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We round up our series of posts about our vocal workshop leaders for our upcoming Hand in Hand festival by introducing the sensational Loré Lixenberg, who, for our purposes, will be quite the renaissance woman…
Workshop #4: Medieval Mash-up

Loré Lixenberg conjures up some ethereal sounds from the middle ages in this exploration of unaccompanied vocal music.

Loré has performed in operas, concert recitals and music theatre across the world and recently featured in Anna Nicole at the Royal Opera House. She has also arranged and directed a wide range of musical styles, from medieval plain chant to electro-acoustic pieces, featuring videos and improvised choreography.
An extremely accomplished mezzo soprano, Loré has performed internationally at many festivals including those of Salzburg, Lucerne, Donaueschingen, Aldeburgh, Witten, Edinburgh and Huddersfield, and at the Wien Modern and Oslo Ultima festivals.
She has performed with orchestras and ensembles including the Hallé, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Swedish Radio Orchestra, Ensemble Intercontemporain, London Sinfonietta, Klanforum Wien, BCMG Ensemble Aventure, Icelandic Symphony Orchestra and Danish Royal Opera.
Her workshop will include teaching harmonies in plain chant in a few short pieces from various medieval and renaissance composers, including the French Machaut and Arbeau, as variations around the theme of courtly love in the style of medieval troubadours.
Get involved!
If you fancy a fun day of vocal workshops in a variety of styles, taught by leading professional musicians, get yourself signed up. And why not bring a friend, too! Workshop tickets are a bargain at £39 (£34 concessions) and include the chance to enjoy (and perform in!) our evening concert at the fabulous Troxy theatre in Limehouse, London.
Hurry, as sign-ups close Sunday June 30, 2013.

In the third of four posts about our festival Hand in Hand on Saturday 13 July, we introduce another of our fantastic workshop leaders to give a taste of what’s in store on the day.
Workshop #3: West-End workout
Loosen your larynx and buff up your belting in this vocal keep-fit session from one of the West End’s top vocal consultants, Louise Shephard (with Sarah Kershaw)

Louise Shephard is a West End singing coach and teaches musical theatre at the Royal Academy of Music. She is also the leader of the Oxford School of Drama 6-month course ‘Acting in Musical Theatre’. She has worked on national productions including Sound of Music and Wizard of Oz and at the moment for Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. In her private practise she also works for singers in the pop/rock industry and is currently working with a member of Take That for his upcoming tour…
Her workshop will feature a range of techniques and postures for stage singing, bringing life and expression to your favourite tunes!
She will be accompanied on the piano by Sarah Kershaw, a performer, composer and singer who graduated from the Birmingham conservatoire; she is the co-founder of a new collective of composers and songwriters known as Priniciple Six who debuted at Latitude Festival last year to critical acclaim. Between them they have worked with artists such as Lana Del Ray, Bat For Lashes, The Hidden Cameras and Baby Dee. Sarah’s own composition work has brought many commissions in the theatre world, particularly her adaptations of Shakespeare sonnets.
Get involved!
If you fancy a fun day of vocal workshops in a variety of styles, taught by leading professional musicians, get yourself signed up. And why not bring a friend, too! Workshop tickets are a bargain at £39 (£34 concessions) and include the chance to enjoy (and perform in!) our evening concert at the fabulous Troxy theatre in Limehouse, London.
Hurry, as sign-ups close Sunday June 30, 2013.

In the second of four posts about our festival Hand in Hand on Saturday 13 July, we introduce our fantastic workshop leaders and give a taste of what’s in store on the day.
Workshop #2: Singing Safari

Chris Rowbury teaches traditional music (and movement) from the Maori and Zulu cultures.

Chris Rowbury has 30 years’ experience teaching choral music from scratch to small and large groups alike. He has taught at the Royal Festival Hall in London, at several well-known UK drama schools, and at music festivals. He runs regular world music singing groups and community choirs as well as working as a freelance workshop leader and performer, specialising in a wide range of music traditions, from Eastern Europe to Africa.
His workshop will consist of teaching harmonies as well as moves from two famous traditional music styles, from South Africa and New Zealand. These songs will then be performed during the evening concert.
Chris has 30 years’ experience of teaching and running workshops in singing, voice and theatre. He has worked all over the world as a teacher, director and performer. He runs regular world music singing groups and community choirs as well as working as a freelance workshop leader and performer.
As a member of the Natural Voice Practitioners’ Network, Chris shares the belief that everybody can sing regardless of experience or background. He is a patient, charismatic teacher with a relaxed style laced with plenty of humour.
Get involved!
If you fancy a fun day of vocal workshops in a variety of styles, taught by leading professional musicians, get yourself signed up. And why not bring a friend, too! Workshop tickets are a bargain at £39 (£34 concessions) and include the chance to enjoy (and perform in!) our evening concert at the fabulous Troxy theatre in Limehouse, London.
Hurry, as sign-ups close Sunday June 30, 2013.

In the first of four posts about our festival Hand in Hand on Saturday 13 July, we begin to introduce our fantastic workshop leaders and give a taste of what’s in store on the day.
Workshop #1: Operatastic

We’ll be starting the day with a classical vocal warm-up and a classic Italian opera chorus by Verdi, guided by Maestro James Burton.

James Burton is one of the country’s leading choral conductors, trained at St John’s College Cambridge and the Peabody Conservatory. He is the Music Director of Oxford’s Schola Cantorum and former choral Director of the Hallé. He has extensive experience of working with professional as well as amateur and youth choirs.
His workshop will open the festivities, with some operatic singing to rehearse the famous chorus of the Hebrew slaves from Verdi’s Nabucco.
Get involved!
If you fancy a fun day of vocal workshops in a variety of styles, taught by leading professional musicians, get yourself signed up. And why not bring a friend, too! Workshop tickets are a bargain at £39 (£34 concessions) and include the chance to enjoy (and perform in!) our evening concert at the fabulous Troxy theatre in Limehouse, London.
Hurry, as sign-ups close Sunday June 30, 2013.