SingMates Sessions
Join our SingMates group singing sessions at The Piano, Centre for Music & the Arts in Christchurch Central
We have different levels to choose from, from beginner to advanced. Most of our groups are non-auditioned and open to anyone who loves singing Rock & Pop music and wants to develop their vocal & musical skills and confidence together with others.
All our classes have a focus on contemporary vocals and the musical genres of the 1960s to early 2000s. We must admit we do like songs that rock and move us! Songs with a message, a bit of an edge and attitude. So if your shower repertoire includes Stevie Nix, Annie Lennox, David Bowie or other legends you grew up with, SingMates should be right up your alley.
Terms 2026
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All classes run throughout the year, over 4 terms.
There are 8 regular sessions for all classes per term, plus a Sing Together Event or Performance.
| Term 1 | 03 February – 02 April 2026 |
| Term 2 | 28 April – 25 June 2026 |
| Term 3 | 28 July – 24 September 2026 |
| Term 4 | 13 October – 10 December 2026 |
In term 3, our Performers and some of our other classes will be preparing a short performance at the yearly NZCF Singfest in mid September.
For those who cannot commit, don’t feel ready or prefer a weekly jam, there’s other options so you can keep singing with SingMates!
SESSIONS ON OFFER
SingMates Foundations
Do you run out of air when you sing or find it hard to sing high or low notes? Do you want to know more about your vocal range and be able to sing with ease and a ‘good sound’? Then start here!
‘Foundations’ are the perfect group singing classes for beginner* or not-yet-so confident singers who want to build confidence, develop a healthy and effective vocal technique and learn how to apply their new skills to singing Rock & Pop songs. The smaller group environment allows you to become part of a team but also offers the opportunity to work on individual challenges.
Our two levels, Foundations A and B, provide a structured, progressive program with fun activities that will help you understand and develop your vocal instrument. Both of these classes are great for newcomers to SingMates who want to find their feet in group singing, as well as improve their vocal technique, music and performance skills.
In all classes, there will be plenty of time to practice your singing with Rock & Pop songs. We mainly sing in unison but we might throw in the occasional harmony for a little challenge. Practice routines and resources will help you practice at home.
You can stay in any Foundations class for as long as you like or need. Building good foundations takes time!
Foundations A – ‘Breath-Tone-Resonance-Articulation’
Term 3 : Tuesday at 5.30pm (1 hour) | not auditioned
not performing at SingFest 2026 but Special Session in week 9
Term 4 : Wednesday at 5.30pm (1 hour)
This class will help you find and unlock your real voice. We will show you how to control and coordinate the body parts that allow you to create a healthy, easy and beautiful sound in a comfortable range. We will look at common tendencies and ‘bad habits’ of untrained singers that may cause you to strain the voice or work way harder than necessary. All songs or parts will be beginner friendly, so you can build confidence quickly.
This class should be a great fit for those of you who love singing but never had any proper vocal training. Or for those who have not sung on a regular basis for a long time and want to reactivate their voice.
* A group setting might not be the right environment if you struggle with matching pitch (singing in tune). If you are looking for guidance in developping this skill, we recommend booking in for a private session with Trix first, so she can help you figure out what is going on.
Foundations B – ‘Vocal Range’
Term 3 : Wednesday at 5.30pm (1 hour) | not auditioned | performing at Singfest
Term 4: Tuesdays at 5.30pm (1 hour)
Singing very high or low notes and moving between them smoothly is a skill many singers need to work on. This class will get you started on your journey of singing through your range with a more consistent and stronger sound. The songs or parts will be a more challenging with a larger range, as well as more complex melodies and grooves.
This class may be a good fit for singers who have had some training or have a fairly free & resonant voice, and specifically want to develop and extend their vocal range.
TERM 3: This class will participate in the performance at the SingFest, so the focus will be on preparing repertoire (max. in 2-part harmony).
Groups of 8 – 14 singers*
Fees: NZ$ 240.00 (+ GST) per term
SingMates Core
For all singers who feel confident enough with their voice to just have a weekly sing with like-minded people. As the name suggests, this is where our SingMates ‘regulars’ hang out and keep growing their team spirit. SingMates Core is a great place to practice your skills and slowly dive into singing simple harmony arrangements, or learn how to create your own.
Term 3 offers two different ‘levels’:
‘Jam It’ – Tuesday at 6.45pm | not auditioned
not performing at SingFest 2026 but Special Session in week 9
This class is for everybody who cannot commit to learning parts in between sessions or prefers to ‘play it by ear’. We’ll pick a variety of well-known songs and do a guided jam so the group can turn it into their very own version, with their own harmonies.
‘Performers Light’ – Wednesday at 6.45pm | not auditioned
performing at Singfest
You love to learn harmony arrangements but take a bit more time to learn and hold your parts? Then join us here: we’ll learn fewer parts so there’s more people in each team to support each other.
This class will participate in the performance at the SingFest, so the focus will be on preparing repertoire (max. in 2-part harmony).
Groups of 8 – 16 singers*
Fees: NZ$ 240.00 (+ GST) per term
SingMates Performers
Term 1 – 4 : Thursdays at 6.15pm (75min) | Auditioned
performing at Singfest 2026
Can you hold a harmony and got great groove? Then this one may be for you!
This class is for more confident and advanced singers who are keen to level up and sing more complex harmony arrangements, and also perform every now and then.
Performers will keep growing their vocal and musical skills and work toward becoming a tight-knit team with a solid repertoire of songs that we make our own.
Existing SingMates who have done at least one term with us can generally join this class if they are ready. Singers new to SingMates will need to audition for this group.
The musical style of the songs is Pop & Rock, but we might throw in the occasional Folk song, just because you cannot beat those goosebump harmonies!
Group of 8 – 16 singers*
Fees: NZ$ 260.00 (+ GST) per term
* Sessions require minimum number of participants.