You might recognise Darren Percival and his joyful demeanour from his time on The Voice Australia in 2012, or when he appeared on Australia's Got Talent to create a large choir with the audience.
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Perhaps you have attended one of his concerts, seen him on A Country Practice, or heard his songwriting skills come to life in the iconic film The Sapphires.
Many might not know about the Berrima local's mission to using singing as a way to help others.
The vocalist, songwriter, musician and vocal coach is ready to show people the benefits of singing for their mental health with his business The Singing Space, which opened on March 1.
While he does work out of the Berrima Hall and his studio, the business is also a "mobile service bringing singing to folks".
"I've known this work brings me the most amount of joy and I don't plan to stop," he said.
"It's a really beautiful thing to do, especially in this community as well."
When sessions begin, the Gold-album-selling recording artist has a cuppa with clients, and asks them what they want to achieve.
Most sessions are one-on-one, and other times, people bring family members and loved ones along.
Opening the business now felt like the perfect time, after the years of strife with the bushfires, pandemic and floods.
"It's never really about singing, it's about the other things people are going through," he said.
All of the "car and shower singers" are invited to join in.
He described the sessions "like a vacation", that offered people with brief escapism as they focused on music.
"I enjoy them coming into their bliss, it's a very joyful experience, they forget about what might be troubling them," he said.
He is also passionate about people coming together to connect while singing, and has held a community choir session with Bowral's The Stress and Trauma Clinic.
The clinic's free workshops aim to help people reduce stress through different activities such as breath work, exercise and singing.
Darren's first workshop was held in February, where "everyone was there to connect not just vocally, but...was happy to be together".
He is hosting another community choir workshop on March 19 at The Highlands School of Performing Arts (THSPA).
It will take place from 3pm to 4pm, and is free.
People can register through Humantix and bring along a bottle of water.
Those who want to sing and be guided by Darren, can call 0414 168 972, email dp@thesingingspace.com, or visit thesingingspace.com/home/.
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Briannah Devlin
I like to write about arts, entertainment, any local reality tv leads, and property for the Southern Highland News and Goulburn Post, but also report on everything in between. If you have any tips, please send them to Briannah.Devlin@austcommunitymedia.com.au, or call 0439142204.
I like to write about arts, entertainment, any local reality tv leads, and property for the Southern Highland News and Goulburn Post, but also report on everything in between. If you have any tips, please send them to Briannah.Devlin@austcommunitymedia.com.au, or call 0439142204.
