Singing lessons for adults, anyone?
Of the many well-known talents attributed to Filipinos, music–making jumps out of the page. Singing, in particular, becomes almost inherent in the culture that a ‘sing-along’ becomes a typical activity in every family gathering. Many foreigners generalize that all Filipinos are good singers. Ask a Filipino, however, and they would most likely demur and, in a humble way, point out that everyone else can sing well except themselves. Regardless of the technical aspects of what makes a good singer, the bottom line is, Filipinos enjoy singing! Given a chance, they will sing in a choir, in a band, in a karaoke, in a birthday party…name it! We make music because it makes us feels right and happy. We make music because all the other Filipinos around in the gathering will always be eager to join in and sing along. We get intoxicated with the excitement that music brings.
But then, it doesn’t follows that we are necessarily and openly appreciative of our skill, just because we are able to sing a melody. How many of us have wished we could take singing lessons to sing better, for example?
The idea of the lesson, especially at an adult stage, is not necessarily to aim to become a professional, but to understand our singing voices and to discover what else can we do with our vocal mechanism. If so, it is most likely that we are making ourselves smarter by acquiring a vocal understanding on top of our general knowledge or talent. Marian Nelson, a Filipino soprano based in Perth, says: “When singing, one has to understand and feel what’s happening within the body. Hang on to that placement when the right note is produced with ease.”
So, why only wish? What stops us from taking singing lessons? Marian hazards a guess. “My guess is that we probably think we passed our prime, therefore lessons will not help. Either that or we do not know of a singing teacher who we can easily be comfortable taking lessons with.”
Well, here’s some good news: lessons do help, and learning correct singing techniques can improve voice production regardless of age. Here’s a second piece of good news: there is a Filipino singing teach- er who can help us be comfortable with our own voices.
Marian Nelson has been teaching singing in Perth since 2012. Originally from Batangas City, Marian was living in Dubai for many years before settling in Perth with her family.
Marian made her stage debut in Dubai as the Dew Fairy in an international production of Hansel and Gretel alongside principals from the UK, USA, and Canadian opera companies. For this same production Marian was also the chorus director.
Dubbed “Renata Tebaldi of the Philippines” after her recent concert for Gawad-Kalin- ga in Perth, Marian Nelson has achieved significant milestones in her chosen areas of performance and education.
In performance she has appeared in recitals, concert and operatic engagements across the Philippines, United Arab Emirates and Australia. Highlights include solo appearances with the Dubai Singers, Art Song Perth, and Vivaldi’s Gloria with the Dubai Chamber Orchestra and Choir. Marian has sung with the Madrigal Singers and the UP Concert Chorus. Other concert performances include Mimi / Musetta (La Bohème), Micaela (Carmen), and Pamina (The Magic Flute).
Winning the National Music Competition For Young Artists award in the Philippines for solo voice category inspired her to concentrate her tertiary studies in the field of music. Marian holds her Bachelor of Music (University of the Philippines); Post-graduate Diplo- ma in Music Practitioner Studies (University of Western Australia); Performer’s Certificate (Trinity College London) and Licentiate in Vocal Performance (Royal Schools of Music). She completed her Master of Music at the University of Western Australia in 2014. Marian has also participated in master classes in France under Prof. Nubar of the Juilliard School of Music, New York conducted at the Académie Internationale d’été de Nice.
Marian teaches in her own vocal studio and runs Jumeirah Music Centre Perth in Iluka, Hamersley, and Gwelup. So there, if you’re interested in a singing lesson, call Marian at 040023598 or visit her website www. jumeirahmusic.com.au
