I have sung in a variety of choirs including the Auckland University Graduate choir, and was a founding member in the Heaven Bent Gospel Choir and One Voice World Music Choirs in Auckland, and the Mercury Bay Community Choir.
I have worked as a music teacher at all levels - from Primary, through to Intermediate and Secondary Level. I was Head of Music at Kelston Girls College in West Auckland, and at Mercury Bay Area School, Coromandel Peninsula. Urban or rural, music teaching has been a challenging and satisfying career.
If an opportunity came my way to learn more about singing techniques and world song repertoires, I would take it. Singing teachers who have inspired me along the way include Karen Grylls, ( Choral Conducting Summer Schools), Tony Backhouse (Gospel style), Stephen Taberner ( World music), Chris James ( meditative harmonic singing) and others. I have lead singing workshops in Auckland, Whangarei, Tauranga, Hamilton,Whitianga and Colville, ie upper North Island, NZ.
Music research has identified six dimensions of benefit associated with singing. These are: benefits for well-being and relaxation, for breathing and posture, social benefits, spiritual benefits, emotional benefits, and benefits for heart and immune system. That just about covers it all!
So "The only thing better than singing is more singing." (Quote by - Ella Fitzgerald)
( traditional Irish music festival)
Ennis, Ireland
2017.
Here's to more harmony in the world!
Stephanie McKee,
BA; DipTchg; Cert.Adult Tchg; GDipEdTech; Cert. Celebrant Studies.
Coromandel Peninsula, NZ.
