Two Saturdays, 7th and 14th November, 2026
10.00am – 4.00pm
455 Hagley Avenue
$180.00
A singing course for people who think they can’t sing, people labelled tone deaf and very shy singers. Kickstart your singing journey.
This course is for all those people who think they can’t sing or have been labelled ‘tone deaf’, from those who ‘mime’ in the back row, to those who belt it out while their friends and family cringe. For all those people who feel very shy about singing, or just want to learn to sing better. Along with voice learning, the course is a great introduction to how Western Music works, and how to read basic melodies and rhythms.
Nikki has been pioneering this work for many years and seeks to explode the myth of the ‘non-singer’. Singing is a skill that develops naturally in children. Most people who have trouble singing in tune have had this process interrupted in some way.
By learning a range of techniques, and through the creation of a supportive, non-threatening environment, we will work to gently reshape the image we have of ourselves as ‘non-singers’ and claim the right to enjoy using our voices.
Read What Others Say
“I was 65 years old when I went to my first Reclaim Your Voice weekend course in Auckland in November 2011. I had a full-on phobia about singing, had no confidence what note would emerge if I started to sing alone or in front of others, and I couldn’t stay in tune while singing even alone. The course had me nearly paralyzed with fear to start with. It took courage to go in the door. Once in, Nikki Berry was magical in putting me at ease, or actually sufficiently at ease to make a noise without worrying about what came out. It was great to find yourself in a room full of other people like you, unable to sing and determined to do something about it. We had a lot of laughs, some tears, much joy, and I emerged with a new strength and belief that singing was possible for me. I joined a community choir (non-auditioned, there are plenty all over the country) and am loving it. I now also take individual singing lessons and don’t pass out at the thought of singing in front of an expert singer like that. I can now sing Happy Birthday etc in front of other people. Marvelous.”
Alan, Auckland
Tone Deaf?
Tone Deaf?
Most people change the pitch in their voice when they talk.
If they didn’t they would sound like a robot, and talk in a monotone voice.
This condition is called ‘tone deaf’ and is very rare. Though many people are falsely accused of being tone deaf!
Pitch matching is the skill of reproducing a note that a person hears.
Children develop this skill at varying times, some before they can even speak fluently, and some just before adolescence.
Unfortunately, many of us have not experienced the ideal learning environments for developing these skills. Some people can remember events that made learning difficult. Others can’t, and there can be many factors involved in what has postponed the learning of these skills.
Many people who begin learning to sing in tune as adults must overcome some strong feelings of inadequacy and many other painful emotions.
Anyone who enjoys music is well on the way to singing in tune.
Through repetition in a relaxed environment, the student can learn to sing in tune, first with another voice, then with a pitched instrument and then unaccompanied.
About the Tutors
Nikki is a choir leader, arranger, composer and music educator based in Ōtautahi, Aotearoa (Christchurch, NZ).
She is passionate about world music, community building and holistic education.
She believes that anyone can sing and has championed many a singer on their journey to ‘reclaim their voice’.
An incredibly intuitive teacher and facilitator, Nikki draws on studies with Jo Estill at the Sydney Voice centre, twenty five years as a peer counsellor, many years of experience and experimentation and post graduate study in Orff Shulwerk and the Kodály approach. (Has Australian Kodály Certificate)
Gary Easterbrook is a professional musician with over thirty year’s experience. He plays guitar, bass and piano and provides the musical accompaniment for the songs and exercises on the courses, as well as extra support for the men.
Gary also loves photography. Check out his website.