Kathleen Connell has been an exceptionally committed and professional vocal teacher at Kambala for several years. Her concern for her students is combined with a consistently high standard of expectation so as to produce outstanding results, in AMEB examinations and HSC Music 1, Music 2 and Music Extension courses equally. Most recently, one of her students received the top bands for the Music 2 and Music Extension courses, the latter of which solely comprised a vocal programme. Kathleen's reports are detailed, pertinent and insightful, reflecting the genuine personal interest she takes in the musical and vocal development of the students in her care.
Mark Grandison B.Mus. B.Ed.
Head of Music. Kambala Girls Schools. Composer
My daughter has been learning singing for 3 years with Kathleen Connell. Kathleen has imparted very sound technique and encouraged development of musicality, tone and a broad range of repertoire. My daughter has achieved outstanding results in AMEB examinations under Kathleen’s tutelage, but most thrilling of all, she was able to deliver an extremely accomplished performance as Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady which impressed various theatre professionals. She also recently sang a solo Vivaldi piece in Venice as part of the school Orchestral and Choral trip to Europe.
Kathleen has been hugely important in my daughter’s musical development and performance technique. As a trained actor and teacher at NIDA, I am particular about vocal technique, especially when dealing with the developing voice in adolescence. I recommend Kathleen Connell highly.
Karen Vickery
THEATRE STUDIES MANAGER
National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA)
I accompanied Kathleen's students for AMEB singing examinations in 2008 and I found her teaching to be well informed and thorough. She supplies her students with a great variety of music and works with both the classical and jazz repertoire. Kathleen's students were very well prepared for all aspects of the examination and she is able to teach with direction without losing a sense of fun.
Alison Hillier
Member of the Accompanists' Guild of N.S.W.
Head of Piano Studies-Ascham Girls School. NSW
Music was in my blood and in my culture. I had been singing for almost 10 years and had gone through five singing teachers before I started lessons with Kathleen. Although I loved the stage and had a naturally pleasant sounding vocal timbre, I realised that I knew very little about singing technique merely months before my HSC assessments in 2003. A big task lay ahead in a very short amount of time for teacher and student, but Kathleen took on the challenge anyway. I owe a lot to her generous and intuitive decision, which changed my life forever and for the better.
Since then, Kathleen has taught me to sing in an uninhibited and natural way that is not limited to any style of music. Kathleen’s meticulous preparation for lessons, keen understanding of vocal sound production, careful constructive criticisms and tangible metaphors and technique that I can immediately implement during lessons have completely transformed my understanding of vocal and bodily expression in performance and craft.
I have been writing and recording music since 2004, and establishing a solid singing technique has allowed me to record stronger, more emotive vocals and sing at gigs with assertiveness and intimacy. Kathleen is a fantastic artist and singer. Her avid professionalism and attention to detail in every aspect of her teaching and performances is what I model my private practice time and career on. Finding Kathleen Connell was a blessing and I am thrilled to continue my studies with her to continue to discover my voice.
Maja Zmejkoska
Singing Student
Freelance Singer-Contemporary & Jazz Performer
Kathleen Connell shows an incredible passion towards the world of singing through her teaching. I have known Kathleen to be an engaged teacher with a drive to assist her students towards excellence. Whether through the development of artistry or the remediation of underdeveloped technique, Kathleen's knowledge and experience as a teacher supports her studio practice with a holistic approach. I wholeheartedly recommend Kathleen to the discerning student.
Daniel Kay
Djarts Principal Voice Coach
www.djarts.com.au