Apart from being an excellent performer, songwriter & singer, Parissa has an innate ability for teaching. Her hallmark generosity onstage extends to her students.
Workshops / Teaching
UPCOMING EVENTS
Parissa will be leading the Fairbridge Festival Choir, WA, the weekend after Easter. This is a special year for Fairbridge as they will commemorate their 20 year anniversary. More info to come.
Rhythmsong Music Camp 2011 at Jarrahdale, WA was FABULOUS again!!! Many thanks to the generous giving and open hearted passion of all the faciltators: Carl Panuzzo, JoJo Smith, Bec and Marie. Special thanks to Gyan for her vision and wisdom to bring all of us together. Also thanks to all the eager, trusting and talented participants for sharing your new songs and voices, a real delight! See you next year.
Feedback from participants of workshops led by Parissa.
“Absolutely fantastic”
Michael Sharmon
“wonderful fulfilling, great special angel of a teacher”
Rina Lois Genis
“Divinely awesome” Kelly Turner
“Loved everything! exercises and singing - great fun” Beth Stewart
“Wonderful, enjoyed it and learned!! thank you”
Gaby Borgardts
RECENT WORKSHOPS/ Music Camps
Rhythmsong 2011, WA
Music For Everyone, ACT June 4 - 6, 2010
Yacandandah Folk Festival, VIC 2010
Workshops
At festivals and music camps across Australia, Parissa’s vocal, performance and rhythm workshops are highly sought after.
Recent music camps include: RhythmSong WA; Jamberoo Folk Music Camp NSW; Daylesford Singer’s Festival VIC; Folkworx WA; Singout NSW; Wintersong NSW; Music For Everyone ACT; Woodford Folk Festival, QLD...
Parissa has taught alongside: Stephen Taberner, Rachel Hore, Kavisha Mazzella, Carl Pannuzzo, Jojo Smith, Carl Cleves, Tanna Kjaer-Dona, Richard Lawton, Leigh Carriage, Fay White, Linsey Pollack, Stiff Gins, among others...
”The Health Department actually hires me to help raise the standard and empower community choir leaders throughout Victoria, because they have realised that singing together can positively impact upon peoples mental health. How enlightened is that!”
In 2009, Parissa led the National Folk Festival Choir, singing songs from Latin America. In 2000 she led the Woodford Folk Festival Millenium Fire Event Choir.
When not touring Parissa runs performance master classes with HSC students, the ‘Ruby Tuesdays’ choir in Byron Bay and maintains a busy private studio.
Workshop Example’s
With prior notice most workshops can cater to small, medium and infinite numbers of people.
Workshops can also be devised for special projects. Running times are suggestions and can be altered following discussions. For some workshops basic amplification may be needed.
Vocal Production Handy Hints NEW!!
Do you know the difference between nasality and nasal resonance? Can you make it? This workshop will explore and give ‘voice on’ experience in some nuts and bolts vocal production areas. For people who want a bit more technical help with their singing. Very popular at Daylesford Singers Festival 2007.
Running Time: 1 - 2hrs
Numbers: 10 - unlimited
Captain Corelli’s Songbook –
songs from the Ionian Islands NEW!!
The Greek Islands in the Ionian Sea have a secret… hundreds of years of Venetian rule has left a musical legacy with a strong Italian influence not heard in other parts of Greece. Come and join Parissa as she shares her family’s musical heritage.
Running Time: 1 hr
Numbers: 10 - unlimited
Brazilian Song
Learn beautiful Brazilian songs by legendary composers and the clapping rhythms to go with them!!
Running Time: 1 hr
Numbers: 10 - unlimited
Latin Songs & Rhythms
Bring along something to shake, scrape or tap and learn some songs and rhythms from Latin America. No musical experience needed, just bring your enthusiasm and be ready to be surprised by how quickly it can all come together.
Running Time: 1 – 2 hrs
Numbers: 10 – unlimited
(above 25 people needs PA)
Choir Warm Ups NEW!!
A nuts and bolts look at what needs warming up in a choral setting. How to do it and have fun!!
Running time: 1 hr
A nuts and bolts look at what needs warming up in a choral setting. How to do it and have fun!!
Running time: 1 hr
Everyone Can Sing
A feel good vocal workshop where people are encouraged express through the voice. Warm ups done for voice and body co-ordination. Group vocal improvisation experimented with. Lots of games, harmonising and singing of songs. No previous singing experience needed.
Running Time: 1 - 2hrs
Numbers: 10 - unlimited
Microphone Technique and How to Communicate with a Sound Engineer
Do you get a horrible ‘pop’ every time you say ‘P’ into a mic? What’s the difference between ‘feedback’ and ‘foldback’? How far should you stand from the microphone? What’s the difference between studio mics and stage mics? If you feel at all nervous about microphones and all the P.A. gadgetry, this is the workshop for you. Suitable for choir members, solo and back up singers.
Do you get a horrible ‘pop’ every time you say ‘P’ into a mic? What’s the difference between ‘feedback’ and ‘foldback’? How far should you stand from the microphone? What’s the difference between studio mics and stage mics? If you feel at all nervous about microphones and all the P.A. gadgetry, this is the workshop for you. Suitable for choir members, solo and back up singers.
Running Time: 1 - 2hrs
Numbers: 10 – unlimited
(Need a small PA for this one.)
Managing Performance Anxiety
For everyone, including instrumentalists, or public speakers. Beginners in particular stand to benefit from learning the tricks that seasoned performers use to improve their performances. The workshop explores the causes of anxiety, offers ideas to channel the anxiety in a constructive manner and provides practical relaxation techniques.
Running Time: 1 - 2hrs
Numbers: 10 - unlimited
Rhythm & Vox
Take a journey and explore polyrhythm with the voice and the whole body. A wonderfully energetic and inspiring class, suitable for all levels. Totally safe, fun, nurturing process that challenges you to new, unimagined rhythmic intergration. A hit at the Daylesford Singer’s & Woodford Folk Festivals. No late comers allowed entry.
Running Time: 1 1/2hrs
Numbers: 10-250
(above 25 people needs PA)
Conditions: indoors preferred,
good sound insulation
Vocally Challenged/Absolute Beginners
For people who have little vocal confidence and “bad” pitch. During the workshop we look at ways to correct pitch, how it “feels” to be in tune, how harmony “feels”, holding your note in a crowd, and sing simple chants and songs; all the while providing a very safe atmosphere and healing group vibe. Works best with a follow up session with the same group.
Running Time: 1 - 2hrs
Numbers: 5-10
For more information:
02 5613 0031
or
0421 330 766
MFE 2010
Wintersong 2005
Photos
PRIVATE TUITION
Parissa has over 20 years experience as a performer and 15 years experience as a voice coach, at all levels: tertiary institutions, festivals, choirs, workshops and music camps, both individually and in groups.
She specializes in modern vocal techniques & styles (CCM) , folk & ethnic styles.
Parissa was head of Vocal Studies at Northern Rivers Conservatorium 1996 - 2000 & Southern Cross University in 1996. She remained on staff at SCU until 2007, after which she has put her energy into choirs, private tuition, recording and performing.
“Private tuition is a good idea for people who feel vocally challenged but would like, one day, to have the confidence to sing with others.. These people are often such a delight to teach as you see them grow in confidence and skill... like watching a flower blossom.”
Parissa has many tools in her kit for maintaining ‘safe’voicing whilst encouraging students to express their whole range of sounds, as well as bringing whole body movement and play into the process.
Parissa was an award winning student at SCU and has a BA in Contemporary Music, Voice major. She is a full member of Australian National Teachers of Singing.
Lessons can help develop range, pitch, agility, volume, expression, harmony and aural skills, tone, phrasing and confidence.
Classes are suitable for Beginners - Advanced singers of all ages.
Where:
Sunrise Beach, Byron Bay
*All lessons are recorded and given to the students as data onto their thumb drive to take home to practice with.
*Microphones available for instruction.
*Backing tracks in the correct key, can be supplied.
* Can record onto Garage Band/ logic Pro
For more information:
0421 330 766
Woodford Folk Festival
Mia Barkoula
Sung just after learning at Sing Out workshop in May 2008.