AboutEvan T. Elliott Expertise I can answer any question that pertains to Acting on stage, auditioning for roles, singing on stage, and can provide many good useful tips that can help actors of all ages. As an actor and singer for the past 12 years, and as a new student to opera, I want to share all of the knowledge that I have learned to help YOU!
Experience Hello! My name is Evan Elliott. As an actor, singer and community theater director at the age of 17, I have already had quite an extensive background. Lead roles include "Officer Lockstock" in Urinetown, "Lord Brockhurst" in The Boyfriend, "Al Peterson" in Bye Bye Birdie, "Marryin' Sam" in "Lil' Abner, as well as many supporting and cameo roles. I have been professionally trained vocally with Sharon Black and have even worked with the pianist of Robert Goulet! I am currently training in the wonderful study of Opera. With this year being my 12th year in acting, I am excited for new possibilities that lie ahead.
Organizations Student Government
Prom Committee
Blood Drive Chair
Church Youth Chair
Education/Credentials Voice Training with Nicholas Herman and Sharon Black 2000-Present
Theatre Productions 101--Gregory Richards
Theatre Arts and Dialogue 110--Susan Nieten
Awards and Honors Pike MusicFest Grand Champion
Best Vocalist--The Boyfriend
Best Actor--Urinetown
Director's Choice--The Boyfriend
Expert: Evan T. Elliott Date: 4/25/2008 Subject: baritone? tenor? i need a song!
Question QUESTION: hi, my name is Stephen I'm 16 and i am looking for a song to sing, preferably a ballad type song. in my show choir I sing tenor and baritone and in my school choir i sing tenor. I have a comfortable range from the second F# below C and the D just above middle c. Beyond that i flip into my falsetto. I like to sing tenor in choir but i think as a soloist i should be a baritone because it is more comfortable and i wouldn't have to deal with my break point so often. I have been needing a song to sing for auditions and just to overall improve my voice and gain experience. So i was wondering if you knew any songs that i could sing.also i was wondering how i could improve my chest/head voice range so that i wouldn't have to flip into falsetto quite so soon. I like to sing in falsetto and the lower notes have been becoming increasingly more comfortable but i would like to be able to sing them in my chest/head voice(sorry, i'm not really quite sure which is which). Thank you so much for looking into this, that is if you do!
ANSWER: Hi Stephen! Thanks for your question!
Might I recommend "Oh What a Beautiful Morning" from Oklahoma. It's great for a high baritone--which seems to be your classification. The song also gives you the opportunity to show the power you have in your voice. This song has gotten me to many second-rounds in auditions.
The best way to improve your range (and this is going to sound corny) is to practice scales. For twenty minutes a day for five days a week, try practicing different scales on the piano. Each 20 minute session, try to lightly hit notes that you have never hit before. Remember, when hitting high notes, always tilt your chin slightly downwards--and if you can--keep the sound forward. I hope this helps. If you have anymore questions, please feel free to ask. Thanks!!
Evan
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QUESTION: oh thank you so much!i have been browsing songs myself and am thinking of also learning to sing "What I Did For Love" from a chorus line. Im glad its doing scales i don't think thats that corny. I do them myself, mostly with lip trilling. I also found a vocal tips on youtube from a guy called Eric Arceneaux and practise those too. I have been noticing that sometimes when i sing my jaw gets really tired quickly from being tense, and then interferes with opening up because then i don't really want to,ha. are there any exercises to help free the jaw and keep it loose? this could also be because i have braces and have to wear rubber bands, but i take them off when i sing so i don't think that should be a factor.
ANSWER: Hey Stephen!
GREAT song choice. Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I acually must have typed a response and forgot to send it!
The best way to help your jaw is to lightly tip your head downward, place your hands on both cheeks and say "mee, may, maw, mo, moo" ten times. When doing this, try to pretend like you're chewing cud like a cow. Worked many times for me when I had braces (I know what "fun" they are, but there are many ways to get around them.
Good luck in all your endeavors!!
Evan
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QUESTION: I was also wondering when singing for an audition where should i look? into the eyes of the people im auditioning for? Also, ive heard many different things about vibrato, such as if you havent developed it and just have to wait till your voice matures enough. and other things that if you are relaxed enough and have good control it will just flow. whats the real deal?
Answer Hey Stephen!
Look into the eyes of the character you are portraying. If you try to suck up to the directors, and they notice, you can almost be guaranteed a spot at the bottom of the clipboard. If you haven't developed vibrato yet, so be it. I know of many broadway actors that don't even have to use vibrato in many cases. Vibrato will come natutally, in time, just keep that mouth tall. Hope this helps! Thanks for the question!
