About



Qualifications:

MA in Music
FdA in Music Technology
PGCE
ATCL Singing Diploma

Continuing Professional Development (CPD):

Level 1 Understanding Autism
Level 2 Understanding ADHD
(+ SEN experience)
Level 3 Exploring Anxiety
Level 3 Exploring Depression
Level 3 Exploring the Relationship between Anxiety and Depression
Level 3 Paediatric First Aid
Level 3 Supervising Mental Health First Aid
NSPCC Safeguarding
- Child Protection in Schools
- Child Protection for Tutors
Accredited Life Coach (CTAA)


Steffani started as a member of school choirs aged 10, and from here developed a deep love for choral works and a keen sense of harmony. At the age of 11, she participated in an album recording called "Feel Good", released by Regent Records as part of their classical and choral collection.
As a teenager she participated heavily in competitions both as a soloist and within a choir. As a soloist, she frequently entered and had great success at competitive music festivals.
As a choir, she participated in the National Festival for Youth and had the opportunity to perform in large venues such as the Birmingham Conservatoire, the Royal Festival Hall, and the Millennium Centre in Cardiff. In addition, she performed solo to a large congregation in the beautiful Montserrat Cathedral in Spain.

At university, Steffani gained a qualification in Music Technology studying a Foundation in Arts to ensure herself to be an informed live and recording artist. This has given limitless advantage in an ever-growing technological world.
During this time, she also continued to study voice with professional baritone Jonathan Prentice towards an Associates Diploma with Trinity College, London; ultimately gaining a Distinction. During this time she was a soprano and soloist in Bournemouth University Choir and the Choral Society, and again performed in local venues. With a smaller choir, she also performed in many services singing liturgical items, and had the opportunity to perform a solo recital for Bournemouth University's Arts Festival.

After this, she completed her degree and gained a 2:1 in Music BA (Hons), having found a particular fondness for the cultural and psychological aspects of Music; something she continues to read into, and based her Masters dissertation on.
She received a Merit mark for her Masters research thesis, which was an investigation into the therapeutic use of imitative technique for developing musical skills within individuals on the autistic spectrum; including a look at the Kodaly and Suzuki styles of teaching music and assessing their holistic benefits.
After completing a PGCE, Steffani launched Benton Music in 2016, teaching singing, music theory and song-writing. Her teaching methods are unique and confidence-building, and have enabled students to excell both holistically and academically, to achieve university placements to study music and theatre, and are effective across a variety of genres, from heavy metal, to popular, to musical theatre, to classical. 

She is currently researching in preparation for her PhD application, with a view to further explore the synergy between musical practice and neurodivergence, and spends the rest of her time between teaching and performing professionally. 

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