Pam Matsuda had no desire to be in the spotlight—she was content on the sidelines, well within her comfort zone. But this weekend, things will definitely change.

Matsuda and seven other brave souls, each backed by a live band, will perform at Gordon Biersch on Sunday to complete their involvement in “;Breakthrough Performance,”; a personal development workshop. The showcase will include an opening number, with individual songs that may have a Motown vibe with backup dancers or lean more toward musical theater, as the performances are meant to blend with the performer's personality and needs.

Performers include a shy college student, massage therapist, family therapist, a businessman (who announced he was the only one who had been thrown out of a karaoke bar), a practitioner of Chinese medicine and a writer who hated the sound of her own voice.

For Matsuda, friends had remarked that she appeared happier and full of life in recent weeks. She was surprised they noticed and considered it a natural byproduct of participating in “;Breakthrough Performance.”;

The workshops, led by Mick and Tess Pulver, are intended to use the human voice “;as a tool for transformation, healing and celebration.”; The Pulvers started the workshops in San Francisco in 1995 and brought them to Hawaii last year; Mick, a professional musician, plays with the backing band during performances.

“;Singing is a joyful expression of who we are,”; said Mick Pulver. “;We are all musical and meant to sing.

“;I'm helping people find their voice. Singing is not just for church or those great singers on the radio.”;

MATSUDA HAS experienced an array of emotions—from excitement to fear—about performing with Pulver's band. On Sunday, she'll be able to let loose from her daily responsibilities as a family therapist who needs to maintain a serious tone most of the time.

“;During the eight-week workshop, I felt a shift in myself,”; she said. “;I'm more carefree, spontaneous and have opened up my sense of humor. I'm leading a more passionate life.”;

After embarking on this personal adventure, she purchased a high-quality karaoke machine.

“;I want to keep singing,”; Matsuda said. “;I feel so much more comfortable and powerful in my own skin. We're never too old to become young again. Singing gives adults and children a way to share and play.”;

It's about “;not being so serious and finding that inner child,”; she added.

The workshop attracts people for an array of reasons. Some want the opportunity to perform on stage with a band; others wonder if they can learn to sing. Most attendees show up ready to make big changes in their lives.

The primary focus, however, isn't learning perfect pitch or harmony. Instead, participants work on facing fears and reducing inhibitions.

“;It's a lot about courage and confidence,”; Pulver said. “;Some of these people are looking to take the next step—to start a new career, make a big move, end a bad relationship.

“;Lots of change happens in the workshop. ... People oftentimes find another side of themselves.”;

JEFF WHITE attended a weekend workshop after the urging of a friend.

“;He said it was the most fun he'd ever had (and) I figured I deserved some fun,”; White said. “;I've always been interested in personal growth.”;

White was assigned a blues tune that brought him back to his high school days, and his old carefree, extroverted attitude surfaced.

“;I'm a financial advisor, so I don't often have an opportunity to be flamboyant,”; he said. “;It definitely put me in touch with my younger side.”;

Potential benefits of the workshops are increased self-esteem and awareness, better communication and intimacy, a transformation of fear into courage and an increase of emotional intelligence, according to Pulver.

“;Lots of people are looking to delve deeper into themselves; they are feeling disconnected,”; he said. “;Fear is holding them back from doing what they want to do. We use songs to open doors. It's a lot about being in the moment, not being perfect.”;

Marcia Zina Mager claimed she couldn't sing, except when in the shower or sitting around a campfire.

“;I hated the sound of my voice,”; she said. “;I had to work with the critical voices in my head that were telling me that I'm not good enough. I had been battling with those words in all areas of my life.”;

Originally from New York, Mager said she is often labeled as “;being tough and pushy. I can be incredibly impatient.”; The workshops have allowed her to soften her personality in a positive manner, she explained.

“;It's brought up a lot of stuff for me,”; she said. “;I'm amazed and stunned by the power music has had on my life. It's like magic if you allow the song to work for you.”;

By opening night, participants are ready to make their debut, despite having only one dress rehearsal to sharpen their stage presence.

“;They definitely feel prepared,”; Pulver said. “;We've never had anyone not want to perform on the day of the show.”;