Important aspects of good singing covered in my studio:

• love for one's own voice
• love for the repertoire (songs)
• controlled relaxation - good posture (ie. knowing how to relax the jaw, arms, neck, shoulders etc).
• awareness of support and breath intake
• vowel formation and consonant articulation
• the correct onset of sound
• range extension and resonance
• sound knowledge of singing in all the major languages
• stagecraft (how to perform and interpret songs)

These factors are of prime importance in the contribution to good phrasing, diction and musicality producing...

BEAUTIFUL SINGING!

"My daughter Jade has benefited in so many ways from learning singing from Laura. She has grown in confidence by performing and learning the many disciplines in learning this art form. Now in her eighth year of tuition Jade has an extensive repertoire, including classical, folk, musical theatre and art songs in English, Italian, Spanish, French, German, and even Finnish!

Its been more than just singing, Jade has benefited from a broad exposure to many cultures and people, and has enjoyed the social and fun aspects of learning with Laura."

Diana Jonas-Dwyer

The Studio provides lessons and classes for all age ranges. Located in Shenton Park, the studio has been operating since 1989 and has trained hundreds of voice students. Many of my students have studied with me for over ten years. More about the Studio.

The Studio also provides:

• a professional, inspiring and pleasant learning environment
• covers all voice ranges male and female
• all styles of repertoire-art song, lieder, French mélodie, opera, folksongs, music theatre and jazz
• audition preparation-musicals and major tertiary institutions local WAAPA, UWA, and interstate courses
• auditon preparation for the prestigious Gondwana Voices, WA Opera
• preparation for AMEB (Australian Music Examinations Board), eisteddfods, talent quests, special music programmes
• specialist in young voice repertoire for children, teenagers and young adults
• individual, group and family lessons (Suzuki method)
• pre-school classes (Suzuki method)
• excellent in-studio facilities including PA system, lesson recording, microphones, CD players, computer, percussion instruments and xylophone for Orff oriented-music
• piano accompaniments, backing tracks
• website
• music library for use in lessons (CD, print music, reference books)
• learning materials and props for younger students
• multi-lingual learning

I offer five types of singing lessons:

Consult Lessons: All students under 17 require a Consult Lesson before enroling in the Studio. This consult lesson is a chance for child/student and parent to meet me and for me to assess the child's/student's readiness and discuss with you what is involved. After this lesson a place may be made available. If there are no vacancies for a scheduled time, then you will be placed on a waiting list and contacted when one becomes available. [fees]

Private Weekly Scheduled Lessons: One on one lessons for ages 7-17 are private lessons from 30 minutes to 3/4 hour. A minimum of 1 year commitment is expected. [fees]

Group Weekly Scheduled Lessons: Group Lessons are at a scheduled time each week. Groups consist of between 2 - 6 students maximum for students NOT in the same family. The age range varies depending on the suitability of this type of lesson for the age. A minimum of 1 year commitment is expected.[fees]

Family Weekly Scheduled Lessons: Family lessons are for
2 - 4 students in the same family. These are weekly scheduled lessons. Tuition includes my time and expertise for the length of the Scheduled Family Lesson. A minimum of 1 year commitment is expected.[fees]

Individual Adult Lessons: Age 18 and over. Lessons are scheduled as and when required, in otherwords on a casual basis. Lesson appointments are scheduled as and when required and when there are vacancies. Booking in advance is highly recommended. Tuition includes my exclusive time and expertise for the length of this Private Lesson. [fees]

Links to Fees and Policies or Contact Me

I am particularly interested in the pre-adolescent and adolescent voice and have a number of TEE students and others doing AMEB exams and audition
preparation for the WA Academy Music Theatre (WAAPA) course and the WA Conservatorium and other major institutions auditions each year.

I currently have students enrolled in the Music Theatre certificate course at WAAPA and teach the repertoire for this course.

Adults

Private lessons cover all the basic techniques of singing and help to build confidence. Adult students in my studio learn to sing with a relaxed and healthy technique in a supportive atmosphere. Each student is encouraged to take positive risks and make new discoveries.

I love to share with students the skills I have acquired in all genres of vocal music over 30 years of professional singing performing experience, and teaching. I especially love introducing a wide variety of the vast vocal repertoire and taking advantage of the richness that songs from all over the world in different languages can bring. Step by step singing in other languages is rewarding and adds a whole new dimension to the art of singing.

Or if your requirements are specific in a certain style of music I can help you to achieve your goal of a better performance and interpretation through solid technique and study of the song. I currently have students enrolled in the Music Theatre certificate course at WAAPA and teach the repertoire for this course.

Every voice can improve with regular practice!

My long term students have gone on to gain places in institutions such as UWA, WA Academy of Performing Arts , the WA Conservatorium of Music, Music Theatre Course Ballarat University and the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Many win prizes in eisteddfods around Perth, gain places in prestigious choirs and ensembles and each year are selected to sing in the renowned Gondwanna Voices
http://www.gondwanavoices.com.au/

Many attain high awards from the Australian Music Examinations Board http://www.ameb.edu.au/ each year.

WA Opera Company

In 2005 and 2007 several of the Bernay Studio students were selected to sing in the professional children's chorus for the WA Opera Company's production of Carmen and

in the professional childrens' chorus
of La Bohème.

In 2008 students from the studio were selected to sing in the professional children's roles in the WA Opera Company's Magic Flute by Mozart.

Other students each year are selected to go to Sydney in January to take part in the week long workshop for young singers produced by Alexander Productions http://www.alexanderproductions.com.au/.

In 2005 and 2006 the students
of Bernay Studio sang in a Music Theatre workshop given by Stuart Maunder (Opera Australia Executive Producer) and Anne Maree McDonald (singer and pianist).

Performance Experience

Students in my studio will gain experience in performing when they are ready.

There are many opportunities to perform including studio concerts, smaller recitals, eisteddfods, music theatre nights, auditions, AMEB (Australian Music Examinations) and ANATS (Australian National Association of Teachers of Singing) performance afternoons and other events. Students enrolled in the Suzuki Voice program have opportunities to participate in Suzuki music events.

Students will need to build their own library of vocal music.
The following resources may be helpful:

Music Borrowing

The Perth Music and Performing Arts Library is FREE to join.
2nd Floor, The Library and Information Service of WA
Alexander Library Building, Perth Cultural Centre, Perth WA

Contact: 9427 3244

Opening Times:
Mon-Thurs 9.00-8.00pm
Fri.: 9.00-5.30pm
Sat-Sun: 10.00-5.30pm

Website: http://www.liswa.wa.gov.au
Email: music@liswa.wa.gov.au

Music Purchases:

Music can be purchased from any good music store. Here are a few I recommend:

Zenith Music: Zenith Music has sold pianos, guitars and other instruments, sheet music and recorded music from their location in Claremont for over thirty years.
Address: 309 Stirling Highway, Claremont, Western Australia Phone: (08) 9383 1422

Tempest Music : Tempest Music was established in 1979 with the view to provide the serious musician with the "complete" service, where musicians could purchase everything for their craft.
Address: 69 Manning Rd, Como, WA, 6152, Australia
Phone: +61 8 9450-3539 | Freecall: 1800 673 539

Sheet Music Plus: proudly offering the world's largest selection of sheet music.

Suzuki Voice programe students are required to purchase the CDs and books from me.