Lucy Arvin, Bonnie Parker, Lynn Lewis and Hal Stephens all enjoyed overwhelming success as the first NJW Students to be presented in professional showcase on Saturday, October 30! They opened and closed to a packed house of thrilled listeners! The four vocalists were chosen from 9 student auditionees by professional panel in the spring. Criteria for selection included depth of performance-ready material, skill and stage proficiency/readiness exhibited in audition. NJW Directors Lori Mechem, Roger Spencer and vocal performance instructor Connye Florance worked diligently in collaboration over 12 weeks to prepare the students for the event with intense study and rehearsal. Says Connye, "It was extremely exciting for me to have an opportunity to work with these artists to help them achieve a performance level worthy of professional presentation. They worked hard and allowed themselves to be pushed beyond their own limits. Roger, Lori and I worked well as a team - with Lori and Roger making sure the arrangements were laid out well and fit each students personal style and assisting me in molding individual performances to make sure that all bases were covered. I've thoroughly enjoyed all of my teaching experiences at NJW, but so far, this experience of working with students at the advanced level has been my favorite! It takes a special caliber of student to allow themselves to be pushed that hard!"
All vocalists come with different needs, strengths, quirks, etc. The biggest challenge for us as instructors was to get inside each students "bag" and shake it up so that the "jewels" would land on top while laying out the evening so that the overall presentation of the music was done well. The students were responsible for participating in audience development and promotion in addition to their musical responsibilities. They all helped each other. It was an overwhelming success.
The students surprised themselves with achieving new levels of confidence and competence in professional performance.
Lucy Arvin says: "The Showcase was the most pleasurable of my life. I surprised myself! Now I feel that I have a much higher degree of competence and confidence than I’ve ever had before. I would highly recommend Connye's coaching to any singer who was striving to “up their game” musically."
Lynn Lewis comments: I thought the class was about singing (and it was), but it turned out to be a turning point in my life. Connye taught me how to give my songs unselfishly to my audience; the importance of being vulnerable, as difficult as that is for me. Her unyielding honesty is exactly what I needed; and [her] instincts about what an individual singer needs in order to be at their best isimpeccable. I was amazed at [her] insight and ability to cut to the chase and go straight to where my musical and performance issues were. I had the time of my life in that performance!
More photos and video will follow, but for now, here are some brief excerpts:
Below are some photos of the event, taken by Scott Hammaker:
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