Learn to sing in a group:
voice workshops & choirs
Singing is good for you, good for your community.
Some people prefer to learn singing in the company of others. If you are one of those people, voice technique workshops or choirs may be for you.
The difference between a voice technique workshop and coaching is that the session is based on a targeted voice or singing topic. So when you come to a workshop, you know exactly what you are coming to learn about, you gain some new knowledge and do some singing over a couple of hours.
Choirs involve improving your singing while learning songs in harmony. So they involve little to no theory or teaching and lots of doing. If you want to get straight down to singing songs, with little to no teaching and have a bit of fun while your doing it, choirs are a good choice. Learning to sing with a choir is a longer term project but you'll have fun while you're doing it!
For information on singing projects with First Nations communities please check my Research page.
Singing is good for you mentally and physically. Listening to it, but most of all, doing it. Singing with other people has the most proven health benefits. And it’s fun!
voice tecnique workshops
Sing better, Sound better
I conduct group voice technique workshops on a large range of topics. Here are some of the most popular ones that answer some of the most common questions singing students have. They can be booked individually or are customisable in different combinations depending on your requirements. They can cater to groups of beginner adult individuals or be for existing groups like choirs. All the workshops have been taught by me as beginners classes but also as components in tertiary contemporary popular singing courses that I have put together. All available in Sydney. If you live outside of Sydney and would like to book one of these workshops for your group or organisation, contact me to find out when I might be in your area.
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Click on the dropdown options below to read about the types of workshops offered.
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What is contemporary popular voice?Basically, everything but classical singing, including folk, pop, R&B, music theatre, jazz and various types of world music. I am also skilled at coaching people to sing songs in many languages other than English, so don't be shy about bringing them along to your lessons. If I think what you want falls outside of my skillset I will tell you so and try to refer you so someone who can.
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Why private lessons?Private one-to-one singing lessons are the most flexible form of singing coaching. They can be tailored to your individual skill level and needs, whether you are a beginner who just wants to sing at a party or a professional wanting to build power or range for a particular performance.
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What happens at the first lesson?We do a vocal warmup then I ask you to sing a simple unaccompanied song you that you know well. This could be Happy Birthday, a Christmas carol or show tune, etc. If you can sing me parts of 2 or 3 songs -even better. Then we talk about your musical background and interests and what you want to do with your singing and then I tell what I think you are good at, what you will need to work on and how long I think it might take to achieve your aims.
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Do you offer a free trial lesson?No. Because the first lesson involves a skilled assessment and consultation, I don't offer a free trial. However if you decide to come for multiple lessons, I offer a 10% discount for groups of 4 or more lessons including your first lesson. I also offer generous concession rates for the unemployed, students, seniors and pensioners. If this applies to you please talk to me about your situation. Please contact me for rates.
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Do you offer Online Lessons?If you are in Sydney, I would prefer to see you face-to-face. But if you are outside my area, I am happy to give online lessons if you have a steady internet connection, a device with a good microphone and a quiet place to have your lesson away from other people so you can focus and I can hear you. Laptop or tablet is best for this but a mobile phone can work if it has a good microphone and you have a tripod (a cheap one will do). I may also ask you to download a keyboard or pitch-pipe app to your device for you to practise with. Contact me if you are not sure if your setup will work. For my part, I also have a webcam with high quality audio and reasonable internet connection. Other considerations are whether you live in a time zone different to Sydney and when in the day your internet works best.
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Should I choose individual or group coaching?Group coaching is good for small vocal harmony groups or lead singers plus backing vocalists from a band to work mainly on harmonies and repertoire with a bit of technical input and individual attention. Group coaching is also cheaper per person than solo lessons but if you have specific issues that you think need more intensive work, private individual lessons might be more efficient and better in the long run.
perfect 5th choir
Perfect 5th - a choir for everyone
Based in the Inner West of Sydney, Perfect 5th Choir is a small (but wanting to get back to pre-Covid size) community choir that is always looking for more singers of all voice types and all ages to join their ranks. There is no audition to get in, the only prerequisite is that you enjoy singing in harmony with others. The group sings a wide range of material, chosen and often arranged by me with the particular voices and interests of the members in mind. Current repertoire includes songs in Zulu and Irish Gaelic, Australian country, Folk and pop, medieval Italian and Renaissance English. Perfect 5th performs at occasional parties, festivals and local events for good causes. There are introductory sessions several times per year for new people so please join the mailing list for updates. A beginners group as well as the ongoing Monday night group are planned for 2024 so please register your interest.
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Dates for the rest of 2024 are:
TERM 2 PERFECT 5TH CHOIR Monday Group 29 April - June 24
TERM 3 PERFECT 5TH CHOIR Monday Group 22 July - 23 September
TERM 4 PERFECT 5TH CHOIR Monday Group 14 October - 16 December
Here is some feedback from some of the Perfect 5th choir members on the benefits of singing with the group:
Choir definitely helps my state of mind. It's something other than my day to day life - it helps clear my head and emotionally gives me a lift.
I have noticed a lasting improvement in breathing capacity after singing for a few weeks.
Mental stimulation that has enhanced clarity of thought. Deeper & relaxed sleep patterns following choir sessions.
Social connectivity & social support/making new friends as an older person.
Choral Support
Guest choir musical direction and vocal technique support for choirs
Targeted voice technique workshops for choirs: Topics include pitching for choirs, warmups for power and range, how to change to sound of your voice for different music styles, improving rhythm and dealing with ageing voice.