Program Overview

Conservatorium Open Academy

The Conservatorium Open Academy offers various programs for individuals of all ages and skill levels.

Programs

• Kids at the Con:
  • Available Classes
  • Holiday Workshops
  • FAQs
• Rising Stars:
  • Rising Stars Jazz
  • How to apply
  • Teachers
  • Testimonials
  • Semester dates & Concerts
  • Fees, scholarships & bursaries
  • Electives
• Play at the Con:
  • Teachers
  • Expressions of Interest
• Short Courses:
  • Music Foundations
  • Composition
  • Singing
  • Instrumental
  • Ensemble
  • Music Technology
  • Jazz
  • Online
  • Face to Face
  • High School & Pre-tertiary
• Workshops and Festivals:
  • Songwriting Holiday Workshop
  • Opera and Music Theatre Lab Intensive Audition
  • 3 Singers 3 Workshops
  • Music Theatre Audition Workshop
  • Jazz Audition Workshop
  • School Workshops
  • Young Womens Jazz Workshops
  • Beginner Shakuhachi Workshop
  • Voice Works
• Sydney Con Jazz Festival
• Barayagal
• Professional Development

Vocal Fundamentals

Vocal Fundamentals is a unique course that provides students with the opportunity to work with two specialist tutors, developing fundamental skills in both vocal technique and music literacy in a fun and supportive environment.

Course Details

• Duration: 8 sessions, 16 hours total
• Time: 6pm - 8pm (UTC+11:00)
• Location: Joseph Post Auditorium, Sydney Conservatorium of Music
• Tutors: Nadia Piave, Cathy Kerr
• Fees: $520.00, $457.60 (inc GST)
• Entry Level: This course is suitable for absolute beginners but would also suit singers with some experience who want a vocal technique refresher as well as the opportunity to develop their reading skills.

Course Content

Students will learn to understand and apply the fundamentals of vocal technique, including:

• Warming up
• Breathing
• Posture
• Resonance
• Diction (vowels and consonants)
• Vocal health In addition, they will learn to confidently navigate a vocal score by understanding and applying fundamental concepts in music notation and sight singing, including:
• Developing skills in reading and performing rhythms in both simple and compound time signatures, including syncopation
• Reading pitch in the treble and bass clef
• Understanding the concept of key and why it is important for singers to be able to decode key signatures using the cycle of fifths
• Developing an awareness of major, minor and modal tonalities
• Developing sight singing skills including interval and pattern recognition
• Making sense of vocal scores: decoding the dots! In the ensemble session at the end of each class, students will have the opportunity to perform a variety of repertoire from unison singing and rounds through to 4-part harmony, encompassing a broad range of styles.

Testimonials

• Exceptional. Extraordinary. Excellent. Cathy and Nadia turn music markings on a page into a whole of body experience engaging mind, voice, sight, hearing, movement and emotions.
• This was a marvellous course. We covered so much, and with such clarity and enthusiasm on the part of Cathy and Nadia.
• This course is a great blend of voice exercising and training and learning to follow sheet music.
• The tutors, Cathy and Nadia, were very good and I could tell that they not only know a lot about music and singing, but they genuinely enjoy teaching too…..
• Both Cathy and Nadia were fantastic...I enjoyed it so much I've booked in for next term.
• I signed up for Vocal Fundamentals to improve my voice and confidence in front of people. As a total beginner to music and singing, the course was a great introduction!
• Cathy and Nadia are experienced teachers who have a wonderful style when working with a group of mixed ability grown-ups.
• Cathy and Nadia introduced me to the world of music and awakened a love for learning that will last a lifetime.
• For anyone who has little or no musical knowledge and wants to gain an introductory understanding, this is the course!
• It has been the most terrific experience. Very sad to have reached the end of the course, would love there to be a sequel!
• Cathy & Nadia are the best teachers. Their love for music and singing is reflected in the classes. Loved every minute and learnt a lot.