York residents are being given the opportunity to beat the winter blues with singing sessions held at City of York Council's Performing Arts Centre.

The centre, at Millthorpe School, has recruited singer/songwriter Em Whitfield to lead the singing sessions on Wednesday evenings between 4.30pm and 6.30pm.

From January 9 confident singers to bathroom warblers to absolute beginners from the age of ten years and upwards are invited to join Em to improve their technique, enhance their powers of expression and increase their self confidence.

Em said, "There is a truer, clearer, stronger voice locked inside us all - just waiting to be released. We will be using blues, gospel, rock and folk styles, improvisation, games and exercises to discover the easy way to free the voice."

The message from the Performing Arts Service is that once people have enjoyed singing Christmas carols they should make a New Year's resolution to continue to sing by joining the Giving Voice sessions.

Anyone wishing to book a place or get more information should contact the Performing Arts Service on telephone number 01904 554660.

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