Jazz Vocal Workshop

Intermediate-Advanced Course

Comments from Students
Teacher
Schedule & Fee
Enrolment

Billie Holiday Always wanted to sing jazz? The Jazz Vocal Workshop provides an intensive introduction to the wide range of skills and techniques required.

Jazz is as much an approach to as a style of music, and this course concentrates equally on understanding and interpreting jazz from the inside as it does on the techniques of singing it. Topics covered include:

Physical and vocal warm-ups
Voice technique
Listening exercises and harmonies
Defining your vocal range
Rhythm work
Jazz-style phrasing and expression
Singing in various styles, including swing, Latin, bebop, ballads and the blues
Basic improvisation
Choosing repertoire and exploring jazz standards, including the songs of Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Rogers & Hart, etc.
Using a microphone
Developing your own unique style

The workshop will also include preparation with a professional jazz trio (piano, bass and drums), and (although this is not required) participants can showcase some of the material they have worked on in a final performance, open to the public. Participants are encouraged to invite family and friends along!

Although this workshop is an introduction to jazz singing, it is not intended for voice beginners. (Go to Introducing Singing for Adults for information on our beginners course.) Participants in the Jazz Vocal Workshop should have some previous experience singing in choirs or musicals or have taken at least a term of private or group singing lessons; some musicianship (knowledge of scales, chords and rhythms) is helpful but not required.

Jenna is available to speak by phone with those interested in participating in this workshop. Please let us know by email or phone if you would like her to contact you.

The Jazz Vocal Workshop is one of our group courses. Private and intensive lessons in jazz voice (singing) are also available. See Departments & Faculty - Voice (Singing) for more information.

Comments from Students

'Keep doing what you do. It works!'
– C. O'Brien

'Enthusiastic teacher, great song choices, good introduction to the subject of jazz.'
– G. Ryder

'I had a great time enjoying my passion for singing in a friendly atmosphere, and discovering new skills step by step with a very patient teacher who brings you as high as possible. An experience I advise for anyone interested in singing.'
– Y. Lotte

'I was hoping to gain some knowledge of jazz music, chords and song structures and improv. singing. I gained exactly that – while hugely enjoying my time here!'
– J. McMahon

'Just a great, beneficial course. I'm loving it!'
– O. Pugh

'Please do yourself a favour and go to this course....'
– K. Nangle

Jenna Harris, Teacher

Jenna Harris Jenna is part of an emerging coterie of musicians that look set to invigorate the Irish jazz scene. She began her music studies with classical voice until she discovered her passion for jazz, and she now holds a diploma in Jazz Performance awarded by Trinity Guildhall and an honours BA in Jazz Performance from Newpark Music Centre (she was the first woman in Ireland to hold a degree in Jazz Performance). Jenna regularly performs with her own Quintet/Quartet/Trio/Duo, with Daniel Jacobson's ZoiBand and as a session musician with various other groups. As well as teaching with the New School since 2006, and with Newpark on their BA programme, she is involved with several youth groups and has a particular interest in jazz music education.

Listen to the Jenna Harris Quintet on their MySpace page.

2012-2013 Summer Term Schedule & Fee

5 weeks, 3 – 31 July 2013
Wednesdays 6.30 – 8.30 pm

Tuition Fee: €180

Enrolment

Enrolment for this course requires a completed enrolment form and full payment of tuition fees. (Go to Enrolment & Booking Form Downloads for a 2013 Summer Term Enrolment Form.) Places are available on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the date of enrolment. Early enrolment is recommended, as places are limited to ten.

Purchasing this course as a gift? Go to Enrolment & Booking Form Downloads for a Gift Certificate Booking Form.

Waltons New School of Music