|
 |
Hi,
Sorry it’s been so long since the last e-newsletter, but you know how it is: I’ve been putting off working on my procrastination! It’s almost St. Patrick’s Day, where everyone becomes Irish, and full of blarney. By the way, do you know the meaning of the word "Blarney?" Well, it endows people with the "gift of gab" or eloquence in speech. The origins of the word blarney perhaps comes from the time of Cormac McDermot MacCarthy, Chief of Muskerry and possessor of Blarney Castle, Co. Cork in  the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. It seems that Cormac used his silver-tongued excuses to placate the Queen and her advancing army while still keeping his Gaelic loyalties. The Queen eventually grew tired of her smooth-talking subject and declared: "This is all Blarney, he never means what he says, he never does what he promises!!" (Thanks to www.abitoblarney.com for that!
|
|
|
|
|
 From March 26-31, I’ll be in beautiful Savannah, Georgia as a judge for the Savannah Music Festival’s American Traditions Vocal Competition. I will also be teaching a Master Class in Audition Technique. Other judges are John Clanton, director of The U.S. Army Chorus; Bernice Johnson Reagon, composer, lecturer and founder of Sweet Honey in the Rock; Robert Sims, 1999 Oxnard Gold Medalist and acclaimed recitalist; and Sandra Walker, international opera star and educator. Because of the significant cash awards, this contest attracts top vocalists from throughout North America. The leading singers earn the Oxnard Gold Medalist, $10,000; the Courtney Knight Gaines Foundation Medalist, $5,000; or the Mr. and Mrs. Frank C. Stanton Medalist, $2,500. It’s an honor to be a part of one of the largest and most diverse music festivals in the southeastern United States. |
|
|
| |
Because I’ll be away the last week in March, I’ve arranged to schedule coaching appointments on Sunday, April 1st in my New York City studio. There are only a couple of openings left, so if you’re interested, contact me as soon as possible. |
|
|
|
 Noted acting teacher Diane Hardin and I will be conducting two musical theatre performance workshops in New York City on April 18th (ages 10-14) and April 25th (ages 15 & up). Each class is limited to 12 students, and will be held from 6:00 – 9:00 pm at Nola Studios, 250 West 54th Street. The cost is $150. If you’re interested, please get in touch with me or Diane (by the way, Diane will be in Argentina until the end of March).
|
|
|
|
|
 My good friend, entertainer, pianist and author Max Morath will be featured in an entertaining and informative program of Irving Berlin songs at the 92nd Street Y. It’s part of their Lyrics & Lyricists series, and will be presented from March 17th through 19th. A Russian-born cantor’s son who became our nation’s musical bard, Berlin wrote hundreds of songs that everyone remembers, including "Easter Parade," "Puttin’ on the Ritz," "Alexander’s Ragtime Band" and "There’s No Business Like Show Business." Famed composer Jerome Kern said of Berlin, "he has no place in American music; he is American music." Also performing will be Ivy Austin, Brian D’Arcy James, Jenny Powers, Jeffrey Klitz, and Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks and host Charles Osgood. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling a Y-Charge operator at (212) 415-5500.
|
|
|
|
|
 Well, it’s now official: Danny’s Skylight Room is history. So my Spotlight Night showcases need a new home in the Manhattan cabaret world. I’m working on a few leads, and will let you know as soon as we have a musical showcase set. I’ve been doing these client performances steadily since 1980, so it feels funny not to be planning an upcoming show. But I hope to have some good news in the near future.
|
|
|
|
- On March 25th I’ll be conducting a performance and audition workshop for YouthSong, for students of Toni Bilotti Cecere. It will be at Don Bosco Prep, in Ramsey, NJ.
- In April, I’ll be hosting and accompanying a cabaret showcase for the Young Presidents’ Organization at the legendary Sardi’s in Manhattan.
- I’m proud to report that this May my youngest daughter, Arielle, will graduate from the Olin School of Business at Washington University in St. Louis. After she graduates, she’s been signed to work for the major international accounting and consulting firm, PricewaterhouseCooper in New York.
- In June, I will be presenting a workshop in Philadelphia for The Voice Foundation Symposium: Care of the Professional Voice.
That’s all for now… Happy Spring!  |
|
| |
|
