A New Westminster singer and voice teacher is featured in this month's SONGFIRE Festival of Song.

Lambroula Pappas is teaching several workshops as part of the festival, which opened June 3 and runs to June 24 at the University of British Columbia and various Vancouver venues.

The annual festival brings together local and international artists and scholars to study and celebrate the art song genre, with its fusion of music and poetry.

"Song is one of the most fundamental forms of expression. It's the way we share our life experiences across generations - from lullabies to love songs, in ritual and in celebration, across all cultures since forever - humanity sings its stories," said Rena Sharon, artistic director of the Vancouver International Song Institute, which stages the festival each year.

"SONGFIRE opens its doors to everyone throughout the month of June in celebration of art song. Art song ignites words and hearts through the power of soaring voices and beautiful piano landscapes."

Pappas lives and teaches in New Westminster, as well as serving as a vocal instructor at Coquitlam's Place des Arts, head of the vocal department at the B.C. Conservatory of Music in Burnaby and an instructor at the Vancouver International Song Institute.

Along with the workshop coaching she'll be taking part in during SONGFIRE, she's also featured in three concerts as a performer - on June 14, 18 and 22.

Tickets for festival events range from free to $40. For a full schedule and all the details, see www.songfire.ca. www.twitter.com/juliemaclellan