Kate O'Connell
Vocal tuition for health, wellbeing, confidence and performance technique
News
Celebrate 2012 by Singing!
You don't need training or experience to join a group. Singing together is a wonderful way to connect with others, and it is increasingly common knowledge that it has a beneficial effect both on your body and on your state of mind.
> See article in The Northern Scot, 10 February 2012
You can't eat money!
26 May, 7pm, St John's Church, Forres
A performance in song and spoken word, celebrating local community, to raise awareness for local resilience in the face of the global social, economic and environmental situation. Featuring choir of local singers, and with special guests Iona Leigh and Dave Till.
Initiated by Kate O'Connell and Marie Jacques, singer/songwriter Ali Burns has written five songs especially for this event, which will also support local social/environmental charity Transition Town Forres.
> More ...
Healing Harmonies
Intuitively guided women's group, successfully running for over a year.
Wednesdays, 10am - 11.30am, Forres
Next start dates: 25 April and 23 May
4 sessions for £28
> More ...
Women who love to sing
A new group for those with some experience who can hold a tune. Newcomers welcome any time. Some commitment needed so we can learn songs.
Mondays, 10am - 11.30am, near Forres
> More ...
Voice series
A series of one-off taster sessions on different topics with the possibility of developing into ongoing groups. Venue: near Forres.
Find your voice/ voice clinic: please enquire for next date
Balkan Close Harmonies for women: please enquire for next date
Creative vocal improvisation: please enquire for next date
> More ...
Festival of Sacred Dance, Music and Song
7 - 13 July, Findhorn
During this annual Festival at the Findhorn Foundation, I will be offering a daily choir to sing for the dancing on the last night. The repertoire is taken from Balkan, African and other world music as well as sacred songs from diverse cultures. Local people can attend the choir without participating in the whole festival.
It is always a lot of fun as local people mix with guests from around the world to create beautiful harmonies.
> More info > Findhorn Foundation website > Contact me
Unicorn Natural Voice Camp
4 - 12 August, Dorset
Voice Camp is one of the high points of the Natural Voice singing year, attracting the best of Britains teachers. I will be offering two ongoing groups: Find Your Voice, and Creative Vocal Improvisation (with Annabelle MacFadyen).
> More info > Unicorn Camps website > Contact me
Singing in Community 2012
Teacher Training
13 – 19 October 2012
Findhorn College, Findhorn
With Bill Henderson and Kate O'Connell
An experiential workshop on the principles of teaching voice and harmony. This training is for those who want to develop their skills to lead a choir, singing sessions in group work or otherwise bring about more singing.
> More info > Findhorn College website > Contact me
Singing on Eigg
Every year during Easter school holiday. Fully catered singing workshop/holiday on a wonderful Hebridean Island.
Glebe Barn Hostel, Isle of Eigg
In 2013, it will be for the seventh time that Bill Henderson and I will be taking a group to the wonderful Hebridean Island of Eigg for singing, walking and delicious food.
> More ...
> Contact me
> Info/booking form for 2013 will be available at the end of this year
Regular Classes/Groups
Healing Harmonies
Intuitively guided women's group, successfully running for over a year.
Wednesdays, 10am - 11.30am, Forres
Next start dates: 25 April and 23 May
4 sessions for £28
> More ...
Women who love to sing
A new group for those with some experience who can hold a tune. Newcomers welcome any time. Some commitment needed so we can learn songs.
Mondays, 10am - 11.30am, near Forres
> More ...
Voice series
A series of one-off taster sessions on different topics with the possibility of developing into ongoing groups. Venue: near Forres.
Find your voice/ voice clinic: please enquire for next date
Balkan Close Harmonies for women: please enquire for next date
Creative vocal improvisation: please enquire for next date
> More ...
The Forres Big Choir
Thursday evenings during school terms, 7-9 pm
Kinloss Church, Findhorn Road, Kinloss
Mixed community choir in Forres, Moray, co-lead with Bill Henderson, with around 60 members, beginners and experienced singers, 40 of them regulars. Inspirational songs from around the world: African, East European, Gaelic, Welsh, World Music, Taizé, traditional, contemporary, and many more. All welcome, no auditions or previous singing experience required. The Forres Big Choir is a great confidence builder, lots of fun and a great way to make friends. Newcomers welcome anytime but better near the beginning of a term.
> More info > www.forresbigchoir.info > Contact me
Individual voice sessions for
children and teenagers
I really enjoy working with young people, helping them open up their voices. We use the songs that they love, drawn from the worlds of pop, jazz, folk and gospel. I also work with improvisation to help them develop their musical creativity.
Over the past twenty years I have helped many young people develop their skills and confidence as performers.
> Contact me
Private Singing Lessons
For all ages ... children, teenagers, adults ... alone or with one or two friends.
Vocal technique for confidence, health and well-being, plus performance techniques. You bring the music you want to sing. Music styles: folk, rock, pop, musicals, world music.
Private singing lessons ... vocal work with an emphasis on posture, relaxation, breathing, confidence, self-esteem.
> Contact me
Singing Workshops
I offer singing workshops tailor-made to suit your needs:
— Vocal development exercises to improve power quality range and confidence
— Voice work/singing as community development
— Harmony singing
— Solo singing masterclass, performance technique
— Vocal improvisation
> Contact me
About Kate
I trained in drama and dance at Dartington College of Arts, Devon. I have been working in the field of theatre and music for over 30 years, and at present run three choirs, and The School of Acoustic Rock for teenagers, and sing with acappella groups Too Many Kooks and Sonas.
I have a huge repertoire of beautiful songs from around the world, both secular and sacred, traditional folk and pop/rock/gospel.
I believe that everyone can sing, and I have much experience in encouraging those who thought they were tone deaf as well as those who want to make a career of music. I am a member of The Natural Voice Practitioners Network (> NVPN).
> See my page on the Forres Big Choir website
> See article in The Northern Scot, 10 February 2012
> Testimonials
Contact
Phone: 01343 - 850266
Email:
For all events, groups, choirs, classes and private lessons, please feel free to contact me for further
details and to discuss your requirements. Reasonable terms. I am based in Moray, North East Scotland. I will travel throughout Scotland, and further by arrangement.
Articles / Links
Articles
– The March 2009 issue of Saga Magazine featured an inspiring article about NVPN choirs; click here and here to download the PDF files.
– NVPN Spring 2011 Newsletter featured an article by Frankie Armstrong highlighting the historic and social context for what Natural Voice Practitioners stand for.
– Article in The Northern Scot: "Kate aims to have your heart and soul singing" (10 February 2012)
Links
The Forres Big Choir |
Too Many Kooks |
Sonas |
Moray Voices |
NVPN |
Unicorn Camps |
Bill's Music |
