“This, you must know, is the growlery. When I am out of humour, I come and growl here.”

Charles Dickens

a Growlery?

Dickens refers to a Growlery as a place to retreat to, refuge or sanctuary, from the world in order to consider where one might go next when one is out of sorts especially when feeling ill humoured (If you’ve never read Bleak House by Dickens do check it out). A Growlery is a place one hides away to discover what’s Growling in one’s body, mind, voice, heart, head, music, fears, creativity, pedagogy, research, poetry, philosophy, beliefs, will, intellect, emotions, over-cluttered inbox and more. It’s a place one usually goes to alone, in which to Growl [or Rumble] aka find out what’s ailing one so one can then do battle with these discoveries in the safety of a Growlery and hopefully become free of these things. According to numerous dictionary definitions, a Growl is defined as both a verb and noun to describe making a low guttural sound in the throat (with or without hostility or anger). That’s nice, but to me it doesn’t go far enough. If you ever study with me you’ll learn I love to look at the original meanings of words as I feel that’s where much forgotten wisdom is kept. In this case, Growl’s original definition means imitative [of animals]. So in my creative practice and in life, I see Growling in my Growlery as:

• an act of authenticity seeking and self care where it is safe for me to remember all of myself [the hurt, the hopeful, the actual] so I can

• look beyond the unending hall of mirrors on my Studio walls and into the mirror of myself to find out why I’m imitating others [which always makes me ill humoured] so I might

• claim my birthright, unchain my voice, and just be me.

So, this is my Growlery: a sacred space I invite my students into so they too might find some repose, catch their breath, learn a new skill or two, challenge their self imposed limits, defy preconceived notions about self and others, banish fear, and move towards being their most authentic selves [as humans and voices] unapologetically. I will never ask a student to do something I would not do or cannot do myself. It is my life’s task to listen to myself, and befriend myself so I might express my voice to its fullest and it is my hope my students will do the same. It’s not lost on me that you can’t spell the word growl without the word grow! So, come and grow here? Sessions are available by appointment only, online and in person, so that no matter where in the world your voice takes you, you’ll never be far away from continuing your vocal education.

Make Loud Noise [In Person]

If you’re coming in for a session at Make Loud Noise’s physical location there’s a few things you need to know.

• You can simply enter Make Loud Noise into your navigation app of choice and it will lead you to us. Our physical address is:

  Make Loud Noise
  “The Old Workshop Office” Suite
  Red Star Music
  2/156 Abbotsford Road
  Bowen Hills/Barrambin, Brisbane/Meeanjin, QLD, 4006.

• Parking is available on street in nearby Allison and Thompson Streets with both paid and free parking options. Please don’t park in front of Red Star Music or adjacent businesses - they will tow at your expense and it will cost a lot and interrupt our session. Abbotsford Road is one of the busiest roads in Brisbane, especially during peak-hour traffic, so please allow enough time for travel and parking and crossing the road at the lights as lessons start on time and cannot be extended due to traffic.

• Public transport is available via Translink. The studio is located in between Bowen Hills Station and Albion Station. There are also inbound and outbound busses available at Abbotsford Road Stop 16 Allison Street. Please keep an eye out on Translink’s website for changes to public transport especially service updates for bus and train, as well as trackworks on the train network so you can arrive at your appointment on time. if you’re running late, please contact the studio via text on 0431 290 060.

• All in person lessons are recorded for your education purposes and for safety of all parties.

• The Studio is wheelchair accessible however there are no wheelchair accessible restrooms on site.

• The Studio is equipped with anatomical charts, drawings, figures, as well as objects of oddities and curiosity that some people perceive as having themes of horror. At Make Loud Noise we don’t hide from the fact that when vocalising you’re playing an organic instrument and understanding that anatomy is essential to your craft. If you have objection to seeing items of this nature please book online.

• In person sessions are available by appointment only. Please don’t just show up to the Studio. To avoid disappointment book now.

Make Loud Noise [ONLINE]

Did you know that online education can be just as effective or even more effective for some learners? Well, now you do! With a shortage of Extreme and Elite Vocals Experts in the world sometimes in person lessons just aren’t possible or practical. While I’d love to go on tour with every big name band on roster, it’s just not realistic. So, if you’re joining the Studio online there’s a few things you need to know:

• You don’t need fancy microphones or elaborate set up’s for Online Sessions: simple will do. You will need to ensure your Phone, Tablet, or Computer that you’re using has access to a working video camera, and microphone input (yes your Phone or Tablet’s inbuilt microphone will do), and a stable, reliable Internet Connection in accordance with Zoom’s System Requirements.

• We use Zoom for our Sessions so please ensure that you’ve got the latest version installed on your Phone, Tablet, or Computer. Lessons start on time and cannot be extended due to Zoom needing to update.

• We need to use Zoom’s Original Sound options so we can hear each other properly so you must be signed in to the Zoom App for your session. Please head to Zoom’s website for more information on Original Sound For Musicians.

• If you’re doing a Session on the road please make sure that you have access to two devices: one to have the call on, and one for playback of your tracks for you to vocalise with. If you’re at home or in your own Studio a Computer should be sufficient.

• Please ensure you have charged your devices ahead of time, and have chargers available for recharging while we’re on our Session Call.

• An email with a Session Zoom link will be provided when you have booked and paid for your Session. If you have not received it before the day of your lesson please text the Studio on 0431 290 060 to troubleshoot this.

• All Zoom Sessions are recorded for your education purposes and for safety of all parties.

• At times we will need to use vocal analysis software in Sessions. Given the latency issues due to the Internet Network in Australia, this means that you might need to record certain exercise or songs and them send those sound files to your teacher ahead of time so that Make Loud Noise can provide a full service to you. If you can use a Voice Recording or Voice Memo app on your phone then you’ll be able to get these to us. Thanks for helping us help you.

• From time to time Zoom, and/or your or my, Internet Service Provider will encounter a Service Interruption. During these times we will revert to a back up method of completing your Session. This will be agreed upon in your first Zoom Session and may include:

  • Phone

  • Messenger

  • Teams

  • FaceTime

• Zoom Sessions are available by appointment only. To avoid disappointment book now.

Make Loud Noise acknowledges the Turrbal people as the Traditional Custodians of Barrambin as it is their lands on which the Make Loud Noise Studio is located and where we meet, work, make music, learn, and dream. We pay our respects to All First Nations Elders past, present and emerging