Description
South West Area Professional Development Day
Singing for All: Inclusion and Diversity for Authentic Performance with Katie Teage and Kim Samuels
Sunday 2 March 2025
9.30am–5pm
Bristol Beacon Music Centre
Morning
Session 1: Understanding and Supporting Neurodiversity in Individual and Group Singing – Katie Teage
Supporting neurodiverse singers involves creating a flexible, inclusive, and structured environment. In this presentation, you’ll explore and experience practical strategies for singing leaders and teachers to foster this supportive atmosphere. We will discuss approaches for providing predictable routines and structure, allowing extra processing time, and being patient with varied response speeds. Additionally, we’ll cover how personalised learning techniques—such as rhythm-based or movement exercises—can help maintain focus, boost engagement, and enhance enjoyment for all participants.
Katie Teage is a versatile educator, choir conductor, and soprano for the London Vocal Project. She has 23 years’ experience in primary education as a teacher, music specialist and assistant head. Katie presents school concerts and advises hubs, schools, music colleges and the BBC, making her an expert in music education. Katie has conducted various choirs—from community ensembles to the Royal College of Music Junior Department Choir—arranging music tailored to each group’s unique needs to ensure a rewarding musical experience for every singer.
Afternoon
Session 2: Cultural Appropriation and Stylistic Awareness in Individual and Group Singing – Kim Samuels
The Stylistic and Cultural Awareness in Gospel Singing workshop is a practical session that highlights some of the elements of the gospel genre. What is it that makes gospel, gospel? We will take a look at rhythm, movement and vocal techniques alongside some popular selections from well loved gospel music artists and repertoire.
Kim Samuels is the director of Renewal Choir CIC, a community gospel choir started with her husband Vernon Samuels. Kim is also the director of the UWE Bristol Gospel Choir and the Bristol Windrush Reggae Choir.
Kim’s musical beginnings have their roots in a formal grounding in classical music from the age of 8, which included lessons in piano, clarinet and saxophone. Alongside her formal training, Kim has a solid foundation in the black Pentecostal church which she has been a part of for most of her life. As a youth, Kim became involved in her local church choirs, teaching and leading the youth choir during her teenage years. She was subsequently appointed to conduct the senior choir and later joined the leadership of her church’s London-wide choir.
Kim and Vernon formed Renewal Choir in 2005, which continues to grow year on year, performing mainly in the south west for religious, community, civic and private functions. The choir’s busy schedule culminates each year in a performance to a sell-out audience at one of Bristol’s prestigious concert venues.
Kim sees Gospel music as a genre that is accessible to people from all backgrounds and which has an impact on many levels. She is passionate about the richness of gospel music and all the benefits – joy, freedom, hope, community, to name a few – that come with the shared singing experience.
Do contact your Area Representative Jenna Brown if you have any questions: s[email protected]
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Date: Sunday 2 March 2025
Time: 9.30am–5pm
Venue:
Bristol Beacon Music Centre
Stanton Road
Southmead
Bristol
BS10 5SJ
BOOKING
- Early bird rate for AOTOS members until 24 January – £45
- AOTOS member plus guest (non-member) – £90
- Standard rate – £70
- Coffee and tea provided. Delegates bring their own lunch.
There is one bursary place available for each Area Day event if the cost is prohibitive. Bursary applications must be received by 24 January 2025. Please contact [email protected] for an application form.
CANCELLATION
As a charitable organisation, we regret that AOTOS is unable to refund any bookings once made. AOTOS reserves the right to cancel an Area Day from one month prior if insufficient bookings are received. A full refund will be made for any pre-existing bookings in this case.
