Studio

The school year is going to start on September 6th!  I've been de-cluttering the studio and preparing for the fun to begin! 

Kids Sing Studio Office

Kids Sing Studio Panoramic View

Guest Post--Infographic: The Benefits of Singing

“Singing is good for both children and adults. Many research studies confirmed the health and psychological benefits of singing, such as improved overall well-being, stronger immune system, better mood, flexible mind and self-confidence to name just a few. Singing was proven to have positive effects on children’s thinking, reading and math skills. Children who participate in music and singing activities are better learners and are more satisfied at school. This infographic summarizes all of the benefits that singing has in store for us.“ 

Pulled in a New Direction!!!!!

I LOVE watching my students grow up and develop their talents. I LOVE it when students perform at  school events like talent show, Christmas Concerts, etc. I also love it when parents share these videos with me so I can smile from ear to ear when watching my students succeed and build up their confidence and stage presence. Please enjoy this video of Fiona singing "Pulled" from The Addams Family at her 6th Grade Talent show AT 8:30AM!

I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas

Watch Avery bring this silly little ditty to life!  Keep up the great work Avery!

Jingle Bell Rock sung by Mackenzie

Thank you Mackenzie for your awesome performance at our Holiday Recital. Mackenzie has autism but that doesn't stop her from enjoying music and sharing her talent with others!

Fiona Scott 1st Place Winner

Recital Program

Holiday Recital Videos

I adore Christmas Music. So this year I wanted to host a small, intimate, low pressure and FUN recital for my students. Everyone was invited to perform and 22 young stars were able to fit it into their busy schedule. I intend on posting the videos to share their talent with the world!

Our first video is Sydney and Spencer Jones harmonizing to Pie Jesu from Requiem by Andrew Lloyd Webber!

The Computer Program That Changed My Studio

Do these books look familiar to any of you studio music teachers out there?  

I remember back in the day keeping track of my students, payments, calendar and schedules all in these little red books. I remember each year in September I would have to go to the local music store and pick up a new book. It was actually very exciting to buy a new one!  At first I loved these books but my studio kept growing and I was getting VERY confused by my own notes. Who did I give credit to? Who paid cash? Who did a barter with? Where did that check go that they handed me on their way out the door? Is it under the piano again?  When did they say they had to cancel? Who did I switch times with tonight?  UGH--to much to keep track of!

I have always been a lover of technology and I remember the feeling of excitement I felt when when I discovered Music Teachers Helper. I NOW have many of these books just collecting dust on my shelves because I was lucky enough to find an amazing software called 

Music Teachers Helper! 

Music Teachers Helper has literally changed my life! 

I love Music Teachers Helper because :

1. I added about 20 students to my regular weekly schedule. I can now handle about 50+ students.
2. MTH handles all of my cancellations-no more taking phone calls, e-mails or texts to reschedule students.
3. All of my "open time slots" are posted on my calendar and my students can book their own make up lessons without EVER contacting me.
4. I can fill "open time slots" without constantly losing money from a last minute cancellation.
5. I can keep track of student payments and credits easily.
6. Every single time I have a problem or I am confused about something within the program I will write MTH and they will respond VERY quickly and give me a solution to resolve my problem.
7. The calendar syncs to my own personal iCal so I can see my "real" life alongside my "teacher" life. 8.  I receive a text message when a student cancels so I can plan accordingly.
9. I can take payments via PayPal AND these payments are automatically credited to the students account. I don't have to do a thing!
10.  I can easily send a e-mail to my whole studio with just a few clicks.
11. My students NOW get invoices---this is huge. The invoices look so professional.
12. I appear more organized and professional with this program working behind the scenes for me--- all of my parents use this program with ease and even if they don't realize it it is making things easier and smoother for them as well.

I am tremendously happy that I have added Music Teachers Helper 

to my studio because I would be LOST without it. 

If you have not checked out Music Teachers Helper for your studio 

you must see what you are missing!  

You won't regret it! 

Kids Sing Studio promo code: 302784 for 20% off your first month!

How To Warm Up Your Voice

Even the best singers need to warm up their vocal cords before a performance or recording session. This is because your vocal "cords" are actually muscles, and any athlete can tell you that cold muscles lead to strain and poor performance. Vocal warm-ups are also a good way to get your head in the zone and mentally prepare yourself for performance.
Check out this infographic about warming up the voice. It gives a run-down of some important vocal warm-up, and how to do them. Thanks to Encore Music Lessons for sending it my way!

Presented by Encore Music Lessons

NATS 2013

Congratulations to 

Darrius Roberts           1st Place Winner

Marissa Pineda            1st Place Winner

Sydney Jones              1st Place Winner

Spencer Jones              1st Place Winner

Fiona Scott                  2nd Place Winner

Isabella Koster             Honorable Mention

I am so proud of each and every one of my students who went to the 2013 NATS Musical Theatre Auditions. It is such a great learning experience and a fun way to get advice from other voice teachers. I always have a great time judging this event and I always look forward to the final recital. Congratulations to everyone!  You all did so great!

Marissa 2013 NATS

Spencer NATS 2013

Sydney 2013 NATS

Hal Leonard Vocal Competition Winners!

Woo Eee!  I'm so excited!   

In January my students and I worked really hard in preparing for the Hal Leonard Vocal Competition. Hal Leonard is a HUGE music publishing company and I use their books every single day!  (There are still a few I am missing in case someone at Hal Leonard wants to help me complete my collection.) This is the third year in a row they have held a online Vocal Music Competition.  The students are divided by ages and into two categories Art Song and Musical Theatre.  The prizes are really great and it is a lot of fun to put these videos together BUT it is a TON of work!  I mean serious work to rent a venue, hire a accompanist and then get flawless performances on video.  Not to mention many hours spent editing the video segments together. (You are not allowed to edit in the middle of a song of course because that would be cheating) In each category you are required to use specific books suited for each age group and of course all of these books are published by Hal Leonard.

Take note all of my students are accompanied by Anna DiVesta (my studio accompanist)! 

So the results are in and my students killed it this year!  

I am so proud of everyone who participated!  Way to go ladies!  Here are some of the winning videos! 

CHILDREN'S VOICES MUSICAL THEATRE (AGE 12 AND UNDER)
1st Place Winner
Sydney Jones

Marissa Pineda
3rd Place Winner

Isabella Koster
Finalist

Fiona Scott
Finalist

Abby Pineda
Semi-Finalist

Anna Taylor
Semi-Finalist

EARLY TEEN VOICES MUSICAL THEATRE (AGES 13-15)
Grace Robertson
Semi-Finalist

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL THEATRE (AGES 16-18)
Cecilia Detwiler
Honorable Mention

CHILDREN'S VOICES ART SONGS (AGES 12 AND UNDER)
Fiona Scott
Finalist

Feliz Navidad Love Patrick

This is what I heard as I work up this morning. Today was the day of Patrick's big Christmas Show and he started his warm-ups bright and early.  I caught a little glimpse on my phone.

A Christmas Medley

A beautiful Christmas medley always does a person good.  Enjoy listening to Stella mash up a few of our favorite Christmas songs into one fun mix! 

Boogie Woogie Your Blues Away

Well---not all Christmas songs are solemn and peaceful. Some are just downright F-U-N.  Listen as Maddie helps us boogie our blues away & then takes us back with a Christmas favorite.  Maddie is such a hard worker and genuinely kind and sweet young lady.  I am sure lucky to know her!  

NEVER getting back together! EVER!

Happy Holiday's from another super duper great student of mine who has a serious Taylor Swift addiction. This was my first time using the app VIDEO STAR and it was WICKED-FUN!  I can't wait to try this out with more students.

Love x's 3

There are three things that I LOVE about this next video:

1.  Cecilia Detwiler 

2. Cor Jesu (my alma mater)

3. The Christmas Song

Cecilia is a senior this year and she was chosen to sing a solo on this beautiful song. Cecilia's choir director is the same choir director that I had from my senior year at Cor Jesu, Kathleen Pottinger.  Kathleen shaped the direction of my life in that short year that I had her as a teacher. I can only hope I might be doing the same for my students.  Wonderful job Cecilia- I can't wait to see what the future has in store for you my dear.