Rachael Cunningham Singing Teacher/Performer in Cheltenham | Specialty School

Rachael Cunningham Singing Teacher/Performer

Locality: Cheltenham

Phone: +61 403 112 363

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• Music school
• Specialty School

24.01.2022 Well its a funny old time -I hope you're all coping in this new world. Once July 1st hit and all my singing work for the year was cancelled I decided to pull my 'big girl pants' up and make the rest of this year count! So what have I been up to?? I've been having regular lessons and exploring new repertoire with the wonderful Donna Balson who runs the Young Artist programme at Opera Australia- she is a genius with the voice and wonderfully supportive. I am loving our session...s and how they feed into my own teaching. I built myself a new website! Those of you who know me well realise how much that means technology has advanced! It was easy and fun. More to add but it's up! So if you know anyone interested in lessons over my way or online let me know. And today was my first day of Level 1 of the LoVetri institute teacher training from Ohio- I'm doing 3 levels in the next 3 weeks. Today we covered: Mechanical and Technical Aspects of the Voice, Terminology and Definitions, Overview and comparison of Contemporary Commercial Music styles, Exercises in Listening, Functional principles - Registers, Belting, Voice Science, Formants, Resonance, Breathing, Posture, Dysfunction/Constriction in the voice, What vocal exercises can and cannot do, Age based parameters, Application to registers, Cross training, and varied styles of repertoire Speech & Amplification and their relationship to the voice. Phew! It's been a great day! I'll keep you posted with things I'm learning as I go along. Here's my new website: https://www.rachaelcunningham.com.au/ https://www.rachaelcunningham.com.au/

22.01.2022 So powerful in her performance and the message- Let’s sing of hope- and so the work begins. https://vimeo.com/425539239

22.01.2022 This is down to only $15 AUD - I’ve bought it and might be of interest to others.

20.01.2022 Had another great day in my Somatic Voice Training course today. we had sessions on Age-based parameters, Vocal health discussion from an SLP/Singer, Requirements and suggestions when preparing students for auditions for institutions, how to structure lessons, and colours in vowels in different registers. By the end the training is designed to help singing teachers discern possible issues in a voice and know which exercises to use to help the singer experience a freer techniq...ue and body (or know whether to refer on to a different type of professional). Jeannie LoVetri works with singers in sessions to show us the ideas and exercises she uses to achieve this. I'm loving it. Because it's online they give us a selection of short movement breaks we can choose from to loosen us up. Today I did a wonderful Diaphragm release session with this lady who is a pilates teacher and professional singer- you can do online sessions with her- I highly recommend it! https://suzanpostel.wixsite.com//suzanpos/thebodysings/bio https://suzanpostel.wixsite.com/thebodysings/bio

15.01.2022 Lovely testimonial from my friend and student Helen for my new Website. Thank you Helen! We had a great lesson today implementing the new techniques I have learnt in the Lovetri course- Helen was Singing up a storm!! Rachael Cunningham is simply a wonderful teacher! I started to learn to sing as a personal challenge - to try something completely out of my comfort zone. Now it is a highlight in my week. I sing with joy and with confidence. My speaking voice is more resonant, my breathing is ‘better’ and even my laugh is bigger. I can’t recommend her enough! Helen Wetherell

10.01.2022 I strongly encourage people to sign up for this webinar- I’ll be attending and I hope many of my students will also sign up. Learning how to manage performance anxiety can help in so many situations- an audition, interview, presentation or stage performance. Thanks to Anats for providing this opportunity. Sunday June 21st 1-4pm- booking link below.

09.01.2022 I can’t stop listening to this- sooooo soothing. Grab a cuppa and sit down and have a listen- just beautiful. https://youtu.be/DvmU-ppORGM

09.01.2022 Here some wonderful free workshops for young singers out there- Sharon is amazing!

08.01.2022 Well I’m up to the last day of Level 2 in the Lovetri Method. One level to go. We are assessed on being able to reproduce the exercises accurately, identifying vocal issues and register changes, choose appropriate exercises to address problems and on teaching actual sessions. I’ve introduced the exercises into all of my lessons and every single student has had major breakthroughs. I’m having a lesson with one of the tutors from New York on Tuesday, can’t wait. What I love is... it’s a practical course based on evaluating what you can hear - I’ve always felt knowing the science is great and important - for the singing teacher -but didn’t really help your student in the moment. This course is practical- how to facility immediate change through functional exercises based on ease of individual sound- not pulling and poking bits of your vocal tract into ‘set’ positions but how to sing all styles with ease. If you are a teacher and ever get a chance to do this training I highly recommend it- and to my students- get excited- this is fun! https://somaticvoicework.com/

06.01.2022 Level 2 Day 3- Lovetri Somatic Voicework Method Right so what did we cover today? I had to teach in my breakout group implementing techniques to help correct a vocal problem- I tackled blending registers and my ‘student’ (a course participant who sings in Music Theatre) and I had great results with the exercises suggested- and we achieved a huge difference in ease over the break for her. ... We had a lecture on Body Mapping from Dr Jan Prokop. I have studied this before and I realised how valuable it is for singers. I will be offering this as a workshop for schools or groups very soon. Next we watched Jeannie work with 4 young children/teenagers diagnosing problems or ‘sticky’ bits of the voice and implementing exercises to unwind tension and habits constricting the voice. It’s great to watch her in action. After this Jeannie worked with an opera soprano with excessive tension in the back of the throat and tremolo because of this - Jeannie worked with her for about 20 minutes before having to stop but the difference was amazing. A completely revised technique. And to finish the day sessions on online teaching/zoom/and using scheduling apps in the studio. And now for the exam! Running on adrenaline and not much sleep at the moment!!! Contact me if you’d like to try this approach if you’ve had a ‘pressing’ problem in your vocal technique- it’s unlocked my voice in a couple of days. So grateful.

06.01.2022 I teach many adult students. They are wonderfully interesting people, passionate about their singing and with incredible determination to keep improving and exploring their voices. Learning is a great lifelong pursuit! I love working with all of them.

05.01.2022 I know there are a lot of virtual choir posts everywhere - but do yourself a favour- sit down, close your eyes and listen to this. Just beautiful - wonderful blend of voices, interpretation and control. They are obviously very experienced at singing together to come up with this sound doing it one by one at home! https://youtu.be/iwFTypYQwbA