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Big Sing is an all-day community event, offering singing workshops during the day followed by a performance in the early evening.
All are welcome, no singing experience is required!
The workshops are in three separate streams for Grades 4-6, Years 7-12 and Adults, and are hosted by our expert Workshop Facilitators (more info below). Then all participants will join in a public concert, performing alongside selected MYC choirs and special guests A Cappella Fellas and Cranbourne Chorale.
School aged workshop participants can register free!
Special early bird pricing for adult participants and concert tickets purchased by May 16.
Our guest presenters will facilitate three workshops designed for each age group to perform choral pieces and a combined performance number for the afternoon concert.
Renee Heron is a dynamic music educator and choral conductor who founded and serves as the Artistic Director of The Yarra Voices, recognized for its joyful and child-centred approach to choral education. She is also a choral and singing teacher at Camberwell Girls Grammar, runs Choir 3006 at the Melbourne Recital Centre, and regularly lectures at Monash University.
A leading practitioner of the Kodály music education philosophy in Melbourne, Renee has served as President of the Victorian Branch of the Kodály Music Education Institute of Australia. She attended the Kodály Institute of the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music in Kecskemét, Hungary (2016–17), and received an award for excellence in Australian Kodály-inspired Music Education in 2022. She recently completed an Honours degree in Choral and Orchestral Conducting at the University of Adelaide under Dr. Carl Crossin and Dr. Luke Dollman and also holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Queensland & a Master of Teaching from the University of Melbourne.
In addition to her work with The Yarra Voices, Renee performs with Melbourne choirs such as Polyphonic Voices, Consort of Melbourne and Divisi Chamber Singers. She is also the Artistic Director of Alta Collective and has led the ensemble to recognition for its innovative approach to chamber vocal music. Their recording of Juliana Kay's Earth-Shaped Hearts was nominated for APRA AMCOS 2024 Choral Work of the Year.
Mark O’Leary OAM has worked with young choirs for more than 40 years and is highly regarded for his work with Young Voices of Melbourne, Exaudi and Gondwana Voices with whom he has made more than 49 national and international tours and 18 CD recordings.
He has special interests in Kodaly teaching techniques, the development of excellence in children's choirs, the power of music to make better lives and Australian choral music. Mark publishes choral music for young singers in the YVM Choral Series and is the creator of the Sight Singing School website and books, used in more than 50 countries.
He has three degrees from the University of Melbourne, is a Churchill Fellow, an Honorary Life Member of Kodály Australia and was awarded an OAM for services to choral music in 2018.
Steven Hodgson is a Melbourne-based choral director, vocalist and composer, serving as Artistic Director of The Consort of Melbourne since 2016. He has led the ensemble in landmark Australian premieres and collaborations with major orchestras and artists, including the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Melbourne and Sydney Symphony Orchestras, and Song Company.
Notable premieres include Deborah Cheetham Fraillon’s Eumeralla and major works by Wally Gunn and Maria Zajkowski. A sought-after guest conductor and facilitator, he has worked extensively with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Chorus and led community initiatives including the Bayside City Council Big Spring Sing.
A former member of the City of Berwick Children’s Choir, Steven’s practice is guided by a strong belief in music’s power to connect and uplift.
Caitlyn is the Artistic Director of the Melbourne Youth Chorale. She is passionate about the positive impact the Melbourne Youth Chorale has on its members and has taught students of all ages since 2008 in various settings. Her love for music, singing, and performance developed through her family, church, piano, voice, and clarinet tutelage, participation in numerous community choirs, including Melbourne Youth Chorale, and performances in theatre productions.
Caitlyn holds a Bachelor of Music Honours (Classical Voice) from the University of Melbourne’s Conservatorium of Music and a Masters of Secondary Teaching (Music) from the Melbourne Graduate School of Education.
She regularly engages in professional development, including working towards the Australian Kodaly Certificate. Her career highlights include directing the vocal ensemble Daughters of the King, receiving a full scholarship and touring Europe with the Melbourne Bach Choir, singing with Exaudi Youth Choir on local and international tours, performing with Gondwana Chorale for the ANZAC Centenary Celebrations at the Sydney Opera House, and participating in Melbourne’s Fringe Festival with Choral Edge.
In addition to workshop participants, massed choir and Melbourne Youth Chorale choirs we have performances from two guest choirs:
