enter her music room to sing I always feel that I am on stage at Covent Garden. I receive great pleasure from each of my lessons and the words of wisdom help me through every singing moment be it at home or on stage. Linda is a lady of great thought and kindness and has been the main inspiration in my musical career."

What I love about working with Linda is that she actually knows what she is talking about it - quite a rare thing in this world where everyone is an 'expert'. She understands the craft of singing but she is not really just a singing teacher - she is more a mentor - someone who will support you and challenge you. Her unique selling point is the fact she cares, and that, along with her passion and energy, makes the experience of working with Linda compelling. Don't bother to apply unless you're ready to work hard. I love her.

Well, what can I say except that I came to you hardly able to string two notes together. I'd just been told by the Philharmonia Chorus that I wasn't up to scratch and I was convinced I couldn't sing and had more or less decided to give up trying. Where you got your patience from I don't know but you turned my whole life around. Inch by painful inch (with lots of laughs in between) you dragged me, kicking and screaming, at first, through grades IV to VIII and then, not content with that you encouraged me to try for the Dip.ABRSM and between us we achieved a 1st class pass and then when I thought I couldn't do any more you again steered me through to a successful pass to become an LRSM. If that isn't a success story then I don't know what is. I take very little credit for all this because without you none of this would have been possible. I now believe in myself and have the confidence to go for auditions - as with The Magic Flute which has been such an exciting project and one I wouldn't have missed for the world. I've so often wanted to tell you how privileged I've felt to have been your pupil and how I've treasured every minute of our lessons.

"Linda Esther Gray kindly agreed to perform a master class recently with students from the University of Northampton. All the students were very excited to be taught by an opera singer of international reputation but the singers were naturally very nervous. Linda spent the first few minutes of the class recounting her experiences of master classes when she was a student where she was either ignored or publicly humiliated by the diva in charge. Her informal friendly manner put the Northampton students at ease and the master class proper began. What was amazing (particularly to the non-musical members of the audience) was the way that Linda very swiftly got to the heart of the students' singing and enabled them to improve before the audience's eyes (and ears!) Whether it was teaching one of the girls, kindly but strictly, that she must understand what she is singing about or transforming a boy's strangulated tenor and releasing his natural voice, the results were quite remarkable. And all the while, the audience were fascinated and entertained with the constant stream of good humoured, wise comment from Linda's lips. The results of the master class went well beyond the time it took to perform - the students were inspired and the results of this inspiration could be seen in their work for many weeks afterwards. The University's Director of Teaching and Learning, who was present at the session, held it up as a model of good practice which should be emulated in other parts of the institution"