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Singer ~ Songwriter ~ Performer ~ Teacher ~ Counsellor
~ Biography ~

 
 
 

Brenda Chapman

Brenda is a warm, witty, and inspiring woman with a rich and diverse background in both the healing and the creative arts. At school she was a playful, gregarious kid who excelled in Art, Music, Drama and Gymnastics. She began singing, playing guitar, and writing songs when she was 14 after receiving a guitar as a birthday present, and playing it obsessively.

At the age of 20, she was invited to join her first semi-professional band (while still majoring in Painting, full-time, at Art School). She then worked for the next few years as a professional singer and musician, performing as a soloist, and vocalist in rock, folk and world music groups. Brenda then travelled extensively, and studied singing, music, and African drumming, in Australia, USA, Canada and West Africa..

In 1990 Brenda moved from the East Coast of Australia, to base herself in Fremantle, and completed her second Bachelors Degree, in Psychology and Anthropology at UWA. She then trained in counselling, group facilitation, transpersonal energy-work, cross-cultural sound healing, and music therapy. She has also studied; theatre, drama, and creative writing, in many different forms.

For the last fifteen years, Brenda has worked in her own private practice, as a counsellor and facilitator, working with individuals, couples and groups. She then began teaching singing, music, and performance workshops, from a holistic perspective. These days, Brenda is invited regularly to facilitate workshops for numerous organisations. She has taught Introductory Singing and Guitar courses at Curtin University, African Drumming Courses at Didgeridoo Breath, and has been employed by DADAA to direct adult workshops in both Singing and Drama. Brenda has also lead a variety of counselling trainings and groups.

In 2007 Brenda was commissioned to direct the Inner Voices Choir. This was a 70 piece community choir who went on to record a wonderful album title "Inner Voices Sing Out" Brenda produced the album which was recorded, mixed and mastered by James Hewgill. The CD was a great success and in 2009 the proceeds of the album sales went directly to the Victorian Bush Fire Appeal.

Over the past twelve years, Brenda has encouraged literally hundreds of people, from all walks of life to develop and expand their creative potential. She is the Musical Director of MARAKADON African Drumming Ensemble, and GO VOCAL World Music Choir. She’s also facilitates an annual Retreat for Songwriters, at the Institute of Human Development in Jarrahdale.


 Brenda Chapman
Brenda Chapman

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Brenda is still dedicated to her private counselling practice, and specialises in personal and creative development, increasing self-esteem, career coaching, and relationship counselling. She also performs regularly, and is about to launch her debut solo album, “Post Cards from Exile” later this year 

Brenda is an enthusiastic, practicing artist in her own right. She is also well known for creating a highly supportive, dynamic and fun learning environment, and is regarded as one of Perth’s leading Holistic Counsellors and Creative Arts Facilitators.

The February 2008 edition of Nova Holistic Journal has a feature article on Brenda Chapman. Perth's Nova Writer, Louisa Harding is one of Brenda's singing students. In this article, Lou interviews Brenda on her teaching work, her background, her philosophies, her own music, and her soon to be released debut album "Postcards From Exile". Pick up your copy nation wide at Healthfood stores and other Nova outlets or simply click here to view the online version

http://www.novazine.com.au/articles.htm



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