Every once in a while, a workshop comes along that breaks the mold and reminds us all how multi-faceted the art of choral singing truly is.

Several months ago, we partnered with Spectrum Singers to plan a session in West Kelowna with acclaimed clinician Dinah Helgeson. And once we found out her topic of choice, “Empowering the Singer to be Free in Heart, Spirit & Song,” even we wanted to learn more about it. 

…So we did! Here are five questions with Dinah that will give you a glimpse into her warm personality and supportive approach to choral education. We strongly encourage all singers in the Okanagan region to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to learn from one of North America’s most inspiring clinicians. Join us on Saturday, October 13. All of the registration info can be found here on our website.

Q: Right away this workshop stands out because it focuses on confidence and empowerment, rather than the usual suspects (tone, technique, sight-reading, etc.) Why is this topic such an important one to explore with singers?

A: Tone, technique, and our other gifts are just that! Gifts. Once we realize that what we’ve been given allows us to go beyond the “Technique” and go deeper into sharing, through music, what’s in our hearts, free tonal technique is released. We don’t have a reed or mouthpiece to deal with as singers. We have an inner “Feeling”. Thus, sometimes we are so very shy and truly, we need to dare to be vulnerable.

Q: What are a few of the barriers you’ll be working through with participants during the workshop? After all, singing alone and in small groups can strike fear into many a singer’s heart… are they going to be asked to do this on Saturday?

A: No one has to sing alone. We share our stories, sometimes alone, and sometimes, in a group. Singing is no more, no less, just an avenue of “connectedness”.

Q: As individuals, we all exist at various stages of our self-confidence and our vocal practice. Is it a challenge to take a roomful of people and encourage them to collectively let go of their inhibitions? Inevitably, some will be closer to the end goal and others quite far away. Is there some individual TLC required?

A: A challenge to have a room full of singers sing and let go of their inhibitions? Nah….Always, our fears are usually inner screams for affirmation in our lives. My greatest fears are public speaking and trying on bathing suits. I’ll go deeper into how I’ve overcome these two hurdles on Saturday.

Q: Who should attend this workshop? Is there a particular age demographic that faces the greatest challenge in finding (or restoring) confidence as singers?

A: Anyone can attend! I’ve worked with singers as young as 7 and as old as 97. It’s a love-fest. I’m old enough to be everyone’s grandmother. Trust me, Gram will hurt no one.

Q: Having presented this workshop model in other places during your career, what kinds of transformations have you observed in participants as they gradually come out of their shell and unleash their full vocal potential?

A: The biggest transformations have come when the singer is loved unconditionally, not only by me, but by the others in the group. I tell the singers, Gramma is in the pool and has put your water wings on you. She’s asking you to jump and I promise to catch you. There’s never been one time, when a person has come away feeling “less than” or a failure. That’s not because of me. I’ve just been fortunate to unleash what’s already inside of every singer. Again, no one HAS to sing alone. If they can “Talk”, they are already singing.