Hi, I am Yvonne and singing has always been a natural part of my life!
Welcome to Be Free To Sing. I have studied Bel Canto singing with a wonderful teacher who is a Direct-Line Scholar of Garcia-Marchesi Bel Canto. This style of singing changed everything for me vocally.
My singing background includes:
- More than 20 years' experience as a cantor and soprano in choirs
- Bel Canto Certificate Training and Advanced Bel Canto Vocal Intensive Training including Vocal Intensive Master Class performances
- Ongoing professional development in vocal techniques and teaching
If you love music, want to sing and are keen to learn and practise transformative (and fun!) vocal techniques from a patient and dedicated teacher, then there is no reason why you cannot sing beautifully.
When you sing you are in a vulnerable space, baring your soul, emotions, and the essence of who you are. Singing is about sharing stories, being of service, and seeking to connect with others and the eternal.
From the very beginning, my home was always filled with music and I was exposed to songs from a variety of eras. As a baby I would often be found in my cot dancing and singing along with the radio! I later joined my primary school choir, participated in school community performances, joined my local parish choir, and continue singing and learning more about the voice every day.
Growing up I developed a natural skill and ear for music, harmonising, learning from music teachers and musicians, self-study, mimicry, play, and other practical methods. The voice has constantly fascinated and sustained me. I am also a self-taught keyboard player – always a work in progress!
Over twenty years ago I began singing publicly as a choir member (soprano) and as one of the lead cantors at weekly Sunday Masses in my local church. It has been an honour to serve in this way within my own community. I have also sung at weddings, funerals, priestly ordinations, jubilees for religious congregations, and other liturgical celebrations both in my parish and at churches elsewhere, including in my city’s cathedral.
Having opportunities to use my voice to praise and worship God in this way has been my life’s joy and the greatest expression of my faith. Singing is God’s gift to me and is, indeed, praying twice. Examples of songs I enjoy singing can be found on the Be Free To Sing YouTube channel.
My Approach
The best singers and teachers are those who thrive on the joy of learning, growing, exploring, and improving vocally, spiritually, and personally. They have an open heart and want to help others experience the power of music in their lives and community.
My teaching approach:
- brings adult beginner singers together to learn in a supportive, small group environment;
- gently guides you through the Bel Canto techniques with lessons that incorporate observing, listening, discussing and practising;
- provides learning materials, where relevant, to support you during and outside of our classes; and
- makes time for you to share your vocal discoveries and questions.
I would love to help you reveal and improve your natural voice to sing with more confidence and ease!
Additional expertise
- Qualified Librarian and Information professional with a Bachelor of Business (Information and Library Management) and over twenty years working in the information field
- High-level analytical and research skills to collate resources
- Extensive experience as a workplace trainer in face-to-face classroom settings, online classes, and webinars
Apart from singing I love...
- writing, reading, collecting books and sheet music (especially ancient ones!)
- cycling, walking, being in nature
- using online and offline tools to retrieve information, or point people towards other sources
- answering questions in a clear and friendly manner
Being able to combine my information, technical, vocal and people skills has been valuable when collaborating with other musicians and singers. This has included supporting choir leaders with planning, researching, sourcing, purchasing, and organising music for parish liturgies, feasts, and celebrations. I have an excellent ear and eye for finding good music and my students will benefit from these skills during our lessons.
Be Free To Sing is a proud member of the Australian National Association of Teachers of Singing (ANATS) Limited.