The Tutti Choir was a highlight at our recent 10 Year Anniversary event at the Zoo, delighting the crowd with an inspiring performance of original songs and well-known hits designed to get everyone’s vocals humming.

This month, we had the good fortune to join the Wednesday Afternoon Music group (or WAM), one of many weekly Tutti group programs, which has a focus on music theory, song writing and performance skills.

We discovered a diverse group of musicians with reach, influence and acclaim.

Check out our video of Tutti in action!

Tutti means ‘everyone’, and Tutti Arts aim is “to break down barriers, challenge preconceptions and boldly place disabled artists centre stage.”

In short, “We’re aiming to take our artists and their work to the world!” says Choir Director and Music Program Coordinator, Carol Young.

From early origins as a once weekly recreational program, Tutti now operates six days a week and is recognised as a highly-awarded, multi-arts organisation delivering programs across four locations (Brighton, Port Adelaide, Barossa, Adelaide Hills) to over 200 participants with an intellectual or learning disability.

Tutti enables individuals to express creativity across different art forms, offering programs in Performing & Visual Arts, Film & New Media, Singing & Music, and providing opportunities for cross-collaboration.

Midweek rehearsal at Tutti

WAM members Sam, Jessica, Caitie, Trisha and Dougie were all part of the recent anniversary Zoo performance and loved the opportunity to perform in front of a big audience.

Dougie, in particular, was thrilled to perform one of his favourite John Farnham songs (‘The Voice’) and enthusiastically encouraged the crowd to sing along.

Whilst Tutti’s main musical performance groups include the Tutti Choir, Poco (or little) Tutti Choir and the highly acclaimed alt-pop group, The Sisters of Invention, all programs have a performance outcome.

As well as numerous private performances (including Assured’s own 10-year anniversary event), Tutti artists have performed in Adelaide at the Fringe, WOMADelaide, OzAsia Festival, Carols by Candlelight and nation music festivals in Victoria, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, as well as international performances (North America and Canada).

The Sisters of Invention even featured in ABC’s iView series Pop-Ability, an award-winning six-part series that looks at these young women’s journey launching an album and video, from rehearsals to filming and an intimate slice of the lives of individuals within the group. More recently, the group featured on ABC’s Get Krack!n program.

WAM member and star of The Sisters of Invention, Aimee, says that for her, performing is like therapy.

“If I do it, I feel better afterwards.”

Choir member Kathryn would agree.

“I feel really excited when I’m performing,” she says.

The group agrees that singing together, practice and preparation helps to overcome any stage nerves.

“We’ve become great friends over the years and we’ve had a lot of fun practicing and performing together.”

“Don’t dis-my-abilities”

Sitting down with WAM participants during rehearsal was an opportunity to discuss what music and Tutti Arts means to them.

Many WAM members emphasised the importance of avoiding labelling people with a disability. And, how important it is that people see different role models.

“It’s important to see the good in things, to get rid of negativity around disability, and put positivity in the light,” says Amy.

“We are actually people with diff-abilities,” says Caitie.

No, not people with a lisp, “but people of different-abilities.”

The group agrees that it’s important to be yourself; and Tutti Arts provides the support and encouragement to foster individual expression.

“No one is perfect,” says Jo, and as one choir member puts it even more bluntly,

“Don’t dis-my-abilities.”

Sometimes, having a disability can even bring good fortune as ‘wheelie’ Michelle discovered; she was one of the lucky few who had the opportunity to meet Katy Perry on tour at a shopping mall promotion.

Priority access means that sometimes, “being in a wheelchair has its benefits,” she admits.

All WAM members share a love of music and enjoy performing songs from Oz rock classics to Peter Coombe (a shared favourite) and everything in between.

The group enthusiastically nominate their musical heroes, citing popular artists including Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Adele, Harry Styles, Ronan Keating and Zac Efron as being their influences.

Aimee, however, is more artistically drawn to musical theatre.

“At the moment, I’m waking up each morning to SpongeBob SquarePants, the musical, which I’m finding inspiring!”

Passionate musical leadership

Tutti’s multi-talented and energetic Choir Director & Music Program Coordinator, Carol Young, has been working with the group for around two years.

Carol has worked as a musical director for over 20 years, for the most part with the Adelaide College of the Arts (TAFESA), as well as several freelance appointments, including for the State Theatre Company SA. She has worked with many community choir groups, including her own group, ‘La La Land’, that has performed at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival and Fringe.

The passion Carol has for Tutti and what it is achieving is evident, not just in how she talks about the group but simply by watching her at work.

“I’m really comfortable with group singing where the group itself has a wide range of abilities, which is the reality for a lot of community choirs .”

“One of the things that I’ve learnt in working with Tutti artists is that participating is the most important thing.”

“The spontaneity of Tutti artists is a reminder of why we all love to do what we do, and why we love music so much.”

Tutti seems to attract people with passion and dedication; leading the rehearsal is Matt Morison, who has been working with Tutti for two years now and takes the Quirkestra instrumental group program.

Largely experimental and improvised, the group has lately been focusing on learning form and “sticking to a form,” according to Matt.

Tutti’s reach and influence

While talking with WAM members, it’s evident that Tutti’s focus is on supporting musical exploration, and both personal and professional development.

According to Carol, “Our aim is to support individuals to become artists in themselves, with the long term aim of achieving a professional practice.”

“Tutti’s vision is to take the work of disabled artists to the world!’

Many program participants are achieving recognition and influence in the broader Adelaide arts community, while some are now performing and exhibiting work overseas.

“We have many talented musicians in our crew, with artists playing guitars, violins and drums; percussion instruments including tambourine and maracas; keyboards and slide whistle, and even a didgeridoo player,” says Matt.

“With Quirkestra, we are hoping to gain some future commissions and do a soundtrack to theatre performances,” he says.

Many WAM members have found their own niche in music and performance.

As well as performing with the The Sisters of Invention (who have a new album out soon featuring their own song writing), Aimee is now teaching music herself to students.

Caitie, who identifies as having ‘up’-syndrome, has been learning AUSLAN for many years and often provides interpretative services for Tutti performances, and others.

And MC Dougie is the popular star of Dougie’s World, a regular segment on ABC891 Radio on Tuesday nights with presenter Peter Goers.
Fame aside, everyone is enjoying being in the moment at rehearsals, as the group moves from the gentle sounds of ‘In the Jungle’, to the higher energy vocals of ‘Buttercup (Don’t Break my Heart)’ spontaneously accompanied by Trisha on maracas, and with Aimee harmonising.

For now, the world can wait!

Further Information

Tutti Arts is a registered NDIS provider.
To find out more about Tutti programs, visit http://tutti.org.au/

More handles than you can poke a stick at:

Facebook
@TuttiInc
@TuttiVisualArtsStudio
@TheSistersOfInvention
@SitDownShutupAndWatch
@SocialCueTheatre (Company AT)

Instagram
@TuttiArts
@TuttiVisualArtsStudio

YouTube
Tutti Arts Inc
The Sisters of Invention
Sit Down Shutup and Watch

Twitter
@Tutti_Arts

In fact, as a genetic condition involving the adaptation of an extra chromosome……. a trisomy can come in many different shapes and sizes!

Speaking of shapes and sizes… a trisomy condition can influence subtle differences in a person’s body shape, height and weight. In a person with Down’s Syndrome, for example, individuals commonly have a shorter and thicker neckline and stature.

Award-winning Adelaide fashion designer, disability advocate (and mother of a teenager with Down Syndrome), and published author, Nerida Lamprill, knows all about the challenges faced in accommodating different body shapes – and how to make the most of it.

“Personal presentation and social skills are a vital key to social inclusion for differently abled people.”

“The saying goes, ‘You can’t judge a book by its cover’ but the reality is, we all do,” she says.

“We make judgements and assumptions about people and their abilities based on our first impressions and this affects social inclusion.”

This connection between presentation and perception provided the impetus for Nerida to author her first book, ‘Love My Shape’, which provides guidance for girls and boys with a disability on how to dress to best suit their shape.

“Educating people with different abilities in grooming and personal presentation should not be overlooked as superficial. It leads to greater community acceptance and inclusion and opens opportunities, “she says.

“There is a huge body of research, with multiple studies done on perception, judgement and stereotyping. One can’t underestimate the role clothing and personal presentation plays on first impressions,” she continues.

“As the ‘Halo-effect’ findings show, positive impressions influence the perception of a person’s capabilities, leadership qualities, employability and, ultimately, if they will be accepted and included.”

With the success of her first book, Nerida started her own business, Success Foundations, and has since been in demand as a speaker, presenter and facilitator of training programs.

“Success Foundations started facilitating personal presentation and social skills workshops many years ago for various organisations for differently abled people and those with mental health concerns,” she says.

Topics covered in workshop programs include:

• Dressing for your body shape
• Know your personal colours
• Dressing for job interviews
• Hair styling to suit facial shape
• Skin Care
• Make up and nail care

Nerida has found that her training programs have been embraced by participants, both here and overseas, who report positive outcomes. Such has been the success of the program, that this has since extended to courses in social etiquette, table manners, networking and developing social skills.

“We saw a noticeable increase in participant’s self-esteem and interaction after the workshops and their therapists saw improved levels of self-determination and independence in their clients,” says Nerida.

“Participants expressed that they felt more confident as people would comment on how good they looked.”

As Nerida knows, confidence and self-love is particularly important in young people.

“I’ve received remarkable feedback after running workshops in conjunction with the Down Syndrome Society for teenagers,” says Nerida

“Parents noted improved levels of self-acceptance, self-confidence in other areas, and improved participation in personal care after the course,” she says.

“As one parent said, it gave her teenager confidence to be proud of being a woman with Down Syndrome and to embrace her uniqueness.”

Nerida continues to be a passionate advocate for those who are differently-abled, and recently returning to formal study this year to complete her Bachelor of Developmental Education (Disability).

Further Information

To express your interest in future workshops in Adelaide, including school holiday programs, contact Nerida directly on 0430 824 800 or email nerida@successfoundations.com.au.

To find out more about Nerida’s work and to purchase the book, Love My Shape, visit https://www.successfoundations.com.au/

#TrisomyAwarenessMonth

https://www.trisomyaustralia.com

http://www.trisomyonline.org/

Plan Management involves coordinating all your NDIS funded supports from selected providers; managing all plan expenditure against budget, coordinating supplier payments and expense reimbursement, and ensuring all government reporting requirements are met.

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) provides 3 options for participants in managing their NDIS plan:

• Self-Managed/Self-Directed
• Independent Plan Management Provider
• NDIA Managed (known as Agency Managed)

For many participants, your chosen option* will be dependent on a few considerations:

• How much choice and control you would like over the administration of your Plan?
• Whether you have the time, capacity, confidence and desire to manage your own Plan?
• How comfortable you are in appointing an independent Plan Manager that will keep your best interests at heart?

Importantly, YOU have the choice in how you wish your plan to be managed. You may even opt for a combination of all 3 options.

The Pros and Cons

Self-Managed/Self-Directed

This option will provide the greatest choice and flexibility in managing your plan, however, will require the greatest time input and effort from your end!

Self-management of your plan will allow you to choose which support providers you would like to use, including those not registered with the NDIS. Plan management can be participant self-managed, or managed by a participant’s nominee. If appointing a nominee to manage your plan (generally an existing informal carer), the NDIA will need to approve this.

If opting for self-management, the NDIA will pay you directly. You will need to ensure that your budget is effectively managed over the life of your Plan, that all supplier payments and reimbursements are managed in a timely way, and that all paperwork requirements are met in contributing information to the NDIS participant portal ‘Myplace’ and reporting outcomes against your approved Plan.

The NDIA publishes a useful Guideline for participants looking to self-manage their NDIS Plan.

Independent Plan Management Provider

An independent plan management provider will act on your behalf in administering your Plan, managing your Plan budget and undertaking all financial management, including payment coordination of your supports; negotiating your services directly with providers and managing all paperwork on your behalf.

This can alleviate much of the headache on your end!

The NDIA will pay your plan manager directly but you will still have an active responsibility in the administration of your Plan – in choosing your services and supports, which can include services from providers not registered with the NDIS.

Your Independent Plan Management Provider can be, but does not necessarily need to be, a current support provider to you. Appointing a Plan Provider that you already have a trusting relationship with, though, can assist in understanding your individual circumstances and support access needs.

You may wish to keep a separation, however. The important thing is to ensure that you are receiving adequate transparency around the management of your Plan.

Should you wish to appoint an independent plan management provider, these services should be included within your funding request.

Assured Home Care can provide you and/or your nominee with assistance as a plan management provider.

NDIA Managed (Agency Managed)

Regarded as a default option, under an agency managed relationship, you will have the least control over your Plan expenditure.

The NDIA will approve all payments to providers directly and handle all your paperwork. When opting for this option, you will only be able to choose registered NDIS providers to provide support to you and you may experience less price flexibility.

However, it may be a beneficial option for those who would prefer a greater degree of management over their Plan (i.e. having all aspects managed for you).

In Summary

There are some definite pros and cons depending on which Plan Management option you choose.

Remember, it’s not set in stone either. You can choose to change your Plan Management approach at any point in time. What works for you now may not work for you in the future.

This approach goes to the heart of the philosophy of the NDIS; providing you with greater choice and control.

* Following confirmation of your approved plan, you will be contacted by an NDIA Support Coordinator to discuss how you wish to implement the plan and manage your supports.

Raelene Hanley
Client Services Manager/NDIS Specialist