A Business Plan for Zhanyi Zhu’s Online Classical Vocal Coaching Service—24100379 Zhanyi Zhu (SHR4C007R~002)

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Executive Summary

The business plan is a suggestion of a proposal of an online classical vocal coaching service. The service is aimed at Chinese high school students who intend to pass classical voice entrance examinations in conservatoires.

The main product is individualised coaching on the art of voice, including breath control, resonance, and high-register mastery, and advice on emotional expression and stylistic knowledge. The service creates a bridge between Eastern and Western vocal traditions by relying on multilingual repertoire. The basic training of vocal or choral training since they focus on legato and phrasing (Stark, 2003).The specialism of this service is the combination of technical accuracy and interpretative richness, which is justified by the experience of studying abroad by the founder of the service. This method fills a void in the exam-oriented training, in which expression performance is frequently not developed, and provides students with a more comprehensive preparation to advanced music training.

Description of Service

The proposed service will provide one-to-one online classical vocal coaching based on individual needs of the students. The pedagogical method is based on two important aspects: vocal technique and musical expression.Technical training involves the development of breath support, resonance and control of the upper register which are very important in classical singing. On such interpretative skills and results in the students seeing the emotional content and narrative of the repertoire. Gianni Schicchi is that it requires technical skill and subtle expression of emotion to do well (Budden, 2002).

Besides that, the service also includes multilingual repertoire coaching in Chinese, English, Italian, German, and French, which allows students to achieve proper diction and stylistic awareness in various vocal traditions.

Market & Target Audience

This service is aimed at the Chinese music entrance examination industry which has experienced a consistent growth owing to rising competition to secure a place in conservatoires and university-level music programmes. In this market, the target groups are mainly the high school students of about 15 to 18 years old who are planning to apply to the courses in classical vocal performance. Such students are in general undergoing intensive pre-examination training and are more than eager to achieve academic advancement into higher music education.They have technical and artistic needsIn addition to developing the necessary vocal skills, the students need to be able to perform with stylistic sensitivity and emotion, particularly in the Western classical music such as the Ave Maria by Schubert which involve the skill to regulate tones and apply emotional phrasing (Deutsch, 1978). In addition, families of students and students themselves are often willing to pay money on specialised high-quality tuition that provides them with a competitive advantage in auditions. This creates a clear demand of personalised, transnational expert vocal coaching services.

Market Research

Market research is significant in identifying the feasibility and sustainability of a proposed service in a competitive market. It assists in defining customer demand, readiness to pay and any gaps in the current supply (Harrington, 2026). Within the framework of the Chinese market of the musical entrance examination, the need in specialised vocal training is evident and stable since students fight over a few positions in the conservatoires.Families and students tend to spend money on good tuition as they have a direct relationship with success in entrance examinations as far as higher education opportunities are concerned. This produces a market of results in which personalised and efficient teaching is highly appreciated. One-to-one online coaching has more perceived value compared to the traditional large-group training model due to the targeted feedback and flexibility it offers.Moreover, the fast evolution of online learning has altered the manner in which the training of music is provided. Digital platforms enable students to receive specialised teaching without being restricted by geographical barriers, thus international level teaching is more inclusive. This is in line with the broader tendencies in music education, in which remote learning and digital engagement are becoming normalized.Moreover, the classical vocal music like Handel Lascia ch 01 pianga shows the necessity of technical control and expressive comprehension which promotes the significance of the systematic and professional training (Burrows, 2012).

Competitor Analysis

Chinese vocal training market has a major competition in terms of large-scale music education institutions, which generally represent classes in groups and are exam-centered oriented. These schools are more technical and concentrated on standardised repertory training and are concerned with the utmost success of the students in the entrance exams. Even though, such a model may work, it may be restricting when it comes to individual feedback and reduced emphasis on musical interpretation and artistic development.On the other hand, the proposed service will be unique with individual one-on-one training, which will make it possible to provide customised technical training and pay more attention to the vocal development of every student. The international training of the founder who introduces the student to the broader knowledge of Western vocal traditions and stylistic peculiarities is also the supplement of this offering.One of the competitive advantages is the incorporation of expressive coaching and technical training. Vedrai, carino and other classical works demand not just the control of the voice but also the sense of character and emotional intent towards a successful performance (Heartz, 1995). The service bridges this gap in the market by taking into consideration this aspect of training that is usually not given serious attention.Such a blend of personalised instruction, global outlook and focus on musicality makes the service a unique and competitive alternative.

Unique Selling Proposition

The three main aspects that the unique selling proposition of this service is founded on include international vocal training, technique and expression integration, and multilingual repertoire coaching. To begin with, the international experience of the founder as a UK-based student of the classical vocal performance allows access to internationally informed vocal pedagogy, providing a wider stylistic view than the training based on exams.Secondly, the service focuses on the unity of technical development and expressive interpretation. Not only are students imparted in vocal skills (resonance, high-register control, etc.), but they are also taught the emotional meaning of repertoire, which enhances the quality of their overall performance.Lastly, training on multilingual repertoire in Chinese, Italian, German, French, and English helps the students to acquire stylistic flexibility and correct diction. As per the marketing theory, an effective USP must be able to distinguish a service and seal the market gaps by providing customers with unique value (Harrington, 2026).

Operational Requirements

The delivery of this service is expected to be flexible and accessible online using such platforms as Zoom and Tencent Meeting. These communication channels provide real-time communication and give students in China a chance to communicate regardless of geographical boundaries. The lessons are usually planned once in a week and the time spent in the lesson is between 45 and 60 minutes based on the level and the stage of preparation of the student.All the lessons are founded on systematizing the teaching approach. It begins with singing exercises and technical training, including breath support and resonance development and is followed by coaching special repertoire.At this level, students will have their vocal skill and expressive interpretation checked, so that the performance skills will be developed in a balanced manner. Online music education studies indicate that well-organised digital learning conditions may be useful in facilitating the acquisition of skills and student engagement in case of clear lesson organisation (Biasutti, 2018).The platforms like WeChat are used to administer administrative communication, schedule, and progress feedback, which guarantee consistency and continuity in the learning process.

Resource Requirements

The requirements of the resources in this service are not very high because of the model of the service delivery online. The necessary equipment is a stable internet connection on a reliable computer or tablet and the simplest means of communication, i.e. a microphone and headphones, which will be used in order to have a productive lesson.Time is also a major resource. The tutor has to find the time to prepare the lesson, to select the repertoire, and to provide an individual feedback, not to mention the planned teaching sessions. The visual aids used in teaching are vocal exercises, sheet music, and computer-based resources that are adjusted to the individual level of learners.In music education, literature points out that guided practice and systematic teaching materials are needed to achieve effective skills development in vocal training (Welch, 2006). Such materials facilitate the uniformity, readability and sequencing in individualised learning environments.

Marketing Plan

The marketing model utilized in relation to this service is content marketing because the key approach is to find trust and interest among potential students using social media channels. Short videos and posts about vocal techniques, performance skills and repertoire interpretation will be disseminated through platforms like Xiaohongshu, Bilibili, Douyin and WeChat Channels.The material will consist of breathing exercises, resonance, and instructions on how to express emotions in music in the classical voices. The service will appeal to students preparing to take conservatoire entrance exams by offering valuable and convenient information. This will enable the potential customers to get to know the teaching style before they can commit to paying lessons.The process of creating and sharing valuable and relevant information to appeal to and maintain a well defined audience is what is referred to as content marketing (Pulizzi, 2012). In this regard, frequently updating and communicating with the followers will contribute to the creation of a personal brand and credibility.Moreover, the video content in the short form is especially efficient in the younger audience, so these platforms can be used to target high school students. The strategy will aid in the audience increase as well as student conversion in the long run.

Financial Plan

This service has a financial model that is aimed at being simple and sustainable since the service is delivered online. The pricing will be determined at about RMB 150-200 per lesson, which translates into about 16-22 pounds per session. This price is at a competitive level in Chinese market of the private music education as well as affordable to students in high schools who are about to take the entrance examinations to conservatoires.The cost of operation is also relatively low because it is provided online. No costs are incurred in terms of physical space or equipment other than the basic digital resources like a computer, an internet connection and audio devices. This gives it the opportunity to retain most of the revenues as profit.The one-to-one lessons are the source of revenue, and the income can be raised by adding more students to the weekly schedule or providing lesson packages. The fixed costs are low, and the break-even point is low. According to revenue stream principles, income in creative services is typically based on direct service provision, where the number of clients directly determines revenue potential .This business model offers flexibility and scalability, which will promote long-term sustainability.

Legal Considerations

This venture being an online one to one teaching service should be run as an individual business or as a duly registered company in China. Since it targets the secondary-school students, it has to follow the rules that regulate the non-subject off-campus training in China, such as the institutional qualification, transparent pricing, and advance payment restrictions (Ministry of Education et al. , 2022a; 2022b). The payment must be done in traceable online services like WeChat Pay or Alipay, with specific records and terms of refund, which is in line with the E-commerce Law (National People’s Congress, 2018).

Future Development

The service may also grow in future to include small-group classes and packaged short courses to students of the same level. It can become more formal studio or agency in the long run, scaling it with the help of regular branding, organized offers, and better audience engagement (Harrington, 2026).

Group Work Reflection

During the seminar workshops, I talked about the first concept that is to provide Chinese students with online classical vocal lessons. My initial concept was rather wide and centered on teaching singing online. Group discussion enabled me to become more specific in my definition of the project, which is target market, delivery model, and commercial value. This came in handy since the module instructions argue the need to reflect on feedback and generate ideas on the peer discussion (Harrington, 2026a).A recommendation that was given by peers was that the project was lacking a particular audience. I did not target all the singers, but instead reduced the service to Chinese high school students who were on their way to classical voice conservatoire entrance examinations. Another piece of advice was that my initial concept sounded too close to the normal private tuition, thus I had to clarify what made it unique. Consequently, I have come up with a more distinct USP that includes training abroad, multilingual repertoire, and the integration of vocal skill and expressive coaching.My business perspective of the project was also optimized based on customer demand, pricing, and online delivery, which can be explained by the fact that the market knowledge is important in developing a viable idea (Harrington, 2026b).

References

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