Enrolments
VOICES CO. ACADEMY
Enrolments
VOICES CO. ACADEMY
/// \\\ 2024 REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN!
/// \\\ 2024 REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN!
FIND THE RIGHT FIT!
Pop A Cappella has lots of different applications, from large groups through to 5-6 part vocal bands. Whether you’re a shower-singing extraordinaire, a passionate lip-syncher, or an all out superstar, we are all about helping you to find a great space to grow and develop.
Whatever your level of experience we have something for everyone!
BOOK A FREE TRIAL CLASS!
We know it’s hard to judge whether something’s going to be the right fit without actually being in the room. To help you find your fit, we offer a free trial class for any new student’s who are looking to start with a Voices Co. Crew (see the class descriptions further down the page). Our Kids / Junior / Adult Crew classes are open to join year-round, and so we offer trial classes year-round as well.
To book in a free trial, click on the age-appropriate button below - easy as that! But if you’re ready to get stuck in and would prefer to secure your place in the class, feel free to scroll down and fill out the ‘Register For A Crew’ form.
WHICH CLASS IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Non-auditioned Groups
GROUP SINGING LESSONS / POP A CAPPELLA CHOIRS (CREW)
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We have open (non-auditioned) vocal ‘Crews’ for all ages and levels, all of which are designed for you to be able to walk into the room and give Pop A Cappella a go! We have heaps of fun, while making sure that all our classes help you to get a handle on the basics of singing.
Our Crews are bigger Pop A Cappella choirs, and are where most people get started. Crews offer a great space to get familiar with the genre of Pop A Cappella, and also with how we teach / learn in our classes. No prior experience is necessary, as these groups will equip singers with all the basics to get stuck into Pop A Cappella singing!
We also offer a free, no-obligation trial class, so that you can see if it’s what you’re after!
KIDS CREW:
Pop A Cappella Choir / Ages 5-8
Thursdays, 4:45pm - 5:30pm
JUNIOR CREW:
Pop A Cappella Choir / Ages 9-12
Thursdays, 4pm - 5:15pm
YOUTH CREW:
Pop A Cappella Choir / Ages 13-17
Thursdays, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
ADULT CREW:
Pop A Cappella Choir / Ages 17+
Mondays, 6:45pm - 7:45pm
GROUP SINGING LESSONS
8-week programme, tailored to individual vocal development
Ages 17+ / Thursdays, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Next intake: February 2024
Auditioned Opportunities
ADULT, YOUTH, JUNIOR SQUADS / CREW PLUS
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If you’re a more experienced vocalist looking for the opportunity to grow your skills and develop as a performer, then check out our auditioned Squads and Crew Plus vocal ensembles!
As NZ’s first and only specialists in the Pop A Cappella genre, our auditioned groups represent Pop A Cappella at the highest level here in NZ, as well as being recognised internationally.
SQUADS: Successful vocalists will require both an excellent voice, as well as strong musicianship skills, confidence as a performer, and a willingness to develop as a performer and team member.
CREW PLUS: Successful vocalists will require a confident voice, and the ability to follow along with scored music, as well as a willingness to develop as a performer and team member.
Please note, there is a strict attendance requirement of 80% per term for all auditioned groups. More information is included throughout the audition booking process (see button below).
Our vocalists have featured as guests at events like Coca-Cola Christmas In The Park, on What Now, on music videos, on tour with Ali Harper, and in 2017 our Adult Squad won The Naked Choir television series, being named ‘NZ’s best A Cappella group’, and more recently they won the 2022 AusAca Awards, earning the title of ‘Australasia’s Best A Cappella Group’.
SQUADS:
Auditioned pop a cappella bands of 8-10 vocalists.
Appointment is annually, by audition only (Dec/Jan auditions).
Junior Squad: Ages 10-14 (Thursdays)
Youth Squad: Ages 13-17 (Mondays)
Adult Squad: Ages 18+ (Mondays)
CREW PLUS:
Specialist Pop A Cappella choir of 14-20 vocalists.
Appointment is annually, by audition only (Dec/Jan auditions).
Ages 17+
Mondays, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Mid-Year Auditions available in July (for July - Dec placements)
GROUP SINGING LESSONS
(singing SKILLS COURSE)
If you’re new to the world of singing, we offer a really great 8-week Group Singing course! It’s applicable to any kind of singing, and focuses on giving singers an understanding of their voice, and how to get the most out of it in a healthy way.
The 8-week programme covers all the basics of vocal technique:
TECHNICAL SKILLS:
breath control
understanding and building vocal range
voice strengthening
vocal health
HOLISTIC SKILLS:
physical presentation
microphone technique
learning how to create & sing harmonies
basic theory
Classes have between 6-12 singers, and include 8 x 1hr lessons per term. Our lessons are focused on developing a contemporary sound, but still pull on the fundamentals used in classical, jazz and pop music, meaning that they are suitable for singers of all genres and styles!
OUR PROGRAMMES:
KIDS CREW: Ages 5-8
JUNIOR CREW: Ages 9-16
YOUTH CREW: Ages 13-17
ADULT CREW: Ages 17+
FEES: $195 per term
ABOUT OUR CREW PROGRAMME: Crews are our non-auditioned (open), pop a cappella ensembles, for both Adults and Kids! Crews are aimed at nurturing a love of singing using the fun and innovative style of Pop A Cappella. Crew classes are delivered as an introduction to Pop A Cappella and harmony, and have anywhere from 10-30 members.
In our Crew programme we introduce students to the basic elements of ensemble singing and pop a cappella harmony, such as vocal technique, score reading, tuning, teamwork and confidence! We spend around 40% of the session focusing on vocal technique and development, and 60% of the session working on a performance song. We work at a pace that suits the class as a whole, and we do offer the option to participate in our Academy Shows (July/Dec) for those that feel up to the challenge!
SUITABLE FOR: Those who are new to singing, who haven’t sung in awhile, or are keen to get into ensemble singing. If you’re looking for something that offers a fun, relaxed approach to singing training, then this is the place for you!
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: This is open to all singers, meaning that anyone can join, and is designed to accomodate a range of skill-levels. While the ability to read music isn’t an entry requirement, we use scored music every week and actively train all our students to follow along with a score. Crews are open to join at any point in the term.
GOALS: Crews work towards feature performances in our Academy Shows twice a year. Our shows are fully staged and produced, and have sold out the past 3 years running! It’s a fantastic opportunity to take part in a professional level performance, and to share your hard work with friends and family!
CREW PLUS: Ages 17+
FEES: $215 per term
ABOUT CREW PLUS: Crew Plus is a new auditioned programme for Adults. Designed as an extension programme of our Adult Crew, this class is a bit smaller with fewer voices on each part.
Crew Plus is an auditioned space, with places available in Feb and July. Crew Plus is recommended for those who have had some previous experience singing in group harmony, whether with Voices Co. or elsewhere
Crew Plus focuses on crafting a team sound, while still developing those core areas of pop a cappella, such as vocal technique, tuning, teamwork and performance skills! While the ability to read music isn’t an entry requirement, we use scored music every week and actively train all our students to follow along with a score.
SUITABLE FOR: Singers who have a bit of previous experience as a singer - either in a group (choir / ensemble / band), as a performer, or some private singing training - and can either learn music by ear, or can follow their part on sheet music.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: To take part in Crew Plus we ask singers to participate in an audition. It can be a scary prospect, but we try really hard to make auditions a really beneficial experience for those that take part, working with you to explore your voice and it’s potential! Ultimately it’s our goal to ensure that every member of the Academy is in the best place for them to thrive! Crew Plus auditions take place twice a year, around January and June.
GOALS: Crew Plus works towards feature performances in our Academy Shows twice a year. Our shows are fully staged and produced, and have sold out the past 3 years running! It’s a fantastic opportunity to take part in a professional level performance, and to share your hard work with friends and family! To ensure that the team is able to operate at its best, Crew Plus has an attendance requirement of 80% per term.
AUDITIONS: If you would like to audition for Crew Plus, please click on the button at the top of this page, and fill out the application form. We’ll be in contact shortly to book in an audition time for you :)
JUNIOR SQUAD: Ages 10-14
YOUTH SQUAD: Ages 13-17
ADULT SQUAD: Ages 18+
FEES: $265 per term
ABOUT SQUADS: Our Squads are specialist ‘vocal bands’, representing the best in kiwi Pop A Cappella for their age group. Currently the Academy has 3 Squads (Junior / Youth / Adult) and each Squad usually has between 8-12 vocalists.
Squads sing in close harmony, often with only 1 or 2 voices per part! This means that each voice is really important and makes a significant contribution to the overall sound of the Squad, working much like an ensemble of solo voices. All places are auditioned at the start of each year, offering placements for a 1 year season. We do also hold auditions during the year for any vacancies that may come up.
Our Squads are also representative groups for Pop A Cappella at a national level, as we are the only vocal programme in NZ to specialise in this style of singing. Along with our own projects, previously our Squads have toured as guest artists with Ali Harper, featured in Coca Cola Christmas In The Park, performed in various National Awards events, and in 2017 our 5-piece Premier Ensemble were crowned the winners of TVNZ's reality a cappella competition 'The Naked Choir' taking out the title of 'NZ's Best A Cappella Group'!
SUITABLE FOR: Squads are suitable for those with previous experience singing in a vocal ensemble (i.e. Choir, Barbershop, Band etc), or as a professional singer keen to move into ensemble work.
REQUIREMENTS: Squad vocalists need to be able to read scored music, and be able to practice their music independently at home. Some performance experience is preferable, as this is a performance-focused group, but it’s not a requirement.
COMMITMENT: Squads train weekly, with additional rehearsals ahead of a performance. As well as showcasing their work in our 2 Academy Shows, our Squads are often invited to perform at community events around the city, so availability and commitment are a large part of the requirement for Squad membership, with an 80% attendance requirement per term.
GOALS: The primary focus of our Squad programme is on preparing Pop A Cappella music to a professional level, often premiering new in-house arrangements, and training specifically for public performance. Squads take the lead in our internal shows (July / Dec), as well as featuring in their own concerts twice a year. Squads are the public-facing ensembles for Voices Co. Academy, and are often booked for both corporate and community events. Over the last few years our Squads have featured on live TV, won the Australasian A Cappella Awards, been guest performers at Coca-Cola Christmas In The Park, and recorded their own Christmas EP.
AUDITIONS: If you would like to audition for a Squad, please click on the button at the top of this page, and fill out the application form. We’ll be in contact shortly to book in an audition time for you :)
Still not sure what the right fit is for you? Keen to find out what we do in class?
No problem, get in touch by email to enquire about a trial class - we’ve got lots of information available but sometimes it’s easiest to come and experience it for yourself!