It's A Family Affair

Check out this recording of Sydney (11) and Spencer (7) singing my new favorite song "Somewhere Hovering Over Indiana" from the new Broadway hit "A Christmas Story."  They are accompanied by Anna DiVesta Kids Sing Studio accompanist.  Their mom even got in on the action!  What a special memory for their family!  I became obsessed with this song and I had to have anyone with siblings record it this year. Be on the lookout for another version of this song later in the week!

Happy Holiday's Love Ke$sha (AKA Mackenzie)

There are just some students who you CANNOT put into a box!  

Well, Mackenzie is one of those kids!  I have also known Mackenzie since she was 3 years old (in the early childhood program.) Mackenzie will do whatever I ask her to do but she is NOT a Broadway lover (much to my dismay) but she is a PUNK ROCKER! And by-golly I better just accept this fact and stop trying to get her to sing "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree."    Mackenzie has also stolen my heart and she is a hard worker and a fun spirited young lady.  I consider her family some of my dearest friends. They trust me and I trust them. I love the whole family!  Thank you for sharing your daughter with me!

Merry Christmas Love Grant

Grant is a young man I have been working with since he was 3 YEARS OLD!  He is now almost 17!  How did I get so old beautiful?  As a music therapist I have a few families that I have grown up with.  I was only a young girl myself when I met these families and I knew nothing but thought I knew everything.  One thing I did not lack was determination or a open heart. I have learned so much over the years and I have learned from my mistakes.

As a music therapist I have learned to be genuine, real and try my very best to connect with my students. Some of my students are NOT easy to connect with. I speak to them as the age they are---not like a little baby. They know they are safe and sound when they are at Music Therapy.  They know they will have fun, smile and sing a lot. I feel a special connection with this young man Grant.  He is so sweet and seriously I know he LOVES coming to my house for lessons.  Happy Holiday's from Grant and Lisa!

Sing for Grandma. . .

It's the holidays and what does that mean?  Well, it means "Sing for Grandma-why do I pay for all of these lessons if you won't even sing for Grandma?"  "Play your Aunt that song you have been working on for the whole year in piano lessons!" "Do your Christmas dance that you learned at dancing school."  "Recite all of your lines from your school Christmas play or you will get NO presents from Santa!" Entertain your family TIME!  

My own memories of "entertaining" my family go WAY back. Way back to singing in the back room (of our current house) standing on a suitcase singing for my Grandma and Aunt Nancy.  I loved to perform and they wanted me to sing each song about a million times too! They loved watching me.  They loved every move I made.  I remember my mom asking me to sing "Greatest Love of All" in the car to her.  I remember my mom sitting at the top of the stairs listening to me play the piano.  I loved an audience and was never shy to put on a show.  Even in high school I would play the piano and re-write the words to songs to include my friends names, my family members names, etc.  I loved to play and sing and did it often.

There is one little dreaded time I did not like to perform. When Santa Claus arrived on Christmas Eve.  Every Christmas Eve my parents would have a HUGE party and Santa was sure to arrive sometime in the evening.  When he did my Dad would scream "Lisa get to the piano!" I seriously HATED it!  I wanted to be normal. I wanted to sit with the rest of the crowd and watch Santa arrive. I wanted to sit with my cousins.  I usually gave my Dad some serious dirty looks and then played with a real bad attitude. When I would stop-- he would tell me to start up again.  The just when I thought I was in the clear Santa would LEAVE and it would all begin again.  This time everyone would gather around the piano and I would play every song they threw at me.  I am not a fabulous piano player by any means and I do NOT accompany my students but I do play really well and I have a special ability to sight read 80's music:) This is a fun time for my family now-a-days!

Well---I think this is the time my students need to share their talents with their families too.  So I love to make recordings and videos of my students and allow them to share these special memories with their family far and near.  Over the next few days I will be uploading many recordings and videos that my students have created.  Many of these were done on very few takes.  At this time of year it is most important for me to get the recording than to get the most perfect recording ever! I mean--seriously---that is why rock stars are in the "studio" for months on end! We do this with a MacBook, iPad and a Snowball Microphone.

The first recording I am sharing is Fiona!  Hope you enjoy!

Giants in the Sky

I have always wanted a student that could sing this song!  I adore this song.  Well, I finally brought this "doozie" out for Darrius and he has been working on it for about 2 months.  He did a great job---what do you think?

Cecilia on America's Got Talent

Cecilia made it to VEGAS! on America's Got Talent!  Congratulations Cecilia! This was such an exciting journey!  I am so proud of you!

3D view of diaphragm

The diaphragm. . .

Mark Your Calendars

Kids Sing Studio

recital

May 19th, 2012

6:00 pm

Hope United Church of Christ

Saint Louis Hills, MO

My Studio = My Home

Kids Sing Studio is run entirely out of my home. I serve children of all abilities since I am both a voice instructor and a Board Certified Music Therapist.  I have about 60 "active" students with a long waiting list.  Slowly my living room has been taken over by my passion and love for teaching music lessons. (I think my living room was officially taken over by my studio when I hung my diploma and a mirror on the wall.)

The perks of teaching out of my home far outweigh the negative aspects of teaching from home. I love being at home with my kids. I love "bartering" voice lessons for babysitting with my students.  I love being able to work at any hour of the day.  My kids are also getting to a little bit older (age 3 & 4) and sometimes they can sit and watch a TV show while I teach a lesson. My students parents are always willing to entertain my children as well.

We live in the quaint neighborhood of Saint Louis Hills in a two-family flat. In fact this is the home that my Dad grew up in and my little "single" sister lives in the upstairs apartment.  Let's just say she can hear every song that the students are singing below her and has gotten to be quite a fine judge of talent.

Students enter through the door on the left.

Here are some pictures of my Studio Space.  It is constantly evolving and changing but I LOVE my room.  I love the yellow walls. I love my piano and my equipment.  You will notice that I made my own copies of Rachel Rambach's "Stay Calm and . . ." signs and placed three throughout my space. My students really love these signs- I only wish I would have thought of giving them away as Christmas Presents. (great idea!) Yes there is a Justin Bieber calendar hanging on the wall which has now been replaced by a Glee calendar to start off the new year.

The view from the piano

The basic set up.  Students stand behind the piano facing me or on the blue music note on the floor next to me. 

The view when entering Kids Sing Studio.  There is a small bench for waiting students. Students enter only 1 minute before their scheduled lesson time.

My music storage closet.  It actually is really organized.

Wipe off board to update students of any important news

The rules of Kids Sing Studio. Younger students are awarded stickers.  When they have earned 5 stickers they are then allowed to pick a prize out of my coveted "prize basket." My prize basket consists of donations from my students parents.  I have 2 full trash bags in my basement filled to the top with fast food give away toys.  My older students are not motivated by the prize basket but they love a "shout out" on Facebook. 

Chair behind the piano.  Parents will typically sit here to talk during the last 5 minutes of the lesson. 

What would I do without my rolling cart. I can easily roll this cart into the storage closet and push the piano against the wall to have a "typical" living room for my personal life.

I LOVE technology. I love learning about the latest and greatest apps, equipment, books, etc.  These are a few items that I could not live without!

My Snowball USB Microphone! (This was a game changer)

My amazing wireless + laser printer.  This was a great investment because it has saved me a TON of time. 

I just got the Square credit card reader.  What a fast and easy way for students to pay their bill.  I would rather get paid and lose a little bit of money in credit card fees than wait to get paid.  Students are also able to pay via PayPal.  It would be awesome if everyone would pay this way or just pay in cash.   

Music Teachers Helper computer program was a game changer for me! This turned my studio into a well oiled machine.  I still have to spend a lot of my "free" time handling scheduling and billing issues BUT this has made EVERYTHING so much easier.  My students are able to pay their bill, change lesson times, cancel lessons, record their daily practice all without directly interacting with me. I am instantly informed of any changes that are made.  Thank you to the folks at Music Teachers Helper for inventing and constantly improving this program.  They are almost done with their new iPhone app.  Students will also be able to use this app on their iPhones.  

Ahh--what a little miracle! I am a apple junkie.  I am fully in the "cloud" now with my iPhone, MacBook and my new beauty the iPad 2.  This little gem was hiding in a popcorn maker box this Christmas- compliments of my darling husband.  What a surprise!  

I love learning about new apps and tricks and tips on the iPhone and iPad. These are a few I could not live without and are all a daily part of running my studio. 

Contacts: Every number I might ever need synced to all of my devices 

Notes: This is my latest way to keep track of my TO DO list.  I am always changing the way I track my To-do's

Facebook: Okay-fine!  I'm a addict. Do you follow Kids Sing Studio?  I hope so!

Words With Friends: Just another little addiction of mine. 

Pages: Great iPad word processing program

E-Bay: I buy used and new music books, sheet music and equipment at least 2 times a month 

Music Notes: I have been buying music on Music Notes since about 2001.  Since I got my iPad last week all of  my previously purchased music is now available on my iPad. And now I can transpose it all! AMAZING! 

Ultimate Guitar: Amazing App. I have a subscription and using this with my iPad is also awesome.

PayPal: My students pay with PayPal through the Music Teachers Helper program. I LOVE checking the balance!

iMovie: My students LOVE making and helping to create videos 

iMovie Extras: Awesome graphics to make your movies even cooler

OnSong: A great app for organizing all of my guitar and sheet music that is specific to one student

Bamboo Paper: This is so much fun to draw and convert to JPEG.

RetailMeNot: I use this all of the time for coupon discounts on music websites

Voice Memos: I can record my students singing and send it directly to their e-mail to help them learn a song.  Many of my students bring in their iPod Touch's and record their entire lesson.  

Garage Band: LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!

Face Time: I love talking to my friends, family and (sometimes) students on this app.  Thank you Apple!  

YouTube: The best way to quickly look up a song, get ideas for a song, learn about a new piece of equipment, a new vocal technique or to share videos we have created.  Have you subscribed to Kids Sing Studio's YouTube Channel?

iCloud: Now that I have a iPad, iPod, MacBook and iPhone I am fully invested in the Cloud.  All of my software is the latest and greatest and all of my music is available on all of my devices.  Hallelujah!

So that is a little bit about my "studio space."  This post was much longer than I intended.  Once I get started talking about all of my cool, new, techie stuff I just cannot stop myself.  Hope you enjoyed the tour!

Mele Kalikimaka

Another one taken on my phone in one quick shot. Just having some fun and watching these kids enjoy the results!

Annie W Virtual Christmas Card 2011

Abby's Christmas Medley 2011

Abby's lovely Christmas Medley. We quickly took this video on my iPhone and edited it and uploaded it via iMovie for the iPhone. Abby plays so nicely and this is just a little sample of her Christmas Collection.

Valerie- Braden Phillips [[Official Music Video]]

Braden and I recorded the vocals in less than a 1/2 hour. We then had about 5 minutes to spare and we did a one take video of him singing the song on his semi-professional camera. Braden went home with the MP3 of his vocals and the video on his camera. Viola! This is what the kid makes. Now that is one awesome 12 year old if you ask me! Nice work Braden.

My Party Dress sung by Marissa Pineda

Congratulations to Marissa for taking 1st Place in Division 1a at the Saint Louis Chapter NATS Musical Theatre Auditions. What a special performance!

Star Student

I have to tell you-- I am going to be a little nicer to this kid when he comes into my house for his lesson next week because someday I am going to want him to take me to a big movie premiere and I want him to remember me fondly.  (Front row seats and a private jet PLEASE) I am so highly impressed with the acting and singing skills of my beloved student Braden P.  This kid is just simply-GREAT!  

Any of you who know Braden know he is full of energy and life so you might imagine my shock as I watched Braden portray the catatonic Young Tommy in Stray Dog Theatre's Production of "The Who's Tommy."  Braden was brilliant and believable in this role and he is a true actor -as he demonstrated by using his talent to portray several "heavy" topics. I especially loved when I was able to hear Braden singing "See me, feel me, touch me, heal me."   

Not only was I so impressed by Braden's talent but the talent of the entire cast was simply wonderful.  I will not be missing another show at Stray Dog and I recommend you follow my lead. The theatre was quaint and intimate.  The size of the stage was perfect and I just loved the fact that we were sitting in church pews.  I loved everything about my night out to see Braden and I wanted to share that with you.  Braden has a special place in my heart because every week he comes he has a lively and happy personality that helps me begin my Tuesday evening.  

Braden has also recently been seen in "Over the Tavern" at the Rep and then he even toured to Cincinnati to perform the show for about 2 months.  (Another student whose talent is taking them out of Saint Louis and into the bigger world of theatre.) 

Anyway---I loved the show.  I look forward to seeing Braden as King Louie in Crestwood/Kirkwood Community Theatre's production of "The Jungle Book," directed by Tom Murray.  

Break a leg Braden as you complete your run in this awesome show!  

 Braden and I after the show.  I was glad to see his smiling face.  

Braden signed my program. (I'll keep it and sell it someday when he is rich and famous.) 

(Note: I may or may not have made him tell me I am "so pretty" along with his signature. Sometimes you just need a little boost in the self esteem-*wink*wink*-Thanks for the compliment Braden (ha ha) 

Darrius get more praise!

Darrius is always up to something new and exciting. Here is another amazing article about my friend Darrius.

Kids Sing Studio Warm Up's Volume 1.

Every two months I will be updating the Kids Sing Studio Vocal Warm Up's. This is Volume 1.  Each volume of the vocal warm up's will have a handout so you can follow along with the warm up's on the warm up track.  I would love your comments and suggestions. The plan would be to build up many volumes of vocal warm up's to address specific needs of specific students.  Each student will receive a copy of the Vocal Warm Up Hand out at their lesson.  I have also included a JPEG version of the pages of the handout on this blog post. Students are highly encouraged to download the MP3 of the Warm Up's and use it 5 times per week.

Howlin' Hollies

The Howlin' Hollies is the All-Girl Rock Band that was created this summer! With only 8 sessions this is what we accomplished. I had a total blast working with these young ladies! There is also a All-Boy Rock Band called The Tornado Alley Rock Stars--be on the lookout for their video soon. A few members will be missing tomorrow so we may have to delay the creation of their YouTube video.

Don't Miss This Awesome Opportunity!