“My singing lessons with Laura Bernay started when I was twelve. At this age I knew I loved to sing but only had the confidence to allow my Mum to hear me with her eyes closed.
Throughout my five year journey with Laura she introduced me to all dimensions of music, from classical to musical theatre, from jazz to sacred song. Always encouraging me to perform, I am now a confident and ambitious performer.
With her gentle yet firm nature, contagious passion for the arts and genuine belief in me, I became the singer for both jazz bands at my school, St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls. I won various competitions such as Star Search and the Fremantle Eisteddfods and placed over the years in North Perth Eisteddfods. After the few years of exposing me to all kinds of music I decided to do Classical voice as my major for my year 12 music. With Laura’s help not only did I receive excellent school marks for performance but also great comments from my educators.
I was always commended on my pronunciation and understanding of foreign languages, both which were courtesy of the multilingual Laura who would always make sure my voice, wording and understanding of my pieces were perfect before any performance.
Even though I have not chosen to study music at university I will continue to take lessons with the wonderful Laura Bernay, not only because I have been told on many occasions one could not find a better singing teacher in Perth and not because she has given me every opportunity she possibly could in getting me where I wanted to be. It is quite simply because she passed onto me the thrill of learning knew things and the rewards of practice.
The excitement of reaching that note you could never reach and that little trick she could always do with her voice and you couldn’t and mostly the belief that whatever she said I could do, I knew I could do it with perserverance, endurance and hard work. Laura Bernay is not just an amazing musician herself and not just a charismatic person and gifted teacher but she has also become a very important part of my life.
With her mountains of knowledge, clever wit and patience Laura Bernay truly can pass on the gift for a love of singing. I know because she did it for me and I can’t thank her enough.”
Yasmin Age 25
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