M y S t o r y
"Now a professional performer, teacher, composer and arranger I started like many others with a genuine love of music and a need to understand how my voice works. Originally a Disney lover as a child my musical inspiration constantly comes from listening to artists such as Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Bette Midler and Donny Hathaway. Though the sound track for Hercules is still a favourite"
P e r f o r m a n c e
Sarah has performed along side such names as Guy Sebastian, Lillian Bouttee, Charmaine Jones, Catharine Lambert, Kate Cebrano, Justine Clarke and Anita Wardell.
She has graced the stages of the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Festival Theatre, Thebarton Theatre and the Adelaide Convention Centre to name a few. Notable festivals include the Adelaide Fringe Festival, Cabaret Fringe Festival, Glenelg Jazz Festival and Generations in Jazz.
In 2018 she premiered her original show 'From A Distance, The Glory Of Bette' in the Adelaide Fringe Festival to sold out audiences, and returned in 2019 with an bigger revised version of Bette at the very large and very cabaret appropriate Norwood Live;
"Amazing, brilliant and insightful ... flawless is not a word to use lightly in the entertainment industry and I can most certainly use it for this performance ... extremely entertaining, highly professional and just an all around brilliant evening" - Weekend Notes
Musical Theatre credits her to shows such as Shane Warne the Musical (Segue Productions), Heathers the Musical (Segue Productions), Rent (MCMT), Evita (The Met), Sugar (The Met), Back to the 80s (IND), Smokey Joe's Cafe (The Hills), the Sex and the city musical; Sex and the Musical (Emma Knights Productions), and the critically acclaimed Blues Brothers Revue (Ad. Fringe). In 2022 she directed/musically directed Tatachilla Lutheran College's production of Aladdin KIDS, as well as in 2017 she took on the role of Music Director for the hilarious American classic show 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee' with MCMT (Marie Clarke Musical Theatre Company).
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As well as Television appearances in multiple charity events and Christmas specials such as the 'Children's Easter Special' Channel 7.
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She has performed as a member of Gospo; The Jones Commentary, in multiple wedding and corporately hired bands, duos and vocal ensembles as well as a returning vocalist in the ever growing event Civic Park Carols.
She has been affiliated with companies such as Emma Knights Productions, Segue Productions the Metropolitan Musical Theatre Company, Marie Clark Musical Theatre Company, Adelaide Youth Theatre and The Hills Musical Theatre Company. As well as continuing to be a proud Australian Girls Choir Alumni.
E d u c a t i o n
Throughout her schooling days Sarah attended elective music, Australian Girls Choir and performed in the band 'Flame Boy Dodge'.
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She graduated with an academic achievement award for Music, multiple Service to the Arts awards and multiple original musicals to her name.
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She went on to complete a Certificate IV in pop music and a Diploma and Bachelor or Music specialising in jazz performance, voice and music pedagogy at the Adelaide Elder Conservatorium of Music. In 2016 she was awarded Special Authority to Teach by the Teachers Registration Board of SA. In June 2021 she achieved her postgraduate Master of Teaching degree from Charles Sturt University, and is a registered teacher; general primary and R-12 Music.
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She has attended multiple courses and workshops in the prestigious Estill Voice Model with such presenters as Naomi Eyers, Helen Tiller, Gerald Marco and Anne-Marie Speed. As well as Jazz workshops with the talented Anita Wardell, Michelle Nicole and Katie Noonan. Other education includes AHOMINGS SACE moderation workshops and music education and brain development workshops presented by musician and researcher; Dr. Anita Collins. She holds a Kodaly Certificate in Music Education and is a committee member of Kodaly SA.
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Sarah has been fortunate enough to be taught by brilliant performers and teachers as Charmaine Jones (Monash University Melb), Luke Thompson (Ad. Con. Mus.) Anita Wardell (Birmingham Uni. London) and Estill master teachers Naomi Eyers and Helen Tiller.
T e a c h i n g
Sarah has been teaching voice and music in the Adelaide industry for over a decade. After completing a Bachelor of Music and attending many courses and workshops regarding Estill Voice Model, she has taken on both professional and aspiring singers who are working through vocal limitations as well as general coaching.
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After years of studying music pedagogy in her Bachelor of Music, she was awarded a 'Special Authority to Teach Voice and Music' by the Teacher's Registration Board of South Australia. She is currently studying a Master of Teaching (Primary teaching and R-12 Music).
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Sarah's teaching has seen her in roles such as a short course lecturer at the Adelaide College of the Arts (Tafe SA) specialising in musical theatre and voice. She has also directed lessons and/or choral ensembles at Institutions such as, Mercedes College, Nazareth College, Mary Mackillop College, Gleeson College, Essential Talent/Actors Inc., Gospo Enterprises and other various private voice and music studios in Adelaide. Recently in Sarah directed, choreographed and musically directed Tatachilla Lutheran College's Junior School Musical; Aladdin KIDS. In October 2017 she took on the role of Musical Director and conductor for Marie Clark Musical Theatre Company's "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" receiving reviews such as "Sarah Whiteley’s musical direction is a model of understated elegance".
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In 2016 she created the 'Sarah Jane Voice Studio'. This allowed private students to continue tuition after leaving or finishing studies at affiliated institutions. The Sarah Jane Voice Studio has now blossomed into a wonderful voice education hub for aspiring and professional vocalists alike with many testimonials.
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Sarah has arranged for and/or conducted choirs for Generations in Jazz, the Balaklava Eisteddfod and the Adelaide University's Adelaide Connection Jazz Choir. She has also developed a Music Theory program specifically designed to help vocalists apply music theory to their instrument in the early stages of learning.
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Her teaching includes; technique and musicality, specifics on anatomy if desired. Song interpretation for stagecraft, audition preparation, aural development, arranging, transcribing, microphone technique, guidance with voice care and safe avenues for sounds such as 'Belting', Style studies, exam preparation, sight reading, improvisation and SACE preparation and support (solo perf, ensemble perf, composition individual study, music exploration and musicianship).
Qualifications
- Full Teacher Registration (Teacher's Registration Board of South Australia).
- Master of Teaching K-6 General and K-12 Music (Charles Sturt University)
- Bachelor of Music (Jazz Voice and Music Pedagogy, Adelaide Elder Conservatorium of Music).
- Dip. Mus. Jazz Voice (Adelaide Elder Conservatorium of Music).
- Kodaly Music Education Certificate (Full)
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Other Certificates
- Certificate IV in Music (TAFE SA)
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- Current First Aid, CPR, Basic life support and first aid in an education setting.
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- Current DHS working with children check
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- Current RAN (Child safe environments)
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- Current Anaphylaxis training certificate
Courses / Workshops
- AHOMINGS SACE 1 & 2 teacher moderation practice meetings.
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- AHOMINGS Music education and brain development presented by Dr. Anita Collins.
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- Estill Levels 1 & 2 (Essential Voice, VIC).
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- Belting Workshops (Essential Voice, VIC).
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- Switching Styles in Musical Theatre (The Voice Explained, London, UK).
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- Estill for Singing Teachers (The Voice Explained, London, UK).
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- Contemporary singing and the Estill model (Essential Voice, VIC).
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- Estill figures for Vocal Proficiency Workshops (Essential Voice, VIC).
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- Improvisation for the jazz vocalist (Anita Wardell, Birmingham Uni. London, UK).
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- How Your Voice Works (The Voice Gym, VIC).
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- Breathing, Support & the Estill Model (The Voice Explained, London, UK).
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- Estill CFP Focus Groups (Essential Voice, VIC).
Press & Reviews
"Sarah Whiteley as Elizabeth Hurley demonstrates what a powerhouse of a performer she is" - Glam Adelaide
PERFORMER
SHANE WARNE
(The Musical)
"Sarah Jane Whiteley is magnificent. Whiteley truly commands the stage and her voice is outstanding" - Stage Whispers
PERFORMER
HEATHERS
(The Musical)
"Amazing, brilliant and insightful ... flawless is not a word to use lightly in the entertainment industry and I can most certainly use it for this performance ... extremely entertaining, highly professional and just an all around brilliant evening" - Weekend Notes
WRITER, DIRECTOR, PERFORMER
FROM A DISTANCE
The Glory of Bette
SPELLING BEE
(The Musical)
MUSIC DIRECTOR
"Sarah Whiteley's musical direction is a model of understated elegance" - Glam Adelaide
RENT
(The Musical)
PERFORMER
"Sarah Jane Whiteley demonstrates her extensive vocal range" - TASA
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"Whiteley is fantastic as Joanne, carefully balancing the strength and softness of character all rounded off with a powerhouse voice" - Glam Adelaide
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"Whiteley has considerable lung power!" - Stage Whispers
The Blues Brothers Revue
PERFORMER
"Sarah Jane Whiteley as Aretha Franklin gave a powerful interpretation of Chain of Fools" - Auzzie Theatre
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"Dynamic" - Glam Adelaide