Roma Waterman
-- Images on the Left click through to albums on iTunes --
About Roma
Growing up in an Italian family, it was normal practice to sing ancient songs from her parents homeland around her grandfathers piano accordion. At the age of three, she was already being taught how to play the piano by her Uncle Joe. From an early age, it was evident Roma was destined to live her life with a passion for music and the arts.
Five albums and two books later, a major songwriting deal and many years of touring the globe, it's hard to imagine her simple beginnings within a struggling immigrant family. But this is what makes Roma's music and message so unique -its her simple love of life, faith and a genuine heart to touch people with her songs that have made an impact.
CHRISTIAN ARTIST
Most well known for her involvement within the Christian Music Industry, Roma's has had extensive radio play and success with her albums. From her first major hit, -More than Ice cream-, to -Lifting me up-, award winning song -I was carried- and -Wings of Love-, it is no surprise that Roma is one of the most played artists on Christian radio in Australia.
The success of her music has led her to tour as support artist for some of the best bands in Christian Music. DC Talk, The Newsboys, Jars of Clay, Margaret Becker, David Meece, Rebecca St James and Michael W Smith just to name a few. Often performing just on a piano, her music is considered by many to be captivating and soul moving. A mix stylistically between Jewel, Tori Amos and Sarah McLaughlin - it has been described as simple melodies and production, with poetic lyrics and an acoustic -gypsy-pop feel.
After being diagnosed with a mystery illness and vocal problems, Roma was told she may never sing or tour professionally again. After several years out of the limelight, she describes her complete healing as -the undeserving and overwhelming grace of God-. Her songs are now her story, and it seems that after her 'wilderness experience' she has a deeper connection as a writer and communicator. This has led her to a surprising twist - she not only sings, but is a sought after speaker and communicator at conferences, womens events, churches and similar events. She is passionate about seeing lives changed and feels completely overwhelmed to be given a second chance.
Conference Speaker/Minister
Roma is a story teller, and loves sharing her testimony and heart through her song and testimony. She also often runs workshops and training for worship teams and bands, teaching songwriting, vocal techniques, worship and the prophetic.
She has been a guest speaker and artist at New Zealand's Sistas Womens conference, Hillsong Conference in Sydney, Christian City church events and other denominational churches in America, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia. She is easy going relaxed and funny (or at least she thinks she is!)
She is also an experienced Worship Leader with a focus on the prophetic and encouraging people to have a revelation of who God is in worship
Vocal Coach
Roma is a very experienced vocal and songwriting coach. Due to her busy schedule she has limited places and her lessons are by audition only.
She recently started the Roma Waterman Music Academy, which is held at the Nunawading Community Centre in Nunawading, Melbourne. She has trained some already experienced teachers and can recommend someone who would be right for you. The academy also includes piano, guitar, bass, songwriting and theory tuition.
Having written 'The Working Singers Handbook', her focus is mainly on technique and correcting vocal problems. She has completed Grade 7 AMEB Classical singing, Grad 5 AMEB Classical Piano, Grade 3 Musicianship theory and has a Cert IV in workplace training and Assessment.
The Academy also has regular open mic nights, gospel choir sessions, and runs The Melbourne Gospel Kids choir.
Songwriter/Author
SONGWRITER
Roma has won several songwriting awards and has written and co-written many songs - for herself and others. She recently signed a major publishing deal with First Company Publishing, a new US based publishing house formed by four Australian music industry veterans - Paul Bootes (Managing Director of Koorong Books), Dale Bray (President of Inpop Records), Wes Campbell (Newsboys' Manager), and Peter Furler (Newsboys' lead singer).
AUTHOR
Roma has discovered a love for writing books. Her first book "The Working Singer's handbook", is released worldwide via Music Sales UK and has currently been re-released as the new edition renamed as "The Handbook for Working Singers". She has just completed a new book entitled "The God Artist", and is currently writing "I was Carried", which is the story of her journey of her illness and miraculous healing.
Some of her songwriting awards include:
- •1st place 2007 Unisong International songwriting Contest I was Carried - Christian Category
- •Honourable mention 2006 USA Songwriting competition Wings of Love - Christian Category
- •1st place 2004 USA CCMNNI (contemporary Christian Talent Search - music network International) Talent Search
- •1st place 2004 Song of the Year Feb winner I was Carried
- •2nd Place 2003 International Songwriting Competition I was Carried - Gospel Category
- •Finalist 2002 USA Songwriting Competition Voice of Freedom - Gospel Category
- •1st Place 2001 Musicoz awards (Australia) I am What - Hard rock category
MELBOURNE GOSPEL CHOIR/AUTHOR
Roma is also the founder and director of the Melbourne Gospel choir which performs regularly on television shows and recordings. The author of the best selling -The Working Singers Handbook-, she has several new books that will be released in the near future. An award winning prolific songwriter and vocal coach, she is also a worship leader with a keen sense of the prophetic - something she has just began to step into with much authority.
It seems like a lot, but the key to Roma's's success is that everything she does is focused on one theme -to help people be all they can be and experience a real authentic connection with God. In the frantic pace of life, this thread holds everything she does together and energizes her to keep reaching for more.
You may have seen The Melbourne Gospel Choir perform on TV shows such as Carols By Candlelight, The Good Friday Appeal, The X Factor, The AFL Grand Final, Dancing with the Stars, It Takes Two and The Logies.
In the last 8 years, the MGC have become a much loved part of the greater music industry in Australia. The group is made up of some very talented solo artists, including Jud Field (Assistant Director), Justin Michael (Compliments of Gus), Derek Bailey and world famous Kylie Minogue impersonator and TV presenter Lucy Holmes. As well as some brilliant voices, each member has a genuine faith in God which makes singing Gospel songs an absolute pleasure. They mean what they sing and they sing what they live.
Among their many performances are TV and studio credits for artists Reba McIntyre, Vanessa Amorossi, Human Nature, Debra Byrne, Marina Prior, Jon Stevens, Australian Idol Guy Sebastian, and Australian Idol judge Marcia Hines.
The choir have just finished a new album titled"For the Children". This album will raise much needed funds for the Royal Children's hospital and boasts special guest appearances by Australian idol's Anthony Calea and Shannon Noll, , Guy Sebastian, Marcia Hines and others. Roma's award winning song "I was Carried" has been re recorded and mixed with the choir and some original songs by Jud Field are also highlights.
They have also released the popular "Our Christmas Prayer" - A Christmas album with other guests Roma and the Queen of Australian theatre - Marina Prior. You can order both these products online through the website.
You can see several of the MGC performances on youtube including their most recent performance at World Youth Day to 30,000 people.
Roma's Website:
RomaWaterman.com
Ministry and booking enquiries for Roma and the Melbourne Gospel Choir:
Anton Bekker
Head of Entertainment Business
Lewis Holdway Lawyers
Address: 20 Queen Street, Melbourne
Phone: 0413 009 629
Fax: (03) 9629 9630
email antonb@lewisholdway.com.au
Orders:
ted@romawaterman.com
P O box 825
Ringwood, Victoria
Melbourne Australia 3134
To write to Roma personally:
roma@romawaterman.com
P O box 825
Ringwood, Victoria
Melbourne Australia 3134
Note:
Due to the large number of emails received, Roma may not always be able to respond personally, but she will try!
Update - Roma Waterman
Apologies for the delay in getting this blog out. I have spent most of the past six weeks traveling and not had much time for anything else!
The last few months have been incredible. I am so excited to be a part of a community of revival worshippers who are invading the earth with amazing songs and creativity. I keep having to pinch myself and ask "Am I really allowed to have this much fun?". I thought I would share with you some of the things that have happened these past few months.
Singapore was a wonderful time. Spending time with Church of our Saviour, teaching in their college, and working with their songwriters for a week, and then leading in all their weekend services was an honor. I was SO impressed by the quality of song writing. Most of the time I just sat there with my mouth on the floor, eating up every new song that was being played. What amazed me the most about these new writers, is that their songs had great theology in them, got straight to the point, were melodic, easy to sing, and came from such a heart to see God glorified. I was humbled by this. The school was an amazing experience too, the students were so kind and open, and way too generous! I went to give, but came back with so much more. And the food! We had too much of it!
Then the last 5 weeks was ministering both in worship and preaching at several conferences. Phew! It was a crazy time, but every minute of it was wonderful! It was a joy to see other worship teams lead us in worship, hear what the Lord was doing through them and through their songwriting, and to be a part of the weekends. In the most recent conference I was a part of, I witnessed many people being healed of ear and eye problems during the service as I shared about my own journey of healing. I am finding more and more that just stepping out and giving people the opportunity to experience God's healing power opens up a door for His Spirit to work miracles. I never get tired of seeing people with long standing conditions be touched and healed in an instant. Like I said, I can't believe I get to have so much fun!
In the midst of all that, I fell in to being a vocal coach for the X Factor (the TV show) for their Melbourne Auditions. It was really wonderful to hear all the talent come through and spend time with some of my peers in the greater music industry. I love the diversity of what I do and have learnt to never put anything in a box - to just go with the flow and let the wind take me where it leads me. Living life this way allows some amazing encounters that I have not expected. It is sometimes scary not knowing what lies ahead, but its always so much better than if I had tried to plan it!
Whatever you are doing, whether it is big or small, delight in the moment. I heard a great quote this week by T D Jakes that went something along the lines of 'while you are complaining about your life, there is someone in the hospital wishing they had the same opportunities that you have now'. Let us appreciate what we have, without stumbling on what we don't have. Let us savour the moments we are in RIGHT NOW, instead of wishing we were somewhere else. And if you really don't like what you are doing - I pray you will grow the COURAGE inside of you -to CHANGE your destiny and make those hard decisions that will reshape your life. Don't settle for anything less than the best dream you can think up.
I am back on track now and will write more in the coming weeks! XX Roma
Songs in Heaven - Roma Waterman
I once heard a beautiful story preached about a worship songwriter who had a vision of Heaven. In his story, he came into the presence of the King and a myriad of angels singing worship. To his surprise, they were singing a song he had written and was popular on earth. He turned to an Angel and said something along the lines of: “I am amazed that you are singing one of my songs here!” The angel turned to him and said: “What do you mean 'your song'? This is one of our songs – we just let you hear it one day so you could bring it to earth”.
What a humbling thought – songs we are writing here on earth were penned in Heaven and that 'thin place' between the realms opened up for a moment to allow its sounds to permeate our spirits and be reflected through us. Then, together, we join as one to sing in unity praises to our glorious King.
Yet, what I find even more intriguing is the idea that songs we write here on the earth would capture the attention of all of Heaven. Could something created here on earth be a new melody sung by the saints and all of the angels? Imagine that! Imagine writing something today expressing your heartfelt love and adoration to our Father, and before you have even had the chance to record it or arrange it properly, an angelic choir, with the great cloud of witnesses, those who have died and gone before us – mothers, fathers, grandparents, dear friends – join with us to sing praise!
Could this be? Could this really happen?
There is a scripture in the book of Revelation that unraveled this thought in my mind. Describing a moment in Heaven Paul writes:
Revelation 15:3 “And they were singing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb: "Great and marvelous are your actions, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations.”.
As my friend Dan McCollam puts it – Moses had a hit in heaven!
Do you?
The discovery of the desperate - Roma Waterman
"It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter". Pr25:2.
“Some things are only discovered by the desperate”. Bill Johnson
There have been many times when I have felt 'stuck' leading worship. I have reached a moment where I feel His presence in a tangible way, but then not known what to do next. I know God is always with us, yet those moments when it feels like a veil has been lifted and there seems to be a connection between Earth and Heaven always leaves me wanting more.
The mistake I have often made when I have experienced these moments is 'knowing what comes next' . I don't necessarily mean that we actually have to 'do' anything – if we think like this we begin to operate out of a 'works' mentality rather than a grace mentality. But I have often felt like during those moments, something of Heaven would be activated on earth in greater measure if I allowed my spirit to connect more, and not just my brain.
I am sure you have experienced this: God turns up in a tangible way, we are singing our songs feeling the atmosphere has changed. Our mind starts churning with questions “Lord, what do I do now? Do you want me to say anything? Do you want me to be silent? “ etc.
Then an unusual idea floats into your head. Maybe it's just to sing one note. Maybe it's to pray in a way that you have never prayed before. Maybe it's to prophesy. Maybe you feel not to go to the next song, and another song idea comes into your head. All these thoughts try to vie for your attention, and by the time you have worked out what you 'think' is the right thing to to do, the moment has passed and we are back to 'normal' worship/church – which is still great – but you can't help walking off the stage at the end of the service and wonder if you missed something.
I believe we can make the process far more complicated than we need to. I think, like the above quote says, 'some things are only discovered by the desperate'. The question then is “are we desperate enough to search out what keys help unlock the spiritual realm through worship”? I believe we are living in a season where desperate worshippers are spilling out their heartfelt cries to God across our nations – hungry to see God move powerfully through healings, signs, and wonders.
I have found that if I TRUST where my spirit is leading me, as unusual or uncomfortable as it may seem at times, it has always led to a fresh experience in worship. For me, not thinking too much is vital. For example, these days, I often will activate the first thought that comes into my head! Now, most people will think that is being rash and a little silly, but I have been surprised at how often this is the Lord, and all the other thoughts are my brain trying to process what is happening.
I remember singing prophetically over a group of people. I was asking the Lord to give me a word for them through song. The first idea that popped into my head was that they were about to change their name as an organisation. My next thought was “I can't say that – what if its wrong?” As a creative person, I also felt like it was such a silly and un-poetic line to sing! I fought God a little bit until I finally let go and began to sing what I sensed in my spirit.
As I was singing, I felt the presence of God increase over me . I knew then that what I was singing was from the Lord as I felt something was released.. The only way I know how to explain it is like a light switched on and all of the sudden I had found the room I was looking for. Everything became clearer. As I began to sing out, more and more flowed – it was as if there was a river behind my words, not just the few little drops I thought I had.
Afterward, the head of the organisation came up to me to tell me that he and his key staff had been praying and talking about a name change for a long time – and that this was a confirmation to them. He said that not many people even knew about them wanting to change the name (well, they did now, I thought - you've gotta love the humorous aspect of what it means to be prophetic :)
Like the scripture says - 'it is the glory of kings to search out a matter'. In those moments when we don't know how to move forward, what can we activate that will help us search out the deep and seemingly hidden treasures that are awaiting us? God is hiding things not to frustrate us, but to make us Kings! It is in the searching that we grow into all we are meant to become.
Heres is an exercise you can try at home in your own personal worship time:
1.Beging to sing a worship song. As you are singing, ask the Lord to show you pictures. Try to dwell on the first good picture that comes into your head, even if it does not make sense. Instead of moving on to the next thought, begin to search out what the picture might mean. If you need to, stop and write it down. What is the Lord trying to say to you?
2.The next question is “What do I do with this information?”. Is it to be sung out as a prophetic word? Is it for your own personal revelation – is the Lord trying to reveal something just to you? Does it mean singing a different song next, that encapsulates what you are sensing/seeing? Is it to encourage you to pray about something?
3.Give it a go! A culture where it is ok to make mistakes must become a part of the normal way of doing life.. If we allow the freedom and permission to be wrong, most often we will step into the right place He has for us, because fear has not held us back.
I am excited about your journey!
Telling Stories - Roma Waterman
A few years back we had Bill Johnson at our church for a conference. It was the first time in many years that I heard and saw with my own eyes many healings and testimonies of healings.
For someone like me who has been in church a long time, disappointments have often set in and little by little, I had just stopped believing for the miraculous in my life. Maybe you have felt like that. Of course we still “hope” - we hope someone wont die of cancer, we hope that God will provide our needs, but then we are surprised when it actually happens, or just plain dissapointed when it doesn't.
We begin to forget what it truly means to to live a supernatural lifestyle. After a while, the preaching sounds good, but is no longer challenging or moving. Our worship is structured and feels nice, but nothing spectacular happens to interrupt the mundane. Little by little, we allow our dissapointments to shape our faith.
At this particular conference, I had a hip problem after a difficult pregnancy. I had trouble and pain most days. I went out for prayer and guess what – the pain got WORSE! I was baffled – it almost made me think maybe I should never pray again!
Then a year later, Bill Johnson was back again ministering at our church. I always love his teaching and father heart and really looked forward to being a part of the worship team for the week. I spent most of my time on the platform leading or singing, and throughouly enjoying the worship times and encounters with God, both in the teaching and in the worship.
Then, quite by surprise, by the end of the week, I noticed that I had absolutely no pain in my hip. It had completely dissappeared! Since that day over two years ago, I have not had trouble with my hip since.
I realised hearing all the stories of healings and the teaching of the miraculous opened up a doorway for healing to take place in my own life. As I concentrated on worshipping God and loving Him with all of me, my faith began to rise – and it was natural, straightforward, and simple. I didn't have a list of do's and don'ts to receive healing. It was just so natural – or dare I say it, supernatural :)
Why am I telling this story? What has it got to do with worship? Well, worship is telling stories. The more stories we tell of His great love for us, about his supernatural touch, the more the supernatural will take place. Songs like “O Happy Day”, “Dancing Generation”, “Shout to the Lord” and “How great is our God” are telling the story of what salvation has done for us. If you hear the stories behind why they were written, they came out of a personal revelation. Darlene Zschech wrote 'Shout to the Lord' out of a difficult time in her life where she felt her dreams were completely out of reach. In that moment, she surrendered her life afresh to God by reminding herself that its' all about Jesus!
This builds peoples faith. It inspires us to believe for what is rightfully ours through the cross – because the person who wrote it actually lives it! It refreshes our spirits and disintegrates disappointment. And this is how we overcome - “by the word of our testimony”! (Rev 12:11)
I want to end this blog with a challenge. Write and choose songs out of your testimony. Lets stop using words that we think are supposed to go into a great praise and worship song, and start writing and singing songs about what He has REALLY done in us. What do you have a revelation of? Write and sing about that. We keep talking about 'the new sound' – the new sound has nothing to do with music. It is all about revelation. When we capture that in a song, we tell stories, and those stories bring life to the hearer.
Finally, why did it take a year to get my miracle? Sometimes pressing in for what you are believing for is going to be a fight. Sometimes things get worse before they get better, as we begin to shake up the spiritual atmosphere and stir things up. Quite simply, the devil ain't gonna like it. He doesn't want you to live knowing the full benefits of what Christ did for us. My healing came when I believed God, but also as I rested in loving Him and worshipping Him.
Regardless of my circumstances, I chose to enjoy the moment because regardless of what was happening in my body, I just kept hearing those stories! It made me so happy that I forgot about my problems. I am not trying to simplify how we receive from God – there are certain things in my world I am believing will change that have not yet, and sometimes that has been hard. But what I am saying is that if we keep telling the stories, we are feeding ourselves with encouragement. Encourage yourself in the Lord! What are some stories from your own life? What are some stories from the Bible that build your faith? What songs can you write and sing that help you to remember? Think on these things. It may take a week, months, or even years – but in the end you are more than conquerers, and you will see your miracles.
“Jesus was not a theologian, but God who told stories”
Madeline L'Engle, 'Walking on water -Reflections on faith and art'.
How To Practice Being Spontaneous Part 2: Singing What You See - Roma Waterman
This week I am going to continue our study on some practical ways you can become more spontaneous through music and worship.
Something I have found really helpful to me is 'singing what I see”.
Often when we are playing or leading in corporate worship, we get a sense of something happening. For example you may notice that the congregation is not engaging, or you may notice that the spirit of joy is about to break out, or maybe there is an anointing for healing – what do you do when you sense this? Most of the time, we can sense something, but then don't know what our part to play is in the whole experience. So we let the moment go, and rely on the structure to keep propelling us forward – hoping that God will manifest himself somewhere! (Structure is good by the way – just not when it replaces the fluidity of moving as the Spirit moves- when they work together it's a wonderful thing!)
When you find yourself in that situation, ask the Lord some questions. A good question to ask is “Lord what are you trying to say?”
Let's use a certain situation as an example. Maybe you are sensing there is a breakthrough moment about to erupt in the worship–a moment where the band gets it, the singers get it, the congregation gets it- it's like all of the sudden, everyone is on the same page. I love when that happens! In this instance, the Lord might say “There is a spirit of breakthrough–if you press into this, people will be released into freedom and the burdens they have carried will begin to dissolve in my presence”.
I have found most people who have a close relationship with the Lord will have these conversations during worship or in their preparations to worship lead. But we are lost as to what to do next. I have found what helps me is asking the follow on question: “Lord, if there was breakthrough, and people were released and set free, how would that look? Can you show me a picture?” Then close your eyes and imagine how that would look. We often have faith for God to speak to us – we should have faith for God to SHOW us as well!
Maybe in that moment, in this particular scenario, you might find the Lord showing you a picture of people beaming from ear to ear, giving their whole hearts in worship, arms raised in abandonment and surrender. Maybe people will be dancing (if that's the kind of church you go to!). For some, it could mean people coming and kneeling at the altar with tears streaming their face. Or maybe you would see complete silence as people bask in the awe of our wonderful God. When you can see things through your spiritual eyes, you activate the miraculous –you call into action what you cannot see.
When you can see a picture of what is about to take place – you pull the future into the present. That is faith. You bring what is the substance of things hoped for – into reality (Heb 11:1). We often don't activate our imagination because we are afraid that we might just be making it all up. But we can often miss what God is doing, just because we lack the confidence that what we are seeing is actually from God. I want to encourage to go with what you see.
My opinion is that if it is an image of something good, that helps others connect with Heaven, then it is ALWAYS going to bring blessing and release. If we would learn to have the confidence that the Lord can show us, just as much as he can tell us – we open up another portal for Him to communicate his will for His bride – the church.
Romans 12:2. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will”. NIV
I love this scripture. I have heard it said that in the original text – the word 'mind' actually means “imagination”. Wow!
Today, be changed by the renewing of your imagination – learn to dream that which you hope for in your services - you will not be disappointed.
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