I sing folk songs as well as telling stories. Didn't sing for a very long time because of illness. Found it difficult to restart singing again but eventually went on a beginner's singing course last year. A bit of a mixed experience - didn't like the material and the key the teacher set the songs in was always too high for me (I'm a contralto). Anyway, started singing at the folk clubs again this year and the audiences love my voice - I get lots of compliments.

Thought I'd like to continue trying to improve my singing so enrolled on a different singing course this year. Teachers (male and female), like teacher last autumn, are basically classically trained but willing to teach any style of singing.

Nice, friendly class. Nice, friendly teachers. Vocal warm-ups are great for my voice (now to find the discipline to make up my own programme). The songs we sing together are basically enjoyable (mostly musical theatre). Downside is we are having a small concert at the end of this term. Well now, that would be good experience for me.

Problem is finding suitable material and singing it in a way I am comfortable with. I prefer singing unaccompanied, and also tend to learn songs by ear and set my own key. If I learn from a song book I have the rigmarole of transposing every single song because I sing in a low register. This isn't working out with the teacher, nor is my choice of material. Teacher likes songs like "Early one morning" which I loathe. Her knowledge of folk songs is small. She would prefer to "support" me with a piano accompaniment but I find it difficult to adjust to it and sound unsure. She doesn't know any of the songs that I sing. I am also not keen on piano accompaniment of folk songs; the songs I sing are generally quite sensitive and I don't think that piano sounds right with them.

I am wondering if I should simply opt out of the concert. I am benefiting from the vocal warm-up exercises so I am not wasting time or money by going to class.

I really, really do want to improve my singing. Looking forward to improving my singing of ballad, which would go splendidly with my storytelling.

Any advice anyone?