NEWS RELEASE
EXPRESS YOURSELF
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Are you or your youth looking for some fun fall programming to bring out your expressive side?
Look no further, Express Yourself has you covered.
Express Yourself is a local, Orillia-based performing arts team offering private singing lessons, performance classes, children’s choir, and, new this fall, magic classes.
Express Yourself also offers Sing It! adult choirs in Orillia, Midland and Barrie, to those who identify as women, ages 14 and up.
Artistic Director Julia Johnston’s philosophy is simple.
“I believe that the world would be a happier place if we all took a little time to discover our artistic/creative side. As a child and teenager, I found my own balance and self-confidence in the performing arts," said Johnston.
"Our programs and groups are based on fun! We believe in a positive environment where people can explore with their unlimited imaginations. Both children and adults are free to express themselves and are safe to do so in our welcoming and open environment.”
Johnston offers private vocal lessons during the school year and has a wealth of knowledge and experience to draw on. Johnston trained at the Randolph Academy of Performing Arts, and is a “triple threat” performer, being well-versed in acting, singing, and dancing. She has 14 years of experience teaching youth and adults.
In addition to private vocal lessons, Johnston also teaches Rising Stars, a musical theatre group program at St. James' Anglican Church in Orillia, on Saturday mornings, for youth ages 8 to 16. Rising Stars is full of fun, laughter, and education, and at the end of the year, the youth put on a show for local audiences.
Johnston is the director of the adult choirs in Orillia, Barrie, and Midland, as well as the director of the Orillia Community Children’s Choir, a choir for youth ages 8 to 13. The children’s choir practises weekly at the Orillia Music Centre, 62 Peter St. North in Orillia. The fall session ends with a Christmas concert on Dec. 4. The children’s choir starts Sept. 26. To register, click here.
The Sing It! adult choir in Orillia is having an open house Mon. Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. at St. Paul’s Centre in Orillia, in the lower-level Banquet Hall.
“In Sing It! you don’t need to read music, we don’t audition, it’s all about having a love of singing and wanting to share that love," said Johnston. "We learn by downloading tracks and we sing a variety of songs that our members love.”
Sing It! runs until June and finishes off with a concert to share everything members have learned. To register for Sing It! click here.
Express Yourself also offers a Junior Stars program for ages 4 to 7, taught by Orillia local Shelby Williams, and new this fall, magic classes, for six weeks starting Sept. 26, at St. Paul’s Centre. These magic classes are taught by magician Phil Dacosta of DaCosta Magic Ent, who has an abundance of experience in teaching and performing magic.
All in all, Express Yourself does indeed have something for everyone, this fall, in Orillia. For more information about all the Express Yourself programming, and to register, click here.
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