Born on stage?

continued from last week

So...it made us wonder. Does good pitch and singing get harder as we get older?


It would seem that as children we have not yet learned to judge ourselves with a harsh critical eye. We are free to express ourselves because we are not afraid to make mistakes. When we are young we know that we have many more opportunities ahead of us in life so perhaps it takes the pressure off this one? We perform without inhibition because we are happy to express ourselves as we are now, before we begin learning that the world makes comparisons... or more importantly we do. And it would seem that when we let go.... trust our ear, trust ourselves or perhaps more accurately, not try too hard (as we adults tend to)....our pitch is almost always spot on!


As we get older we must remind ourselves that what we have to offer is still unique. It might be fear that tells us we should just keep a lid on what we hope is within us or life experience that has taught us that it is more productive to stay on the well-paved road. Then there is also the point that people are a whole pile more forgiving of the mistakes children make and by the time we are adults we really should know better?

But let's put all this aside because perhaps when it comes to singing it would seem that it might just pay to tap into your inner child, go with your spontaneity and trust your instinct because holding back is just so easy for a whole pile of boring adult reasons.

And the moral of the story is...perhaps if you go with your inner child it could actually help you sing more in tune. It might even help you perform like you were born on stage!

Ti lascio una canzone

Occasionally we watch the RAI Italia channel on pay TV. We signed up for pay TV convincing ourselves that we would watch Italian television all the time in order to keep up our Italian language skills and watch some of our favourite programs. Unfortunately we were to discover that the Aussie Italian channel only showed the absolute worst shows on Italian telly with almost nothing worth watching...except one program, Ti lascio una canzone.

Ti Lascio Una Canzone is basically a children's singing competition, not dissimilar to X Factor but with the kids ranging in age from about 8 to 13. Most of them seem absolutely teeny weeny and it is amazing to see them up on stage, fully confident, strutting their stuff and belting out classic Italian ballads with almost perfect intonation.

Their pitch was so good and seemed so natural that it began to make Jamie and I wonder if singing in tune is something that actually gets harder as we get older. Anyone who watches our Australian version of X Factor or Idol will be well aware that a lot of the singers struggle to stay consistently in tune. Yet, these kiddie winks on the Italian program sang really well in tune for their entire performance, were at ease with themselves on stage performing honestly and spontaneously.

Perhaps we just get more self conscious as we get older which prevents us from being truly in the moment. Maybe the sound engineer was really good on this program!

So...it made us wonder. Does good pitch and singing get harder as we get older?

Take a look!

Madalina Lefter

Damiano Mazzone

continued next week!

Salamanca Studio

Hmmm...well there's nothing worse than a blogger who doesn't blog. Yes I am guilty!!
5 months can really fly by when you are busy setting up a new studio and having a baby!
Gorgeous Coco Siena Scott was born on 10/10/2010. Yes I had a word with the man upstairs who co-ordinated that date for me...usually you have to pay extra!

So...the NEW Revolve Arts Voice Studio at Salamanca is up and running! We have a great space in the Salamanca Arts Centre and I know that students will be inspired by the proximity to all the other artsy hobart types. I know I am!

We are doing a bit of baby juggling at the moment but teaching classes most days in at the studio.
Sometimes Coco sits and watches wide-eyed as students demonstrate their musical prowess.....gotta start learning young these days if you want to get ahead in the music industry. Although 2 months could be overdoing it!

So anyway....after a bit of time off(to hang with our baby girl) Jamie and I are back!
Call in and see us.

Over and out.

p.s Promise to write more often!

Festival of Broadway

Well who would have thought that such exciting stuff would happen in Hobart!
Am I allowed to say that?

Have just spent the long weekend at a series of workshops for Musical Theatre Writing conducted by Stephen Schwartz. Yes THE Stephen Schwartz who wrote the hit musicals Godspell, Pippin & Wicked.
Not forgetting his film scores for Disney like Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Prince of Egypt, Enchanted....the list goes on.

A number of musical theatre composers were selected from around Australia to present their work and receive feedback. The workshops were open to the public although it seemed that I was the only member of the public that took them up on their offer. Liz Callaway also presented a workshop on Musical Theatre Performance.

It was an incredible couple of days, receiving great pearls of wisdom from Stephen Schwartz and a panel of other international guests with seriously impressive resumes. I was so inspired by their openness, modesty and genuine interest in encouraging and supporting the development of the writers and composers.

For anyone interested in Musical Theatre I would highly recommend making the trip down to Tas for the next series of workshops in 2011. I really do think that only in Hobart could you attend something like this free of charge.

There is a concert in Sydney on June 20th at Angel place 'An Evening with Stephen Schwartz'. The tickets aren't free and a bit more expensive in Sydney than Hobart(surprise, surprise) but well worth a night out. Liz Callaway and a young singer Adrian Li Donni are definitely worth seeing.

Anyway, here is a link to the website for all the info about Festival of Broadway

And congratulations to Kevin Purcell, head of the Con at University of Tas for instigating it all!

Over and out.
L

SYDNEY CLASSES

Next week Lisa Roberts-Scott will be in Sydney teaching singing classes at The Independent.

Teaching Schedule
Wed 16th June 1pm - 5pm
Thurs 17th June 9am - 5pm
Fri 18th June 9am - 5pm

The Independent Theatre
269 Miller St
North Sydney

To Book a Lesson Time;
Call or SMS Lisa on 0405 550015 or email lisa@revolvearts.com.au


1 hour class - $60
1 hour Introductory class for new students $40

Thanks!

Well after some trepidation about not geting the numbers to attend our Hobart workshop....we discovered that Hobart is brimming with interested artsy people and our workshop was full.

I'd heard rumors that Tasmanians were very active in local arts and we were excited to have a broad range of participants in our workshop from singers to music therapists, yoga teachers and Feldenkrais practioners. Even an architect! (Although that was my good friend Peta whom I forced to come along!)

I'd like to thank everyone who attended and a special thanks to Ingrid Weisfelt who managed to find some time in her busy performance schedule of 'The Age I'm in' to come and assist me in running our first 'Movement & Voice Workshop' in Hobart.

The more we explore the link between voice and movement the more we recognize it's potential and fundamental importance in not only assisting singers and performers to release inhibitions but to release tense bodies and muscles allowing them to explore a greater vocal scope and ultimately find greater vocal freedom.

See you all at our next workshop. Will keep you posted.

Lisa

Movement & Voice Workshop

Monday 31st May from 5.30pm – 8.30pm
Cost $50.00
IHOS Studio, 32 Pitt St, North Hobart.


Following successful workshops in Sydney at the Independent Theatre, Lisa Roberts Scott and Ingrid Weisfelt are now offering a one-off workshop in Hobart that explores the direct link between the body and the voice.


Having a strong understanding of our own bodies and how we use ourselves physically is crucial to being an effective and affecting performer. Ideally we sing, act, dance and create with our whole bodies and intention. It is crucial for performers to learn that it is possible to free and develop their voices through movement instead of feeling the need to 'control' the voice with muscular tension.


Incorporating the Feldenkrais method this workshop focuses on liberating the voice through movement. Conducted by Melbourne based, dancer, choreographer and Feldenkrais practioner Ingrid Weisfelt and Queen Elizabeth II Music Scholar and voice teacher Lisa Roberts Scott.

Don't miss this opportunity to take part. Limited places

Bookings essential on 0405 550015
or email lisa@revolvearts.com.au

Ingrid Weisfelt
Lisa Roberts Scott


Suitable for singers, actors, dancers, performers and anyone wishing to develop a stronger connection between voice and body. (No previous experience required).

Carrying the Summer within!

My mother in-law sent me this quote this morning;

Au milieu de l‘hiver, j‘ai découvert en moi un invincible été -

In the midst of winter, I have discovered that I carry inside me an
invincible summer. Albert Camus

Must admit that it is rather timely after awaking to a high BRRR factor
in Hobart this morning.

Apparently it is not yet winter here although
last night our little country house was battered by such ridiculously strong winds it caused me to ask my husband if we were likely to lose our roof and if that would be very dangerous. To which he nonchalantly replied 'Well it wouldn't be good!'

Tiger the cat even came trotting inside seeking refuge which is quite something considering he has been obsessed of late with catching at least 4 mice a day in his new home after we recently liberated him from his previous indoor apartment prison.

So as winter approaches I am going to keep the Summer within. How?
By singing of course!

Today I begin teaching voice lessons at IHOS Studio in North Hobart.
I am looking forward to whipping my new victims into shape and am happy to say I have been receiving a lot of inquiries from a range of singers in varying genres. Love it!

Fortunately for me, Jane Edwards,one of Australia's most experienced and acclaimed singers, is a Hobart resident after relocating back to Tas a number of years ago and am off to her this arvo for a vocal coaching session myself.

I might play the Beach Boys on the way!
Let me know if any of you have any good ideas about how to 'carry inside you an invincible Summer'. Am open to suggestions!!

p.s That is not a photo of Hobart by the way. I think it was a tornado in Florida!

Singing & Socializing in Sydney!

A brief jaunt to Sydney is just what the doctor ordered! Singing and Socializing! My 6 weekly teaching excursions are proving to be great fun. Not only do they allow me to catch up with my fabulous students and continue with their vocal work but also to catch up with them on a personal level and see how they have progressed since last time. I feel lucky to be teaching such talented singers who are open, interesting individuals and becoming wonderful friends.

Here's a snippet of what a few of them are up to;

Merenia has just returned from China where she has been singing with her band for a number of months. She did her practice religiously and has really developed her high notes. Oscar from 'Watussi' has been living quite the rock star lifestyle of late. Jet setting off to New York to mix his latest album followed by a South American tour. Their album will be released at the end of the year and let me tell you, I've heard it and it's gonna be hot stuff!

Talking about travel, our international pilot, Mark, is coming ahead in leaps and bounds although he probably doesn't realize it. Having been gigging around Sydney and focusing on his musical sensitivity he really is beginning to sound like a pro.

Now as for Therese, she just sounds like an angel. This girl has such talent. I keep telling her that the world is her oyster but she has to buckle down and study her opera repertoire this year. Hope she is listening! Antonia thinks she's a bit rusty at the moment after having had to focus on her 'day job' but what a voice and gorgeous tone. Go girl!

Tony is not singing enough but back into his duo gig as pianist. I say SING Tony! You may have been a pianist in the past but now you are clearly a singer too with a rich, strong voice. So use it and that's an order!

I had a new student while in Sydney whom I'd like to mention as I thoroughly enjoyed teaching her. She called herself a beginner but with just a few instructions on keeping her tone and resonance consistent, some breath support and remembering to open her mouth(yes seems obvious).....out her voice poured. Fabulous!

I had a vocal session myself with Simon Kenway in Sydney. I love Simon Kenway!
Sometimes having a voice lesson is just like a breath of fresh air. It's like you've been missing something but not until you start singing do you realize 'Gee I needed that!' It makes you feel like your life is back on track. It doesn't necessarily mean you have to be on track to any great, huge goal, it just makes you feel like everything is good in the world again.
I hope the lessons I give in Sydney feel like this for my students!!

Perhaps it's obvious to say, but feeling personally fulfilled and inspired is so important. Whether it's a voice lesson that does it or doing a sketch or whatever it is that rocks your boat, it really is so important that the world around you feels alive because you feel alive in it!

So my message for the day, along with all my other babble is this; go and book that lesson you have been putting off, ring up about that course, start learning French. We've all got to keep our creative juices flowing. As we get older it becomes easier and easier to stay within our comfort zones so I say....break out! It's the stuff that makes us see past where we are now and open up our minds to all the possibilities ahead of us.



Lisa
(aka Tassie Girl)

Where am I?

For those of you who may have thought that I had fallen off the planet....you may very well be right.
Jamie and I have relocated to Hobart, Tasmania!
Well we seem to have fallen off the 'mainland' it would seem which is what Tasmanians like to call it.

We are now living on the apple isle and I had 2 apple trees full of lovely red apples in the back garden to prove it! Yes... HAD! Am going to have to make a bit of a quick adjustment back into being a Tassie girl because I left it slightly too long to pick my lovely red apples from the tree and the possums cleared out the lot! Gotta be quick round here!

The other thing I learned recently was that when one picks lovely fresh red tomatoes from the garden and makes delicious pasta sauce, one has to be extra careful to get rid of the little grubs first in case they turn up on top of ones spaghetti! URGH! No pesticides is apparently a good thing?

I will begin teaching voice lessons at IHOS studios in North Hobart in the next few weeks as well as returning to Sydney next week to teach at the Independent from Wed 14th to Fri 16th April. Drop me an email if you'd like to book in a time but make it snappy as spots seem to be filling fast.

Last week Jamie and I performed in IHOS Opera's production called 'Kitchen Table Rondo'. A crazy new composition about food, family and tradition. Each act was performed in a different location. The first on a train platform, the second act in an old warehouse and the third in a traditional Greek Hall. All set up with props, lights, smoke machines, radio mikes...impressive stuff. It was about the most avant-garde production I have ever been involved in and we had great audiences who arrived on buses and in limousines. I had to kick myself....am I in Tassie?

You may notice this blog take a bit of shift as I occasionally mention how amazing Tasmanian apples are, having bought some Golden Delicious and Cox's orange last week and actually getting a shock at how tasty they were. I may occasionally also throw in a recipe for something like pickled Beetroot which I made for the first time last week and wondered at why I have been buying it in a tin for all these years!

Yes I may harp on a little about gardening and country life....it will be a steep learning curve for me but I will also have lots of exciting musical projects on the go which I hope some of you will be keen to be involved in.

Keep you posted!
Over and out.

Tassie Girl

p.s anyone want my Pickled Beetroot recipe??