Singing Adventures with Me Time Experiences

04/11/2024

www.singingadventures.com.au with Jane Christie-Johnston

30/10/2024

There are many great reasons to come to New Zealand with us, but the best one is that you get to sing and hang out with Jane!

We first met Jane Christie-Johnston way back in 2015 during our very first singing escapade to Tasmania’s Festival of Voices. Back then, Jane was part of the Festival team - she was fun, delightful and nothing was ever too much trouble. We had the best experience and have stayed in touch over the years. Jane even inspired us to take Cheep Trill choir to participate at the Cork International Choral Festival, which she has done a couple of times with her own Sing For Your Life Choir. Now, we’ve convinced Jane to join us in New Zealand to lead Singing in Beautiful Places in October 2025! 👏👏👏

Jane is a singer, choir director and event producer. One of her greatest joys is to lead her choir - Sing For Your Life!, which has grown from humble beginnings with twelve members in 2005, to well over one hundred singers today. Jane’s teaching style is relaxed, informal, supportive, and welcoming. “We don’t strive for perfection, and we don’t sweat the small stuff. We aim to make a fantastic sound and to just enjoy it, soak up the harmonies and finish feeling rewarded,” she says. “I’m really looking forward to capturing that same sense of joy and fulfillment in New Zealand on this Singing Adventure with Sharon and Pauline and the lovely group that will join us.”

Jane teaches everything by ear, so you don’t have to read music, making it accessible for everyone, whatever your level of experience – including none at all. If you love to sing, we’d love to have you.

Jane’s talents don’t stop there. She’s the director of the Ho-Ho-Hobart Christmas Choir, Up She Rises Choir, and sings with the award-winning a ca****la ensemble ThylaSing. Recently, she’s added a dance music project with Queensland artist Dellandra to her list of creative endeavours!

So come sing with Jane (and us!) in New Zealand next year. Bookings are now open via our website - www.singingadventures.com.au - and spots are filling fast, so get yours before they’re gone. Pauline and Sharon

25/10/2024

We are beyond excited to be offering this wonderful Singing Adventure with Jane Christie-Johnston next year. We had a couple of sold out false starts in 2020 and 2021 due to you know what, but now it's all set to happen in 2025 and it's lovely to see so many familiar faces already booked in!

This will be a very relaxed, joyful experience with loads of singing without the performance pressure. Jane will teach us some songs, and then we'll sing in nature - on the banks of crystal-clear lakes, along rugged, breathtaking beaches, cruising through the pristine wilderness of a spectacular sound, and atop a mountain with sweeping views of snowcapped peaks.

It’s all about gathering, learning, and connecting with others who love to sing and create beautiful harmonies. You don't need to read music, or be a seasoned singer or in a choir. If you love to sing, then we'd love to have you. Any questions at all, please call Pauline or send us an email (details in bio). Online bookings and more info @ www.singingadventures.com.au

24/10/2024

We are always so impressed and inspired by the gorgeous people that come along on our trips. For many it's the first time they've travelled alone, or sung in a group or at a festival and really got out of their comfort zone. For other's it's been a life long dream to travel to a particular place or to make the commitment to do something just for themselves, minus the guilt. So this year, I've followed their lead and ventured out on my own singing adventure - something that I've been promising myself for a long time. I recorded a little album (EP) called Here I am Again, and I've popped it here for your listening pleasure. As scary as it often feels, it’s never too late to follow your dreams, and how you’ll feel on the other side of all that angst is absolutely worth it. Hope to see you on a Singing Adventure with us real soon. Pauline x

Link to album - https://open.spotify.com/album/1S7k4Rw8fSsWVKjwfm2IQV?si=I_aV_GPuTq-6xiss-KN-UQ
Also available on Apple Music and YouTube. Thanks to my collaborators Emma Dean and Tony Dean

21/10/2024

Thanks everyone for your continued interest in what’s next for Me Time Experiences. It's been a while, but we are back and ready to bring you some exciting Singing Adventures in 2025 and beyond. As you’ve probably noticed, we’ve changed things up a bit and our experiences moving forward will focus on all things singing – in beautiful places and/or as part of choral festivals. Our new website showcases some of the places we will be going and there’s more to come. We have exclusive offers for choir leaders keen to take your choirs to participate in choral festivals (non-competitive) or if, as a choir leader, you want something a little more casual, we have Singing Adventures full of fun and laughter, where we sing in gorgeous locations, with no requirement for previous rehearsals. We arrange it all and come with you, so you can do what you do best – lead, sing, connect and have fun. (check out how it works under For Choir Leaders on the website). In addition, we’ll have Adventures where individual singers, of any level, can book on a trip and travel to amazing places and join with others to create gorgeous harmonies in stunning locations. Our first Adventure is one such trip - Singing in Beautiful Places – New Zealand with Jane Christie-Johnston, slotted for October 2025. It’s going to be amazing. All welcome. Bookings are now open. www.singingadventures.com.au

14/03/2023

Ever wanted your very own ‘Sound of Music’ moment? Then this is the experience for you! We are beyond excited to announce that Emma Dean and Tony Dean will be joining us and taking a group of singers to perform at the Alta Pusteria International Choral Festival in June 2024. Wanna come?? At this stage we are just seeking expressions of interest. The dates are June 9 to June 19, 2024 and the draft itinerary is below. This is a non-competitive choir experience, so no judges or adjudicating, just the pure joy of singing in the Italian Alps! Rehearsals will be held in Brisbane, but participants are welcome from anywhere as long as you can zoom in. Final rehearsals will be held in Milan, Italy before we head to Val Pusteria. Please send us your genuine expressions of interest via email by the end of March, along with any questions that you may have.

2 x nights in Milan (sightseeing and rehearsals)
5 x nights in the Italian Alps (on the border of Italy and Austria at the foot of the dolomites) – performance in various venues and villages in the region as part of the Festival
3 x nights in Venice (sightseeing and relaxing)

Includes rehearsals with Emma and Tony in Australia and Italy (music and guide tracks provided), quality twin share or single accommodation, breakfast daily and most lunches and dinners, some drinks, coach/train transfers throughout the trip, festival fees, performance fees, sightseeing activities and some extra special me time moments.
Airfares and travel insurance not included.

We will start in Milan and finish in Venice.
The costs will be in the range of $7000 to $8000pp twin share (the final cost, including single supplement will be confirmed by the end of March, 2023)
Non-singing partners welcome. This cost will be provided end of March.
$1000 deposit on booking. Final payment due April 2024.
It’s going to be amazing! Please get in touch via [email protected].

02/03/2023

Come and join us November 9 to 13, 2023 for an unforgettable walk in the Tarkine Wilderness. All the lovely deets @ www.metimeexperiences.com.au

28/02/2023

Bruny Island certainly turned on the weather - every season in fact! What a gorgeous 4 days we’ve had full of amazing walks, delish local food, stories and laughter, so much laughter! Thanks to the lovely group that came along on our Bruny Me Time Experience. You made it so much fun and we’d have you all back in a minute!

06/02/2023

I met Francesca de Valence about 8 years ago and I have been a fan of her songwriting and performances ever since! We are so excited to finally be working together to bring you a Songwriting Magic Retreat, this May 19 to 22 in the Byron Hinterland. Not only will Francesca help you in your songwriting journey, wherever that may be, beginner to experienced, she’ll also treat you to an evening concert under the stars. Here’s one of Francesca’s brilliant performances that I was lucky enough to attend. Enjoy! All the retreat details via the link in our bio, or get in touch to chat further about the retreat, payment plans or anything else.

www.fdvmusic.com Copyright 2018 Francesca de Valence All rights reserved Music and Lyrics by Francesca de Valence See the Official "Let Go" Music Video here:...

16/01/2023

This is how a day should start! Blissful Walking and Food in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. April 21 to 24. Glorious walks, amazing food prepared by our private chef, meditation, pampering and a private evening concert. Bring your bestie and see you there. https://metimeexperiences.com.au/event/blissful-walking-food-and-fun-sunshine-coast-hinterland-qld/

10/01/2023

Pretty excited that this stunning Singing Holiday is happening in 2023 after a few false starts over the last 2 years (cause of you know what). The amazing Emma Dean will be leading this gorgeous touring and singing experience in Tasmania’s food and wine region this October. Spectacular scenery, amazing accommodation, glorious food, great company, fun singing workshops and informal performances. This is one trip you’ll never forget. Bookings now open.

Emma Dean Emma Dean is an imperfect romantic and passionate human-being who loves to write theatrical pop songs about love and the human spirit. She has performed in North America, Germany, Costa Rica and all over Australia, and has released over ten independent original albums. When Emma is not on....

04/01/2023

Just putting it out there that by April you might be ready for a bit of this! So share with your besties and make a plan to come along! Amazing walks, food (private chef), pampering, high tea, evening concert at the Villa and time to chat and relax. Bliss!

So why Me Time Experiences? Do you long for the chance to do something just for you? Where you can focus on a passion that makes you happy? Somewhere you can laugh, learn and be part of something that will make your heart and soul sing? Most of us do! Sometimes we want to do it alone, but other time...

02/01/2023

If a New Year’s resolution was to spend more time in nature and remote and spectacular settings, then this Experience should be top of the bucket list. Tasmania’s Tarkine region is full of beauty and ancient secrets and this November we’ll be taking a small group to walk (pack free) and cruise these mystical lands. Bookings are now open and you can check all the details @ www.metimeexperiences.com.au

23/12/2022

So we’ve been a bit quiet of late due to formals and graduations and a few other business commitments, but we managed a gorgeous week together in Tasmania (Mum included) to plan and get excited about our 2023 Experiences. The photo sums up our time together perfectly! A few retreats are now open for bookings just in time for Christmas in case you need to give yourself or someone else the gift of ‘me time’. We’ve got pack free walks on Bruny Island, in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and Tasmania’s Tarkine Region, Songwriting Magic with Francesca de Valence in the Byron Hinterland, Writing with author Maggie MacKellar and a Singing Holiday Experience In Tasmania with Emma Dean. You can check them all out @ www.metimeexperiences.com.au. Have a wonderful festive season and we’ll see you in 2023. Pauline and Sharon (and Mum) ###

22/10/2022

If you can spare a dollar, I would be grateful! I’m walking 100kms to raise funds for Girls Afternoon Out, a cancer fundraiser with money raised going to support Homely Retreats! 🙏❤️

Women walking for women is a community of women who are committed… Sharon Ashlin needs your support for Women Walking for Women : Women Helping Women #38

24/08/2022

Nestled in the Byron Bay Hinterland is a place where songwriting magic happens. In this beautiful place of light (Diptipur Retreat) your everyday will fade away and peace, inspiration and the ability to focus on you and the art of songwriting will take over. Whether you’re a total beginner, craving some space to further refine your craft or seeking the confidence to move forward on your songwriting journey, this experience is for you.

Led by award-winning songwriter, educator and I Heart Songwriting Club Founder, Francesca de Valence, this nourishing long weekend of songwriting will fill your heart, mind and soul. Bookings are now open. Click below for all the delicious details.

About Francesca de Valence Francesca has spent her life finding the elemental magic of songwriting and then empowering others to find that within themselves. Through her visionary work as founder of the online songwriting club – I Heart Songwriting Club – Francesca is revolutionising the songwri...

15/08/2022

Omg, what amazing food we have enjoyed for the past three days on our Singing in Beautiful Places Retreat! Claudia and Jon of Claude's Food cooked up one tasty treat after another and we all wanted to pack them in our suitcases (the tasty treats and Claudia and Jon) and take them home! Gorgeous food and gorgeous people. Blessed to have them cater for us!

13/08/2022

Back at this magic place - Woody Grove Retreat, Mapleton - enjoying our misty mountain singing experience with Emma Dean while enjoying the culinary delights of Claude's Food! In our happy place!