group classes & workshops

“If you take a singing class from Kate Hammett-Vaughan, you get to learn from a gifted vocalist and musician; a gutsy, talented, and conscientious teacher who’s great at making complex musical concepts accessible and empowering her students to take risks; and a kind and supportive human being. Plus you’ll have fun!” – Donaleen S.

Read more of what Kate’s students say…

upcoming classes

TBA

workshops

vocal inspiration series #1: your inner singer is calling

four Friday evenings, 7–9pm, Sep–Oct dates TBA
$150 for the series (limited to 5 participants)

“This was great! I have inspiring new things to think about and, best of all, I have singing back in my life.” – Marie B.

This intimate series of supportive workshops will help you re-establish your relationship with YOUR music. Whether you want to improve your technique, move beyond performance anxiety, deepen your interpretation, or become a better improviser or performer, this class will inspire and motivate you.

With lots of singing and lively and supportive discussion, we’ll move into a new depth of freedom, performance and interpretation. Space is limited, so sign up soon!

Have you been ignoring your inner singer? Too busy? Distracted? Are other things ‘more important’ than your creativity? Now’s the time to reconnect!

vocal inspiration series #2: improvising made easy

two Friday evenings, 7–9pm, Dec dates TBA
$75 for two workshops (limited to 10 participants)

“Logical, fun, and inspiring. Kate showed me that I already have all the tools I need, and how to use them.” – Sam N.

Afraid to improvise? Already improvising but need a new direction or some inspiration? This class will introduce you to the concept of song-based improvisation, allowing you to create new interest in your songs, and to sing melodic and spontaneous solos that make sense and connect you to your musicality in the moment.

vocal intensives

jazz singing basics: singing your song

a one-day intensive
date and location TBA, 10am–6pm (includes lunch break)
$300

Limited to six vocalists, this is an intensive performance workshop for beginning and intermediate level singers with an interest in jazz repertoire and vocal improvisation. At the end of the day, participants will perform with a professional jazz pianist and receive feedback that will improve their live performances. All participants will receive a video of their rehearsal and performance, plus a book of handouts that support the workshop materials.

For more information, contact help!

overview of intensive

10 am – What Every Professional Singer Needs To Know
Introduction to class repertoire. Learn how to quickly ‘analyze’ a song. Song form, bass lines and melody act as essential guides.
11 am – What About Charts?
Basics of chart writing. Each singer will create their own chart from one of the selected rep songs. (Music and reference recordings provided.) Learn how to include everything you need (and nothing that you don’t).
noon – lunch break
Relax, refresh, ask questions, work on your chart.
1 pm – Lyrics & Phrasing: All About the Story
The class will take an in-depth look at the lyrics for the class repertoire. Discover the key to your personal phrasing, and how to get inside the song fast!
2 pm – Lyrics & Phrasing: All About the Improv
The two essential secrets of jazz singing lie in knowing the melody and the rhythm. Learn these secrets and how to use them.
3 pm – Putting it Together
An opportunity for each vocalist to play through their chart with the professional accompanist, and to prepare for their master class performance. This will be digitally recorded and video-taped.
4–5:30 pm – Performance / Master Class
Each singer performs their song, receives feedback from the instructor and the accompanist, and sings again. This will be digitally recorded and video-taped.
5:30–6 pm – Question Period & Feedback
Ask questions, get more feedback! You’ll take away a digital recording and video of your rehearsal and performance.

design your own group class or personal workshop

September to mid-December 2012
Contact Kate for a consultation

Book a General Interest Class or a Performance Master Class for a group or for yourself. Classes are two to three hours in length. Here are just a few of the topics that the classes can include.

Developing the Voice: Your Instrument
Warm-ups and vocal exercises that will give the singer control, strength, delicacy, and flexibility.
Singing the Jazz Standards
Importance of “knowing the tune”, developing your own repertoire, good arrangements, working well with instrumentalists.
Vocal Improvisation
Ways to approach “singing over chord changes”, exercises to explore vocabulary and develop both solo and group improvisational skills.
Career Development
Learn how to promote yourself as a singer. Promotional tools such as a resumé, bio, demos, contacts, mailing lists, etc. are discussed.
Design your own class in consultation with Kate
help!