On any given Tuesday night, the Crows Nest Community Centre is rocking with music, laughter, and something a little harder to define – belonging.
At the centre of it all is local vocal coach Olivier Christian, whose instruction goes far beyond pitch and projection. Trained at the Australian Institute of Music, NIDA, and the Stella Adler Academy in LA, Ollie brings professional stage experience, from Turandot to Into the Woods, to his inclusive, community-focused classes.
Through group classes, one-on-one coaching, and the newly launched Loud and Proud Choir, he’s helping people discover something they’d thought they lost: their voice.
Ollie has been a backup singer for Delta Goodrem. Image: supplied.
“I started this work years ago, and it’s just grown and grown,” says Ollie. “But what I really noticed, especially in my LGBTQIA+ workshops, was that people were turning up not just to sing, but to connect. To feel safe. To belong.”
It was this spark that led him to launch the Loud and Proud Choir, an inclusive group that welcomes all LGBTQIA+ folk, regardless of singing experience. “You don’t need to be Beyoncé,” he laughs. “You just need to be yourself.”
The choir is more than just a feel-good initiative. It’s a powerful space for expression, healing, and transformation. The group offers a space for those in search of connection, who want to meet similar people but may not feel safe, understood or welcomed in other more extroverted settings.
“It’s a passion project,” he says. “It’s about creating a community. A space where people feel free to be who they are, be heard, and sing like they mean it – we’re going to make some noise!”
Ollie also regularly performs in musicals. Image: Instagram.
Ollie also holds weekly singing classes and monthly masterclasses at the Crows Nest Community Centre. His clients range in age from a six-year-old to Tony, a 70-year-old retiree who spends his days singing in jazz bars. While many are there for singing lessons, he also leads one-on-one coaching for those looking to speaking up more confidently in the workplace.
“Most people come in apologising for their voice,” he explains. “But their voice isn’t small, it’s just caged. Once we shift the placement and open things up, it’s incredible what comes out.”
That sense of transformation is something he’s seen again and again. “One student came in barely able to speak above a whisper,” he recalls. “Six months later, they sang at a workshop and stunned the entire room. That’s what this work does. It’s not just about singing. It’s about being heard.”
Ollie with two of his youngest students. Image: Instagram.
With extensive training and stage experience, Ollie brings serious credentials to his work—but what truly sets him apart is his insight into the human psyche and his gift for helping people find their voice.
“I’m not a psychologist,” he’s quick to clarify, “but I’ve learned how deeply mental singing is. The voice tells your story, your beliefs, your confidence, your past.”
The Loud and Proud Choir officially kicks off in Term 3, with weekly rehearsals leading up to an end-of-term concert. Proceeds from concert sales will go toward Twenty10, a charity that supports homeless LGBTQIA+ youth. It’s just another way Ollie gives back.
To join the choir or enquire about classes, visit olivierssingingstudio.com.au, and follow Ollie on Instagram here.
Loud and Proud Choir
$275 per 10 week term
Term Dates
Term 3: July 21st – September 26th
Term 4: October 13th – December 19th
Rehearsals
Every Tuesday 6:30-8:30pm
