Christine McMahon is a certified Kripalu Yoga teacher who brings a holistic
bodymind approach to her teaching. She is skilled in languages and an
experienced coach in the English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish
repertoire. Christine brings heart, soul, and joie de vivre to her teaching and
has over thirty years experience in the voice development field in Toronto
and Nanaimo. She is a BC Registered Music Teacher, a member of NATS
(National Association of Teachers of Singing), and an ardent Argentine Tango
dancer.
A graduate of Brandon University (Psychology & English), McGill University
in Music, and the Nordwestdeutsche Musikakademie, Germany in Voice
Performance, Christine also holds a B. Ed. from the University of Toronto.
As a performer, she has sung opera and recitals in Germany, and worked with
the
Canadian Opera Co. in Toronto. A resident of Nanaimo since 1996
she has performed locally as a soloist with the Vancouver Island
Symphony, the Palm Court Orchestra, and the Malaspina Choir, as well as
in numerous recitals and concerts.
Christine
is the former director of the Island Bel Canto Singers, and has given
many voice workshops to choirs, music theatre groups and school music
teachers. In addition to teaching privately at her Voice Alive Music
Studio, she is also a former faculty member of the Nanaimo Conservatory
of Music.
Teaching Style – You Are the Instrument!
Christine
believes that the primary goal of any voice use, either spoken or sung,
is to communicate a thought or feeling. A free, healthy voice
production enables us to find our ‘natural’ voice and to tell our story
effectively and effortlessly without strain or restriction.
Holding tension in the body (either physical or emotional) interferes
with the free flow of our sound vibrations. Christine’s work deals with
bodymind awareness and relaxation as the first step to freeing and
centering one’s natural voice.
Christine
understands the physiology, the acoustics and the artistic
sensibilities behind fine singing. Her vocal training helps
increase range, stamina, breath control, resonance, flexibility and
projection. She aims to help students understand the ‘mechanics’ of
singing so that, with conscious practice, they can achieve the mastery
to express themselves deeply, authentically and radiantly.
