Singing workshop at folk club

The Troubadour Folk Club will be running a singing workshop with Doreen Van Bree on November 12.

"We are planning a singing workshop with Doreen Van Bree before the Troubadour's regular session in November," Troubadour publicity officer Ms Leila Desborough said.

"It will be at 11am and last about an hour."

The Troubadour Central Coast afternoon will feature the Stiff Gins this month.

The singing workshop will take place in the CWA Hall in Woy Woy.

Umina resident Doreen Van Bree has had a lifetime involvement in music, according to Ms Desborough.

"After 16 years living on the north coast of NSW and Brisbane, Doreen has returned to the Central Coast and is happy to be back," Ms Desborough said.

"Born in Holland, where she studied classical piano and organ, Doreen experienced her first stage performance at the age of 10 playing Clemente's Sonata.

"The Van Bree family migrated to Australia when Doreen was aged 12, and Doreen quickly became interested in the popular music of the day.

"During high school years in Sydney, Doreen performed in many musical stage productions and was organist for four years at St Josephs Church, Edgeclifte.

"She later moved to Gosford where she studied singing and formed her own Rock `n Roll band, playing piano and singing.

"In 1961, Doreen entered the Miss Australia Quest and was crowned Miss NSW Charity Queen.

"Around the same time, she appeared on Brian Henderson's Bandstand several times, and eventually became a professional singer, performing at various clubs on the Central Coast and Sydney, and teaching singing.

"While in Murwillumbah, she was invited to be musical director in David Johnstone's musical Ghengis, with a cast of over 100 local performers and 14 piece orchestra, which Doreen conducted.

"She taught singing at Murwillumbah and the Tweed Music Academy for about 10 years and also gained a Diploma in Psychology before moving on to Brisbane, where she lived and worked for four years.

"After a long musical career and back on the Central Coast to be closer to family. "Doreen is now retired, but still takes on the occasional singing student.

"She has recently taken up classical piano again for her own enjoyment and is writing her memoirs."

Press release, Septemeber 15 Leila Desborough, Troubadour Central Coast