performancecoach

120 Opera titles that never made it

Here's an article for the opera devotee. Opera composers are busy people, but sometimes they don't get the title quite right the first time. Here's a list of 120 opera titles that didn't make it past the dress-rehearsal: Bizet: Vanmen Bizet (agai... Read >

The seven key elements a West End theatre musician needs to know

If you're a young musician wanting to break into the world of the West End theatre orchestras, where do you start? It is impossible to walk into a West End pit job (or "hold a chair") with no previous experience. Therefore, your first task is to deputi... Read >

It's All In The Rhythm - How To Find The Pulse Of Each Song

If you want to make the music swing, you don't have to sing loud or high - it's all in the pulse. During one recent coaching session in Stockholm I helped one singer to find a cool, strong performance using the Rhythm and Pulse exercise. During a music... Read >

Using The Front Foot, Back Foot Exercise To Find Energy In Your Performing

Musical or dramatic phrases can be shaped in many different ways - using variations in dynamics, tempo or rhythmic intensity. Here is an exercise I use with high-energy performers to help them grade their performances. It will work in any musical genre... Read >

Good Vibrations - Discovering Your Own Special 'Tune'

Imagine the sound of a ruler being struck on the end of a desk, or the strings on a guitar, or a pair of vocal folds. When anything vibrates at a regular speed, the human ear translates the vibrations as sound, specifically as pitched sound. But go bey... Read >

Five simple steps to learning recitative

Recitative comprises music that is written in the style of ordinary speech, and appears in operas from Caccini to Stravinsky, and in church music including Gregorian chant and Bach's cantatas. Many young singers I have worked with think of recitative i... Read >

Auditioning For A Musical: Getting Through The Recalls

It is very rare for a singer, dancer or actor to be cast in a role on the strength of their first audition. Because there are literally thousands of performers looking for work, most musicals have a Recalls system that can be fairly lengthy. One UK client... Read >

Dancer Singer Actor - The Triple Threat

I work in musical theater coaching "Triple Threat" performers - the actor/singer/dancer. The triple threat performer is able to sing, dance and act to a high level - and musical theatre shows are packed with roles that require all three. But even the trip... Read >

Musicals: Dealing With The First Private Audition

You've just heard about your first musical theater audition. You've not auditioned for musicals before, so you don't know what will happen. What should you aim for? First, let's explore what an audition is for. For the casting panel, it's an opportunit... Read >

Auditioning: The Musicals Cattle Call

Every year thousands of actors singers and dancers leave college wanting to work in musicals. New shows are being written and existing musicals are often recast. But if you don't have an agent, how can you be heard - how can you audition? Every year, p... Read >

60 female House songs for cabaret and Musicals singers

If you're an actress searching for songs to connect with your audience, why not try a "House number" from a Musical? A House song bridges the gap between the audience and the singer, when the character comes out of the story on stage and speaks directl... Read >

60 Musicals Songs For Men That Cross The Fourth Wall

You're a Musicals singer looking for a song that can reach out to an audience, one that you can play to them directly. You're looking for a "House number". A House number is a song that crosses the invisible fourth wall between the actor and the audien... Read >

An Unusual Job For A Professional Pianist

If you've just left college after training for years as a pianist, you might be finding it hard to get work. Of course, you can search for concerts, or join a chamber group. But there's a fairly unknown area of work that can be both satisfying and fun to ... Read >

Become The Karaoke King (Or Queen) By Changing Your Vocal Style

If you are working in the performing industry as a singer, you need as much vocal flexibility as possible. The recording industry tells us that style is "everything", but what exactly is vocal style? Changing your singing style is less about the sound ... Read >

Adding Emotion To Your Performance - Simple Techniques For Singers

Let's talk emotion. There are three major elements that make most people chose their favorite singer or recording artist 1. the sound 2. the song hook (the catchy bit, often the chorus) 3. the emotional level of the performance. And of course you could... Read >