Corrine Gibbons out front at the 2018 Rural Woman’s Conference in Merimbula. Photo: Supplied.
In a valley of talented voices, Corinne Gibbons shines bright in the Bega Valley and come the Festival of Open Minds she will have everyone singing.
This much loved, globe-trotting singer, songwriter, choir director, team builder, and friend to many has drawn a line in her diary to be at Open Minds 2019 to help those gathered perform as one in a mass choir performance that will build during the day.
“There is magic power in choirs and an organic good feeling that flows after singing for just 10 minutes,” Corinne says.
“It takes a lot more energy to hold your voice back than to let it go. Singing positive lyrics is so good for the subconscious mind and really supports your spirit! I have no doubt the people gathered will rock the house.”
Corinne will pop up three times during the day-long speakers program – a burst of energy and perspective to help us process and take in the ideas and conversation developing.
Together the Open Minds audience will progressively learn a special festival twist on the 1967 hit ‘Happy Together’ by The Turtles.
“I personally love sharing songs with positive lyrics, it helps raise the vibe for the individual and for the collective,” Corinne says.
Corinne’s love and talent for music started and was fostered in the Bega Valley but she has gone on to sing with the world.
Throughout her career, Corinne has shared a stage with some of the globes leading musicians and performers including The Count Basie Big Band, members of The Ramsey Lewis Trio, Tower of Power, Dire Straits and has collaborated with Phil Collins.
Linda Ronstadt acknowledged Corinne for her vocal prowess on her album ‘We’ve Only Just Begun’, saying “This girl has great musicianship and sex appeal!”
Corinne made her own recording debut in 2000 with the album, ‘Dusk’ a loving exploration of sunset featuring some of Australia’s most exciting jazz musicians.
‘Sunday Afternoon’ a live album capturing an extraordinary show from her five-year residency at Sydney’s Shakespeare Hotel followed, and in 2009 the album ‘Melt’.
Outside of the Festival of Open Minds, Corinne is teaching the world how to sing and bringing people together as one voice.
Her exhilarating team building workshops began taking shape over a decade ago in her home away from home in Singapore via – Discover Your Voice.
Teaching the craft of singing in harmony, has become a passionate expression of her life one that she has shared with some of the world’s most forward-thinking companies. She has dedicated her life to making music and gently introducing the unfamiliar to this magical experience.
“I am living what I’d like to support within corporations and communities,” Corinne says.
‘Search for the Sparkle‘ is another passion, the first-ever mindfulness musical inspired by and for children. Watch this space!
Corinne Gibbons. Photo: Lisa Herbert.
Most recently, Corinne has been co-producing and song writing with award-winning pianist and producer Mo Pleasure on a range of projects in Singapore, Los Angeles and Australia. She is also in the early stages of writing and recording her next album with a world-class group of musicians and Australian producer and recording artist Sarah Belkner.
“It never ceases to amaze me the number of people that carry the wound of being told they can’t sing,” she says.
“If you were told you couldn’t smile as a child you would never believe it and there is as much validity in you can’t smile as in you can’t sing.
“For me, I believe every voice matters. Singing is a birthright, there is evidence that we sang before we spoke, it’s in our DNA.
“I have witnessed so much joy through people releasing their voices in song. I’ve coached people from well over 50
countries and one thing I can say is music is the language that connects us all.”
Come lend your voice to the Festival of Open Minds.
Want to know more about the Festival of Open Minds?
Join us for the FREE community Parklight event in Littleton Gardens, Bega on Friday, September 13, followed by a day of ideas, conversation, and singing on Saturday, September 14 at the Bega Civic Centre.
Speakers on the 2019 Open Minds program so far include:
- Tim Costello, Chief Advocate, World Vision;
- Nas Campanella, blind Triple J newsreader;
- Pastor Christie Buckingham, spiritual counselor to executed Bali 9 drug smuggler Myuran Sukumaran;
- Aly Khalifa, entrepreneur focused on harvesting plastic waste from our oceans;
- Emma Booth, para-equestrian competitor, represented Australia at the 2016 Rio Paralympics;
- Alasdair Tremblay-Birchall, comedian, joke writer, grew up in Tathra;
- Sassi Nuyum, aka Meaghan Holt, rising Aboriginal writer, performer;
- Corinne Gibbons, songstress and choir director.
It all comes together under the banner – ‘People With Oomph’ inspired by Bega Valley song man Damon Davis and his song of the same name.
“People with oomph – they’re not lyin down. People with oomph – spread the good life. People with oomph – keep their own style. People with oomph – walk mile after mile,” Damon sings.
More announcements will be made very soon, stay in touch via the festival website.
Tickets and Saturday lunch options are on sale now via Eventbrite. High schoolers 12 to 19 years are FREE.
A stellar line up of speakers attracted around 350 people to the 2018 Festival of Open Minds. Photo: Chris Sheedy.
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