Within her own busy singing schedule Annie Skates has built up a reputation as a renowned vocal coach who draws on her practical experience as a singer to help performers and recording artists to overcome individual vocal difficulties. She can help improve a singer's technique through breathing exercises and vocal work-outs, and she can also give advice on the interpretation of a song.

Annie is often called into the recording studio or TV studio to work on a specific project with an artist or group. In 2001 Nigel Lythgoe (Nasty Nigel!) rang from Carlton TV and asked her to appear as on-screen vocal coach on the ‘Popstars’ series, having been impressed with the work she did with her own group of singers in the TV studio on previous occasions. Following this Annie worked with Hear'say, helping them to prepare for live performances culminating in their appearance on ‘The Brit Awards’.

She was then invited to coach Mis-teeq but unfortunately her own singing commitments made this impossible at that time.

At the beginning of 2002 Annie spent a week in the recording studio working on a debut album with heavy metal band, 'The Shining'. Soon after this, Annie coached the contestants for the TV talent show 'This is My Moment' for Granada TV, hosted by Mel B, and then went on to work with Atomic Kitten for the televised ‘Showtime at the Stadium’ at the Cardiff Millennium Stadium.

In 2003 Annie was asked by Granada TV to help Uri Geller prepare for his role as Charles Aznavour in ‘Celebrity Stars in their Eyes’

Annie’s next engagement was with the Coca Cola Company for their Activity Village day. By the end of two hours, people who had entered the room as non-singers were singing with utmost confidence and even managing to hold their own harmony against 9 other parts! Annie has since been invited back to coach the winners of a competition, where the prize is recording a song of their own choice in a professional studio.

The Children’s BBC TV animation series 'Little Robots' followed, and Annie prepared all 10 voice-over artists, including Lenny Henry, Sue Pollard and Mel and Sue, to record the song ‘Sparkle Day’.

In Autumn 2004, Simon Cowell asked Annie to act as vocal coach for the singers on his team on ‘The X Factor’ for ITV. The series ran for 8 weeks and Steve Brookstein from Simon’s category won the final.

Annie was then asked to coach Stefan Booth to perform as Elvis for ‘Celebrity Stars in Their Eyes’ for Granada Television.

For Children in Need 2005 Annie coached 10 Newscasters including Natasha Kaplinsky and Michael Buerke for their video of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, and also helped Nikki Sanderson (Coronation Street), Kim Medcalf (Eastenders) and Elias & Luke(Casualty) for their live singing performances on the night.