January 23, 2016
FIVE - AUTHENTICITY LEADS TO SUCCESS
'There is a strange paradox on the journey toward revealing authenticity and that is - we want less of you to see more of you'.
A song presents initially, to an artistic interpreter, (yes a singer), as a series of black marks on paper; the hard labour of composer and lyricist. It once lived in their hearts and minds. It is now committed to a written form ready to be shared with others. This is a near daily occurrence for professional singers. The challenging responsibility for breathing life into these marks on the page is daunting.
The deconstruction from material form to organic noises is an art - a performing art. Sinews and muscles and imagination and technique, bring pressure to b...
January 18, 2016
FOUR - WHAT IS SUCCESSFUL SINGING?
'Successful singing is the entwining of souls, entangling them in a web of collusion between you and the song'.
You will hear lots of thoughts and ideas about how to sing with success. It is such an elusive skill we sometimes think we have it covered and then suddenly one day it becomes difficult again. As we learn new songs, as we grow older and learn new things about ourselves, have new experiences, fall in love, fall out of love, eat different foods, change shape, have children; as we have less sleep or have more sleep; our singing will be affected.
All these factors influence the way we sing and ultimately how successful we will be. It is a whole body experience. So many things can go right and so many things can go wrong depending on your day. W...
January 7, 2016
THREE - MORE INTRODUCTION!
'Singing is the heart and mind coming together to make a sound'.
My learning experience with Rita Hunter and John Thomas was both disciplined and profound. There was no turning back. I at last came to own my voice. The next step was to apply this voice to the work I was doing. This ended up being 12 years of musical theatre that required the skills of actor/singer. My training as an actor and singer combined to fulfil the requirements of musical theatre at this time.
Gone was the expectation of a triple threat. The concept of music and storytelling was enshrined in this new approach to musicals and I happened to come along with the appropriate skill set. Its impact on me and the opportunity this presented was career defining and life changing.
It had begun so...
January 1, 2016
TWO - AN INTRODUCTION
'For the young singer as well as the experienced, it is often a turn of phrase or a new angle on an elusive concept that can turn on the light of understanding'
I don’t know about you but for me, singing didn’t come easy. I loved doing it but I was fearful, self conscious and debilitatingly self critical - a terrible combination.
It was at least six or seven years after graduating from the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Sydney, before I began to ‘find myself’, in my voice. I had defensively separated my heart and soul from my voice so I didn’t have to take responsibility for its faults. My lack of commitment was the ultimate disclaimer. I felt safe because my singing wasn’t totally me.
As is often the case it takes the heart and soul of someone who lo...
