Kid Fans Take the Stage

The kids and I rocked out at The Decatur Library this past May.  I found myself playing to a smaller crowd at Decatur Library, but the group was super lively and willing to participate.  Needless to say, we had a lot of fun.  Kids jumped up on the stage and danced, worked the puppets, and belted their hearts out.  It was so hilarious that I had to focus on a dot on the wall to keep from laughing in the middle of the event.  By the end of the concert, it seemed like all of the kids were on stage.  Good times for all!  Here are some photos of the event:

"Blankie"  an ode to my blanket.

"Four Pirates Who Sailed the Sea"  Dramatic performances with puppets.

"Four Pirates Who Sailed the Sea" continued..

Maximum Limit

So I get this question sometimes, "Is it alright if there are 30+ kids at (insert child's name) birthday party?"  I once, and only once, led a birthday party with 30+ kids in attendance and I thought it was kind of chaotic.  Needless to say, I have since set a limit on how many kids can romp around in the den of craziness.   I mean, hey, I'm only one person right?  And I'm 4'11'' and a swarm of children could take me down in an instant. 

Giving it more thought I think I've decided that an extremely large birthday party is pretty much the same as doing a large event (i.e. required to bring a P.A. system and possibly performing on a stage) so I guess the same rules apply.  To sum things up, I'd answer the question by saying, "Okay, but I'll need to set up my P.A. equipment, need a stage area, and will charge extra, is that cool?" 

The funny thing is, I'm sure I'm still way more affordable than My Gym, Gymboree, and Chuck-E-Cheese's!  Bring on the throngs of children...  :)

Bring in the Drama

I created a musical theater camp last year and it was a home-run hit.  We have quite a few voice students at the school, piano/violin/guitar students that love to sing, and I have a lot of musical theater experience so it just seemed like the right thing to do.  In private study, voice students work one-on-one developing their instrument but in the real world, they will most likely sing in a musical theater production, a glee club, an opera, in a band, or in a choir.  It's imperative that the students know how to bridge the gap between singing in a small room for only one person and singing with and for a huge group of people.  Also, a major roadblock for a lot of people is the audition process.  Ack!  Scariest thing ever.  No one wants to do it, but we all have to in order to get into the production, group, ensemble, etc.  Private study is necessary to hone vocal skills, but being a part of a group musical learning experience, takes things to the next level. 

Now young singers have a chance to experience the audition process, rehearsal process, and performance in a low-key, non-threatening environment.  Plus, in the camp we only work one scene so it's not over-whelming like when one is in a full-fledged production.  Voice students need to hear the accompaniment.  They need to hear the other parts they're singing with.  It's difficult to visualize where you need to go if you can't see the big picture.  Performing musical theater allows you to be a part of a story, one that's musical and dramatic.  It can take a little bit of the fear out of just standing up and singing in front of everyone by yourself.  Let's bring the voice students out of the shadows and into the limelight where they belong.