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Acting in Plays, Singing/Daughter's Best Steps for the Future

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Expert: - 11/2/2008


Question
Hello, and Happy Fall!

I have a 15 year old daughter who is wonderfully talented, very positive, and polite.  She currently has under her belt several years of vocal instruction, acting classes (with industry professionals), dance classes, and piano.

She photographs beautifully (as told to me), works well with others, and has won awards, and been invited to prestigious events as a singer (she has been singing since 2 1/2 in public.

We have traveled for opportunities and short engagements, we have worked with agency representation, but neither agency that she is currently involved with dabbles in vocal talent as a primary, they use that as a special skill.

Rachel is a very gifted actress, as well, and although her age represents significant hurdles at this time, she continues to pursue those opportunities on a local (with 250 miles)level.

Ultimately, she would like to enjoy success is the entertainment world.  So, as she looks to her future, and we contemplate the next best steps, I worry about the right college to choose, the right "opportunities" to accept, and the right limit to our investments for current opportunities versus college in a few short years.

I have read many of your responses as I perused this site for great performance songs for her...she has an audition for a competition that requires engaging a mature (45-85 yr old) audience to please them enough that they vote for her.  I found your answers intriguing and very insightful.  I hope you find the opportunity to respond likewise to my lengthy rambling...there are many tough decisions to make in an arena that seems to exploit the "talent of children" and their or their parents chase of the golden ticket.

Have a great day!
Rachel's Mom

Answer
Hello, Susan –

Thank you for the question.  I appreciate all the information.

No matter what you do or where you go to school – there is absolutely no guarantee of ever getting a paying job much less sustaining a career in the Performing Arts.  Having read my previous responses, then you know I tell everyone that at best it's a crap shoot.

All I can do as a professional singer and private vocal coach is to share my personal experience and anecdotal evidence.  Today I learned that my client has been cast as "Trina" in William Finn's FALSETTOS here in San Francisco.  What it amounts to is a series of opportunities and choices, consistently beating out the competition, enduring rehearsals and performances, gaining critical acclaim, and a history of proven box office success.  That's about it.

The best advice I can give you about your daughter's next opportunity – that being a presentation before an audience who's been around for a while and knows what to listen for – is to NOT sing any of that Disney crap or anything by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Schwartz, Alan Menken, and Claude-Michel Schönberg.  When it comes to "Classic" or time-honored material from the world of Broadway and Hollywood musicals, rely on such composers as Harry Warren, George and Ira Gershwin, Richard Rodgers, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Harold Arlen, Burton Lane, and any song co-written by Johnny Mercer, and Gus Kahn.

Before you spend another dollar for lessons, gas in the car, or booking a session with me – I want you to get these anthologies by the above composers.  This material is being performed somewhere right now and will be long after your daughter is a great-grandmother.  It is the stuff of every Broadway revival, Symphony or Carnegie Hall special appearance, and PBS Great Performance.  In other words – it's in every successful singer's portfolio.  Click on or paste the URLs into your browser to order on-line.

RODGERS AND HART - A MUSICAL ANTHOLOGY
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/store/smp_detail.html?item=2900971&cart=3200128512...
Consider: Manhattan, Isn't It Romantic?, I Wish I Were In Love Again

THE HAROLD ARLEN SONGBOOK
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/store/smp_detail.html?item=2931526&cart=1111025967...
Consider: Hit The Road To Dreamland, Let's Take A Walk Around The Block, Buds Won't Bud

TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS: The Magic of Johnny Mercer
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/store/smp_detail.html?item=1314764&cart=3200128512...
Consider: Autumn Leaves, Dream, I'm Old Fashioned (with Jerome Kern)

GREAT SONGS FROM WARNER BROS. MOVIES
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/store/smp_detail.html?item=1326931&cart=1111025967...
Consider: I Only Have Eyes For You, It's Magic, As Time Goes By

As you go through the titles within any of the songbooks you and Rachel may recognize titles that appeal to you more.  Remember that sheet music is just a blue print.  Whatever songs you choose, they must be set in the keys that work best for the singer – especially in competitive situations.  One of the most important aspects of my job as a vocal coach is to correctly identify the singer's vocal category, i.e., soprano, mezzo-soprano, etc.  Besides telling a good story, the song must evidence range, expression, and personality.

I am a professional singing teacher and vocal coach in San Francisco.  To book an appointment, contact me through Craig's List – http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/lss/914262689.html
I am also the fine arts critc for SanFranciscoSentinel.com.  All my articles and interviews provide a link to my personal e-mail.

Take a look at my You Tubes:

Lorena Feijóo - A Look at "Giselle" with Seán Martinfield
SAMSON & DELILAH – Meet Seán Martinfield
CA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES – A Preview Look with Seán Martinfield

Below are links to recent articles and reviews:

AFGHANISTAN – HIDDEN TREASURES FROM THE NATIONAL MUSEUM, KABUL, Now at the Asian Art Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17320

GRAND HOTEL – MGM’s 1932 Classic, Thursday at the Legion of Honor’s Berliner Film Fest
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17296

THE ELIXIR OF LOVE – It’s Happy Hour At San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17279

THE STATE MUSEUMS OF BERLIN AND THE LEGACY OF JAMES SIMON
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17223

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA – Lon Chaney Silences SF Symphony For Halloween Night, Friday at 8:00
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17181

CARNEGIE HALL OPENING NIGHT – Tonight on PBS’ GREAT PERFORMANCES
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17164

SAMUEL RAMEY IS BORIS GODUNOV – Now at San Francisco Opera through November 15th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17140

CD – BRAHMS: Ein Deutsches Requiem
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17012

BORIS GODUNOV – Opens tonight at the War Memorial Opera House
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?cat=65

IDOMENEO – Star Treatment For Mozart Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?cat=65

CD – DAS LIED VON DER ERDE: Superb Live Recording by Stuart Skelton and Thomas Hampson
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16897

WARHOL’S JEWS – Series of ten original paintings on display at The Contemporary Jewish Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16860

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW – Ray of Light Theatre Begins New Season October 17th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16805

JOSHUA BELL – At Davies Hall, October 23rd – 25th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16790

HISTORY BOYS – A Degree In Excellence at New Conservatory Theatre Centre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16716

EMANUEL AX – Renowned Pianist Appears with San Francisco Symphony October 9th – 11th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16700

ALONZO KING – RECEIVES 2nd ANNUAL MAYOR’S ART AWARD
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16683

A BRONX TALE – At the Golden Gate Theatre through October 19th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16594

CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES – Opens this weekend in Golden Gate Park
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16534

DIE TOTE STADT - A BAD HAIR DAY IN THE DEAD CITY
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16512

BONESETTER’S DAUGHTER – New Opera Stands Alone
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16321

THE WOMEN – NOT WHO YOU ARE EXPECTING
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16231

SPRING AWAKENING – A Breath Of Fresh Air, Now At The Curran
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16219

STORYCORPS – Oral History Project Opens October 12th at the Contemporary Jewish Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16473

CORKY'S HOT ICE – Latest Bling In Gay Cinema
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16287

SIMON BOCCANEGRA – WASHES ASHORE FOR OPENING NIGHT AT SAN FRANCISCO OPERA
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16116

STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS – More Lucas-Cloned Crap
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=15557

SHOUTING OVATIONS FOR PIANIST YEFIM BRONFMAN – SF Symphony 2008-09 Season Opens In Fabulous Style
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16091

DMITRI HVOROSTOVSKY – Stars in Opening Night of San Francisco Opera, Friday, September 5th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16003

TOM ORR – A Conversation with Seán Martinfield
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=15981

CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES – Opens Wednesday, September 27th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=15685

AT THE LEGION OF HONOR - The State Museums Of Berlin And The Legacy Of James Simon
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=15655

NEW CONSERVATORY THEATRE CENTRE – The Season Begins
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=15450

THE MIKADO – Opens 56th Season of The Lamplighters Music Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=15450

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY’S 2008-09 SEASON
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=15362

BERNADETTE PETERS – A Triumph In San Francisco
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=15150

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE – Detours Ahead
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=15107

THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE – at Broadway By The Bay
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14777

JENNIFER SIEBEL – A Conversation with Seán Martinfield
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=6361

A CHORUS LINE – at the Curran Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14702

A CONVERSATION WITH IAN ROBERTSON – Director of the San Francisco Boys Chorus
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=13747

SAN FRANCISCO SILENT FILM FESTIVAL – At the Castro Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14576

ERIK BATZ – A Conversation With “The Scarecrow” At The Mountain Play
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=12892

NORMA SHEARER in “MARIE ANTOINETTE” – At the Legion of Honor
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=8783

Best regards,
Seán Martinfield

Acting in Plays, Singing

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Sean Martinfield

Expertise

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: Seán Martinfield, Sentinel Editor and Publisher.

Experience

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

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