musical theatre

hi to all!
anyone know of any good singing teachers who specialise in musical theatre on the mornington peninsula/frankston and surrounding suburbs? i'm 16 and have sung for about six years, and have never had any training, hence i havn't gotten the roles i aspire to.
also, are there any companies around frankston/ the peninsula are willing to give people a go who don't dance....?
and finally, which dance teachers in frankston/ the peninsula are best for someone wanting to get into musical theatre?? i did ballet, jazz, tap and gymnastics when i was little and i'd love to be able to move like they did in panorama's "Fame"!

thnx 4 any help u can give....

Hey *,

If you're serious about musical theatre beyond chorus work, voice training is absolutely fundamental. Can't help you directly with teachers, but you may want to try the Victorian Music Teachers' Association (check the yellow pages) and find out what singing teachers are available in the area. Note though if you want to get a really good teacher you may be paying $50 or $60 an hour (the teacher I'm learning from charges $60 an hour privately, except that I am learning from a university). Make sure you get someone who really knows what they are doing and preferably a professional or retired professional performer.

In terms of your other skills as a musical theatre performer: you need to either develop them or pick shows where you don't need to dance.
If you want to do shows like Fame, Cabaret etc. then you really need to learn how to dance. If you want to do stuff like Les Mis, Secret Garden or anything involving strong principal singing etc. then dancing is less important than strong acting skills and a well trained voice.

In terms of dancing classes, I've just started beginner tap classes this year at the VCA (on Saturday afternoons and Monday nights) which would be good if you're willing to take the train to Flinders Street. There are intermediate and advanced classes as well and they're not too expensive. The teacher there is very good and the class doesn't go too slowly.

Ideally you'll want as close to the whole package as you can get which is what I'm aiming for, but dance for me will always be subordinate because I've started quite late. In terms of professional work, I have never actually got into a show but I had an audition where they wanted me to dance and I didn't have the training (this is after two call-backs on my singing).

I hope this helps and all the best in your training. Work hard.

VCA do beginner tap classes for all ages?

I'm 22 and all beginner tap classes I can find are either for 5 year olds, or 50 year olds!

The class I am in has all sorts of ages.. the youngest is about 19 and the oldest are in their 50's. The only catch is that we're halfway through the year and it will be difficult to catch up since we've covered a fair bit of ground. But it started in late january/early february (and you never know, there might be other classes starting mid-year).

Good luck!

thanks!! and if there's not classes starting mid-year I can always wait till next year :) is there a website or anything to tell me more?

Hey Ann,

Sorry about the late reply.. haven't been checking the Message Board.

I just cut and pasted this from the VCA website (this is not a VCA ad ;)

School of Dance,
Victorian College of the Arts,
234 St Kilda Road,
Southbank, Vic, 3006,
Australia
Telephone: 61 3 9685 9374
Facsimile: 61 3 9685 9460
Email: dance.info@vca.unimelb.edu.au.

The beginner tap class I am taking is run by Isabelle Ryan, whose phone number is (03) 9415-7157 if you want information directly about that. Good luck (and wish me luck too ;).

hi,
there is a new company starting up in your area. I am sorry i dont have their number on me at the moment i will try to email back later. The companies name is Stella Entertainment and they are currently holding auditions down your way for PARIS written byu John English to be performed in the national theatre. I am not sure if there are any places left for the audition but the audition dates are august 13 and 14. Its worth a try any way. Great to know there are teens using this site to. Im 14. Sorry i dont know any other singing teachers round your area.

Sincerley,
Lauren

Hi, there

I'm a trained singer keen to do music theatre shows as well but want to improve my dance skills so I can have a chance against the dancers out there getting the roles. I learn singing from a fabulous teacher in Malvern. I could ask her for you if she knows of any suitable teachers down this way. My Mum's the president of ANATS (Aust. Nat Assoc for Teachers of Singing) - she has contacts too.

I've just started attending adult beginner/intermediate classes in jazz and tap at Dance Semantics in Seaford (I'm 23). They also have classical ballet classes but I have another commitment on that night. I did ballet when young and am enjoying getting involved again.

I've been to 4 dance classes so far (jazz and tap) and they're really great. I've come in half way through the year and have to learn the routine they've started, but they're all really friendly and understanding. I'm getting there!

Dance Semantics:
ph. 9776 8321 or 0411 233 724

There are other dance schools on the Peninsula, but this one was recommended to me (I searched around).

E-mail me if you like: laura.seymour@optusnet.com.au

All the best!
Laura

go for it and learn dancing it helps sing sing sing drama plays a big part as well you need facial expressions when you perform* wrote:
>
> hi to all!
> anyone know of any good singing teachers who specialise in
> musical theatre on the mornington peninsula/frankston and
> surrounding suburbs? i'm 16 and have sung for about six
> years, and have never had any training, hence i havn't gotten
> the roles i aspire to.
> also, are there any companies around frankston/ the peninsula
> are willing to give people a go who don't dance....?
> and finally, which dance teachers in frankston/ the peninsula
> are best for someone wanting to get into musical theatre?? i
> did ballet, jazz, tap and gymnastics when i was little and
> i'd love to be able to move like they did in panorama's "Fame"!
>
> thnx 4 any help u can give....

I am looking for a copy of the double cd "Paris" by John English

Please email any contacts

http://www.sanity.com.au/product.asp?intProductID=586766&intArtistID=196379

You can also get it from www.broadwaybest.com.au