Unsung Heroes: Singing enthusiast discovers hidden talent in children

Choir teacher Rhondda Garland is serious when she says everyone can sing, or at least hit the right note with her help.

"Maybe not like Pavarotti - that's probably a bit too ambitious - but I can certainly help people to keep a reasonable tune," she says.

"There are very, very few people who cannot sing. I often get children who sing in a monotone, but they just haven't learned how to get their voices up and down, that's all."

For the past 18 years the 61-year-old former nurse from Avondale has heard a whole range of voices - "some really good" and "some not so good that definitely got better" - teaching hundreds of children the finer points of choral singing at the Auckland Children and Youth Chorus at the Mt Roskill Baptist Church.

A singer with the Auckland Choral Society for nearly 20 years, Ms Garland has always loved working with children, so combining that with her musical passion to work with three youth choirs once a week seemed on song.

"We will take any child that wants to be there," she said.

"It can be a challenge - you get some kids who come in and think 'I can sing' and they can't so it's a challenge to teach them how to get a nice sound."

Ms Garland has been nominated for the Herald Unsung Heroes series by Helen Ashton, a parent of one of her choir singers.

The series recognises the often-unseen work people do in their communities. Five of the nominees will be chosen to go on a P&O Cruise.

"I just love that she believes that everyone can sing," said Mrs Ashton.

"It allows for possibility and potential to be realised and that, like anything, anyone can become good at whatever they do provided they practise enough."

A long-time member of the Girls Brigade, Ms Garland juggles her choir commitments with part-time administration jobs and caring for her 86-year-old mother, who recently lost her sight and lives alone in her New Windsor flat.

She has recently started mentoring two teenagers who want to teach singing.

She also helps to organise trips for children in the choir, many of whom, she says, are not from affluent backgrounds.

"[They're] good kids - we work hard but we have a bit of a laugh."