José Santos (Ze)
Vocal Tutor
José is a passionate vocalist, performer and songwriter who combines professional industry experience with a friendly, supportive teaching style. Originally from Portugal, José graduated from BIMM Birmingham with a First Class Honours degree in Popular Music Performance, specialising in vocals, and has since established himself as an accomplished live performer, recording artist and music educator.
As the frontman of alternative rock band SANTÙ, José has toured extensively across the UK, performing at major festivals including The Great Escape, 2000 Trees, Isle of Wight Festival, Truck Festival and Lichfield Festival, as well as international headline performances in Portugal. Alongside his original music, he regularly performs function gigs with The Vinyl Brothers, has appeared with the BIMM Gospel Choir, and performs monthly at Birmingham’s renowned Jam House, giving him a broad range of experience across many different musical styles and performance settings.
José’s recording career has seen him work with some of the UK’s most respected producers and musicians, including sessions at the legendary Rockfield Studios. He has contributed to recordings for the BBC television series This Town, working alongside producers and engineers whose credits include Coldplay, U2, Wet Leg, Fontaines D.C. and Peaky Blinders, while also writing songs and recording vocals for a variety of artists. His work has been featured on BBC Introducing, Brum Radio and Absolute Radio, further demonstrating his experience within the professional music industry.
Alongside performing, José has developed a real passion for teaching and inspiring others. Through his work with Rock Kidz UK, he has delivered music workshops in hundreds of primary and specialist schools across the UK, helping young people build confidence, creativity and a love of music. He has also spent the past two years working in education, developing excellent communication skills and learning how to adapt his teaching to suit learners of all ages and abilities.
José teaches students from complete beginners through to advanced singers, tailoring every lesson to the individual’s goals, musical tastes and experience. Whether you’re singing for fun, preparing for live performances, auditioning for college or theatre, recording in the studio or simply looking to develop your confidence, José creates a relaxed, encouraging environment where students can grow at their own pace.
A strong believer that great singing starts with great technique, José places a real emphasis on healthy vocal development, helping students understand how their voice works while building strong, sustainable habits. Lessons focus on developing vocal control, breath support, tone, range, performance confidence and musical expression, ensuring students not only become better singers but also more confident performers.
José is also happy to prepare students for graded music examinations, including the Trinity Rock & Pop syllabus, guiding students through every stage of the process with structured, enjoyable lessons that build confidence alongside technical ability.
Friendly, energetic and enthusiastic, José believes that music should be inspiring, enjoyable and accessible to everyone. His combination of professional touring experience, recording credits and extensive educational work enables him to help every student discover their own voice and achieve their personal musical ambitions.
