Greetings from the Sunshine State.
Everything is in full swing here for a productive and very interesting 2014. We have a vibrant and eclectic group on the Committee this year with lots of energy and new bright ideas for the growth of ANATS in Qld. I would like to welcome Francesca de Valance, Kate Schirmer and Kim Cooke to our committee and sadly farwell Nick Hollamby our past secretary, who is now in the position of Professional Practice Fellow in Contemporary Voice at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand and Dale Cox our techno guru who is expanding her home studio. Our regional representatives, Marisa Lee (Gold Coast), Lauren Hannay (Cairns),Vicki Jones (Mackay) and Kath Williams (Sunshine Coast) are working hard to bring the word of ANATS to vocal teachers throughout the state.
“Not Just a Pretty Voice” will be held at the Gold Coast, Sunday March 30th. Presenters Dr Irene Bartlett, Simon Gallaher, and Tim O’Connor will deliver a workshop that offers singing teachers, advanced vocal students, emerging vocalists and other interested arts workers a full day of information, demonstrations and practical industry advice.
On May 10th Cairns will hold its first ANATS Event “Accent on Breath, Vowels & Articulation” with highly regarded and renowned specialist Dr Ron Morris who will present a programme focused towards Accent Breathing Method and vowels and articulation and their practical application. In the first half of the year Brisbane will hold two events;“Boys’ Changing Voices & Vowels and Articulation” May 4th at Somerville House South Brisbane and “Body Mapping for Singers” Enhancing Voice Performance through Somatic Pedagogy, June 28 & 29th at JMC Academy Brisbane, South Brisbane .
The first workshop will be presented by Dr Ron Morris, Gordon Harris and Anthony Young specialists in boys changing voice will present a workshop and masterclass that will practically cover the physiological and sociological aspects of singing through ‘the change’ through expert tips, exercises and repertoire. Ron Morris will also present a special session on Vowels and Articulation will help both studio teachers and choral directors. The second 2 day workshop will be directed by Australian born conductor Heather J. Buchanan PhD; Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Montclair State University, New Jersey, USA and a Licensed Andover Educator.
This workshop is designed to set each musician who takes it on a path of self-evaluation and change in the quest for cultivating free and effective movement in performance. The focus will be on the needs of singers via exploration and assimilation of Body Mapping concepts and study of anatomical and physiological information about the body in movement. Prevention of injury and promotion of technical facility are also central themes. Qld ANATS Chapter is excited about the presentations we are offering and the direction of the first half of the year.
Look forward to seeing many of you there.
Yours in Music
Celia Mylne
President Qld Chapter
