For 10 weeks each term one of the classrooms in Walton's New School of Music on Dublin's South Great George's Street echoes to the sound of adult voices being put through their paces by singing teacher Sara Clancy. Groups are confined to eight participants, each session lasts an hour and the course of lessons costs £90.
The "introduction to singing for adults" course is not ideal for those who are painfully shy, as a willingness to perform in front of the group is essential. But it is designed as a confidence-building exercise which will give those taking part the techniques and skills required to sing a song from beginning to end with self-assurance and expression.
As a former Riverdance performer and member of Anuna, Sara Clancy knows all about the techniques required to make an impact on an audience. Her adult students may not all aspire to end up in the chorus line of a famous musical, but whatever their goals she will coach them in basic vocal techniques (such as breathing properly) while also helping them to overcome nervousness, to put a song across to an audience and to choose songs that suit their voices.
"I'm doing the course because I enjoy singing, but I'm terrified of singing in public and I'd like to get over that," says Ann Flaherty. "There is a wide range of experience within the group which is interesting and the classes are a lot of fun. I can also see how the techniques we're learning for singing could be applied to other situations such as public speaking or making a presentation. By the end of the course I'm hoping to have a song that I can sing at a party and feel happy about doing it."
The next adult singing course begins in January and places may be booked right away on (01) 478 1884 or e-mail info@newschool.ie.
Apart from offering singing classes, Walton's has a number of other introductory courses aimed at adults. Also available are guitar, Latin percussion, tin whistle, blues harmonica, bodhran, keyboard and musical theory. All classes take place at 69 South Great George's Street from 7 to 8 p.m. on different nights, depending on the specific instrument chosen.
