You are here:
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| Assassins Audition | 2/5/2012 | Sean Martinfield |
| Q: I was considering singing "Stars" from Les Miserable, as I think it fits the range and stylistic ... A: Sean Thank you for the question. The role of "Booth" needs a strong and vibrant baritone, ... | ||
| Question about my vocal fach | 1/31/2012 | Sean Martinfield |
| Q: I actually have some doubt about what voice category I really am. As I think I am in the gray area ... A: Billy Thank you for the question. I appreciate all the information. I took the time to listen to ... | ||
| Struggling to learn | 1/25/2012 | Sean Martinfield |
| Q: I have been learning from your very informative answers! Now, I'd like to ask your advice about my ... A: Brenda Thank you for the question. I often use the position of a note as it appears in treble ... | ||
| A Legit and A Belt | 1/23/2012 | Sean Martinfield |
| Q: Martinfield, I responded to an audition notice and I was then asked to send an audio or video clip ... A: Sabrina Thank you for the question. There are a number of components that go with the term ... | ||
| Soulful Theatre | 1/23/2012 | Sean Martinfield |
| Q: I need some suggestions for.a soulful musical theatre song. I'm a male. I sing baritone/tenor 1. I ... A: Will you be singing a cappella? Consider a robust version of "Waitin' For The Light To Shine" from ... | ||
| Auditions | 1/22/2012 | Sean Martinfield |
| Q: I have vocal auditions for my college choir coming up. I have never been in vocal lessons. I've been ... A: Jessie Thank you for your question. Even in high school choirs you'll find altos in the soprano ... | ||
| Les Miserables | 1/22/2012 | Sean Martinfield |
| Q: My name is Elizabeth, I am a first soprano and am thirteen years old, although I look almost ... A: Elizabeth Thank you for the question. "A Heart Full of Love" is definitely the role of a lyric ... | ||
| creating your character | 1/19/2012 | J. Spyder Isaacson |
| Q: I just landed the role of Rosemary in How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. This is my ... A: it sounds like, a tricky dilemma. Sorry for the delay in responding, but weve just had an unusually ... | ||
| Honk! Jr | 1/16/2012 | Sean Martinfield |
| Q: this year my school is doing Honk! Jr as it's play and I I'm trying to figure out an audition song. ... A: Emily Thank you for the question. Go to YouTube.com. Look under "Honk the musical" .There are a ... | ||
| Heathly Vocal Cords? | 1/15/2012 | Sean Martinfield |
| Q: I found it very helpful. While we are on this subject on the basics of singing I was hoping you ... A: Christopher Thank you for another great question. Singers who develop nodes lack good training. ... | ||
| Broadway | 1/12/2012 | Sean Martinfield |
| Q: Hey, my name Is Nick and I am 16, I just joined choir and have had no acting or dancing or singing ... A: Nick Thank you for a great question. Becoming a professional actor, singer, or musician requires ... | ||
| Upbeat MT song for coloratura soprano? | 1/11/2012 | Sean Martinfield |
| Q: I'm 14 years old and have been taking vocal lessons in both musical theatre and classical styles for ... A: Anna Thank you for the question. The Broadway repertoire does not favor a coloratura soprano's ... | ||
| Audition for Seussical | 1/2/2012 | Sean Martinfield |
| Q: Sean, My name is Hannah and I am a senior looking to audition for my high school's spring musical, ... A: Hannah Thank you for the question. No matter your perceived connections whether in academic or ... | ||
| Dirty Rotten Scoundrels auditions | 1/1/2012 | Sean Martinfield |
| Q: My school is presenting the musical Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and auditions are coming up. I have ... A: Kaitlyn Thank you for the question. Most ensembles in Broadway musicals include sopranos. In ... | ||
| Spring Awakening | 12/27/2011 | Sean Martinfield |
| Q: Hey-o! You've answered questions for me in the past. I think you're pretty rad!-and smart... so ... A: Cassie Thank you for the question and for your support. The first thing to do is listen to the ... | ||
| Belle Audition Help | 12/26/2011 | Wanda Reinholdt |
| Q: I have an audition for "Beauty and the Beast" in 10 days...gahhh!! I've been preparing since July, ... A: Rachel...And thanks for writing. I'm so glad to hear that you really want the role badly of ... | ||
| Song for The Wiz audition | 12/22/2011 | Sean Martinfield |
| Q: I am Zayra I am 16 years old, and I am auditioning for The Wiz at my school. I just really need help ... A: Zayra Thank you for the question. Get familiar with the Original Broadway Cast recording and ... | ||
| Musical audition | 12/17/2011 | Wanda Reinholdt |
| Q: I am alto, and i have to choose a music from Disney or a broadway musical, and i don't know a music, ... A: ...Thank you for writing. I would suggest that you start with something like "Somewhere" from ... | ||
| Can you teach me to breathe? | 12/16/2011 | Sean Martinfield |
| Q: So as many serious and self conscious singers know that a lot ( if not 99%) of what makes a ... A: Christopher Thank you for the question. It is so much easier to answer your question by pointing ... | ||
| Into the Woods auditions | 12/6/2011 | Sean Martinfield |
| Q: The auditions for my high school's production of Into the Woods is coming up soon. I really want a ... A: Samantha Thank you for the question. Do you know the score of INTO THE WOODS? Have you ever ... | ||
| Auditioning for Anita in West Story | 12/4/2011 | Wanda Reinholdt |
| Q: I'm a high school junior who is auditioning for Anita in our school's production in West Side Story. ... A: Christina.... Great question . Thanks for writing. I would say first of all that it is important ... | ||
| Auditioning for Thoroughly Modern Millie and The Producers | 12/2/2011 | Sean Martinfield |
| Q: I am a fifteen year old mezzo soprano, and I will be auditioning for Thoroughly Modern Millie on ... A: Anna Thank you for a great question. In the Real Broadway world, you cannot be both a mezzo ... | ||
| Musical Audition | 12/1/2011 | Sean Martinfield |
| Q: my school recently announced that we're doing All Shook Up. I want to audition for Miss Sandra, and ... A: Jennifer Thank you for the question. Consider any of these songs by Elvis Presley. None of them ... | ||
| Straight-tone singing? | 11/27/2011 | Sean Martinfield |
| Q: My name is Cory and I am fifteen years old. I have taken voice lessons last year during my Freshman ... A: Cory Thank you for the question. Vibrato is natural to the voice. Some singers evidence more ... | ||
| Once Upon a Mattress Audition | 11/21/2011 | Sean Martinfield |
| Q: I am a High School Student in preparation for an upcoming audition for the spring musical, Once Upon ... A: Charlotte Thank you for the question. The role of Queen Aggravain in ONCE UPON A MATTRESS ranges ... | ||
| Increase chest voice | 11/17/2011 | Sean Martinfield |
| Q: Martinfield, I'm wondering if it's possible to increase your chest voice range? I'm a soprano and ... A: Ashley Thank you for the question. In the Real World of professional singing including ... | ||
| Vocal technique | 11/17/2011 | Sean Martinfield |
| Q: Martinfield. I am 16 and I have noticed that when I sing, I have two very distinct voices with ... A: Kristin Thank you for the question. I appreciate the surrounding information. You and I both ... | ||
| Belle Audition Help | 11/12/2011 | Sean Martinfield |
| Q: and thank you in advance for reading and answering my question :) So, in about 2 months, there is ... A: Rachel Thank you for the question. I appreciate all the information. Anyone who sings the role ... | ||
| how long can you sing? | 11/5/2011 | Sean Martinfield |
| Q: Is there a "set amount of time" that a singer can sing for without feeling strain in his/her vocal ... A: Arianna Thank you for the question. There is no absolute answer. The easiest response is that it ... | ||
| Audition Slot | 11/1/2011 | Sean Martinfield |
| Q: I'm going to be auditioning for a show, and I'm having trouble deciding when to audition. It's a ... A: Emily Great question, thank you. It absolutely doesn't matter. As you are walking in before ... | ||
| Female duets and being a "true" saprano | 10/29/2011 | Sean Martinfield |
| Q: I think I've asked a question before, but set it on private. However, my question from before has ... A: Yalin Thank you for the question. Check out the duet between "Gabby" and "Oolie" in Cy Coleman's ... | ||
| Musical Theatre | 10/29/2011 | Sean Martinfield |
| Q: Hey Mr. Martinfield! I have a pretty big problem that has been brewing over my head. I think you ... A: David Thank you for getting back to me. Check out the recent interview I did with two members of ... | ||
| Musical Theatre | 10/26/2011 | Sean Martinfield |
| Q: Hey Mr. Martinfield! I have a pretty big problem that has been brewing over my head. I think you ... A: David Thank you for another question. So, I didn't scare you after all! Maybe I will this time. ... | ||
| grease audition | 10/25/2011 | Sean Martinfield |
| Q: Next Saturday I have a grease audition. This will be a performance by younger kids (youngest 9, ... A: Taylor Thank you for the question. Considering that the musical GREASE is all about sex and the ... | ||
| audtion songs | 10/24/2011 | Sean Martinfield |
| Q: I was wondering if you knew any good jazzy songs from a musical for an alto to sing. I'm not a ... A: Kayla Thank you for the question. Add these songs to your audition portfolio: Lost and Found ... | ||
| Audition song for Oliver? | 10/24/2011 | Sean Martinfield |
| Q: I am a 17 year old girl trying out for a childrens theater production of Oliver in November. In ... A: Ella Thank you for the question. Bearing in mind that "Nancy" in OLIVER is brutally murdered by ... | ||
| VOICE | 10/19/2011 | Sean Martinfield |
| Q: I am a 15 year old male who has been raised by mostly my mother. Unfortunately, when I speak now, I ... A: John Thank you for an interesting question. I understand your concerns and all of your ... | ||
| The art of teaching/coaching | 10/17/2011 | Sean Martinfield |
| Q: My question is simple. What makes a vocal coach? What comes to mind? What's the main focus in useing ... A: Chris Thank you for contacting me. I believe your question is more in line with Classical ... | ||
| Musical Theatre Audition | 10/15/2011 | Sean Martinfield |
| Q: I am auditioning for "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," and I need a song for the 16 bar ... A: Emma I answered this question for you on 9/24. Here is that response: I'm assuming you are ... | ||
| Audition song for hairspray | 10/13/2011 | Sean Martinfield |
| Q: I'm audititioning for a school production of hairspray in a little over a month and I don't really ... A: Kelly Thank you for the question. Consider "Fools Fall In Love" from SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE. It's a ... | ||
Answers by Expert:
Top Expert on this page
I am a professional vocal coach in San Francisco. In addition to answers from a previous web site (Askme.com - where my "tag" was "VocalCoach") I have published over 2000 responses related to vocal training - particularly as it relates to Musical Theatre and Opera. I have 24 years of experience as Personal Trainer to singers and actors in the San Francisco Bay Area. I sang professionally for 20 years and know what it means to live the life of a musician. I can determine your voice category, i.e., Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Alto Belter, etc., and how to broaden and strengthen your range. Need an audition song for a Broadway Musical? I will give you suggestions that are appropriate to your vocal category and to requirements specified in the audition notice. I have also created a vocal methodology, "The Belter`s Method". It will enable those in Musical Theatre to practice more efficiently because it focuses on the demands of professional performers as well as to those auditioning for school and community productions, and as University and Conservatory performing arts majors. If what you want is a better voice and more control over your career moves and choices, contact me. Also, as the Editor of SanFranciscoSentinel.com, it is my privilege to review productions at the San Francisco Opera, Ballet and Symphony, as well as Broadway National Tours booked into San Francisco's Orpheum, Golden Gate and Curran Theatres. I also review works by A.C.T (the American Conservatory Theatre) and Magic Theatre. I cover select films, tributes and retrospects, and various international film festivals particulary those booked into The City's opulent Castro Theatre including the LGBT Frameline Festival, International Film Festival, Silent Film Festival, Jewish Film Festival, etc. For private vocal instruction, I can be contacted through SanFranciscoSentinel.com. Look under: Seαn Martinfield, Sentinel Editor and Publisher.
As a vocal coach, I work primarily with singers and actors throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. My students range from absolute beginners to working professionals, from pre-schoolers to senior citizens. The vast majority of my clients come to me through recommendation. I know how to identify any singer's vocal category, i.e., soprano, tenor, alto, baritone, etc. I know how to muscle-up every singer's vocal range and to expand it beyond conventional definitions. I have developed a vocal methodology for those who want to know how to belt, THE BELTER'S METHOD. As a singer who spent half of his career doing Bel Canto, I know that classical or Italian methodologies do not work in Standard American music. Bel Canto cannot be "adapted" to meet the needs of contemporary American music, including the demands of the Musical Theatre.
There are a number of major components to my work as a vocal coach. The first is to identify the client's vocal category and to strengthen and maximize the vocal range accordingly. Then it's about teaching a reliable vocal workout that will enable the client to gain better control of their musicianship. That includes scale work to expand the vocal range and to improve placement, breath control, and diction. Then we work on material for the audition portfolio, the immediate job or assignment, a recording session, etc. My task to is to better equip singers and actors who are hoping to or relying upon their performance skills and vocal endurance to maintain a career in the Performing Arts. My clients regularly appear in cabarets and musical productions throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Some have worked in New York and gone on National Tours. For more information, Contact me at: Broadwaybelters@yahoo.com
Education/Credentials
San Francisco State University BA in Theatre Arts; graduate work in Theatre, Philosophy, and Comparative Reiligion.
Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley Graduate work in Ethics

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.