In all our performance-related programs, we work on defining styles, how to make the song your own and lyric interpretation, mic technique, owning the stage, revealing the statement you are making through your music, building an entertaining show, etc.   Our commitment is to help you reach your next level of performance from wherever you start.

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SINGING WITH STYLE - DEFINING YOURS

Next class starts: Tues. Jan 24 for 7 sessions PLUS concert on March 10, 2012.

This Workshop in Jazz/Cabaret Singing & Performance Technique is a collaboration of Bird’s Nest Jazz and Jizel Music with teachers Cathi Walkup, Linda Kosut, and Benny Watson. Benny is the musical director for this class. (Shanna Carlson is on break). Classes are held in Oakland (location upon registration). The concert will be held at Bird's Nest Jazz. If you are interested in the current series, please fill out our contact form.

• In this 7-session workshop (plus a public concert), we focus on (1) performance technique, and (2) styles of singing - jazz and/or cabaret. Our work will also give you the learning to compare and contrast styles of singing in a concentrated, focused and extremely supportive environment. 

Max: 10 students. Cost: $385.00

Photo: Finale at Piedmont concert on March 19, 2011. L to R:
(front row) Tom Nicastro, Stacy Chan, Joe Cohen, Diane Cohen,
Linda Kosut, Cathi Walkup (back row) Vivan Perry (hidden), 
Jeff Bellaire. Not visible: Shanna Carlon, piano & Sam Bevan, bass.

1. What is the best way to use the Internet to advance your career? 
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5. How do you navigate and leverage Facebook, Twitter, your website, related tools such as ReverbNation, Google profile, Blogs, MySpace, YouTube, electronic press kits. email marketing sites (i.e., Constant Contact, MailChimp, Vertical Response, FanBridges), online press release distribution  The "hits" just keep on happening and these trends are certain to continue to accelerate.

perhaps you want to record a few new songs that you have recently added to your repertoire; songs that show a different side of your work or material for audition or demo purposes. 

 

The sessions are held at Diamond Audio Productions in Noe Valley, a top-quality recording studio set in the environment of a beautiful Victorian home. You will have the opportunity to record in analog, which tends to warm up and enhance vocals. This is the studio in which I recorded my first CD, "Life is but a dream ..."  Visit www.cdbaby.com/kosut to hear some takes from the album.  

MAX. 4 students per class.  COST: $300, payable by credit card (through PayPal) or check. Deposit of $100 to hold space.

TAKE THE MIC, CABARET PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP with culminating concert.  
Master class series (6-10 weeks), 6-12 participants, each session running approximately 3 hours.  Singers at all levels work in a group setting - to help you get to the next phase of your own development as a performer/entertainer. In this series, each participant will work on new material each week and learn from each others' work and coaching. Since this series is designed with a final concert at the conclusion of the workshop, the last 2-3 sessions focus on the development of the show and rehearsal for the concert.  An accomplished accompanist is with us throughout the series and the concert. From time to time we will add other musicians as well - bass, drums, etc., depending on the class. The concerts are held in venues, such as the Cirque Room at the Fairmont Hotel or Savanna Jazz in San Francisco or Piedmont Piano Company in Oakland

ON-GOING CLASSES. For this on-going series of three to four 3-hour sessions per month, you can purchase classes by the month so that you are not obligated to a longer program.  As your schedule permits, you can sign up for classes. If you are working on a specific project, say, a show or a showcase, for which you want coaching, you can sign up for classes and we will work with you with a focus on your immediate goal. As these classes will be ongoing, you can always just pop in, work on your material, and pop out again

ONE-ON-ONE COACHING.  If you are more comfortable working on your craft in private rather than in a master class setting, I am available to work with you privately.  These sessions will be designed to address your needs. Perhaps you are developing a show and need help determining the set list, the patter, etc. Perhaps you just want to work on songs and develop your performance skills. We can work with an accompanist or with tape/CD. Costs vary depending on your needs.

 

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