When Jenny Aarts and her late husband decided to travel around Australia, they planned more than just their transport and itinerary. Importantly, they made note of all the places where they could stop, sing, and connect with the local community.
A couple of decades earlier, this is something Jenny might not have considered. Although her childhood in New Zealand included piano lessons and recognition at her boarding school for her natural musical talent, music wasn’t the career path she chose.
Instead, Jenny trained as a nurse and spent most of her professional life in that field. It wasn’t until her early 60s that she raised her voice and discovered—after her husband and children—the great love of her life: singing.
Jenny and her family were living in Sydney when she joined a musical workshop group run by the late Kate Dunbar OAM (1923–2017), an 87-year-old jazz singer and musician. Kate, a doyenne of Australian jazz, founded her Singers’ Workshop in 1987 and mentored numerous professional Sydney singers over her nearly 65-year career.
Participating in Kate’s workshops in Glebe opened up a whole new dimension in Jenny’s life. She found the companionship of like-minded creatives, the privilege of lessons from one of Australia’s best jazz educators, and the opportunity to sing with bands.
Jenny fondly recalls the positive reinforcement she received from her teacher.
“Kate said she had been waiting for someone who could belt out the blues,” Jenny shared, her smile evident in her voice.
In those classes, Jenny learned how to sing with a band. Kate emphasized that it was up to the singer to communicate their musical intention and guide the band’s performance.
“The singer sets the pace, the key—how they want to sing the song,” Jenny explained.
Her first attempts at singing with a band were nerve-wracking.
“It was terrifying,” she admitted. “But eventually, you get used to it.”
Jenny began performing guest spots around Sydney and discovered immense joy in her new pursuit.
“I found it was something I really enjoyed,” she said.
There was no turning back. Singing not only provided creative fulfillment but also introduced her to a network of new friendships.
“The jazz club is a family,” she said.
The couple’s travels around Australia gave them more opportunities to sing. They sought out local choirs and joined community singing groups, using music as a way to connect with locals. One particularly fond memory is of their time in Mareeba, North Queensland.
“We had a great time there,” Jenny said.
Eventually, the couple left Sydney and settled in Queensland. Now 78, Jenny lives in a Logan Shire lifestyle village where she continues to practice singing and piano with fellow musicians. The community has given her the opportunity to perform for neighbors and pursue her passion. Outside of village life, she has attended Brisbane Jazz Club sessions at Kangaroo Point and participates in events at the Beenleigh Library.
Jenny is an advocate for starting music at any age and encourages others to take the leap.
“Use it or lose it,” she advises. “You don’t have to be a Mariah Carey. Find out whether your voice is high or low—sing in the right key for your voice. Don’t strain your voice and drink lots of water.”
Her final wordsare testament to her perseverance and joy:
“My voice is better than ever.”
And she says, the joy of singing, helps her deal with grief of losing her much-loved husband.
