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\u201cIt just makes my heart sing \u2013 it\u2019s the best thing I have ever done to be honest,\u201d she says, her voice tinged with emotion.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt makes me want to cry even talking about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Di started Local Vocals last year in the hope it would open a new avenue for people to form friendships and feel welcomed into the fold.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s an all-inclusive environment with no age limit and no judgement of a person\u2019s natural singing ability.<\/p>\n
The group attracts women \u2013 and a few men so far \u2013 of all ages and from all around the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been so rapt with the numbers,\u201d Di says.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am far from an expert but I hope to give every member of our choir the ability to transform their lives for the better \u2013 bridging the gap between withdrawal and awareness, isolation and interaction.\u201d<\/p>\n
Di\u2019s enthusiasm is infectious as she encourages her choir members with statements such as \u201cHow good did that sound?\u201d and \u201cThat was awesome!\u201d as they harmonise to songs such as I Am Woman, Stand By Me and California Dreamin\u2019.<\/p>\n
Di has been working with special needs students for the past seven years and has seen first-hand the amazing benefits music can have.<\/p>\n
\u201cMusic is such a universal language yet it can be interpreted so differently \u2013 this creates such a unique connection,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
\u201cSinging along to a song can change your mood in just a few seconds.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n \u201cIt puts a smile on your face as you feel every word you\u2019re singing.\u201d<\/p>\n Geelong teenager Aimee Miller can attest to that.<\/p>\n The 19-year-old is a proud member of Local Vocals and makes the trip to Torquay with her carer each week.<\/p>\n At first Aimee comes across as quite shy but put her in front of the camera and her star quality shines through in an instant.<\/p>\n \u201cI like singing, acting and dancing \u2013 it helps me clear my mind,\u201d she says, sitting on the stage that overlooks the hall.<\/p>\n \u201cI just love what I\u2019m doing.\u201d<\/p>\n Jenny Baker, a music teacher, says her reason for joining the choir was simply to do something that was just for her.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a non-threatening environment that welcomes everyone and Di is absolutely amazing,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n \u201cIt can be intimidating to sing out loud but here everyone is really accommodating of the odd squawk.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s for the pure love of singing rather than being perfect.\u201d<\/p>\n Fellow singer Janelle Polwarth agrees and says she would love to see even more people join in the fun.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI have always wanted to be in a singing group myself but just never found one until now,\u201d Janelle says.<\/p>\n \u201cWe always walk away happy and glowing and on top of the world to be honest.\u201d<\/p>\n Michelle Mahoney says Local Vocals is the highlight of her week.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a mum you want something for yourself for your own enjoyment,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n \u201cI did choir at high school \u2026 then I hadn\u2019t sung since but I just love it.\u201d<\/p>\n The group is currently working towards some public appearances, including getting into the Christmas spirit at the annual Torquay Carols by the Sea.<\/p>\n But for now, they are enjoying each other\u2019s company and the joy of making music together.<\/p>\n \u201cI just want you to enjoy it and not feel stressed out that you can\u2019t sing it,\u201d Di tells her singers before they break into song once again.<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t want to be fussy here.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/04\/s9U2tMAoRi6ZxK2OAc1_09535.jpg\")
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