|
"As we are Creative Beings, our Lives Become our Works of Art" Hi! My name is Vikki Flawith
and I am the Shy Singer. |
|
Local Lessons ~ Gentle Beginnings ~ Testimonials ~ Contact Vikki ~ Return to Index |
|
ABOUT VIKKI Finding Freedom from Fear
Vikki Flawith is a singer/voice teacher, a published writer, a visual artist and a composer of music for film/TV. She is also the Shy Singer: one who struggled with severe stage fright and
acute social phobia. Her mottos are "never give up" and "be willing to listen and learn" -- her story is proof that we can heal and move forward from past programming by actively engaging in creativity. The slow awakening of awareness that is required to find and release one's voice then becomes the catalyst for consciousness.
IN HER early years, Vikki played flute, piccolo & trumpet in school bands; received a guitar for Christmas when she was 12, and began to write her first songs. Despite singing in church and school choirs, she suffered from acute stage fright and found it difficult to sing solos or make small talk in social situations. Even after years of voice lessons, she struggled with performance anxiety to such an extent that it affected her ability to pursue her dreams.
A classically-trained lyric mezzo-soprano, she studied privately (Italian method) with maestro Luigi Wood (1991-1996); German-Australian tenor Gerhardt Zeller (1996-2002); soprano Catherine Lewis (2004-2006); & soprano Barbara Livingston (2007-2009). Also coached with conductor Bliss Johnston; attended Master Classes with mezzo soprano Phyllis Mailing; & studied Jazz Improvisation & Performance with Gordon Clements. She has sung in many choirs, including the Prince George College Chorale, the St. Andrew's-Wesley Chancel Choir, & the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir. She was a member of the reserve chorus for Pacific Opera Victoria for several years.
"One day, I woke up. I realized that, as much as I wanted to sing, I really wasn't opening up. I was so scared I wouldn't be good enough, I never gave myself the chance. The process of working with my voice, day by day, grew my awareness of myself, my thoughts and feelings, to the point where I literally gained a level of consciousness I never had before. The same thing that held me back in voice, held me back in life, made me stammer, made me speak so softly no one could hear me."
In June, 2006, she was privileged to sing the Canadian national anthems at the Investiture of the Order of British Columbia (the province's highest honour for outstanding achievement) at Victoria's Government House. Lieutenant Governor Iona Camagnolo and BC Premier Gordon Campbell were present.
She has appeared in over 25 stage shows & musicals. Her musical credits include: Carmen, The Tempest, Lucia di Lammermoor (Pacific Opera Victoria), M'alachim (Western Concert Opera); The Magic Flute (Vancouver Academy of Music); Carousel, Brigadoon, La Cage aux Folles (Theatre under the Stars); Faust, Die Mutter (Theatrespace); Hair (Vancouver Musical Theatre); Kiss Me Kate (Victoria Operatic Society); Toad of Toad Hall (West Niner's/Ldn, Eng); and Puss & Boots (Metro Theatre).
VIKKI'S PASSIONS are creativity, songwriting, painting, writing, and nature. Besides composing music for film/TV, Vikki appeared locally with "Easy", a Victoria-based folk group, from 2006-2010. She loves movies & musicals, operas & symphonies, music of many genres from around the world.
She has composed a large catalogue of instrumental tracks and has signed over 60 cues to several different libraries & publishers specializing in placements in the film, television and advertising markets. She has collaborated with Matt Hirt, Chuck Schlacter, Casey Hurowitz, Barry French, James Mitchell, John Mazzei, and many others.
A member of the Esquimalt Painters group for two years, Vikki has exhibited her acrylics & watercolours at various shows & galleries, most notibly the Two Sister's Gallery (Savary Island) and the Collective Works Gallery (Langford).
She's studied guitar with Al Hume and Robbie Hancock, piano with Mary McKinney, and mandolin with Moritz Behm.
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS have included: World Talk Radio (Health Matters: 'Exploring the Voice to Find Freedom from Fear' -Dr. Shoshana Bennett), Artist's Edge ('The Shy Singer, an Interview with Vikki Flawith' -Debra Russell), TAXI Road Rally (Panel: 'Fear Factor: Removing the Roadblocks to Your Success' [Debra Russell, moderator]; Panel: 'Writing Songs & Composing Instrumentals for Film & TV' [Michael Laskow, moderator]; Breakout Class: 'You Can Give the Industry What It Wants & Still Be Creative'; Breakout Class: 'Persistence: How to Overcome Writer's Block'), the Church of Truth ('Metamorphosis: The Willingness to Surrender'; 'Sound of the Sacred: Musical Voice of the Soul'), the BC Accountants Association; and she has been interviewed for CBC Radio (Jane Dykeman). She has also taught workshops such as "Women's Voices", "Let's Sing", and "Gospel Voices" in Greater Vancouver and on Vancouver Island BC.
|
|
|
|
~ Local Lessons ~ Gentle Beginnings ~ Testimonials ~ Contact Vikki ~ Return to Index |
|
READ MY CREATIVE JOURNAL: |
|
ON DETERMINATION:
"If you hear a voice within you say (Vincent Van Gogh) |
|
(c) 2002-20123 V.L. Flawith (Socan, Ascap) |
