From fan to star Naomi Crelin knows how it feels to move from fan to performer in just a few months.

In 2002 Crelin approached a cappella quartet The Idea of North to ask if she could use their songs in her own quartet. Just a few months later she was the new alto in the band. ‘‘It was kind of like that movie Rock Star with Mark Wahlberg, where he went from being a fan to being in the band,’’ Crelin said. ‘‘It was surreal and seven and a half years later I still pinch myself occasionally.’’ But for Crelin it wasn’t as simple as just rocking up and, hey presto, you are in the band. The 29-year-old had studied voice, conducting, piano and jazz ballet and had won several awards including the Young Australian Composer of the Year. Since Crelin’s arrival, The Idea of North has won international a cappella awards.

Australian jazz legend James Morrison recently described them as ‘‘the best contemporary vocal quartet in Australia’’. ‘‘James has been a constant mentor and support over the years,’’ Crelin said. ‘‘We are actually recording an album with him at the moment, the first complete album we have done with someone else.’’ The Idea of North will perform at Yarra Valley Grammar’s George Wood Performing Arts Centre, Ringwood, on June 25. They will also conduct workshops with the school’s music students throughout the day. ‘‘Workshops in schools are a big part of what we do,’’ she said. ‘‘We teach students how to warm up and care for their voices, how to sing four-part harmonies properly and how to get into the music industry and answer a lot of questions about it.’’

The Idea of North will perform at 7.30pm. Tickets: $25.
More details: 9262 7718 or yvg.vic.edu.au.

Maroondah Leader - June 16, 2009

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