From African traditional to gospel, Bulgarian calling to barbershop, Elizabethan rounds to classical, rhythm and blues to rock ‘n roll, you name it ...they "doo-wop" it!

This extraordinary female a cappella quartet demonstrates indisputably, that the possibilities for self-expression through voice alone are limited only by your imagination.

The Humming Birds were born of a cappella sensation Girls in Your Town, which has delighted audiences Australia-wide since 1986 and toured throughout NSW for Musica Viva In Schools from 1989 to 1995.

Founding member Mara Kiek, who is acclaimed internationally for her work in world music and early music circles, re-formed the group as the Humming Birds in 1995.

Together with former GIYT founder and bass singer extraordinaire Jarnie Birmingham, soulful blues/gospel singer Lisa Spence and amazing jazz vocalist Kate Swadling, the Humming Birds "...weave a tapestry of folk, pop, tribal, gospel, medieval and jazz". 

Since 1995 the Humming Birds have performed hundreds of school concerts and workshops for Musica Viva, and since 1997 have toured widely  in New South Wales and Western Australia for Musica Viva’s Countrywide Concert Program. Sydney singers Zoe Georgakis, Virna Sanzone and Kristen Cornwell have also taken part in workshop tours and schools performances.

In 2003 and 2002, the Humming Birds performed  workshops and concerts extensively in the North West of NSW for Musica Viva and Arts Northwest. 

In January 1999, the Humming Birds performed a season in Singapore and Brunei for Musica Viva and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and they revisited Singapore in June 99 for a 4 -week Musica Viva schools tour .

The Humming Birds appear on the soundtrack of the Universal Pictures film "Babe: Pig in the City".

Picture:  Mara, Kate, Lisa and Jarnie - photo by Karen Steains

See Lisa's website www.lisa.live.com.au