“Runyos…Ran… Rrrrano. What kind of last name is this anyway? What bloody country is she from?” This was the racist remark I heard the MC say to a producer of a show. I was opening act for a well-respected Australian Rock ‘n’ Roller more than 15 years ago when I was starting out in the club scene.
I remember that night, as vivid as the stench of 30 year old spilt alcohol mixed in with hairspray fumes that filled the dressing room. Dust and dirt camouflaged into the moss coloured RSL club carpet. The dim depressing lighting didn’t help. I could hear the geriatric voices of the men chatting away, they had no idea I was downstairs listening to their every word.
I hope things have changed since then.
This was just some of the remarks I have come across in my life.
Only a few years back, after spotting a photo of me on his desk, my husband was asked by an elderly female co-worker “oh you are a good person taking her in…did you meet in the Philippines?”
These remarks and experiences made me realise that I was going to keep going with singing and one day help people who would normally say nothing to find their Voice. Singing was that avenue. I knew in my heart that one day I was going to help kids or people who were just like me fight back in a way that could breakdown those barriers.
I look at my parents and how hard it must have been for them moving from the comforts of their homeland to make a better life for our family.
“Go back to your country!”
“Asians take all our jobs!”
“You Wog!!”
These were just some of the racial comments we endured back in the late 70s when we first migrated to Australia.
I didn’t open up my singing school just to teach people how to sing. It’s an accumulation of what I felt as a child and young adult that brought me here.
I needed to be heard…I had something to offer…I didn’t know how or what it was I was supposed to do.
But I noticed that when I would sing people would stop and listen….
One Voice represents kindred spirits who need to be heard.
My dad and mum didn’t know it at the time but their Voice changed my world. They had the courage to move to a whole new country, with no family or friends to help them. They started from scratch. They met families and a community with similar values, hopes and dreams. They didn’t know it but their Voices help shape the community to what it is today.
Even the racial remarks made a difference in my world.
One Voice has a ripple effect and can change someone’s world…for the better!
I met the beautiful and talented, Tina Harris, at our annual Kindermusik Australian/NZ Teachers Conference in Sydney 4 years ago. Fortunately, I was invited to be guest presenter/Vocal Coach to the many uber talented Educators.
It’s so inspiring to be surrounded by women like her, who work so hard to bring music into people’s lives.
I’m so thrilled to have Tina aka “Lah, Lah!” as our guest on the Blog.
It really goes to show that music is so powerful and a universal language. There are so many aspects and directions that Music can take you. That’s the beauty of it!
It’s a journey and it really can touch the soul of people no matter what age. Let’s hear about Tina’s journey so far….
Did you ever imagine your life the way it is today? How did you get to where you are now?
Oh that’s a hard question. The dream 20 years ago is so different from the dream 5 years ago. When I was a student I was studying Opera, so everything about music was really learning about languages, movement and acting. What I didn’t realize back then was that all that training was the perfect background for what I’m doing now. Performing as Lah-Lah, I get to use all the singing, dancing and acting but in a much more kid friendly kind of way.
Mark (my hubby) and I chased the music dream to Paris. But along the way we ended up in Japan teaching English.
Lah-Lah and Buzz leaving for New York, 2014
I loved working with children and when we returned to Australia to have our first daughter; a friend suggested I look into Kindermusik. I opened the first Kindermusik school which soon became 4. It was a wonderful but crazy time. At the end of every term Mark and I would do a little show. Parents would also comment and say, ‘why don’t you do a big show’, so the idea was born.
Our first season was self produced, we put on 24 shows in two weeks (crazy when I look back now). We recorded a CD and off we went. Mark Plays in Monsieur Camembert so we put together a band of friends and Lah-Lah was off and running.
Out of season one Nickelodeon signed us to make video clips and the opera house and Enmore theater booked us for our first seasons.
How do you balance motherhood and being a business-woman?
Gosh, I try to balance it and I always question myself on how it’s going, but that’s just being a Mum.
I think it’s important to take time out. Working from home is challenging because you can work all the time but I’m getting better at closing the office door and just having family time. We’ve also started a little routine where we play games after dinner at the table. Kids love this and so do I.
Mark, Tina and Lily and Emily
Best advice someone gave you about motherhood?
When it all gets too much, put the kettle on:)
Worst advice someone gave you about motherhood?
Oh gosh, is there such a thing? It’s all been pretty good…..
Tina & her Mum Cassie
What are your thoughts about introducing music and movement classes to children?
Oh yes, it’s the most important thing. Music Music everywhere! There has been so much written in recent years on the benefits to learning and experiencing music. Young children get so much out of it and it’s good for them.
I am concerned that public schools in Australia don’t have enough of an emphasis on music early childhood curricular.
So, it’s so important that we expose our kids to as much music as is possible and different musical styles from all around the world.
What’s next for you?
Well the LIVE show begins touring Sydney in the April School holidays. This is a brand new show and we’re writing it at the movement.
Then the Lah-Lah’s Adventures TV series starts. It’s on 7TWO on April 28th at 8am. It’s a brand new Preschool music show and nothing like it has been done before. All the music is recorded with beautiful musicians and we even have live underscore as part of the live action.
Live tour begins April 14th
April 14 – Castle Hill RSL Club
Castle Hill NSW Venue: Castle Hill RSL Club, 77 Castle St, Castle Hill Time:10:30am show
More info: www.castlehillrsl.com.au
April 15 – Parramatta RSL Club
Parramatta NSW Venue: corner Macquarie and O’Conell Streets, Parramatta Time:10:30am show
More info: www.parramattarsl.com.au
April 16 – Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL Club
Canterbury NSW Venue: Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL Club Time: 10:30am show
More info: www.chprsl.com.au
April 17 – The Juniors
Kingsford NSW Venue: The Juniors, 558A Anzac Parade, Kingsford Time: 11:00am show
More info: /www.thejuniors.com.au
April 22 – Harbord Diggers Club
Harbord NSW Venue: Harbord Diggers Club, 66-78 Evans St Freshwater Time: 10:30am show
Cutest thing you have ever come across at a live show?
We have a wonderful family of triplets who follows us around from show to show. I remember the first time I came out on stage and they were all dressed up like mini Lah-Lah’s including their Mum who was wearing red and white socks!
To celebrate our new website- Kindermusik with Tina Bangel has teamed up with our friends at Lah-Lah to bring you some wonderful prizes.
If you value the importance of Music your child’s life then you have clicked on the right buttons!
I wish you luck during our exciting competition.
Music transforms lives and by entering this competition you have a chance to win an 8 week Kindermusik program for your child valued at $145.00. This will include 8 weekly 45min classes and Online materials.
Our bonues prizes will be CDs and DVDs from Lah Lah. We are excited to see Lah-Lah’s Adventures TV series start! It will be on 7TWO on April 28th at 8am. Be sure to check out their live performances!
All you have to do is visit my Kindermusik page for details on how to enter! or Click on this link
