SINGING WORKSHOPS
In response to questions from our community, Dr Georgia Pike-Rowney is offering small group Singing Workshops to Child Players ACT participants, supported by Dr Susan West on piano. This is an extraordinary opportunity for our community, providing a way of supporting and extending a love of singing in all children and young people. Singing Workshops are available for those who have previously participated in the School Holiday Theatre Program and/or Musical Theatre Training Program.
A New Way to Support and Develop Singing
When young people begin to engage in singing, and begin to enjoy it, many feel that the only way forward is to find a singing teacher for weekly one-on-one lessons, or join a choir. These Singing Workshops offer an alternative model, recommended by Georgia, which focus on developing each child’s natural confidence, their individual musical identity, and their ability to support others.
These Singing Workshops are founded upon the philosophies of outreach, engagement, and positive environment imbued in every Child Players ACT offering. Many children and young people need more opportunities to sing in a safe and supportive atmosphere, alone and with others, in ways that protect and encourage their ongoing engagement in singing, develop their musical identity, increase confidence, and extend their range and musicianship.
It is a prerequisite for participants in the Singing Workshops to have previously participated in either the School Holiday Theatre Program or Musical Theatre Training Program. All participants, regardless of experience, can increase their confidence and skill; learn to help and support each other’s singing, and most importantly, have FUN!
Singing Workshop Format
Singing Workshops will involve a small group of 4-6 participants for three 75-minute sessions on Saturday afternoons or Sunday mornings. Each workshop will involve singing alone and together, to address and support individual singing needs, as well as group and part singing skills.
Classes focus on singing skill development, outreach and supporting other people’s singing, character development, and confidence building. Students will expand their vocal range, musical knowledge and repertoire in an environment designed to support all individuals. This approach can be particularly helpful for students undergoing physical and vocal changes in their teenage years.
This opportunity will provide students with the rare opportunity to work with some of Australia’s most experienced and engaging music educators. Susan and Georgia have over 60 years of teaching and performance experience between them.
The program is designed to support students who have a well-developed skill level by extending their experience through the challenging and engaging repertoire, as well as provide new opportunities for those with little experience. The team has particular specialisation in supporting students who lack confidence in their singing.
NEXT SINGING WORKSHOP SERIES: May 2026 (Term 2)
Location: Susan West’s home studio in Charnwood. Exact address provided to participants upon enrollment.
Time and Day: 75-minute sessions will be allotted on Saturday afternoons between 2-5pm, and Sunday mornings 10am-1pm. You can nominate your preferred day on the enrollment form.
Dates: Three weekends in May (Term 2):
Saturday 9 / Sunday 10 May
Saturday 16 / Sunday 17 May
Saturday 23 / Sunday 24 May
Groupings: Participants will be assigned a group by Georgia based on their educational needs, skill levels, confidence levels, and their age. Every participant will engage in both individual and group singing. When booking, participants can nominate availability as well as individuals they would like to be in a group with, if they are aware of another participant enrolling in the workshops. While this is not guaranteed, Georgia will try to accommodate these requests where possible. All groupings are final and cannot be changed once assigned.
Outreach and Community Singing: Participants will be encouraged to attend Child Players ACT community singing and outreach events throughout the year, in order to put into practice what they have learned. Notifications of dates and times for these will be sent out when new opportunities arise, along with other Child Players ACT programs.
WHAT WE PROVIDE
• 3 x 75-minute singing workshops
• A team of professional musical educators
• Live accompaniment for workshops
• Printed sheet music and/or lyrics that the participants will get to keep
• Shared music files with rehearsal recordings, where applicable
PARTICIPANT REQUIREMENTS
Prerequisite: participation in either the January School Holiday Program or the Musical Theatre Training Program
No audition is required to participate in the program
Participants must be between 12-18 years of age
Please note that in order to support their learning, and the experience of other participants, it is important that your child / young person is choosing to attend these workshops