Virna Sanzone
Resume
Virna Sanzone has been the Vocal Lecturer in the Jazz Unit of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music since 2014, and has over 20 years experience teaching singers of all abilities up to post-graduate and professional levels. She continues to enjoy a rich and varied career as a vocalist, performing regularly with her own band, as a featured guest, and as part of projects across a range of genres.
Under her own name, Virna has performed at a long list of festivals including the Sydney Festival, Wangaratta Jazz Festival, Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival, Stonnington Jazz Festival, Darling Harbour Jazz Festival, Norfolk Island Jazz Festival and Melbourne Women’s International Jazz Festival. She has appeared as a featured guest with an array of Australian jazz luminaries such as Judy Bailey, James Morrison, the Matt McMahon Trio, Andrew Dickeson Trio, Tony Gould, DIG (Directions In Groove) and New York based Australian pianist, Sean Wayland. Early in her career, Virna spent numerous formative years singing with Sydney’s late, “grand master of soul” Jackie Orszaczky, performing regularly at iconic venues such as The Basement and at festivals such as Byron Bay Bluesfest.
Virna performed alongside a selection of Australia’s finest singers, including Wendy Matthews & Katie Noonan as part of the concert series “Joni: A Tribute to the Legendary Joni Mitchell”. She toured with Paul Kelly, Vika & Linda Bull & the Australian Art Orchestra as part of “Meet Me In The Middle Of The Air”, led by Paul Grabowsky. Virna went on to collaborate with Grabowsky on “The Italian Project”, a musical exploration of Virna’s multi-cultural heritage, resulting in a series of sold out shows in Sydney and Melbourne. The theme of cultural exploration continued with “Crossroads”, a project co-led with pianist and fellow Armenian Zela Margossian, presented by the Sydney Improvised Music Association.
In addition to her work as a soloist, Virna has performed extensively as a backing vocalist. She has played regular live shows with artists such as Richard Clapton, Ian Moss, David Campbell, Delta Goodrem, Paul Capsis, Thirsty Merc and Tina Harrod. Her substantial list of television credits include Australian Idol, Sunrise, Today Show, The Voice, the Australia Day Live televised concerts led by John Foreman and New Years Eve live on the ABC. In these settings, Virna has provided backing vocals for artists such as Tina Arena, Darren Hayes, Casey Chambers, Christine Anu, Vanessa Amorosi, Yothu Yindu, Iva Davies, Gordi, Oh Land (Denmark) and The Seekers. Virna has also worked consistently as a session singer for close to 25 years and in this time has done countless recordings for radio, film and television.
As a teacher, Virna is passionate about assisting students in finding both vocal freedom and freedom of expression. Her approach to teaching technique is founded on a thorough knowledge of anatomy and function, and a keen understanding of the psychobiological nature of the voice. Equally, Virna is dedicated to helping vocalists acquire the aural skills and theoretical knowledge necessary to engage deeply with jazz, as well as fostering students’ continued artistic growth and the development of their creative autonomy. Other tertiary level teaching has included Macquarie University, Australian Institute of Music, UNSW and EORA Centre for Aboriginal Studies. Virna has also taught for the SIMA Young Women’s Jazz Workshops and was the vocal coach for television show, The Voice, working behind the scenes for its first three seasons.