Vocal Masterclass Series with Rachel Austin

Class Description

Learn the basics of the mechanics of your voice and how to work with your voice to create the sounds you want. This class is a fun intro to voice science, full of warmups, exercises, and techniques that will help sustain your voice for life. Sign up ahead of time if you want to get feedback on a specific vocal struggle you’re having. We’ll have time for 2 people to get feedback per class. To sign up for feedback, please email [email protected] to lock in your spot.

Class 1: Basics of vocal support and breath

Class 2: Expanding your range

Class 3: Getting stronger

• $45 per individual class
• $120 for all three classes

• March 23rd | 10:30am-12:30pm
• April 20th | 10:30am-12:30pm
• May 18th | 10:30am-12:30pm

Required Materials

A bottle of water, instrument or karaoke if you plan on singing a song for feedback

As both a teacher and a singer, Rachel Austin’s aim is to cultivate playfulness. Calling
to mind comparisons with Nick Cave’s restless creative spirit, she rarely comes from the obvious perspective, by turns cajoling her way into the heart. Austin is a songwriter and performance artist and has toured and recorded throughout Europe and the US. From folk opera to anti-corporate immigrant improvised punk (Rachel
Discrimination), she pushes her voice to its limit.

Her teaching is based firmly in voice science and credible body-based practices like Estill, Alexander Technique, Qi-Gong, and various dance forms. Having lived in Northern Ireland for 13 years, Austin taught voice and performance at the Sonic Arts Research Centre at Queen's University Belfast before moving to Oakland to study music at Mills College and Performance at Pratt Institute.

She has performed and recorded as a singer, composer, dancer and sound artist with a diverse mix of others. People like: Kronos Quartet, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra (Ireland), Fred Frith, Duke Special, Dony Wynn (drummer for Robert Palmer & Robert Plant), Nicky Scott (bassist for Van Morrison), and others. She has opened for Florence + the Machine, Fatoumata Diawara, Steve Forbert, Rodrigo y Gabriela and more. Rachel grew up in Mt Sidney and now lives in Waynesboro.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Queen City Music Studios, 16 West Beverley Street, Staunton, United States