WHO WE ARE
The Canis Major Group is a diverse, inclusive, and multi-faceted business. Created to simplify every aspect of the business, The Canis Major Group includes Vocal Artistry, Platform Academy and Productions, and The Warehouse Theatre under the one banner.
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What was once known as The Kim Spargo Vocal Studio came from humble beginnings, where vocal sessions and education were provided in an ad hoc capacity in the downtime between tour dates and Kim’s own performing. As Kim settled into Adelaide to start a family, she acquired a studio space in Newton, rebranded as Vocal Artistry, and founded her award winning vocal ensemble, Voice of Transition.
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A studio space allowed Kim to provide vocal education for more aspiring performers but highlighted the need for her students to explore theatre and all its complexities. Kim craved the chance to provide further education, mentorship, and the opportunity to share the joy of producing and performing in musicals hence, in 2013, Platform Academy and Productions was born.
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As time passed, business outgrew the Newton studio and Kim relocated to a new venue in Unley in 2015. Always inquisitive, Kim explored her new studio surroundings and found her next project; a diamond in the rough; and what would become the next branch to her business - The Warehouse Theatre.
It took a whole lot of vision, blood, sweat, tears, and love, but in 2018 The Warehouse Theatre opened as a supportive and creative performance venue for not only Kim’s students, but the community of emerging Artists and professionals. With now three branches of business, working both independently and collaboratively, the need to combine under the one banner was crucial.
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Canis Major is the largest constellation of stars in the Southern Hemisphere and what could be a more perfect name to embrace all facets of this ever-evolving company but The Canis Major Group. We believe in supporting and encouraging new performers entering the industry to shine their individual light as bright as the stars.
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As Bigweld says in Robots, “see a need, fill a need,” and we apply that philosophy to support artists, develop students, and mentor and train the next generation in the performing arts industry. We are constantly learning and diversifying what we can offer and we hope you join us on the journey.
THE TEAM
Kim Spargo
Founder of Canis Major Group
Kim has extensive experience as a vocal coach and an educator to professionals and has worked with a vast range of voices at all ages and in all styles of music. She has substantial experience in remedial vocal coaching and tailors this for tertiary music students and music professionals. Kim travels frequently both nationally & internationally to present at conferences on topics including voice production, stagecraft, cabaret, and music theatre to name a few.
As an artist, Kim has worked with a huge array of artists, composers, directors, and companies, the names of which she mostly keeps under wraps. However, we have discovered that she has performed with Australian and International artists including Adelaide Chamber Singers, Barry Humphries, Natalie Weiss, Shoshana Bean, Kristen Chenoweth, Jason Robert Brown, William Barton, ENZO Tour, and Ennio Morricone. Kim is also a regular performer in the Edinburgh and Adelaide Fringe Festivals, the Adelaide Festival and the Adelaide Cabaret Festival.
Kim has donned the role of director, musical director, producer, and vocal coach for a number of musicals and cabaret shows, has run award-winning vocal groups, and has workshopped arrangements with Deke Sharon (creator of Pentatonix and Music Director/Arranger for Pitch Perfect). Kim is also an award-winning arranger whose arrangements have been performed internationally by artists such as Lea Salonga.
In Australia, Kim was the vocal coach for the founding Class of Cabaret in the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, established by David Campbell, before becoming the co-director with Matt Carey. She then developed the Class of Cabaret Graduates program with Kate Cebrano.
Kim has been teaching vocally for a number of years and is proud to see a number of her students performing professionally in Australia and abroad. She has even spotted the familiar faces of students in shows like The Voice, X-Factor, Australia’s Got Talent and Australian Idol.
Kim is passionate about sharing her knowledge and developing the next generation of artists. She never gets tired of learning, performing and teaching, and is still a sucker for a crunchy chord. In the little spare time she finds, Kim can be found either reading a book or cooking up a storm in her kitchen.
Kahli Lanthois
Admin Manager, Vocal Artistry Teacher
You will see Kahli working in all areas across our space - from working with Platform Academy students and performing in Platform Productions, to working behind the scenes in The Warehouse Theatre and being a vocal teacher for Vocal Artistry. Kahli is a ray of sunshine, a great leader to our team and shows initiative to get things done. She is our go-to person for all things Canis Major.
Kahli is currently studying for a Bachelor of Business (Entrepreneurship), which will assist in leading her to achieve her career passions of Event and Wedding Management. We may even see her running her own company in the future.
Kahli is a vivid performer and loves to be immersed in all things art. She loves to spend her time with friends drinking wine and eating fresh pasta.
Gabrielle
King
Warehouse Manager, Vocal Artistry Teacher
Gabrielle Violet King is a passionate singing teacher with a Bachelor of Music where she has dedicated over 5 years into her journey as a performer, vocalist, music administrator, and music educator. Her approach to teaching is holistic, drawing on a strong background in vocal pedagogy, performance and experience in musical theatre and other genres.
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She trains, coaches and mentors singers of all levels, ages and musical styles, ensembles and performers. Gabrielle is an ongoing learner studying the voice from different perspectives, developing herself as a teacher and artist and continues seeking training in the field of vocal pedagogy, performance and musicianship.
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Gabrielle is a friendly, bubbly and professional who wants to embrace the voice in all aspects while making you feel comfortable in your own skin.
Let her passion and drive support you in your journey to become the best version of you!
Ty
Robinson
Platform Academy Teacher
Ty is our Platform Academy Music Theory Teacher.
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​Ty is passionate about all things music but his true niche is in music theory and composition – an area he is currently majoring in for his Bachelor of Music studies at The University of Adelaide. Ty is an advanced-level pianist (AMEB Grade 8) who has spent years performing at gigs, big and small, from the Adelaide Entertainment Centre to private wedding ceremonies. Ty is a piano teacher and works with a wide range of skilled students and ages.
Besides being an approachable and enthusiastic young music educator, Ty is an avid movie enthusiast who loves going to the cinema to see the newest blockbuster film.