There are currently four of us working together at acabellas singing;

Belinda McArdle, Lisa Singline, Sue Hindle and Andrea Dawes
(Click the leader to view their bio directly)

Belinda McArdle (Back To Top)
The acabellas philosophy underpins, informs and inspires my work. Over the last 15 years of performing and 7 years developing acabellas singing I have acquired rich musical experience, well regarded facilitation skills and have continually deepened my knowledge though professional development, music courses and tuition from leaders in various genres.

My current palette includes several weekly joyful community singing groups, tuition of private singing students from beginner to VCE and examination candidates, conducting a performance group, writing songs, broadcasting a weekly radio program on 94.7 The Pulse and leading singing with people with memory loss and their carers.

My aims for 2010 are:
*to positively engage more men in the community singing groups and develop my skills in writing bass parts
*to undertake more creative consultations with individuals using a range of reflect and enable ™ tools
*to travel on creative singing assignments
* to develop a new repertoire of community songs sourced from the acabellas singers on the theme In this Place
*to continue to foster with my colleagues a happy effective team of acabellas leaders
* to continue to have professional coaching with my own voice so it can be nourished.

I hold a B.Arts (Honours) majoring in Journalism and Psychology. I have worked in both those fields and strangely enough the combination of professional writing and facilitating groups in rehabilitative settings has provided a beautiful foundation for working with the community in singing.

Some people have said some very nice things about me recently that might give you some more info….

“I just wanted to send a personal note to commend you on your excellent Children's Services Conference held yesterday for Golden Plain's Shire. I have attended many over the years, and I have to say that this is the best....enhanced by your inclusion of Belinda McArdle early in the day. There was a playful element, and I believe that people felt connected by this experience.”
Participant – Golden Plains Children’s Services Conference

“We received overwhelming positive feedback both formally and informally about Belinda’s work with the community for our project. We highly recommend Belinda and Acabellas in supporting any community music event!”
Arts Express – Mallacoota Music Festival

Lisa Singline (Back To Top)
Hi!  I am a community based musician and artist.  I play (!!) and work in a variety of singing contexts with adults and children.

Singing transports and transcends and is an amazing way to express oneself whether through an original song or enjoying timeless favourites from any genre of music!

In 2004 I met Belinda McArdle (then Densley) at her Geelong West acabellas singing group and a strong connection formed.  I enjoy being part of the special sound that is created when a group joins together in song.  I believe that as we all have a voice we all have a capacity to sing and to be supported in singing together and I enjoy sharing my love for singing and harmonising with others.   When leading groups or in one to one contexts, I hope to create an environment where individuals feel empowered to have fun, explore their own voice and have a positive experience of singing with others or as an individual.  I like incorporating the use of instruments as a way of music making.  There are many talented local singer songwriters in Geelong and it’s a privilege to have the opportunity to share some of these beautiful original songs with the groups. 

This year the Monday acabellas singers have moved space to the gorgeous surrounds of the Geelong Art Gallery.   acabellas singing @ the Geelong Art Gallery sing on Monday from 12pm-1pm.  What a way to start the week - a relaxing, uplifting & fun singing experience in a stunning resonant space surrounded by beautiful art! 

In individual lessons, where I provide singing or guitar or ukulele sessions, I hope to create an environment where students can take supported risks whilst also nurturing themselves to learn. 

In my work as a Teaching Artist in primary schools, I enjoy working with students to develop their experience of music and encourage creativity and expression. 

I facilitate the ‘Drumbeat’ program which works with groups over a ten week period using Djembe hand drumming rhythms as a focal point to discuss important life issues such as the rhythm of life, relationships, harmony, teamwork & identity.

You can contact Lisa on 0430 433 909 or lisasingline@acabellas.net.au

Here are some reflections from some singers in the groups:

 “Individually we may not have great voices but in a group the voices blend to become a much better sound.” 

“We get together, sing, have fun and on occasion perform to community audiences.” 

“For years I have had a passion to sing but have never had the time, or the nerve. Becoming part of this group has given me the opportunity to indulge that passion”

Sue Hindle (Back To Top)
Hi, my name is Sue.  Ever since I can remember I’ve always ‘secretly’ loved to sing… over recent years I have thoroughly enjoyed exploring this passion and developing my singing and leadership skills across a variety of contexts.

I gravitate towards fun and authenticity. Working with children allows me a beautiful combination of both. I am employed by the Songroom as a

teaching artist in kindergartens and schools. My role is to engage children in creativity and I use a combination of music, movement and relaxation to enliven young people.

My colleagues tell me I have valuable interpersonal skills. I understand that singing is a beautiful and vulnerable activity and I enjoy providing a safe space for adults to explore their voice. Over the last two years I have worked extensively with people with dementia and their carers and have received positive feedback about my clear and caring facilitation style.

As a vocalist I love to perform and play.  Currently I am enjoying singing performances with acabellas and VIVA as well as my weekly radio show on 94.7 The Pulse. Associated voiceover roles allow me to explore developing character voices. Rumours that I make occasionally cameo appearances to MC in character roles may be true!

Finally, I share that I am currently learning guitar and piano, developing my theoretical knowledge and aspiring to take on young people for private music tuition. I embrace being teachable, always learning and open to the beauty and bounty of music making.

You can contact Sue on  sue@acabellas.net.au

Testimonials:

"All the staff and children thoroughly enjoyed Sue’s program. The staff has all learnt a lot and I know we are all a great deal more confident in our singing and teaching abilities.   The children have looked forward to their visit from Sue every week (often driving us crazy!) with their constant “Is Sue here yet?” and “Is Sue coming today?” It is clear that the music sessions, and Sue, have been a wonderful addition to our program."
Simone and Lauren- Breakwater Kindergarten

"The Management Team - and the Calendar Project Managers - of Geelong Harmony Chorus  gratefully appreciate your support of the GHC Calendar project "Uncovering the Bellarine". Your willing and professional mc-ing of the re-launch, open-mic event at the Barwon Heads Bakery was most important for that occasion. We have been greatly encouraged by the response that we have had and are very pleased with the sales of the calendar - even being able to go to a second print run. It was wonderful to have your input as part of the project. Thank you."
Geelong Harmony Chorus

Andrea Dawes (Back To Top)
Hi my name is Andrea. I believe that it is never too late to start doing something that you love and I know that everyone who loves music can also make music.

I am very excited about the creative adventures that await acabellas in 2010. This year I have the wonderful opportunity to return to university to study

primary teaching, and so the opportunity to explore even more singing avenues with acabellas has arrived.

I was lucky to grow up in a musical family where singing and playing instruments was just what we did. As a young person I had many special opportunities to sing and write songs with my family as a duo, trio or quartet.

As an adult I am very lucky to live in a musical town where you can sing every day. I sing Thursdays with the Geelong West acabellas community singing group and Wednesdays with VIVA, a 16 piece female acapella group, both led by Belinda McArdle.

My new adventures for 2010 include, collaborating with Geelong’s local singer songwriters and performers, festival performances, teaching singing, piano and guitar, working with young people to inspire group singing and to encourage individual voices, providing workplace singing for stress alleviation and fun, acabella workshops, song swaps and retreats.  

Collaborating with Belinda Lisa and Sue is such great fun! I am continuously learning new ways to combine all of these facets together to encourage and inspire the singing groups and students that I will play and work with this year.

I love that we live in a place and time where people of all ages can gather together and sing – whether it be in a little country town on a Sunday afternoon or a quick lunch time sing in a busy workplace in the city. When a group of voices come together the experience is beautiful.

You can contact Andrea on  andrea@acabellas.net.au