Acting in Plays, Singing/Broadway director

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Expert: - 2/21/2009


Question
Hey! My name is Brittney. I am currently a jr in high school, and I have always been interested in theatre and mostly music. Ever since the 6th grade I've been playing the flute in the band and high school marching band. I also play the piano,in a chorus class,and may take a theatre class my seiner year. For years I would always beat my self up on what I want to do as my carrier. I finally decided that I want to be a Musical Theater Music Director, but my main goal is to do it for broadway.I know you have to be very good and have allot of experience to make it to Broadway though. Ever since I conducted my 8th grade band I fell in love with it. What classes in collage will I need to take to be a music director for Broadway? Exactly how hard is it to have a job as a music director at Broadway, because i know I'm probably not the only one who wants that job. Is it like almost impossible to work there? ,Cause when you hear the name "Broadway", it sounds pretty big. And when I graduate form collage, how do I get started?Like I know I wouldn't just go up there and ask if they need a music director, and get the job.Do I audition?How does that work? Id would probably have to move to New York, right? ok, thanks  

Answer
Hi, Britney –

Thank you for the question.

The first thing you have to do is get your grades up.  It's all about earning as much scholarship money you can to the Music Conservatory of your choice or to a great University with a recognized Music Department.  That's where connections are made to the Outside World and, specifically, all the various paths that may take you to a Broadway podium.  That is, after you are aligned with a Musicians union, etc.  Your first jobs after graduation may be with community theaters that produce Broadway musicals.  You must build a resumé before running off to New York

In order to be a great and sought after conductor – even for musical theater – you must be the best-trained conductor you know.  That will only happen with a degree in Music.

I am a professional singing teacher and vocal coach in San Francisco.  When you want to book an appointment, contact me through Craig's List – http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/lss/1042469936.html
I am also the fine arts critc for SanFranciscoSentinel.com.  All my articles and interviews provide a link to my personal e-mail.

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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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