CANCELLED FOR THIS YEAR
Instructor: Melisa Devost
Tuesday, July 28 - Thursday, July 30 (begins Tuesday evening at 7pm, Wednesday & Thursday run 9am - 3:30pm)
Early Bird Fee: $230
Regular Fee: $255
Deposit: $63.75
Scholarships and Bursaries are available for all Island Mountain Arts Programs, Link here for details.
Workshop Description
We sing in the car, in the shower, we hum doing our dishes, we sing with other people and for most, singing is something that can bring joy. This workshop will explore some singing techniques, some basic and useful vocal physiology and how to sing with ease and expand upon your skill base. We will also look at how, when we include the whole body in the process of singing, challenges around pitch, volume, breath and nervousness can greatly improve. We will be playing with different styles of singing with a lean toward gospel and soul. There is room for both soloists and doo-woppers!
Instructor Bio
Melisa Devost is a Canadian musician, performer, writer and teacher. After living in Ireland, she attended the renowned jazz program at Vancouver Island University. Since then, Melisa has independently released three full length records, online singles and toured internationally. She’s played with some of Canada’s finest musicians working across genres that run the gamut from traditional gospel, to blues, to indie rock and experimental noise.
Melisa’s exploration of voice informs her compositions, blending soulful melodies with prominent vocal arrangements. In addition to writing for herself, she collaborates with other Canadian artists, notably as a co-writer on David Gogo’s critically acclaimed, Juno nominated record Come On Down. Her versatile voice can be heard on a number of studio recordings, including Ken Whiteley's Gospel Music Makes Me Feel Alright, Kim Barlow's Saplings and Corbin Murdoch & The Nautical Miles' Wartime Lovesong.
Melisa has acted in numerous independent films and theatre productions and has directed and/or produced various theatre productions. She performed, soundtracked and co-wrote the bright and timely mockumentary, Super Gay Famous, as well as soundtracked and narrated other film shorts.
In the winter of 2017, Melisa successfully debuted her first penned solo piece for theatre, This Way It’s Poetry - A Musical Play.
Melisa is a vocal coach and regularly facilitates workshops for students of all levels, from curious beginners to career professionals. Believing that all good teachers are perpetual students, she has studied Speech Level Singing with Vancouver based master teacher Spencer Welch, and Roy Hart voice work with New York based teacher Richard Armstrong. She is a certified Fitzmaurice Voicework® instructor.
Melisa resides on Hornby Island, working locally and off island. She runs two choirs, plays in various musical projects and co-runs the local theatre society. In 2019 she plans to tour her theatre show, expand upon her teaching practice and release her highly anticipated EP.
Special Events included with Tuition:
Tuesday, July 28, 5:30pm: Student BBQ, School, free for students, come eat a gourmet burger before you start class at 7pm.
Wednesday, July 29, 8pm: Instructor Concert – Sunset Theatre, $20, free for students
IMA students also receive free admission to Barkerville Historic Town and many discounts to local businesses.
The ArtsWells Festival Of All Things Art runs from Friday, July 31 – Monday, August 3, 2020 and features over 100 musical acts on 10 stages throughout Wells and Barkerville. See www.artswells.com for details. Consider sticking around after your workshop!