Driftwood Players also has auditions coming up September 8th, for Music Man - info here.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Upcoming auditions
TPS youth auditions for Scrooge and Gypsy are September 19 - more info here.
Driftwood Players also has auditions coming up September 8th, for Music Man - info here.
Driftwood Players also has auditions coming up September 8th, for Music Man - info here.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Viva Vocalists
Last fall I had the honor of founding Fisher Ensemble's Education & Outreach Program with my wonderful co-teacher Shawna Avinger. Our first project was Viva Vocalists, a class dedicated to educating students of all ages about contemporary music, with a focus on performance (or as we like to say, learning through doing).
Viva Vocalists' fall term culminated in student productions of Kurt Weill's Down In The Valley and Douglas Moore's Gallantry, presented as part of the Wayward Music Series at The Chapel at Good Shepherd Center. For our spring term we got back to basics with our Skills Intensive, focused on the crucial performance skills of sight-singing, music theory, acting and dialogue. Students have been working since March on solos and scenes from opera and musical theater; they will perform highlights from the term at our Spring Showcase in just a week and a half (more on that in another post).
Feedback from students about our spring term has been overwhelmingly positive, so much so that we have decided to offer specialized sessions this summer. With three classes and an all-day workshop devoted to single topics, students can choose the area in which they would most like to improve or spend the summer becoming a better musician. The low time commitment ensures that even with summer travel, one or more course will fit into nearly everyone's schedule. How can you go wrong?
I'm baaack...
...and ready to get to work!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Save Our Show!
Just sent out a letter I never thought I'd have to send. Our Songs and Scenes class is running a deficit this term and unless we can make up the difference our show might be cancelled - a teacher's (and performer's) worst nightmare. Read the letter below and please help if you can!
Dear Friends,
We are sending this letter hoping that we can raise enough funds to finish our Songs and Scenes show this term at Music Center of the Northwest. The Songs and Scenes class works with beginning and intermediate adult singers; each term the class puts on a show of scenes from opera and musical theater. Our singing community is strong and passionate about their craft. Due to lower than expected enrollment and a large number of student scholarships, we are in a deficit. In order to make our show happen, we need to raise $1200 as quickly as we can. We are reaching out to our artistic community to help make this happen. Even if you can only donate a small amount, anything is appreciated.
If you decide to donate, we can offer you free and prime seating at our show on May 23rd at the Chapel at the Good Shepherd Center as well as thanks in the program. If we raise more than $1200, we will put it towards costumes and future scholarships for this class or its sister class, the Song and Aria Intensive (Summer 2011). As with many non-profits, the economy has hit us hard. While we are still getting grants and donations, they are just not what they were a few years ago.
If you would like to donate, please send checks to:
(email me for the address)
Dear Friends,
We are sending this letter hoping that we can raise enough funds to finish our Songs and Scenes show this term at Music Center of the Northwest. The Songs and Scenes class works with beginning and intermediate adult singers; each term the class puts on a show of scenes from opera and musical theater. Our singing community is strong and passionate about their craft. Due to lower than expected enrollment and a large number of student scholarships, we are in a deficit. In order to make our show happen, we need to raise $1200 as quickly as we can. We are reaching out to our artistic community to help make this happen. Even if you can only donate a small amount, anything is appreciated.
If you decide to donate, we can offer you free and prime seating at our show on May 23rd at the Chapel at the Good Shepherd Center as well as thanks in the program. If we raise more than $1200, we will put it towards costumes and future scholarships for this class or its sister class, the Song and Aria Intensive (Summer 2011). As with many non-profits, the economy has hit us hard. While we are still getting grants and donations, they are just not what they were a few years ago.
If you would like to donate, please send checks to:
Sincerely,
Shawna Avinger and Kristen Ramer Liang
A preview of what you'll hear at our spring show...
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Fall performances
Lots of opportunities to hear your fellow students this fall, and to join in the fun yourself!
Recital of Sarah Lewontin, Whitney Neufeld-Kaiser & Janessa Cummings Penn
Sunday, October 31st
2:30 pm
Youngstown Cultural Center
Featuring works by Barab, Barber, Fauré, Rorem and more; accompanied by Chris Vincent and Jennifer Bundy. Admission is free.
*****
Music Sunday at University Unitarian Church
Sunday, October 31st
9:30 and 11:15 am
University Unitarian Church
Mozart's Missa Brevis in F (Little Credo Mass) will be performed; student Barbara Leigh is a member of of the UUC Loft Choir. Conducted by Karen P. Thomas. Admission is free.
*****
Voice Department Recital
Sunday, November 7th
4:00 pm
Music Center Recital Hall
Students of Shawna Avinger and Kristen Ramer Liang will perform works from opera, musical theatre and the classical repertoire. Featured composers: Larsen, Pergolesi, Schubert, Sondheim and more. Admission is free.
*****
Great Figgy Pudding Street Corner Caroling Competition
Friday, December 3rd
5:00 - 8:30 pm
Westlake Center
Join our caroling team for this year's Figgy Pudding fundraiser! All proceeds go to benefit the Pike Place Senior Center and Downtown Food Band; Music Center has a fundraising goal of $1500. Rehearsals will be 11/6, 11/13, 11/19, 11/27 and 12/2; please contact me for more information about participating.
Recital of Sarah Lewontin, Whitney Neufeld-Kaiser & Janessa Cummings Penn
Sunday, October 31st
2:30 pm
Youngstown Cultural Center
Featuring works by Barab, Barber, Fauré, Rorem and more; accompanied by Chris Vincent and Jennifer Bundy. Admission is free.
*****
Music Sunday at University Unitarian Church
Sunday, October 31st
9:30 and 11:15 am
University Unitarian Church
Mozart's Missa Brevis in F (Little Credo Mass) will be performed; student Barbara Leigh is a member of of the UUC Loft Choir. Conducted by Karen P. Thomas. Admission is free.
*****
Voice Department Recital
Sunday, November 7th
4:00 pm
Music Center Recital Hall
Students of Shawna Avinger and Kristen Ramer Liang will perform works from opera, musical theatre and the classical repertoire. Featured composers: Larsen, Pergolesi, Schubert, Sondheim and more. Admission is free.
*****
Great Figgy Pudding Street Corner Caroling Competition
Friday, December 3rd
5:00 - 8:30 pm
Westlake Center
Join our caroling team for this year's Figgy Pudding fundraiser! All proceeds go to benefit the Pike Place Senior Center and Downtown Food Band; Music Center has a fundraising goal of $1500. Rehearsals will be 11/6, 11/13, 11/19, 11/27 and 12/2; please contact me for more information about participating.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Upcoming auditions
From the Seattle Times callboard...
ACT Theatre is holding auditions on September 25 for the youth actor roles in its annual holiday production of "A Christmas Carol." Roles open to actors age 14 and under. Appointments taken from Sept. 15, no appointments taken prior to that date. To schedule an audition, email laynem@acttheatre.org or call 206-292-7660, ext 1226.
The Heavier Than Air Family Theater Company will be holding open auditions on September 21 and 23 for its upcoming Christmas production of "Annie." Needed are actors and actresses aged 16 and up. Auditions will be held in Green River Community College's Performing Arts Building from 7-9 p.m. For more information, visit www.heavierthanair.com.
And for those of you who like to ride the ferry: Ovation Musical Theatre Bainbridge will hold auditions for "The Sound of Music" on September 18-19. All parts are open. To schedule an audition, email info@ovationmtb.com or call 206-842-0472.
ACT Theatre is holding auditions on September 25 for the youth actor roles in its annual holiday production of "A Christmas Carol." Roles open to actors age 14 and under. Appointments taken from Sept. 15, no appointments taken prior to that date. To schedule an audition, email laynem@acttheatre.org or call 206-292-7660, ext 1226.
The Heavier Than Air Family Theater Company will be holding open auditions on September 21 and 23 for its upcoming Christmas production of "Annie." Needed are actors and actresses aged 16 and up. Auditions will be held in Green River Community College's Performing Arts Building from 7-9 p.m. For more information, visit www.heavierthanair.com.
And for those of you who like to ride the ferry: Ovation Musical Theatre Bainbridge will hold auditions for "The Sound of Music" on September 18-19. All parts are open. To schedule an audition, email info@ovationmtb.com or call 206-842-0472.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Singing and pregnancy - no longer a hypothetical question...
Wow, has it really been April since I last posted? I guess that makes sense, given that a couple of weeks after my last post I found out I was pregnant (feeling sick doesn't exactly motivate you to write) and a week after that I took a nasty fall down my front steps, which laid me up for a while. Through all of that, I tried to keep track of how it felt to sing during the stages of pregnancy - I've looked but have never found much clinical research about how the voice might change or feel different during such a time of transition in the body. I have found several personal accounts, so I'll add mine to the mix in hopes that it will help some other gals out there. Here are the observations I've made so far:
Week 5
No noticeable change in singing but a huge change in appetite. Sang at concerts May 7, 8 and 16 with no problems, although looking back my cords were a bit swollen. I just chalked it up to allergies.
Weeks 6-7
Fell down the front steps and bruised back ribs and part of my diaphragm, so couldn't sing for 2 1/2 weeks. Nothing is more irritating than wanting to sing and not being able to. Also, nothing is scarier than finding out you're pregnant and then falling down the stairs a week later! Swore off Dansko clogs (the culprit, along with my own clumsiness) and any kind of unstable heels for the rest of the pregnancy.
Weeks 8-10
Easily the worst three weeks singing-wise and in general. Felt totally junky all the time. I was out of commission the two weeks before so getting my breath support back was a slog. Adding to the annoyance was the inconsistency in my voice - one day it would feel great and the next you would think I'd never sung a note in my life. My voice would feel raspy and weak, and unusually thin in the upper register. General fatigue meant that my support was pretty lazy, which didn't help matters. A very frustrating few weeks.
Week 11-12
Much the same as the previous few weeks only slightly less problematic. In week 12 morning sickness came back with a vengeance making it hard to do anything - singing became an afterthought. Oh, and did I mention the morning acid reflux? Pregnancy is so glamorous. Toward the end of week 12 I was able to start singing again with more regularity, though my voice was much more cooperative with Puccini than Mozart. In general vocal agility is becoming much trickier. Thickening of the cords perhaps? There's some research to support my theory, but I'd like to read a more detailed investigation. One other issue that may be affecting things is that I've experienced some edema in my feet - if I'm having swelling there I can imagine other tissues in my body are swelling too...like the vocal cords. BOO.
Week 13
Was running a music camp for kids all week so didn't do much singing of my own, but singing with the kids was fun and I started to feel like I was getting my voice back. Breathlessness is a general issue as the baby starts to grow and crowd out other organs, but other than that things felt pretty good.
Week 14
Am beginning to sing more of my arias and have real, productive practice sessions again. Hooray! We'll sing how long it lasts, but I'll enjoy it while it does.
Stay tuned for more news from the front lines...
Week 5
No noticeable change in singing but a huge change in appetite. Sang at concerts May 7, 8 and 16 with no problems, although looking back my cords were a bit swollen. I just chalked it up to allergies.
Weeks 6-7
Fell down the front steps and bruised back ribs and part of my diaphragm, so couldn't sing for 2 1/2 weeks. Nothing is more irritating than wanting to sing and not being able to. Also, nothing is scarier than finding out you're pregnant and then falling down the stairs a week later! Swore off Dansko clogs (the culprit, along with my own clumsiness) and any kind of unstable heels for the rest of the pregnancy.
Weeks 8-10
Easily the worst three weeks singing-wise and in general. Felt totally junky all the time. I was out of commission the two weeks before so getting my breath support back was a slog. Adding to the annoyance was the inconsistency in my voice - one day it would feel great and the next you would think I'd never sung a note in my life. My voice would feel raspy and weak, and unusually thin in the upper register. General fatigue meant that my support was pretty lazy, which didn't help matters. A very frustrating few weeks.
Week 11-12
Much the same as the previous few weeks only slightly less problematic. In week 12 morning sickness came back with a vengeance making it hard to do anything - singing became an afterthought. Oh, and did I mention the morning acid reflux? Pregnancy is so glamorous. Toward the end of week 12 I was able to start singing again with more regularity, though my voice was much more cooperative with Puccini than Mozart. In general vocal agility is becoming much trickier. Thickening of the cords perhaps? There's some research to support my theory, but I'd like to read a more detailed investigation. One other issue that may be affecting things is that I've experienced some edema in my feet - if I'm having swelling there I can imagine other tissues in my body are swelling too...like the vocal cords. BOO.
Week 13
Was running a music camp for kids all week so didn't do much singing of my own, but singing with the kids was fun and I started to feel like I was getting my voice back. Breathlessness is a general issue as the baby starts to grow and crowd out other organs, but other than that things felt pretty good.
Week 14
Am beginning to sing more of my arias and have real, productive practice sessions again. Hooray! We'll sing how long it lasts, but I'll enjoy it while it does.
Stay tuned for more news from the front lines...
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