This workshop is designed primarily for singers who would like to learn how to sing harmony by ear, but it will also offer experienced harmony singers the opportunity to sing harmony and help anchor the harmony lines being sung by those who are just learning.

Initially, Marlene and Kim will provide some instructional information on how to go about learning to sing harmony by ear, and will share ways to practice and reinforce this skill both on your own and when singing with others. They’ll also offer some guidelines on when it’s most appropriate to sing harmony in group singing situations.

Then, attendees will have a chance to song melody and harmony on several songs, starting with some simple, well-known songs, and moving to songs that are somewhat more complex melodically and harmonically. Marlene and Kim will demonstrate the melody and harmony lines for each song, and will lead workshop attendees in their respective parts.

Marlene McCall

Marlene McCall is an active member of the San Francisco folk music club, and a lifelong singer. She was introduced to 4-part harmony singing when she joined an a cappella chorus in 1999, and was hooked! Now deeply involved in the community of people who get together to make music together (in circles and jams throughout the bay area), she has both a belief in the power of music to bring people together and enrich their lives, and an appreciation for quality songwriting and musicianship. She sings traditional ballads, chorus songs, and other songs in the British and American tradition, blues and jazz standards, singer-songwriter and folk revival songs, rock and roll from the 60s and 70s, and a wide range of Americana and roots music, as well as more contemporary acoustic music.

Kim Richards

As a small child, Kim Richards could be found singing harmony and playing the piano with her twin sister or putting on shows for the family. For her, music is not merely a collaboration of sounds, but a medium to transcend to new places, and her favorite retreat. In the past, Kim has directed children's choirs and teenage music groups, toured a cappella in professional singing groups, and at one point, even sported a Mohawk as the lead singer and bass player in a rock band. In recent years, she has ventured into writing songs from the heart. Her fingerpicking style, vocal range and soothing voice are testimonies to her years of diverse musicianship. Her keen ability to create poignant harmonies has remained one of her greatest talents and her lyrics are striking, yet simple. Kim is currently the lead singer in a rock band "Rockhounds" in Santa Rosa, CA. She can also be found performing in various impromptu groups with her many music friends in the Bay Area.