Broadway in New York

My trip to New York for the Educational Theatre Association was incredible. It was fun to be in the heart of Broadway at the Marriott Marquis. I saw "Wicked", "Time Stands Still" with Laura Linney, "West Side Story", and "Billy Elliot". "Wicked" was, as expected, wonderful. My friend, Jason, is the Stage Manager and is rightfully proud of this amazing production.
The play, "Time Stands Still" was about a pair of married war-correspondent photographers. Laura Linney, Brian d'Arcy James, Eric Bogosian, and Christina Ricci were all excellent. This was a powerful drama about the horrors of war.
I also saw the new production of "West Side Story". This production had additional lyrics and dialogue in Spanish, which added to the realism. "Maria" was incredible, but "Tony" didn't live up my expectations vocally. He was an amazing dancer, but was too nasal of a sound.
The final show I saw was "Billy Elliot". This was one of the best productions I've ever seen. The quality of the ballet, tap, singing, and acting was unbelievable. This show is coming to Seattle and I highly recommend seeing it.

Healthy Idea

If you are going for an audition or interview why not insure your breath is fresh by trying some Greek yogurt with some lemon juice? It's cheap, healthy, and might prevent embarrassing bad breath.

BACK TO BASICS-SECONDS

The first week's exercises are working on intervals of a second, which is working with the adjacent note of the scale. We will be using major and minor scales. A second exercise with the C major scale, might go like this: C D C D C D C D, D E D E D E D E, E F E F E F E F, F G F G F G F G, A B A B A B A B, B C B C B C B C B C, C----------. An interval is the distance between notes, with a minor second also a half-step (C to Db) and a major second a whole step (C to D). This can be confusing when doing this exercise. With this exercise, we are working with adjacent notes of the scale, some which may be major seconds, some minor seconds. For the major scale example, C to D is a major second, E to F is a minor second, but we are adhering to the pattern of the major scale, which is "whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half" steps. Apply this pattern anywhere on the piano and you will have a major scale. I will be adding a video shortly to demonstrate the exercise. In the mean time, I recommend you getting www.smartmusic.com to help.

BACK TO BASICS-PRACTICE TOOLS

Whether you are a pro or beginner, it's crucial to have a strong foundation in the fundamentals of singing. Reviewing scales and intervals daily is a must. I have my voice students buy "SmartMusic" by the people who created "Finale". It's on about $25.00 a year, and is really helpful in the studio. More importantly, a student has specific, clear-cut exercise assignments each week, plus a number of songs to access, change key or tempo, take out the melody, and record their voice.

Recent Musicals

The last few weeks has been packed with summer musicals. I was really proud of my son Austin who has been performing and mentoring junior and high school kids at Western Washington University's production of Disney's "High School Musical".

Next on the last was Core Theatrics production of "Les Miserables". This was a large production, with some terrific performances. I was proud of my student Sophie. This girl has a future. Marianni, Cathy, and Heath did a terrific job.

The next night was "Grease", done by Bellevue Community College. These kids had such enthusiasm and I was proud to see my student Jaron grow as a dancer, as well as a singer.

I'm sorry I missed "Anyone Goes" done by Studio East, but I heard it was terrific. This past weekend, I saw "Hair", done by Seattle Children's Theater. This was a bold and ambitious production, with most of the cast on stage dancing and singing for the whole show. I was impressed with old friend Terrance Kelley's choreography and David Duvall's band. I was especially proud of my student Miranda who played the role of Chrissy. Last night which as closing night, she sang "Frank Mills". She sang like an angel and received one of the loudest, longest ovations I've heard from an audience in years. She will remember that for a long time.

Next on the agenda is to see "25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" and Woodinville Repertory Theater's one-act plays.

So Many Events, So Little Time

Austin's 21st Birthday and celebrating with him performing in "High School Musical" up in Bellingham, seeing Sophie in "Les Miserables", Woodinville Repertory Theater one-acts... all this weekend. Next week is Miranda in "Hair" at Seattle Children's Theater, plus Robert and Liz' wedding, and celebrating Jordan's 23rd Birthday.

FESTIVAL PIX part one

http://www.edta.org/educational_events/Festival/coverage.aspx

Back in the Studio

The Festival was amazing, but incredibly tiring, since I started at 8 am daily and got to bed usually about 1:30 am. I will get around t.o adding video and pictures in the next day or so. Vocal exercise for today is to sing the word "SINGING". Always do the "prep" (line, lower, lift, loosen) and do this exercise "sih-----ng-ih----ng-ih----ng--ng---ng---ng by keeping the throat expanded but letting the back of the tongue touch the soft palate without closing the mouth.

Saturday night show "Urinetown" WOW!

Tonight was the last show of Festival. "Urinetown"... done by the Denver School for the Arts Theater Department. Jeez... Un..believable!! The voices...the acting...dancing..sets.. This show had no weak spots. I've seen many professional shows not done as well as this.
I have a renewed appreciation of how well-written this show is. The director brought out the incredible humor and irony. Theater people especially appreciate all the "subtle" references to "Les Miserables", "Annie", "West Side Story", "Fiddler On the Roof", "Baker's Dozen", and even the wheel-chair bit in "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" (probably thrown in due to the fact that that show was done here at the Festival).
What a tremendous end to an amazing week. I had over 400 kids take my singing classes and I am as inspired as so many of these incredible kids. I have to hand it to the great, tireless, giving teachers who give up so much time and energy to help build the lives of the next generation. If this the next group of leaders, then we, and our planet, will be in good hands.

Last Day of Festival

Saturday morning. I just heard the finalists from all the state thespian winners perform solos, duets, group songs, mime, monologues, duo, and group scenes. These high school kids are unbelievably amazing! As in past years, some of these kids have gone on to Broadway and professional theater. What a wonderful experience for all the teens who get to come see and perform here at the International Thespian Festival. I love teaching here and getting to meet these terrific teachers and students! Tonight we get to see "Urinetown: the Musical". There were some great shows including "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown", "Working", "Pippin", and "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying", and there were more, including small productions in the afternoons. Unfortunately, I couldn't see these, since I had to teach my workshops every afternoon. BUT... I was so fortunate to work with so many amazing kids. WHAT A THRILL!

Broadway Belting Class 8 Bar Songlist

“BROADWAY BELTING” SONGLIST
A Wonderful Guy – “South Pacific”
All I Care About – “Chicago”
Another Opening, Another Show – “Kiss Me Kate”
Aquarius – “Hair”
Being Alive – “Company”
Broadway Baby – “Follies”
Dancing Queen – “Mamma Mia”
Everything’s Coming Up Roses – “Gypsy”
Get Me to the Church – “My Fair Lady”
Hello Dolly – “Hello, Dolly”
Honey Bun – “South Pacific”
How Lucky You Are – “Seussical”
I Love You Baltimore – “Hairspray”
I’m Alive – “Next to Normal”
Impossible Dream – “Man of La Mancha”
It’s Today – “Mame”
Jailhouse Rock – “All Shook Up”
Kansas City – “Oklahoma”
Luck Be a Lady – “Guys and Dolls”
Mama Who Bore Me – “Spring Awakening”
Mamma Mia – “Mamma Mia”
Maybe This Time – “Cabaret”
Nothing Can Stop Me Now – “Roar of the Greasepaint”
Put On a Happy Face – “Bye, Bye Birdie”
Santa Fe – “Newsies”
Seasons of Love – “Rent”
Shy – “Once Upon a Mattress”
Suddenly Seymore – “Little Shop of Horrors”
Summer Nights – “Grease”
Tomorrow – “Annie”
What I Did For Love – “A Chorus Line”
When You’re Good to Mama – “Chicago”
Who Will Buy? – “Oliver”
You’re Never Fully Dressed – “Annie”

How To Succeed at the Thespian Festival

for all the people who saw "How to Succeed in Business..." Tonight. Let me know your favorite parts. For example, I loved the hands crossing over bit on "Brotherhood of Man" great directing and choreography, singing, acting, set design. The guy that played Bud Frump has pro written all over him. Vocal power and great comic timing and he can dance. Holly is one of the best directors in the country. She always blows my mind.

Teaching Kids to Sing

Dear Music Teachers,
I know you all have special students that are promising young singers. I would love the opportunity to help develop their voices this summer.
Over my 38 years of teaching singing, I’ve been fortunate to have worked with some wonderful kids who have gone on to become terrific lifetime singers and successful adults. For me, the love of singing is more important than inherent talent, but the two often go hand in hand. I have developed special exercises and have a large library of repertoire designed to aid in my developmental approach.
My philosophy is influenced by the following article from the "American Academy of Teachers of Singing". (Adobe Reader required)
http://www.americanacademyofteachersofsinging.org/articles/TeachingChildren.pdf
My credentials include a B.M.E. in Vocal Music and a Masters in Vocal Performance. I have been a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing since 1978, and had 3 winners this past March at the N.A.T.S. Puget Sound Adjudications at Shoreline Community College. Plus I was honored to be nominated for Best Musical Direction for the 5th Avenue Musical Theater Awards in June. Also, I teach yearly for a week at the end of June at the International Thespian Festival at Univ. of Nebraska.
http://www.edta.org/educational_events/festival/default.aspx#schedule This is an amazing experience, getting to work with these incredible teenagers from all around the world.

Sing this Summer!

Singing Lessons – Beginning to Advanced

• Study the fundamentals of singing
  
• Discover great songs in your vocal range
  
• Learn to protect and project your voice
  
• Enhance performing skills with audio/video recording
  
• Receive a practice CD with song tracks & custom exercises
  
• Build musical theatre, classical, jazz, and pop repertoire
  
• Sing with your friends – small group sessions available
  
• Access studio library of over 10,000 songs
  

Instructor: Larry Bridges, B.M.E., M.A.

• 35 years experience singer/ voice teacher/ accompanist
  
• Guest Artist/Lecturer - International Thespian Festival 2010
  
• Member of National Association of Teachers of Singing
  

www.anyonecansing.com

Woodinville studio phone: 425 788 4942 cell 1 206 909 7834