Techniques for the Beginner Arranger - Ever wanted to arrange but you don’t know where to start? Only done a few arrangements and wanting to understand the process better? In this class you’ll learn beginner arranging techniques to help you get started. We’ll cover basic harmony, voice-leading, instrumentation, syllables, story-telling, and more! It’s the perfect start to your arranging career.

Arranging music for a group can be a daunting prospect, no matter your experience. What if I don’t use notation software? What if I don’t have a background in music theory? Where do I even begin? My goal is a) to reassure you that you can do it, using the tools you already possess, and b) to show you creative ways to arrange as a group. Key concepts include “practicing playfulness” (process vs. outcome), “the Spotify within” (your music knowledge), and improvisation (unlocking creativity).

Do you suffer from overly complicated vocal arrangements that seemed impressive on paper but leave your audience confused and emotionally empty? Why imitate a band when you have the greatest instrument — the human voice — at your fingertips? Why have a complex 7-part arrangement when a 4-part arrangement will sound more rich, honest, and organic? I will help you arrange simple, “old school” orchestrations that are easy to learn, easy to sing, and easy on your audience’s discerning ears!

We’ll spend our session dialoguing on how songs can be adapted to the voice and vocal groups. We’ll talk about what makes a great vocal arrangement, and how we can use voices to the fullest to make a successful arrangement and performance. Our session can be Q&A, or we can share screens to work on arrangements, or we can discuss a performance. Learn more about David at daviddas.com.

Expanding Your Palette - You’ve got the basics down and now you’re hungry for more. How do we get the creative juices flowing to make our arrangements more interesting? How can we expand our palettes to paint with different colors? In this class we’ll cover intermediate/advanced harmony, chord substitutions, meter changes, creating moments, how to write for specific voices, and more. Let’s throw away the jin-joh’s and create something people are excited to listen to!

Refining and Reimagining - You’ve learned the techniques - now let’s find the creativity to completely flip a song on its head and turn it into something entirely different while refining our skills to become a more successful arranger. We’ll discuss the differences between Imitation vs. Reimagination, along with other topics such as; song interpretation, key changes, modes, percussion/groove, and being a freelance professional arranger! It’s time to find out how our own artistic voice can be heard.

Have you ever wanted t learn more about Barbershop Harmony, or been interested in teaching barbershop and not sure where to start? Have a discussion with barbershop quartet champion and barbershop chorus director Drew Wheaton about the ins and outs of singing and learning barbershop and multiple ways the style can fit into an educational curriculum.

This Q&A-based class that will offer insight into the professional world of theatre, television, and film from the perspective of an actor. This class will offer an opportunity for young minds interested in the arts or performance to gain insight into the business of being a professional artist. And for those students who may not be inclined to pursue the arts, this class will provide a broader scope of understanding in professionalism and career building.

What does it take to pursue a career on Broadway? How do you begin? Where do you start? Get professional insight into the industry and learn how the world of Broadway works in this Broadway 101 class. The instructor will provide expertise in the area of acting, auditioning, and vocal technique, as well as share her experience as a performer in the Tony Award winning musical, Hamilton.

Does your ensemble ever struggle take the emotion of a song and get it across the footlights so that the audience believes it and feels it? Learn some basic performance concepts and techniques to take your performances from robotic to consistently genuine and moving.

Looking for help on improving your group’s sound? Have you hit a musical brick wall when it comes to elevating your music? Do you want to feel the music and not just hear it? Musicality is an essential aspect of the learning process of music, and there are many ways to discover and ignite passion and electrify your singing by being musical. Through this open discussion, we’ll touch on the importance of musicality and learn how your group can find new, exciting, and engaging perspectives on music making!

So you have been chosen to be the next music director of your a cappella group, CONGRATS! “What do I need to do?” and “What am I in for?” are some questions you may be asking yourself, and that’s OK! Through open discussion, we’ll address these first time music director jitters: from preparing arrangements to score study, to assigning parts, and discussing different ways to teach the music, these tools will all help with preparing and running an effective, fun rehearsal!

Creating a successful rehearsal environment is key when directing a vocal group. Learn how to prepare beforehand, how to control a rehearsal, and how to establish camaraderie between you and your peers. Taking your group to competition can be stressful; hear how Jon Smith dealt with that and took a group who had never placed at a Quarterfinal, to placing 3rd at ICCA Finals. You’ll also hear tips on vocal exercises, how to address problems of pitch, blend and rhythm, tips on arranging and much more.

This class will provide some tips and tricks on how to maximize rehearsal time with your group. Especially in the time of COVID-19, rehearsals are now impacted and creativity is key. Justin will offer ideas on how to get the most out of your performers by "flipping the classroom", and using online resources to better prepare your group for performance, whether it be live or virtual.

In this class we’ll take a deep-dive into the creation process behind building authentic, narratively-driven onstage choices. We’ll talk about the “why” behind singing and movement; what stories do we want to tell and how do our repertoire choices function as vehicles for these stories? We’ll utilize acting technique to inform the development of a narrative arc over a single song or set. We’ll establish these tools for everything from movement choices to virtual on-camera performances.

A masterclass to bring your group to the next level - No matter the size, style, or level of your group, we'll work hard to make sure your group improves in every aspect. We will touch on topics such as intonation, stage presence, movement, dynamics, and nuance. Whether it's for a competition set, and end of year concert, or just a regular gig, there's always room for improvement!

Don't feel comfortable with being in a leadership role? Having issues with membership focus? Learn how to manage a group while being able to keep morale high. Special tips on how to handle this virtually and in the time of Covid. Delegate with empathy!

This class will focus on how to manage behind the scenes. Utilizing a variety of social media platforms and management tools, Justin will provide some tips on how to maximize the growth of your group, not just musically, but professionally. Discussion points will include providing members with leadership roles and building relationships within the school and local community.

So you’re interested in recording a cappella groups (or recording your own group), AWESOME! We’ll have the opportunity to go over the basic technical needs and stages of the recording process, from start to finish! We’ll go over the current trends and tricks of recording your singers, as the tracking stage is the most important part of the whole process! Through this open discussion, you will learn the basic necessities and gain a deeper understanding of how to start recording a cappella groups!

So you’re considering recording a single, EP, or full-length album, GREAT! Before you step in front of a microphone, we need to address an important question: why record in the first place? We'll talk about some helpful tips and ideas when it comes to the planning stages of recording, hiring a professional v.s. DIY, realistic costs, setting recording goals, and time commitment. Our goal is to define your recording vision and turn your musical identity into a great musical production.

There's never been a better time to know how to record yourself at home. Even budget recording equipment is capable of producing high quality vocals with proper knowledge and technique! Go into the home studio of Connor Warren Smith as he coaches you through the basics of recording yourself at home from set-up to finished track. Available as a group masterclass or for individual coaching. Audio software used will be Logic Pro X.

Are you interested in learning about the ins and outs of A Cappella studio engineering and production? In this class, you'll learn anything from beginner recording techniques to more advanced audio mixing tips and tricks. We'll cover how to set up recording sessions and coach compelling performances from your singers, the most efficient ways to edit vocals, vocal percussion, and sampling, and how to get a sonically sound and musically compelling mix. This course is for all levels, so come with questions!

These things we know: music heals, music is a universal language, and music has played a crucial role in revolutions around the globe throughout history. How can we use our music now in 2020 -- to heal, to build bridges, to tell stories, to resist, to uplift, to transform our world from the inside out? How can we use our groups as a model for what we want to see changed in our schools, our local community, our nation? Join renowned educator and “artivist” Lisa Forkish in this empowering session.

We spend countless hours unifying our musical sound, but what about unifying as human people with all of our varying life experiences, values and feelings? Having a common mission, purpose and vision can greatly enrich a group’s experience. In crafting a mission statement or group manifesto, we can have a living document to work with and refer to throughout the year. With nearly 20 years of cross-generational experience, Lisa Forkish will guide participants in a collaborative and enriching session.

What makes a great song? We’ll workshop this question and help your group or class grow in their creative skills, refining concepts, and creating songs that work well in a cappella and beyond. Our sessions can be Q&A, or hands-on working with musical ideas, or dissecting performances. Learn more about David at daviddas.com.

Songwriting is an art, but it’s also a CRAFT that can be taught and nurtured. Award-winning tunesmith and lyricist Sean Altman will lead you through his 16-topic tips & tricks, including toolbox, getting started, song styles, the almighty hook, structure, length, collaboration, lyric do’s and don’ts, and writing for your audience.

For more in-depth songwriting work, Sean also offers a Song Doctoring course.

This course is designed for songwriters who want to improve on material they’ve already written. Sean helps you get your original song to the next level with tweaked lyrics, polished hooks, more compelling chord progressions, catchier grooves, and arrangement and recording ideas.

Sean also offers a Songwriting 101 course.

Are you wanting to make a virtual choir with your ensemble? Or make a simple music video for one of your songs? Talk with Drew about basic video conceptualizing, planning, recording, and editing to get your project off the ground.

In this class, you'll learn the basic steps needed to plan, film, and edit your ensemble's music video. With only a smartphone and computer, you can start assembling your creative vision today. The entire production process will be covered, from storyboarding to uploading to YouTube. This class will also cover the many free and paid editing programs that are available. Lastly, you'll learn some production tips and tricks compiled after years of experience that will save you time and money.

Learn how to get the best from your cell phone videos, and how to put everything together into a music video. Lighting tips, techniques for filming when using native/live audio, techniques if your audio is pre-recorded, and workflow for editing in Adobe Premiere Pro. It's recommended to have at least a basic understanding of the software so we can speak the same language during the class. This class can help you provide guidance to the other members of your group, even if you already know how to film video!

Is your ensemble doing more contemporary music and find yourselves wanting to spruce it up with some percussion? Learn the basics of rhythm and groove, along with some basic and simple percussion sounds, to add an extra level of interest to your songs and impress your audience.

This Q&A focuses on incorporating VP in your ensemble, whether it’s one person taking the role of “drummer” or the whole group. We’ll talk about basic sounds and grooves, understanding the drummer’s idiom in different genres. We’ll also examine how each individual takes responsibility for creating groove by using percussive and non-percussive groove elements (the function and illusion of drums). We’ll also learn from examples of both vocal percussionists and contemporary rhythm choirs.

We'll take a look at the history of beatboxing and vocal percussion, its function within the a cappella space, sound kits, experimentation, breathing techniques, rhythms, and staying in time. We'll also discuss how to effectively use vocal percussion while supporting an a cappella group in a given arrangement, as there are certain tools vocal percussionists can use to bring out moments, or to maintain interest. I am happy to answer any and all questions that you may have about the art form!

This class will focus on teaching the basics of vocal percussion within the group setting. While each class will focus specifically on the needs of the client, the fundamentals of tempo, rhythm, style and groove will take center stage, along with the overarching idea of "quality over quantity". Whether it is teaching beginning sounds to new percussionists, or helping build structure and form for the advanced percussionist, Justin will provide insight on how to get the most out of your performers.

Award-winning performer/producer Richard ‘Robot’ Steighner has spent 17 years as a beatboxer. He’s performed in over 50 countries, is a 2-time finalist on NBC’s The SingOff (Urban Method, The Exchange), toured with the Backstreet Boys, and won the National Harmony Sweepstakes. Robot is known for inhuman vocal sounds (like a cricket) and high-impact vocal percussion. In 2021, he will be performing in India, Colombia, Costa Rica, Australia, and the US to perform, judge, and teach vocal music.

This workshop will include understanding of the larynx and muscle groups that comprise registers, breathing techniques and posture guides to help avoid vocal strain and injury.

Jodi also offers a session on Advanced Vocal Health and Technique!

Now that you know the basics it’s time to fine tune your actuators of your instrument and use them to the best of your ability to move through your registers. This will free up your range and work agility in all styles of contemporary music.

Jodi also offers a session on Beginner Vocal Health and Technique!

An in-depth look at belting in both muscle groups (registers) of the voice to avoid vocal injury. Specific exercises to help isolate these muscle groups and show how to use volume/resonance correctly without excessive force and still sound stylistically appropriate.

IMPORTANT: For this class, time slots are only available through email. Once you purchase a session at any time, you will be able to contact Kim to set the time and date for your session.

This is an interactive session highlighting voice building, and healthy sound production. The objective is to find your own individual sound, and to make vocal concepts more tangible through imagery, connection to the body and breath support.

Ever wish you could chime in with a harmony part without actually having to read the part written in printed music or be taught the part by someone else? This clinic teaches a fast tried and true method of discovering harmony parts. Students will learn to listen/identify patterns and use shape singing guided by chord structure.

Unlock the essential a cappella toolkit and learn the fundamental instrument sounds required when creating contemporary a cappella songs. This class will teach students how to replicate the bass guitar, electric guitar and trumpet vocally, and explore how to execute these perfectly in a performance context. We will then add some basic beatbox sounds and by the end of the class, students will have the tools to create their own vocal covers of all their favourite songs. A cappella has never been easier!

Go in-depth with renowned vocalist and arranger Connor Warren Smith (DCappella, REVOICED) on developing a pop-style sound within your ensemble. This course will help expand anyone’s vocal toolbox for both solo work and contemporary ensemble singing. We’ll dissect some of the vocal tricks and stylings from today’s biggest pop artists and discover how they can be integrated into your group. A portion of this course will also be dedicated to Q&A, and critiquing performance videos and recordings.

As a soloist, regardless of what type of song you’re singing, it’s important to be the most confident person in the room (or nowadays, on the zoom!). All eyes are on you and it’s your job to control the audience and take us on a journey with whatever message you’re trying to deliver. This class will mainly be focused on solo singing and should be participatory. By the end of this class you will learn how to take the stage with swagger and command audiences through authentic emotional expression.

Being a soloist is more than just being the front person carrying the melody. We will break down the timing aspects, melody embellishments, confidence and emotional connection needed to make your performances memorable and unique.

IMPORTANT: For this class, time slots are only available through email. Once you purchase a session at any time, you will be able to contact Kim to set the time and date for your session.

A fun way to expose new audiences to Jazz. There's something for everyone: female and male vocalists; instrumentalists, big band, World Music, Bossa Nova, etc. A Smorgasbord for the ears... an audio delight... an introduction of music I love, shared with passionate and critical listening!

Vocal Pedagogy and more! - As singers, our voice is our instrument, and just like an instrumentalist knows what each part of their instrument does, it's important we do too! In this class, we'll focus on the science behind singing; the different organs, muscles, and ligaments that create our sound, how to sing in all styles, and how to keep our voices healthy!

IMPORTANT: For this class, time slots are only available through email. Once you purchase a session at any time, you will be able to contact Kim to set the time and date for your session.

This class is based on a list of homeopathic “Do’s and Don’ts” that have helped me out during a 31-year career of rigorous road life, demanding performances, lengthy recording sessions and non-stop teaching. Topics include diet, massage, gargles, neti pots, essential oils, Armenian Chicken Soup, and much more!