2025 Faculty & Classes
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ALICE NIGHT (AUS) is an established singer-songwriter, writer, speaker, performer, poet and culturally focused artist. The Founder and Creative Director of Alice Night School of Arts, she has extensive experience as a creative arts facilitator, and is best known for creating and facilitating well loved online courses and in person retreats: The Writing Well, Riversong and her year-long creative mentorship program: Living Art. Alice Night’s alchemical mix of folk-music and performance art is acclaimed for its power and haunt. Marrying poetry, theatre and the wild, Night’s compositions are dark and hopeful lullabies for our times. Her sound has been described as like walking a nordic forest. A well loved singer-songwriter and poet she has released three albums and two EPs of original music working with composers and musicians to curate her soulful and unique recordings.
SONGWRITINGWe’ll explore the intimacy and freedom of song-writing, poetic expression and melody making. Expect to walk away from this week with lyrics for one new song (at least) and some potent and unusual tips for song-crafting. This is not so much about the rules of song-writing as it is about the possibilities of song-writing. We will explore what feels alive in the songs we create, and how to weave a song-story that is alchemical, honest and relatable. Expect some deep dives into song as a life-giving force, as well as some moments of play and ridiculousness. All are welcome in this class; no prior experience is necessary. Bring a notebook and pen and a guitar or drum if you have one. You’ll experience group prompts, some individual prompts, and inspiration for your practice outside of Summersong.
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PERFORMANCEGetting up on stage, or in front of other people is an illuminating experience. It can be so much more enjoyable than we assume though! Especially if we let go of perfection and instead track the current of the present moment. This requires being with what is, being able to improvise, trusting yourself, and releasing the need to be liked all the time. Through deep-play you’ll be invited to take some risks in the right direction so that you can be freer in this life to share your magic, stories, songs etc. Humanity will be better off with your specific transmission in it, so come and get real and hone your capacity to show up boldly and vulnerably in life and on stage. This class suits all levels of performance experience as each individual will take steps that match where they’re at in their journey.
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ACAPPELLA CHOIR
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TONY BACKHOUSE Composer, vocal arranger and singer, BA, BMus, and a leader in the Australasian a cappella movement. For 21 years he directed the Sydney choir Café of the Gate of Salvation, and founded the Honeybees and the Heavenly Light Quartet. Tony has researched the Black gospel tradition at Memphis State University, and since 1988 has regularly visited the USA befriending and singing with choirs, quartets and congregations in New York, Chicago, Memphis and New Orleans. He has led nine gospel tours to the USA to participate in the African American church tradition, and has run over 2000 vocal workshops throughout Australia, New Zealand, UK, France, Italy, Canada, Fiji and Samoa. He is the author of the Black gospel songbooks A cappella • Rehearsing For Heaven and Move On Up, and a book on directing vocal groups Freeing the Song. Tony works with the passionate and exciting African-American repertoire, focusing on spirituals, gospel songs old and new, and choral and quartet styles, and embracing South African church songs, R&B and pop. The emphasis is on harmony, collective improvisation and freedom of expression and no music-reading skills required. www.tonybackhouse.com
Watch the documentary on ABC Compass - Freeing The Song |
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SHELLY BROWN (AUS) With a passion for crafting captivating melodies and a versatile vocal range, Shelly Brown wears many hats in the music industry as a musician, singer, songwriter, and session artist. Whether performing live or creating in the studio, she aims to connect deeply with audiences and create music that resonates. As a vocal workshop facilitator, Shelly guides individuals in exploring their vocal potential, helping them build confidence and embrace their unique sound. Additionally, She hosts a podcast “Singing Lessons for No One”; where she dives into the world of music, creativity, and the stories that shape vocalists. Shelly hosts vocal workshops, choirs, songwriting workshops and performance workshops, She facilitates at music camps, High Schools, Primary Schools, Local Halls and the SAE Headquarters in Byron Bay. www.shelly.com.au
SOUTH PACIFIC UKULELE, MOVEMENT & SONG
Dive into the serene sounds and rhythms of the South Pacific and be guided through melodic and traditional songs from Samoa, Hawaii, New Zealand, and Australia. Learn simple ukulele chords, move with grace, and dance with joy. Explore body percussion, and play rhythms with a variety of items such as sticks, cups, water etc. Shelly’s relaxed and nurturing approach will create a space for airy harmonies and gentle vocal tones. Bring your ukulele, sarong and swimmers for some by the pool frolicking.. Flamingoes, hibiscus, palm leaves and other musical instruments also welcome.
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SINGING & VOCAL TECHNIQUE
A cherished opportunity to explore your voice. We Begin; and we travel deeper through exercises, almost like a whole Term of Voice lessons in one week. Let’s collaborate, learn, and grow together in a safe supportive environment through the power of music and conversation.
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BAND LABPlaying simultaneously is not the same as playing together. There's something special about playing or singing with other musicians, when it just 'clicks'. Whatever the lineup, there are fundamentals that apply. Do you ‘hear’ band arrangements of songs in your head, but have never had the opportunity to try them out? Well, this is it! The aim of this workshop is to develop the skills necessary to make great music as part of a band, as opposed to just jamming or playing solo. In this workshop you'll develop your ability to play as part of a unit, and to communicate more effectively with other musicians. Develop rhythmic, harmonic and spacial listening skills, create arrangements, find your part, trust, band lead and learn simple charts. In this hands on workshop, we will develop participants’ original songs (probably one per day) into band arrangements, exploring structure, feel, dynamics, space, harmony, rhythm, tension/release, key, etc.
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KARL FARREN (AUS) After cutting his teeth in Dublin's music scene, he played in London in his self-styled ‘Pimp Rock’ era, then in Australia his music evolved to originals. ‘Firstborn’, featured on the ‘Fatherhood’ compilation album, alongside Paul Kelly, John Butler, Archie Roach and Tex Perkins. With a Dolphin Award (NCEIA) nomination for ‘Saddle Road’ and ‘The Fixer’, he took the Folk category award for ‘Pilgrim Song’ and finalist nominations in the National MusicOz Awards. He received 4 Dolphin Award nominations, including ‘Album Of The Year’ for his debut album ‘Repentance Creek’. In the ‘Production/Engineering’ category ‘No-One Ever’ took the ‘Country’ category and ‘The Fixer’ in ‘Folk’. Both as a solo artist, and as one half of folk/blues duo Mulberry Bend (with American singer-songwriter Susanna Carman), he has performed The Mullum Music Festival, Nannup Music Festival in Western Australia and the Woodford Folk Festival. In recent years, his passion has been teaching, where he draws on more than forty years experience, as both teacher and musician, to provide a personalised, student-centred music learning experience. reverbnation.com/karlfarren
INTERMEDIATE GUITARLearn how to play beautiful sounding chords, anywhere on the fretboard. If barre chords scare you, but you want to venture beyond the basics, this workshop is for you! We’ll focus on the really juicy notes in any chord, and we’ll explore ‘small chords’, triads and ‘shell’ voicings to open up the fretboard. This will transform your playing and your understanding of how chords work. Not a beginners class - should have basic chord knowledge and placement.
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Morning YogaJan Harvey is an accredited yoga teacher with over 20 years of personal practice, based in Townsville, Australia. Specialising in Hatha, Yin, Restorative, and Chair Yoga, she offers accessible classes, combining wisdom and gentle humor to create a welcoming environment. With 35 years of experience in education across Australia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Indonesia, Jan connects with a diverse range of students, making yoga inclusive regardless of health. Jan has led yoga at the Salvation Army’s Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre, the U3A Senior Citizens Centre and as far as retreats in Bali, Magnetic Island, and Vietnam. Jan is also a published poet, children’s author, and musician, performing with her duo "Box of Chocolates" at festivals. Jan offers students a transformative, soulful and creative experience. A beautiful way to start the day in a gorgeous natural environment - which actually has a closeby waterfall! Join Jan on a journey of physical strength, emotional balance, and personal empowerment.
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All this is incredible value..... register now!
