Vocal Technique
Dates: 6/4/2011 - 6/11/2011
Location: Tuscan Renaissance Center
Instructor: Suzanne Kiechle Amanda McBroom
Price: $2,695 
workshop details |
VOCAL MAGIC - THE ART AND CRAFT OF SINGING
Spend a week with two of the music business`s top powerhouses, Amanda McBroom and Suzanne Kiechle. This program is designed for anyone, amateur or professional, who loves to sing and wants to improve their understanding of the best techniques for vocal production and performance skills. The workshop will have two sections. Everyone will be scheduled into each section each day.
Vocal Technique: In this special week the primary goal is to discover and develop vocal freedom in a nurturing, meditative, and exhilarating environment. You will work with Suzanne Kiechle and her revolutionary Vocal Technique. You will learn about how the voice works and how to keep it healthy. With Suzanne you will do daily vocal warm ups and learn how to connect this technique to any song you sing. Whether it`s speaking or singing, from opera to rock, the basic techniques of the vocal structure in producing sound is the same - if there is no tension. You will learn to feel with your own hands how proper breathing and placement will eliminate stress on the vocal folds, thereby freeing you to sing with joy and passion. Suzanne’s vocal technique will help you to expand the boundaries of your vocal limits, which will enable you to express yourself in a more powerful way. "Relax. Let go. Let fly!"
Performance Technique: Singer/songwriter, Golden Globe award winning Amanda McBroom will work with the students on their song choices, guiding them in the craft of song analysis, concentrating on the art of approaching a song from an actor’s perspective…how to break it down, analyze it as a monologue, and learn how to easily access honest emotion and convey it through singing both, physically and emotionally. Amanda will also teach the "how to’s" of commanding an audience, from entrance to exit, how to structure a set, create patter, and overcome fear energy.
Structure of the Workshop: There will be a day (or two) of major group participation, where the students will perform their selected songs in front of the entire body, for analysis and to enable the instructors to determine what they feel needs strengthening. Then there will be more singular attention as the students are divided into smaller groups working with Suzanne on singing technique for audition and performance, and Amanda for finding the heart and acting beats of a song, and how to prepare emotionally and practically for performance and auditions.
At the end of the week there will be an informal performance, incorporating all the new information that has been taught during the week.
Goal of the Workshop: By the end of this week participants will leave with several pieces that are performance-ready for any venue, from a concert to an audition to the shower.
Accompanist for the workshop will be well-known composer, arranger and musical director Mary Sugar. (See About the Instructor for more information about Mary.)
Stretching before class
Activities:
- The week will begin with a big group session where everyone will get to know one another
- Morning all-sing, with everyone doing one number with our accompanist (about 10 minutes per student). Amanda and Suzanne will do an initial analysis.
- After the initial analysis, the group will be split into two parts. One half will work with Suzanne, the other with Amanda for a session, then the groups would switch for the second session of the day.
- After that, there will be 2 sessions each day, morning and evening, Every student will have the opportunity to work with both instructors every day.
- Finally, there will be time for one twenty minute to half-hour private sessions with one of the instructors, depending upon the student`s needs.
- Final session in how to make a living at singing, if indeed such a thing can be done.
Our exploration of Tuscany for the week will include some of these highlights:
- Authentic Tuscan breakfast and dinners prepared at the house, using only local and traditional products-wine included (independent lunch)
- Visits to local hilltowns like Radda, Monteriggioni, San Gimignano, etc.
- Excursion to the Medieval city of Siena
- Wine tour and tasting at a local vineyard
- Optional morning stretching or hikes through the Chianti hills and fields surrounding the complex.
The ex-monastery of San Fedele
Price: $2,695 p/p; non-participants $2,395
Single Supplement - $550 (limited availability); $150 p/p jr. suite supplement
Includes:
- 7 nights in the restored monastery San Fedele
- Daily vocal classes with accompanist Mary Sugar
- Authentic Tuscan breakfast and dinners prepared at the house, including wine (independent lunch)
- Excursions to Siena and selected hilltowns
- All local transportation
- Pick up in Florence on first day of workshop
- Optional activities and excursions
Does Not Include:
- Airfare
- Lunch (a lite lunch will be provided for 15 euros on days we are not out on excursions)
- Workshop supplies
- Independent meals and sight-seeing