Reclaim Your Voice

A course for people who think they can't sing, beginner or shy singers with Nikki Berry & Gary Easterbrook

Friday, March 30, 7.30pm - 9.30pm & Saturday/Sunday, March 31 & April 1, 10.00am - 5.00pm
Cost - $130/$120 (Friends of The Muse)
Bookings essential. Limited Numbers - (ph 374 683) or email us
Forfar Courts, 95 Forfar Street, St. Albans

This course is for all those people who think they can't sing or have
been labelled 'tone deaf', from those who 'mime' in the back row, to
those who belt it out while their friends and family cringe.

Nikki has been pioneering this work for many years and seeks to explode the myth of the 'non-singer'. Singing is a skill that develops naturally in children. Most people who have trouble singing in tune have had this process interrupted in some way. By learning a range of techniques, and through the creation of a supportive, non-threatening environment, we will work to gently reshape the image we have of ourselves as 'non-singers' and claim the right to enjoy using our voices.

A strong part of Nikki and Gary's work is to build a sense of community in the group, where members are supported to shine their brightest, and get through what ever may get in the way.

Topics Covered Include

• Learning to sing in tune
• Overcoming anxiety
• Singing technique - breath control, tone variety, range extension
• Music definitions - understanding musical terms
• Developing rhythmic skills
• Basic harmony singing

The tutors
Nikki Berry’s background is as a songwriter, community choir leader, arranger and singing teacher. Over the years she has trained as an audio engineer, been an instrument maker, played bass and guitar in a range of original bands, and taught general music skills to adults and young people. She currently leads the exuberant world music choir, A Capellago, and leads workshops for singers throughout New Zealand.

Gary Easterbrook grew up in Whangarei, and has flown airplanes, driven trucks, worked in forestry, flirted with television... the list goes on. His musical career has been equally varied - from heavy rock to bluegrass and country, blues and jazz to world music. He learned piano as an eleven year old, took up guitar at fourteen, then bass guitar and back to piano (with a dabble on drums along the way). He's now happy on all these instruments, and also arranges music for choirs. Besides music, Gary loves surfing, sea kayaking and photography.