SINGING LESSONS & MASTERCLASSES

Jacqueline specialises in Jazz, Improvisation and Brazilian repertoire (in particular bossa nova) and coaches students in authentic Portuguese pronunciation. As a Teaching Associate in Pop and Jazz Voice at Monash University, she also works to implement correct vocal techniques in order to facilitate a clean efficient sound, avoid injury, increase production, improve pitch and clarity, and navigate different sounds and vocal recipes. Having trained as a classical pianist through her childhood and with a multi-instrumental background, Jacqueline can also assist with song writing, theory, piano skills, performance techniques, aural skills and performance psychology.

Jacqueline worked as a Teaching Associate in the Bacherlor of Music Performance (both in Jazz and Pop) at Monash University for 11 years, and has also tutored, auditioned and adjudicated for many of Melbourne’s top institutions, organisations and competitions including Melbourne Polytechnic, Collarts, Monash University, Victorian College of the Arts (VCA), Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (VCASS), RMIT, the Australian Academy of Harmony (AAH), Generations In Jazz (GIJ) and the All-State Jazz Championships. Jacqueline’s lessons are suitable for tertiary and adult students at an Intermediate or Advanced level, or those wishing to focus specifically on Jazz, improvisation and Brazilian music, as well as aural, theory & improvisation.

LESSON RATES:

Adults (45 mins): $100

Concession (45 mins): $90

**Experienced secondary, tertiary or adult singers only.

For more information on singing lessons contact Jacqueline.

PLEASE NOTE JACQUELINE IS NOT CURRENTLY TAKING ON ANY MORE STUDENTS in 2025.

choir & vocal group direction

Jacqueline loves her work as a creative director of choirs and vocal ensembles and is a warm, inclusive, spontaneous and energetic teacher who draws on her many years of experience as a singer/composer with award-winning vocal quintet Coco's Lunch.  Jacqueline is passionate about teaching original vocal material by Australian composers, as well as sourcing innovative repertoire from a vast musical landscape that encompasses African, Brazilian, Jazz, contemporary & pop genres and beyond. Her vocal ensembles often sing in foreign languages and play percussion, as well as exploring body percussion, polyrhythms & vocal improvisation.

Jacqueline was recently Director of the Brunswick Community Gospel Choir for 2 years, during which time she navigated the choir on and off zoom throughout the pandemic. For many years she was a much-loved director of both the Jazz Vocal Ensemble and Contemporary Voice Ensemble in the Bachelor of Music Performance program at Monash University (Melbourne), the Bachelor of Music Performance Jazz Vocal Ensemble at Melbourne Polytechnic and also the National Year of Reading Choir in Melbourne. Jacqueline has also directed the Victorian College of the Arts Foundation choir, the Victorian College of the Arts R&B Gospel Choir and been a guest director for many vocal ensembles and choral groups including Monash University Choral Society (MONUCS), Yirriba, the Sweet Monas and the Australian Academy of Harmony. She has conducted workshops, short courses and artist in residence programs at institutions such as Ballarat and Queen's Anglican Grammar School, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), Lauriston Girls’ School and Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (VCASS), as well as for countless festivals, schools & venues nationally and internationally with Coco's Lunch.

Jacqueline's choir workshops may be taught predominantly aurally and with no requirement for reading music, and often include a strong focus on rhythm, creativity, humour and energising the body and breath. Alternatively, workshops may be directed to an advanced level, with all sheet music provided.

'Absolutely loved the way Jacq taught us, I felt safe to explore solo soprano parts, and I adored all the songs we covered, especially the jazz numbers. Thanks Jacq for your brilliance and fun approach to singing.' Melinda, Yirriba

For more information on Choir & Vocal Ensemble direction contact Jacqueline.

West African drumming & singing workshops

Jacqueline is a trained West African percussionist and works together with Simone Lang, director of Drummergirl, to offer combined West African singing and drumming workshops for communities, schools, corporate events and multicultural events and festivals. Jacqueline and Simone provide energetic, engaging and rhythmically charged interactive workshops teaching djembe, dununs and African song - encompassing the history & culture of West African music in a hands-on experience.

'The workshop presented by Jacq Gawler and Simone Lang at the 2014 Monash University Jazz Camp was educational, interactive and inspirational! Sharing their deep knowledge on African drumming tradition, performance and songwriting, Gawler and Lang provided articulate instruction interspersed with mesmerising performance and engaging anecdotal experiences from their travels.' Paul Williamson, Lecturer in Jazz & Popular Music, Sir Zelman Cowan School of Music, Monash University

'Jacqueline and Simone bring an infectious joy and enthusiasm to everything they do. They have created a wonderful inclusive musical environment infused with warmth and humour. Jacqueline has created a safe relaxed space where both complete beginners and more experienced singers can explore their voices, and Simone has converted me to African drumming with her passion and deep respect for the culture.' Sara, Muladhara Room workshops, Melbourne

For more information on West African workshops contact Drummergirl