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 Fine Arts Critic for 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 both the San Francisco International and Silent Film Festivals. For private vocal instruction, I can be contacted through craigslist.com. Look under Musicians, then keyword: Martinfield.
Experience Distinctive celebrity voices and how they are used and promoted by the Entertainment Industry have always fascinated me. Drawing from all eras of film and animation, television, radio, Broadway plays and musicals, opera and a few politicians ? a huge bounty of actors and singers have had a profound effect upon my life, influencing all the choices I made with respect to my education and my dual careers as a professional singer and vocal coach. I am curious about what is promoted and, consequently, the competitive aspects of the Performing Arts.
I am a Theatre Arts Graduate from San Francisco State University. During the years of my attendance, the school enjoyed the reputation for having the best Theatre Department on the West Coast. My academic training equipped me as an actor, enabling me to prepare for professional auditions and to compete successfully. I learned how to take direction and to apply my skills during the rehearsal process. Along the way I learned to identify my assets as a performer, to market my particular abilities and to find the audiences interested in my particular product.
During my freshman year, I also began studying opera. For the next eight years, I trained as a baritone, learning the classical vocal methodology known as "Bel Canto" with well-respected coaches including Mr. James Schwabacher, then head of the San Francisco Opera's Marla Training Program. Because mastering the technique of Bel Canto is absolutely dependent upon its application to Italian opera and, consequently, perfect pronunciation of the language, I studied Italian as well as French and German with private coaches. I have performed the roles of ?Guglielmo" (COSI FAN TUTTE), "Marcello" (LA BOHEME), "Valentin" (FAUST), "Enrico" (LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR), "Dr. Miracle", (THE TALES OF HOFFMANN), "Top" (THE TENDER LAND), " Mr. Gedge, the Vicar" (ALBERT HERRING) and "Dr. Caius" (THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR). During these ten years, I also appeared in many classical recitals singing the standard classical Baritone repertoire. It was Mr. Schwabacher's training that expanded my upper range, turning me into a working tenor. My last appearances as a classical tenor were with conductor and pianist Robin Kay, performing Schubert's DIE SCHΦNE MULLERIN.
I then re-trained my voice, dropped the Bel Canto methodology, and went on to sustain another 10 years doing standard American repertoire including Broadway, Jazz, Blues and Standards. Throughout this period I appeared regularly on the San Francisco cabaret circuit and was a featured soloist with Bay Area bands, orchestras and choruses. I continued producing my own solo concerts, the last being at the New Conservatory Theatre.
As a vocal coach, I work primarily with singers and actors throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. My clientele ranges from absolute beginners to working professionals, from pre-schoolers to retired Senior Citizens. The vast majority of them 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 for certain 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 two major components to my job. The first is to teach basic musical skills such as reading music, counting, breathing techniques, development and expansion of the vocal range, phonetics and diction ? specifically as it applies to Standard American English. The second is about presentation ? that is, everything involved with the client's audition and/or actual performance. In short, for any person relying upon their vocal endurance and performance skills to earn a living, my job is to enable them to compete for a job and, when hired, to maintain that job.
Over the years my clients have appeared in all of the available Broadway musicals produced in virtually every theater throughout the Bay Area. Some have worked in New York and gone on National Tours. Most recently, my clients have been praised for their work in AIDA and WICKED.
So, if you want to prepare for "American Idol" or the Broadway stage, contact me through http://www.geocities.com/broadwaybelters
Q: The only requirement is that it has to be in the pop genre. I also need accompaniment for the song. ... A: It sounds like you've got quite a variety of options. Finding a song will also depend on which role ...
Q: I'm a 13-yr-old alto, and I'm auditioning for "Fiddler on the Roof." The audition is for a ... A: It depends a little on which role you want. Since it's for a youth company, you could be up for the ...
Q: I'm a 13-year-old girl. I have an upcoming audition on Monday, January 5th. The audition is for my ... A: In a lot of auditions for Children's Theatre, it's OK and sometimes suggested to sing a song from ...
Q: I am auditioning for college theatre programs which require two contrasting contemporary monologues. ... A: Sure. In fact, many of the best theatrical comedies have serious themes. Good character comedy is ...
Q: I am auditioning for college theatre programs and have put together a theatre resume, however as I ... A: Regina Thank you for the question. If you are not specifically auditioning for a musical theatre ...
Q: I am 16 years old and I just got cast as the Acid Queen in a student production of The Whos ... A: Paloma Thank you for question. Every character you will ever play has a history and an agenda. ...
Q: I'm a tenor and i've recently grown into my voice. Before i was kind of timid but anyways. I've ... A: Jonathan Thank you for the question. Speaking in treble clef the language of the vast majority ...
Q: Sean, I was reading through your archive and you were saying in one of your answers that "in the ... A: Joni Thank you for the question. My job as a professional vocal coach is to identify your true ...
Q: Mr. Martinfield: My name is Kirk. I am currently preparing for an audition for the show Guys & ... A: Kirk Thank you for the question. I believe your self-appraisal. The character of "Nathan ...
Q: I believe that I have a bit of an interesting voice. I am a girl (age 14), but I generally sing a ... A: Hailey Thank you for the question. My job as a professional vocal coach is to balance out your ...
Q: I am a music teacher in Birmingham, Al. I got my BFA in music theatre performance from Millikin ... A: Julie Happy New Year! Thank you for the question. It is among the best I have ever received. ...
Q: I've been doing Musical theatre most of my life and am qualified as a mezzo-soprano/belter. I say ... A: Jillian Thank you for the question. Consider the following. Each of the songs is under three ...
Q: I have been singing for about a year. Im 28 years old. my vocal range is between Db2 - E4. This is ... A: Malaki Thank you for the question and all the details. Speaking in treble clef the language of ...
Q: do you have to have highschool drama/theater experience to be in theater for college? i'm graduating ... A: The answer here is... it depends. If you are applying to a Conservatory or BFA program that ...
Q: I am a 20 year old college student training for a career in musical theater. I am a "Soprano w/ ... A: Nora Thank you for the question. Sorry, Nora I can't help you on this one. What you are ...
Q: I'm a 20 year old tenor who is interested in voice lessons. I've had pretty good success in getting ... A: Jonathan Thank you for the question. Classical vocal training means as it pertains to ...
Q: First off, I am a 16 year old baritone. I have had classical voice training, and I am in a bit of a ... A: Casey Thank you for the question. Cole Porter's KISS ME, KATE falls into the "legitimate" ...
Q: I am 15 years old and me and my friend (we are both belting sopranos) are planning on doing a duet ... A: Nicole Thank you for the question. It would be amazing if there were duets for true sopranos who ...
Q: Im relatively young for a singer, and its almost as if my voice has a free spirit. :) Some days i ... A: Abby Thank you for the question. I have no idea what you mean by "relatively young for a ...
Q: I am 17 years old and a senior at my High School. Every year we have a "Cabaret Night" for the ... A: Kelli Thank you for a great question. As a professional vocal coach, I know it's not unusual for ...
Q: Martinfield. My high school will be doing Urinetown as its Spring musical and I'm going to be ... A: Danielle Thank you for the question. Consider the following songs. For the first two, click on ...
Q: I'm putting together a night of song and the theme is 'family.' I'm having trouble finding any good ... A: Shannon Thank you for the question. Your best bet is to completely change the lyrics or insert ...
Q: i'm a 15 year old that lives in a small town in Texas. i love to sing,dance, and act. i participate ... A: I am so sorry that it has taken me so long to get back to you. I haven't forgotten you; it's just ...
Q: NEXT YEAR I WILL BE AUDITIONING FOR DRAMA SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES, SO I NEED SOME SONG IDEAS. I ... A: MYA Thank you for the question. I want you to get the 4-volume series listed below. They are ...
Q: I have seen videos filmed backstage at Broadway and touring shows where the performers use ... A: I am not familiar with the videos that you mention, however, a few of my kids worked with a voice ...
Q: I have seen videos filmed backstage at Broadway and touring shows where the performers use ... A: Zac Thank you for the question. Nothing is better for the voice than a consistent and reliable ...
Q: I have seen videos filmed backstage at Broadway and touring shows where the performers use ... A: Zac Thank you for the question. Nothing is better for the voice than a consistent and reliable ...
Q: I was reading some of your answers to other questions and I noticed you mention union vs. nonunion ... A: A union is a professional association that acts for its members to protect their working rights, to ...
Q: This spring my school will be doing The Wedding Singer and competition is going to be intense. She ... A: Hmmm . . . obscure and modern . . . . At first, I misread your question. Unfortunately, I don't ...
Q: I'm a very mature woman and I've played the part before and loved doing it. I'd like a suggestion ... A: Barbara Thank you for the question. The range of "Dirty Old Man" from A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON ...
Q: I am going to be auditioning for The Last 5 Years for a local theater - role of Kathy. My question ... A: Kelly Thank you for the question. It is reasonable to assume that any company producing Jason ...
Q: My community theatre will be performing My Fair Lady this summer. I am 21 years old, and I have ... A: Many actors have difficulty with cold readings at auditions. It is a learned skill for most, and a ...
Q: ) I've seen many great answers on here so I thought I'd give it a go. I'm currently looking into ... A: David Thank you for finding me and posting a great question. In BEAUTY AND THE BEAST the roles ...
Q: I can hit a F3 to about a D6. The highest I can go in my "chest voice" is around an A4. I can sing ... A: Casey Thank you for question. I want you to read my previous response to Emma. Your problem is ...
Q: have read your reply to rights to perform Moulin Rouge, so what your saying is we can put on this ... A: Sharon Thank you for the question. Always stay on the safe side of Copyright Laws. As far as I ...
Q: Hey, I read a response you gave to a female auditioning for All Shook Up. Wondering if you had ... A: Dave Thank your for the follow-through and clarification. Consider the following songs from ...
Q: I have wanted to get into acting since i was a small girl, I did drama at school and my teacher told ... A: Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I was a bit under the weather... It's never too late ...
Q: Some years ago I had some vocal training as an operatic soprano. Now I'm getting back into singing ... A: Emma Thank you for the question. When do you want to book an appointment? I have dealt with ...
Q: I am a Bass/Baritone in my first year of college and I really want to get the part of Czolgosz in a ... A: James Thank you for the question. "Czologosz" in Stephen Sondheim's ASSASSINS sits in the ...
Q: I have been doing Theatre at my school for as long as I can remember and have had no problems up to ... A: I believe your drama teacher is mistaken. Or is seeing "Broadway" as only musicals. And that is ...
