Learn from renowned singer turned teacher

SOPHIE FOUNÉ

INTERNATIONALLY acclaimed soprano Merlyn Quaife will be holding group singing lessons for the first time in her career.

Quaife has performed in operas and with orchestras all over the world and has lived in Bendigo for the past 13 years.

She now sings with the Bendigo Symphony Orchestra at Langley Hall and at Sacred Heart Cathedral.

The idea for the Discover Your Voice sessions at Langley Estate came from having had people approach her in the past to ask for singing help.

“Over the years I’ve had a few people brave enough to approach me for individual lessons and I thought that takes a fair bit of courage,” said Quaife.

“I thought maybe people might feel safer in a small group and so it’s capped at eight people.”

The sessions will involve vocal exercises and singing rounds.

“I’m cooking up ideas for them and hopefully we’ll get them at least having fun with their voices,” said Quaife.

“It’s for people who have been told they can’t sing when they were kids.

“It’s small group, friendly environment, and let’s have fun and just see if we can get your singing voice working a bit.”

Quaife said being genuinely tone deaf is very rare and the sessions might help alleviate such fears.

“I would just say have the courage to give it ago,” she said. “Mostly it’s just that people have what I call a ‘lazy ear’.

“You can sort of get them hearing a bit more acutely and that then helps the voice begin to work, give them a few tips how to not force the sound, and just let it happen and off they go.”