International Vocal Coach to Provide Singing Lessons for Locals

Staff Reporter-SKNVibes.com

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS-DINA Azzam, an academically trained vocal coach and singer hailing from Germany, will be lending her talents to residents of St. Kitts & Nevis in a series of special singing lessons sponsored by Alliance Française beginning tomorrow,  May 20th.

Azzam, who has taught at numerous institutions over the years, told SKNVibes.com that she plans to make her lessons with Alliance Française a “creative and fun experience for everyone”  that will not only help a person become a better singer, but will also teach proper pronunciation of the French lyrics that will be incorporated into the course.

“Each voice is unique, there is no ‘do this or that’ to make a voice sound good. Each student is different, and so I am used to improvising. I want to enhance what a student can do, rather than saying ‘no, that’s wrong, do it like this’.

“I hope the students will be able to see that competitions like ‘American Idol’ are not the overall arching goal in music,” the singing instructor said.
 
In this spirit of inclusiveness, Azzam said that she is certain singers of all ability levels will be able to walk away from the lessons with improved vocal abilities and a better understanding of the French language.   ~~Adz:Right~~

“We are going to work on breathing, forming vowels and sounds, pronunciation, intonation (singing the correct pitch of the note) and singing chords or intervals as a group. My main goal is for the persons I teach to have fun, because it doesn’t have to be a school-type atmosphere or a competition,” she said.

Rita Schneider, Director of Alliance Française in St. Kitts & Nevis, stated that her organization chose to sponsor Azzam’s lessons because they are a unique and creative way to introduce the French language to Kittitians and Nevisians.

“These singing lessons fit perfectly with Alliance Française’s mission of finding cultural ways to teach French to Kittitians and to give students the chance to relax and be more active in the learning process,” the Director said.

In addition to her work with Alliance Française, Azzam is currently teaching the Sandy Point High School Choir, taking time to introduce elements of jazz into their training as well as different rhythmic and melodic aspects that the students may not be familiar with.

“My plans here in St. Kitts and Nevis over the next year or so are to teach and work with as many people as possible who really want to learn more about their voice, or even would like to teach voice. I like to have students who are eager to learn, and to pass my musical knowledge onto them,” Azzam said.

The one hour singing lessons will be held every Tuesday and Thursday at 5:30pm from May 20th – June 13th at Alliance Française and a fee of EC $25 will be charged to register for the course. The course is open to singers of all ages.