Welcome to Raise the Roof, where everyone is welcome to come and throw themselves into the joy of singing. Currently we have four groups singing weekly in Northern NSW, and we all get together to perform (which is optional). We sing gospel music from the African American tradition, bluegrass, soul, and sometimes 'eco-soul' adaptations, to celebrate Planet Earth. These days we occasionally sing some Spanish songs too. We're not a religious group, we just find this music irresistibly uplifting.
About Jessie
Jessie Vintila grew up surrounded by and making music of many kinds. Born in 1977 into a family of classical and folk musicians, attending a specialist music high school as well as jazz training at the WA Conservatorium of Music, strong foundations were laid for Jessie's life as a performer, songwriter and choir director. She started directing choirs at the age of 18 and with her nurturing, effervescent teaching style and passion for musical excellence, has run several community and gospel choirs in Perth and WA's southwest, before moving to Northern NSW. She's toured widely as a singer/songwriter, fronting original alt pop/folk band The Lucky Wonders, co-writing with Emma Royle, who had Triple J airplay and were hailed "One of the best roots bands playing the circuit" by the Sydney Morning Herald. Her passion for acapella gospel choir directing has recently led to another travelling musical adventure. Taking a little time out from directing Raise the Roof, Jessie along with Emma has recently launched their newest project, Sing the Camino, a tour through Northern Spain, where lovers of walking and singing are taken on a 12 day journey of a lifetime, walking by day, singing by night.
About Jessie
Jessie Vintila grew up surrounded by and making music of many kinds. Born in 1977 into a family of classical and folk musicians, attending a specialist music high school as well as jazz training at the WA Conservatorium of Music, strong foundations were laid for Jessie's life as a performer, songwriter and choir director. She started directing choirs at the age of 18 and with her nurturing, effervescent teaching style and passion for musical excellence, has run several community and gospel choirs in Perth and WA's southwest, before moving to Northern NSW. She's toured widely as a singer/songwriter, fronting original alt pop/folk band The Lucky Wonders, co-writing with Emma Royle, who had Triple J airplay and were hailed "One of the best roots bands playing the circuit" by the Sydney Morning Herald. Her passion for acapella gospel choir directing has recently led to another travelling musical adventure. Taking a little time out from directing Raise the Roof, Jessie along with Emma has recently launched their newest project, Sing the Camino, a tour through Northern Spain, where lovers of walking and singing are taken on a 12 day journey of a lifetime, walking by day, singing by night.
