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Acting in Plays, Singing/more than a dancer... a singer too!
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Question
I am a dancer and I've been dancing all my life. I began musical theatre in middle school though and have been taking voice lessons for about four years now. I have worked on my tone, belting abilities, and range and I now understand that I have a very good voice. I sing soprano I and receive many solos is choir events. When I'm given Broadway songs to sing for shows I'm always given a Phantom of the Opera song or things that are high in vocal range. Yet, it appears when auditioning for musical theatre, my dancing ability is shown and I'm good, no where near the best, but good enough. It appears that my dancing abilities out shine my singing abilities. I am trying out for Seussical in a few months. I would like to be Gertrude, and I know I can sing that sweet tone even with my vibrato and hit her range and everything. Even act like her character, but I believe I'll be cast as a bird girl for my dancing abilities. Even Mayzie would make me happy with he loud sound. I need a sure-fire song that will get my voice noticed because I can't tone back my dancing, it appears. I was thinking of doing "shy" from Once Upon A Mattress. I forgot to mention we can tryout with anything music wise (rap to 70s rock). Since I believe the director is looking for a folk singing Gertrude and a pop star Mayzie, but I really would like to be recognized for other things besides dancing since I can do much more. Thank you.
Hello, Kate –
Thank you for an interesting post.
The first thing you have to accept is that “choir singing” and Broadway musicals are two very separate worlds for most vocalists. What you know as a soprano in an ensemble – and as one who gets the occasional solo spotlight – does not necessarily transfer to your interest in musical theatre. “Shy” from ONCE UPON A MATTRESS is absolutely not the song for a soprano, even a clever and really enthusiastic one. “Shy” is the private territory of an alto with huge belting abilities. Just listen to the Original Broadway Cast recording with Carol Burnett.
SEUSSICAL is a children’s show. It is a silly show. If your vocal category is truly that of a soprano, capable of handling well-known soprano repertoire in public performance, then you are wasting your time compromising what you have developed for the sake of being in a third-rate work. Moreover, if cast, not only will your frustration continue, you will be inviting all kinds of wear & tear throughout your vocal register. Along with that, out goes the time you should be spending on bettering your soprano vocal chops and expanding your soprano repertoire.
Not even if SEUSSICAL were a paying gig (and you get hired primarily as a dancer) would I encourage you to audition for something that is not right for you and what should be a better plan for your future as a singer. Anyone can sing the score from SEUSSICAL. But not everyone has what it takes to be the best soprano for the best soprano gigs in town.
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/1140282088.html
I am also the Editor and Publisher of SanFranciscoSentinel.com. All my articles and interviews about the Performing Arts 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 my recent interviews and articles about what's happening on San Francisco's cultural scene:
CHERYL BURKE DANCE – Presents “Dancing With The Drag Queen Stars”, June 6th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=28316
ANGELS AND DEMONS – A LIGHTWEIGHT CONTENDER
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=27338
IOLANTHE – SF Symphony Presents Gilbert & Sullivan Operetta, June 18th – 21st
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=28176
MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMLOT – OPENS AT THE GOLDEN GATE THEATRE MAY 22ND
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=25339
AT LAST! – ANN HAMPTON CALLAWAY – An Interview with Seán Martinfield
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=27122
CAMERON CARPENTER – An Interview with Seán Martinfield
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=24462
DANCING WITH THE DRAG QUEEN STARS – June 6th At CHERYL BURKE DANCE
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=26357
YUJA WANG – BRILLIANT YOUNG PIANIST JOINS SF SYMPHONY, MAY 20TH–23RD
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=26536
DONALD RUNNICLES and CHRISTINE BREWER – CD, "Symphony of Sorrowful Songs
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=26114
INTERHARMONY INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL – June 30th to July 12th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=26256
5X5 PLURALISM – At The Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=25902
SAN FRANCISCO OPERA – Summer Season Opens June 2nd
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=25616
TOSCA – SF Giants and SF Opera Present OPERA AT THE BALLPARK
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=25565
2830 PACIFIC STREET – Site of 2009 San Francisco Decorator Showcase
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=25454
CHAGALL AND THE ARTISTS OF THE RUSSIAN JEWISH THEATER, 1919-1949 – Now AT San Francisco’s Contemporary Jewish Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=22321
Best regards,
Seán Martinfield
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Answers by Expert:
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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