BOOK 1 WORKSHOP FOR $55, 2 WORKSHOPS FOR $100, or ALL THREE FOR $135*

*discount will be applied automatically at checkout if you are enrolling in more than 1 workshop

Open Academy brings you three of Australia's top vocal specialists in this series of workshops.

Each facilitator brings their unique skills and style to their session and is sure to get participants raising the roof in song! The workshops are open to all singers. All levels of experience welcome, so join us for one or a triad of fun-filled workshops across 2025.

MOHAMED BANGOURA – Saturday  17 May

Mohamed Bangoura (aka Bangouraké) is a Griot—one of the revered storytellers, musicians, and oral historians of West Africa. Traditionally, Griots serve as the keepers of history, passing down knowledge, songs, and rhythms through generations. Born into this lineage, Mohamed carries the responsibility of preserving and performing the sacred music that accompanies significant ceremonies. A virtuoso drummer, he was a member of Les Percussions de Guinée, Guinea’s prestigious national drumming and dance ensemble. Beyond drumming, he is also an accomplished singer and dancer.  

In this workshop, Mohamed will share the rich musical heritage of West Africa, teaching traditional songs and rhythms passed down through centuries. 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

ELANA STONE – Saturday 28 June

Singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Elana Stone is a double ARIA Award-winning musician whose style combines instrumental invention with quirk, and inclines to write pop that is by turns exultant or introspective.   Her music encompasses folk, modern electronica, indie pop and balladry, underpinned by Stone’s signature lyrical vulnerability and ear for melody.  Elana is also a member of the ARIA award-winning folk and alt country act All Our Exes Live In Texas, who have toured Australia, the USA, UK and Europe extensively. All Our Exes Live in Texas opened for The Backstreet Boys (USA), Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats (USA) and Australian icons Midnight Oil.  She is also an ongoing member of the Missy Higgins and Josh Pyke live bands and has toured the world as a singer/pianist/accordion player/percussionist with the John Butler Trio as well as opening for John Butler across Europe in 2022.  

Elana has released four studio albums of solo material, ‘In The Garden of Wild Things’ (2006), ‘Your Anniversary’ (2009), ‘Kintsugi’ (2015) and ‘Married to the Sound’ (2024). She has recorded, performed and toured alongside Hermitude, Megan Washington, Kate Miller Heidke, Jackson Jackson, Ngaiire, Passenger, Donny Benet, Bluejuice, and Melbourne comedy troupe Tripod to name just a few. 

Join acclaimed Australian singer and composer Elana Stone for a dynamic workshop where she will teach popular Australian/NZ songs in rich 3-part harmony. Known for her vibrant energy and exceptional vocal skills, Elana will guide participants through harmonization techniques, blending voices to create stunning arrangements. Whether you're an experienced singer or just love to harmonize, this workshop offers a unique chance to explore Australian music in a fun and inclusive setting.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

STEPHEN TABERNER – Tuesday 8 July

Stephen Taberner was born in New Zealand.  He moved to Sydney where a perfectly unorthodox life as jazz musician and computer programmer was hijacked by an extended encounter with world music choir Voices from the Vacant Lot. Before he knew it, he was a choir leader and then a singing songwriting double bass player.  He moved to Melbourne in 2004, taking up various musical opportunities including leadership of the Millennium Chorus (2004-6) at Hamer Hall. Since 2001, his major musical project has been the critically acclaimed Spooky Men's Chorale, who have performed over 900 gigs, made 7 CDs and toured the UK 11 times.  In addition to this, he leads an increasingly bewildering program of singing and songwriting workshops throughout Australasia and Europe, as well as a trio, The Sofa of Fools. He has ongoing interests in a wide array of socio-musical activities, including songwriting, musical clown, improv singing, and singing as part of political activism. Stephen is best known for his leadership of the Spooky Men's Chorale and has 30 years of experience in cultivating ecstatic, grooving, blended sound from mere mortals. He's led singing weekends, choirs and large-scale events all over the world.

In this workshop he'll present his own cocktail of funky originals, thinking person's pop/rock, Georgian delicacies, and cherry picked world music bon bons, and use them as a portal into a world where open ears and a goodly collective pulse take us to a place where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. No previous singing experience is needed, just the desire to lend your voice to the greater cause. This will be an experience to leave your feet tapping, your chest zinging and your heart light.