NEW this Fall!
Love Jazz? Want to Improvise with Confidence?
Welcome to Vancouver Vocal Jazz Lab
Sing. Explore. Step up to the mic.
✨ Now in our second series! ✨
January 8 - March 12
Note: NO CLASSES March 19 & 26 (spring break)
What it is...
A safe space to grow as a jazz vocalist
Develop your skills and confidence through steady practice with experiential exercises in a joy-full and supportive environment.
Drop-In: $45/class
Series Pass: $350 (including audio-visual resources)
What you'll experience...
Study the golden-era jazz standards harmonically
Deepen your understanding with practical, fun exercises
Build confidence improvising & soloing
Take a turn singing solo on mic with backups (when you’re ready!)
10-week series
St. James Community Square - room 120
Thursdays 11am - 12:30pm
January 8 - It’s Only a Paper Moon
January 15 - Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall in Love)
January 22 - Blue Monk
January 29 - Straighten Up & Fly Right
February 5 - Let’s Fall in Love (Arlen)
February 12 - A Tisket, A Tasket
February 18 - The Way You Look Tonight
February 26 - Cheek to Cheek
March 5 - Ain’t Misbehavin’
March 12 - Fly Me to the Moon
Final 10-week series
April 2 - June 4
April 2 - It Don't Mean a Thing if It Ain't Got That Thing
April 9 - S'wonderful
April 16 - Honeysuckle Rose
April 23 - Route 66
April 30 - Dream a Little Dream of Me
May 7 - The Nearness of You
May 14 - But Not For Me
May 21 - You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To
May 28 - I Get a Kick Out of You
June 4 - Just Friends
Limited space. Reserve your spot in advance of each class:
smelody@me.com | 604-376-6979
“Being part of both a Small Vocal Ensemble and the GOLD Jazz Choir gave me
exactly what I needed to grow.
My voice, my confidence—even how I see myself as a musician—have all evolved through working with Sandi.
She brings so much joy and clarity to the process. Her energy and encouragement make every session feel like a gift.”
★★★★★
Will King
"If anyone had told me that I would be singing in a small group, and even performing on stage at the Cultch, AND managing to actually enjoy my few bars of soloing, I would not have believed you but here we are.
Harmony House provided such a safe place to play with my voice, that I learned to trust it. Thank you, Sandi, and all the GOLD Jazz Choir people for being such a lovely Diva-free Zone. I can't wait to come back to see what I end up surprising myself doing next.”
★★★★★
Sandy Keane
“Sandi creates the most inclusive, non-judgmental space I’ve ever experienced as a singer. Whether the GOLD Jazz Choir or
my Small Vocal Ensemble, I feel safe to grow, explore, and be fully myself.
Harmony House weaves together community, creativity, and playfulness—it’s uplifting, joyful, and deeply meaningful.
I’m so grateful to learn with such an inspiring teacher and vibrant group of peers.”
★★★★★
Suzanne Belanger
"I signed up for the GOLD Jazz Choir and ended up in an 8 person ensemble which I initially found quite intimidating. Under Sandi’s gentle and expert direction, fear turned to joy as we explored songs and our voices and then came confidence. I received so much more than I could have imagined from this experience which is why I will be back in September! "
★★★★★
Jane Fairbairn
Good Ol' Day's (GOLD) Jazz Choir member
"When I first saw Sandi at a "Singing by the Sea" event in West Van, she had us—about 100 random people—singing Miley Cyrus’ Flowers, with harmony and attitude—
in less than an hour!
I loved her voice, charisma, pizazz, ability to lead a group, all of it. I knew I had to work with her, and haven't been disappointed.
We just finished recording at a studio in East Van and performing at the Cultch!"
★★★★★
Jean Emmerson
Intentions and Purpose
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Connect with fellow singers who share your love of jazz
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Explore jazz standards from the golden era of the 1930s & 40s — both theoretically and somatically
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Strengthen your vocalist skills by creating neuro-pathways through guided, experiential exercises
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Over time, build confidence improvising and soloing (because you can't not!)
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Step up to the mic when you’re ready and practice singing solo with the group backing you up
Teacher Bio – Vancouver Vocal Jazz Lab
Sandi Melody is a jazz vocalist, choir director, and somatic voice coach with over 30 years of experience teaching singers of all levels. As the founder of Harmony House Music Studio, she has directed community choirs, small ensembles, and vocal workshops across Vancouver and internationally.
Sandi brings together her deep knowledge of jazz standards, somatic pedagogy, and ear-training to help singers grow both musically and through personal leadership. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in creating a psychologically safe, playful, and supportive environments, where singers feel free to take risks, build confidence, and discover the joy of being themselves while improvising and soloing.
She is passionate about the timeless music of the golden era of jazz., and helping singers connect more deeply with themselves through vocal exploration, and being witnessed (and cheered on) by others.
"Out of our heads and into our hearts,
learning together through Joy-full connection,
just for FUN!"
Want to perform at The Cultch?
Consider joining one of our performance programs:
HHCC - Non-auditioned Community Choir
IVP - Independent Vocalist Program
SVE - Auditioned Small Vocal Ensemble
GOLD - Good Ol' Days Jazz Choir @West Van United Church