Vocal Technique
Dates: 6/4/2011 - 6/11/2011
Location: Tuscan Renaissance Center
Instructor: Suzanne Kiechle Amanda McBroom
Price: $2,695 
about the instructor |
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Suzanne Kiechle Amanda McBroom
Amanda McBroom has been called "...the greatest cabaret performer of her generation, an urban poet who writes like an angel and has a voice to match." Her name first came to the attention of the music public when Bette Midler`s version of Amanda`s song "THE ROSE" hit number one all over the world in 1979. But it was Amanda`s performance of her own song on the Golden Globes, Grammys, and The Tonight Show, along with her many live appearances, that launched her career as a singer and songwriter, and that convinced growing audiences that the best interpretations of McBroom songs are by McBroom herself.
That opinion was solidified when Amanda released her two LP`s on the prestigious direct-to-disc Sheffield Labs label. In collaboration with pianist Lincoln Mayorga, GROWING UP IN HOLLYWOOD TOWN and WEST OF OZ were called " striking and complete artistic successes" by Billboard Magazine. She has four albums on her own Gecko Records label, "DREAMING" ,"MIDNIGHT MATINEE", "A WAITING HEART", and her most recent CD, "PORTRAITS", all of which have enjoyed worldwide popularity. She also recorded a live album for DRG Records of her appearance in New York at Rainbow in the Stars, "AMANDA MC BROOM LIVE FROM RAINBOW AND STARS ."
Many of her compositions have been recorded by such artists as Leanne Rimes, Barry Manilow, Judy Collins, Barbara Cook, Anne Murray, Harry Belafonte, Betty Buckley, and The Manhattan Transfer. She composed several songs for the television series "Cop Rock", and , most recently, working with her long-time collaborator Michele Brourman, she has been the lyricist for the musical films, "Land Before Time III","V","VI","VII", "VIII", "IX", "X","XI","XII","XIII", "Hercules and Zena", "The Chipmunks Meet Frankenstein", and "Balto II, Wolf Quest". She has been the recipient of the Johnny Mercer Award for Songwriter of the Year.
Amanda has an extensive background in musical and dramatic theatre, including starring in the New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and European productions of JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN PARIS, on Broadway in SEESAW, leading roles such as Mrs. Lovett in "SWEENEY TODD", Desiree in "A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC" and the title role in "MAME" and she has appeared at such prestigious venues as The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, A.C.T. in San Francisco, The Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon, The Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles, and the Pasadena Playhouse, In New York she has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Russian Tea Room , Rainbow and Stars, and as the headliner for The Melbourne Arts Festival, and with Marvin Hamlisch and The National Symphony at the Kennedy Center.
She also has frequently appeared in the medium of television, in everything from STAR TREK; THE NEXT GENERATION to her most recent appearance at the Kennedy Center in the NBC special FROM THE HEART.
Her original musical, HEARTBEATS, had its world premiere at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego in the summer of 1990. Since then, it has had successful productions at Theatre Three in Dallas, Texas, the Cleveland Playhouse, the Goodspeed Opera House, the Mechanic Theatre in Baltimore, the Pasadena Playhouse, and at the Sacramento Music Circus, productions in which she also played the leading role.
The cast album of HEARTBEATS has been recorded on the Varese Sarabande label, and the musical is now represented by the Rogers and Hammerstein Music library.
Her latest one-woman musical, A WOMAN OF WILL received it`s world premiere at The Rubicon Theatre in Los Angeles in June of 2004 and opened Off-Broadway in October of 2005
Click here to go to Amanda`s website...
Suzanne Kiechle is an internationally renowned voice teacher and vocal coach, honored at the White House as a distinguished teacher. Ms. Kiechle developed her vocal technique while working with noted laryngologist Dr. Charles Schneider in Los Angeles, who trained her in vocal physiology. Ms. Kiechle has 35 years experience in vocal development and rehabilitation for singers, speakers and for all who use the voice.
Suzanne Kiechle is also an author. Her new book, The Keys to Vocal Freedom, published by Markwin Press, is being used as required reading a the University of So. California. It is recommended by John Rubenstein and the University of Arts Academy in San Francisco, by Diane Baker, actress and head of the Actors Studio, Film Department at the University.
Her technique includes a full vocal range, correct vocal placement for all styles of music, good pitch and vocal freedom.
Suzanne`s students range from recording artists, Broadway performers, movie and television performers and anyone who wishes to have a healthy vocal technique that will last a lifetime. She has coached Broadway performers such as: the Tony nominated Christina Applegate (Sweet Charity), Tony nominated Valarie Pettiford (Fosse and The Wild Party), Sally Kellerman (The Wild Party), John Rubenstein (Ragtime), Donna Bullock (Ragtime), Jacquey Maltby (Show Boat), Richard Thomas (Man of No Importance), Pamela Dayton (The Producers), Farah Alvin (A Christmas Carol).
She has coached TV and movie personalities in projects such as: Elf, Once Upon a Mattress, The Assassination of Jesse James, The Janis Joplin Project with Zooey Deschanel, BONES with Emily Deschanel, Man Trouble with Ellen Barkin and Veronica Cartwright, Jimmy Rodgers Project, Matthew Modine Under the Tuscan Sun, Boy Soprano (wedding scene off camera), Monster House, with Sam Lerner, Mitchell Musso, (screaming and boys vocal change).
She has worked with recording artists: Amanda McBroom (A Waiting Heart), Jessie Payo, Jupiter Rising, Chime Records, Linda Kiraly, Universal Music Group, Matthew Jardine, The Beach Boys, Michael Steele, The Bangles, Michelle Shocked, Sara Evans and Dwight Yoakum.
Suzanne works with anyone who shares her passion for singing. Her intention is to simplify the science of vocal production to act as a guide for professional singers, speakers, voice teachers, and choral conductors, and anyone who wants to sing and speak freely.
Click here to go to Suzanne`s website...
Click here for more about Suzanne`s book, published by Markwin Press, The Keys to Vocal Freedom
What Suzanne`s students have said:
"Suzanne Kiechle`s techniques and exercises are so straightforward and make such sense that she was able to help me get rid of a node on my vocal cord while never missing a single performance for ten months of a vocally grueling role in a musical. She is positive, smart and a musician. She saved me from fear, tension and potential surgery! Not only did I learn, quickly and simply, how to sing on stage without injuring myself, but my singing actually sounds richer and stronger than it ever did." - John Rubinstein - Performer (Ragtime)
"Suzanne Kiechle`s emergency assistance was invaluable in allowing me to complete the production of an album on schedule. She substantially restored the singer`s tired voice in one visit and enabled her to complete her vocals on time." - Peter Asher, Sr. Vice President, Sony Records
"In Suzanne Kiechle`s vocal students one encounters a rare combination of confidence in the mechanics of vocal production along with a refreshing sense of freedom in the singing." - Peter Matz, record producer, arranger and conductor
"Suzanne Kiechle is one of the best gifts a singer can give his or her voice. Empathy, healing and knowledge are her stock in trade. She`s been there, done that and knows how to fix it."
"Suzanne has the most uncanny ability to repair, exercise and stretch a vocalist without changing his or her style. A true genius in her field, she has performed miracles for me and my clients." - Pete Anderson, record producer for Dwight Yoakum, Sara Evans Michelle Shocked
"Suzanne`s unique approach can repair the worst damage on a voice. She worked with me when I had nodules and helped me to heal my voice completely. Suzanne has a special understanding of the voice and vocal cords and she does everything wit a sense of fun." - Emily Deschanel
"Suzanne is a maverick in the field of vocal coaching. I have never met a voice teacher who can teach students to sing correctly while maintaining a sense of stylistic integrity. She is a master. I have worked with her for ten years and I have seen time and time again her fix vocal problems in a matter of minutes that would take others weeks, months, or years. The difference is her technique. She is truly a voice to be listened to because she knows what she is talking about. Every singer should read her book." - Zooey Deschanel
"It may seem an exaggeration to say that meeting Suzanne Kiechle changed my life, but she certainly changed the way I felt about myself and my performance. I came to Suzanne in an anxious state about an important cabaret I was doing. I had recently been working with another coach who had good information, but I would leave the lessons depressed and with a sore throat. Walking into Suzanne`s studio was a revelation. She immediately made the diagnosis of my particular problems and then gave me the tools to remedy - simple, clear, with no humbug. Her tremendous support and enthusiasm brought back my joy of singing, my confidence and enabled me to progress very quickly indeed. I couldn`t believe it. Neither cold anyone else when they heard me sing." - Giselle Wolf, London cabaret artist
"In my twenties, while in vocal distress, Suzanne`s technique was able to steer me out of trouble in record time, unmask a clear soprano voice and solidify a strong belt in the process and make me a lifelong disciple of her technique. She has provided me with a healthy four octave range that`s enabled me to realize the dream and rigors of an eight show schedule on tour and on Broadway. If not for Suzanne Kiechle, I would not be enjoying my 30th year in show business." - Pamela Dayton
"I cannot begin to tell you how much Suzanne`s technique has saved my singing career. She came into my life when I starred in the Broadway hit Fosse where I had to do intense singing while dancing simultaneously. We worked on Choreographing my breathing, a technique I had never done with previous coaches. This allowed me to perform eight times a week with strength and not over-extend my voice. Not only is Suzanne an amazing vocal coach, she is also what I call a vocal doctor!!! Her knowledge of the vocal anatomy is immense. This knowledge has allowed me to sing through any type of illness that affects my voice." - Valarie Pettiford
Accompanist Mary Sugar spent 11 years as a musical director, pianist, and teacher in New York City, where she worked on and off-Broadway, at Lincoln Center, and in many other venues. She went around the world as conductor/pianist for Leslie Uggams, and has worked with Clay Aiken, Connie Francis, James Naughton, Larry Gatlin, Charles Strouse, John Kander & Fred Ebb, Sheldon Harnick, Harvey Schmidt & Tom Jones, Marni Nixon, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Barbara Cook, Lonny Price, Shirley Jones, Amanda McBroom, Martin Vidnovic, Sandy Duncan, Bruce Vilanche, The Diamonds, Lillias White, Adrian Zmed, Charo, Cathy Rigby, The Irish Tenors, The Syracuse Symphony, and many, many others.
Mary has taught at New York University, Mannes College of Music, Fordham University, Pace University, Musical Theater Works Conservatory, Syracuse University, SUNY Cortland, Colgate University, Circle in the Square Conservatory, and many other places; teaching classes in musical theater performance, scene study, and audition technique. She also played keyboards for the national tours of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, The Full Monty, Hairspray, Mamma Mia, The King and I, The Producers, Peter Pan, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Sweet Charity, Annie, Monty Python’s Spamalot, The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Elton John’s Aida.
Mary is new to the Washington, D.C. area, where she has worked for The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Signature Theatre, Ford’s Theatre, Studio Theatre, the D.C. Cabaret Network, Washington Savoyards, American Century Theater, Montgomery College, and other venues. She was recently seen playing for The Kennedy Center’s productions of Broadway: Three Generations and The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, and for Studio Theatre’s production of Adding Machine.
Visit Mary`s web site: www.MarySugarMusic.com