Just a reminder that voice lessons resume as scheduled starting this week, on Monday, January 9.

Looking forward to seeing all of you and making this an exciting and productive year!

Wednesday Voice Students Only:
If you are paying for the month in advance, please be aware that there will be no lessons on Wednesday, January 25.

See you soon,

-Melanie Alpert

10722 Arrow Route, Unit 616
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730

Yes, we’ve moved, but not far. We hope you like our new space

–Bill and Melanie Alpert

Miranda Ford

Mackenzie Rich

A hearty round of congratulations to studio students Miranda Ford and Mackenzie Rich who took first and third place, respectively, at this year’s Chaffey Joint Union District Solofest. We are very proud of these accomplished young artists!

We are once again excited and honored to feature the amazing, gifted Broadway performer and master teacher Danny Gurwin. Brandon Alpert will co-teach the class, adding his insight and skills gleaned from the best in the business. Students will receive one-on-one attention while honing a personally selected audition piece!

This will be a 6 week session beginning on Monday, September 26, from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30pm. The Monday night sessions will culminate with an exciting Cabaret performance featuring all the participants on Saturday, Nov. 12. All classes are held at The Alpert Studio Recital Hall. If you attended the last Cabaret, then you know how enjoyable and special this experience was!

All class sessions are on Monday nights between Sept 26 and Nov 7 at 6:30 p.m. (no class 10/31 Halloween)

The cost is a very reasonable $160. This time we are offering the ability to pay by credit card as well as check or cash. Alpert Studio students split payments into two $80 installments with first payment due at the opening class and final payment due no later than the fourth class. We are now offering online registration, with payment by credit card.

I have seen truly unbelievable growth in all students who have participated in this program. With auditions and competition season upon us soon, this is just the kind of class students need to develop, sharpen and improve skills. If you’re 12- 24 (we are now accepting 12 year olds!) and want to perform, I strongly urge you to be part of the class!

–Melanie Alpert

P.S. Due to the one-on-one instruction in this class, registration must be strictly limited; to claim your spot please sign up immediately!

To register by e-mail (and pay by cash/check)

Click here and include following information:

Your Name:
Contact Phone:
E-Mail address:
Mailing Address:
Name(s) and Age(s) of Students Registering

To register and pay using your Visa/MC/Amex:

Thanks, and see you at Don’t Just Sing, v3!

The recital rehearsal is on Friday, June 3, beginning at 4:30 p.m. If you’ve not received a rehearsal time slot, you will receive one at your next lesson.
Violin students: please arrive at 5:00 p.m. The rehearsal will also be held at the recital hall.

IMPORTANT: VOCAL STUDENT SHEET MUSIC INSTRUCTIONS:
Music must be either taped back to back, as in a book, or in non-glare sheet protectors. All music must be in a 3 ring binder.
Remember to bring your music to both the rehearsal and recital.

—-

SUMMER STUDIO INSTRUCTION SCHEDULE

Voice Lesson Schedule:
No lessons June 6-10. Lessons will resume on Monday, June 13. Summer break: July 11 – August 12. No voice lessons will be taught during this period. Lessons will resume as scheduled on Monday, August 15. Please, if possible, try to schedule any break in your lessons during this period. Students who maintain their scheduled Summer lessons, will receive priority when scheduling lessons in the fall.

Violin Lesson Schedule:
No lessons June 20-24, as I will be attending a Suzuki Teacher’s Institute during this period.
No lessons: July 18-29, our scheduled violin studio summer break. Lessons resume on Tuesday, August 2.

—–

Everyone have a great summer, and remember to practice!

(Originally performed on May 12-15, 8:00 P.M. – Walt Disney Concert Hall)

Dudamel conducts Mackey and Brahms

On the program: the west coast premiere of a contemporary piece for violin and orchestra by Mackey and the famous Brahms Requiem. It’s a fabulous opportunity to hear and see world class performers performing great masterworks of music. Tune in!

A heart round of congratulations to Alpert Studio Students Jessica Chao (violin), Kelly Muller and Kensey Petschow (voice) who each won their respective divisions at the San Bernardino County Music Educators Association Solofest Competition. Accomplished students Lissette Garrido and Miranda Ford also participated in the event. We’re proud of their accomplishments and their dedication to musical art.

The studio wishes to thank the SBCMEA, the event adjudicators and the Cal State University Music Department for sponsoring this worthwhile event. A special thank you to pianist and accompanist Janet Noll for her untiring support of our students. Kudos to all for a job well done!

Kelly Muller Performs

Led by Brandon Alpert and Broadway’s Danny Gurwin – presented by The Alpert Studio

March 28 – May 16, 2011 •  Eight Monday nights from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

To reserve your spot: Click here to contact The Alpert Studio Please specify name(s), age of student(s), name of an adult responsible party, and contact phone.

The magic ingredient that will unlock your ability to interpret a song successfully, and perform it in a way you never imagined before.

You may have already honed your audition technique, and found the perfect cuts for your material. Now it’s time to flex those acting muscles and take on the challenge of successfully selling an entire piece of music, and make it completely yours. Whether you are joining us again, or this is your first step into our classroom, there is simply no way you can miss this unique and invaluable opportunity.

As a special bonus, the last in this series of eight sessions is a cabaret performance, open to friends and family, where you will get to show off what you have learned: performing your individual selection, and participating in an exciting group number.

Participation will be strictly limited, and on a first come basis. Enroll Now to Reserve Your Spot.

To reserve your spot: Click here to contact The Alpert Studio Please specify name(s), age of student(s), name of an adult responsible party, and contact phone.

Who Should Attend:

If you are between 13-25 years old, and serious about joining the competitive and rewarding world of musical theater, this eight week session will give you all the tools (and songs) you need to book the job. You will explore the world of song interpretation in depth, with a strong focus on the fundamentals of acting a song.

We are honored to feature Broadway star Danny Gurwin who will lead three master class sessions. Performers will have the opportunity to work at every session with pianist and accompanist Janet Noll.

Tuition:

$180 per student, plus $20 materials fee • $100 per additional student (siblings only), due at the first session

FACULTY BIOGRAPHIES:

A graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, Brandon is a busy performer and teacher, working all over Southern California.  He has appeared in over 20 productions, including most recently, “RENT”, and “Urinetown”.  He recently signed with Buchwald Talent Group, one of the finest agencies in the entertainment business. He recently was accepted to join the  world  renowned acting studio of John Kirby, an acting coach with clients such as Jeff Bridges, Colin Farell and Denzel Washington. Recently, Brandon attended the Making it On Broadway Intensive, and was a part of National Teachers of Singing Conference in Salt Lake City. He recently was nominated for an ITL award for his portrayal of Mark in Rent.

“ Brandon, brings life and love to his character and also has a truly beautiful voice” – Darcie Flanburg

Danny Gurwin

A Broadway veteran for the last 12 years, learn from one of New York’s best! With shows such as Little Women, Urinetown, The Full Monty, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Kismet, A Little Night Music, Forbidden Broadway, A New Brain, and The Thing About Men to name a few, Danny Gurwin has hands-on experience working with some of the New York Theatre’s most accomplished directors, choreographers, designers, and actors.

“Danny manages to push you to places with your talent you never thought possible, in a completely safe and always encouraging environment. Ultimately, he focuses on bringing back an honesty to Musical Theatre, digging for truth in a character with every song a journey of self-realization. To put it simply, after working with Danny, I feel as if I could do anything without any restrictions or fear. I could conquer any obstacle or challenge the business has to offer.” – Kelly McCormack

Janet Noll, accompanist

Janet Noll has earned degrees from the University of Kentucky (Bachelor of Music and Master of Library Science) and the University of Montana (Master of Music). Ms. Noll’s accompanying and coaching experience spans thirty-five years, and includes work in the areas of chamber music, solo, vocal and instrumental duo work, choral ensembles, musical theatre and opera productions. She is a solo and duo pianist, harpsichordist, fortepianist, and chamber musician.

Don’t Just Sing, Say Something • March 28 – May 16, 2011 •  Eight Monday nights from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

To reserve your spot: Click here to contact The Alpert Studio Please specify name(s), age of student(s), name of an adult responsible party, and contact phone.

Danny Gurwin, Brandon Alpert and Don’t Just Sing Graduates

It’s truly exciting to see the growth of professional level skills in young performers, especially in a short six week span. That’s just what happened in these intensive sessions; each performer brought new life and new excitement to their song performances. Forging this strong connection between acting and singing is the mark of a mature performer. But it’s astonishing to see it in a 13 year old.

As teachers, we seek to cultivate the patience and skills that give even the youngest students the ability to master both the technical and artistic challenges of performance. It’s a rewarding process for those who value personal growth as well as the arts.

Kudos to our first Don’t Just Sing, Say Something master class graduates! The class was a hit all around! Look for more such classes in the near future.

A Six Week Musical Theater Workshop Presented by The Alpert Studio for ages 13-25

November 1 – December 6, 2010
Six Monday nights from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

What’s the magic ingredient that will unlock your talent, rivet your audience and get you the part?

Acting is now the single most important factor in booking jobs in musical theater.

In the past, performers could book jobs based on sheer vocal quality, but those times have come to an end. In the contemporary theater world, the interpretation of the song comes first and foremost. To succeed in today, you must not only be believable, but able to act and communicate your song in a way that is clear, and  specific, yet layered.
Participation is limited – Enroll Now to Reserve Your Spot.

This class is open to the general public, as well as friends and families of the Alpert Studio, so tell your friends!
Tuition: $150 per student, $100 per additional student (siblings)

TO ENROLL CLICK HERE

Who Should Attend:
This intensive is aimed at the serious student, who is looking to be a part of the competitive, but rewarding world of musical theater. It will prepare you for your musical theater audition, and give you all the tools (and songs) you need to book the job.

We will explore the world of song interpretation in depth, with a strong focus on the fundamentals of acting a song.

We are honored to feature Broadway star Danny Gurwin who will lead a dual session master class. Performers will have the opportunity to work at every session with pianist and accompanist Janet Noll.

Finding your song (by Brandon Alpert)

The shortest path to successfully acting a song, is finding the right material. In fact, you must have an audition songbook, with multiple pieces of varying styles, to winningly showcase your talent.

Before I understood this process, I often fell into the trap (as many young singers do) of choosing songs that simply sounded pretty. Songs that simply showed off my voice. I wasn’t getting the results I desired at auditions. I eventually learned, from people like Danny Gurwin, how to find songs that not only showed off my voice, but also told a personal story. I learned that the right material naturally builds a connection between singer, song and audience.
Once I built up my new collection of songs, people took notice and I began to book more jobs than ever before. All I needed was some guidance, feedback and a bit of inspiration. That’s exactly what you’ll get here.

“Acting is not about being someone different. It’s finding the similarity in what is apparently different, then finding myself in there.”
- Meryl Streep

There is no specific set of rules to successfully acting a song, but to truly understand and communicate your material, you must start with the lyrics. By performing your song as a monologue, you’ll better comprehend the writer’s intentions, and begin the journey toward creating an authentic experience. Therefore, you aren’t just singing, you’re saying something. And here, we’ll work hard to discover what that actually means.

The class is called “Don’t Just Sing, Say Something” because as a performer without a message, the audience (or your audition panel) will tune you right out.
How many times have you seen a performer who simply bored you? Find out why… exactly what was missing, and the most common pitfalls to avoid.
To be a great acting singer, (and that’s our goal for the class) you must be able to fully comprehend (for every song you sing) who you are, what you are singing about, and most importantly, WHY you are singing. This class will make you reach deeper within yourself every time you step on stage.

Biographies:

Brandon Alpert
Award winning actor and singer, Brandon Alpert is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Brandon is a busy performer and teacher, working all over Southern California.  He has appeared in over 20 productions including most recently, acclaimed productions of “RENT”, and “Urinetown”. He recently signed with Buchwald Talent Group, one of the finest agencies in the entertainment business. This past summer, he attended the “MAKING IT ON BROADWAY” Intensive, and was a part of National Teachers of Singing Conference in Salt Lake City.

“ Brandon, brings life and love to his character and also has a truly beautiful voice” – Darcie Flanburg

Danny Gurwin

A Broadway veteran for the last 12 years, learn from one of New York’s best! With shows such as Little Women, Urinetown, The Full Monty, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Kismet, A Little Night Music, Forbidden Broadway, A New Brain, and The Thing About Men to name a few, Danny Gurwin has hands-on experience working with some of the New York Theatre’s most accomplished directors, choreographers, designers, and actors.

“Danny manages to push you to places with your talent you never thought possible, in a completely safe and always encouraging environment. Ultimately, he focuses on bringing back an honesty to Musical Theatre, digging for truth in a character with every song a journey of self-realization. To put it simply, after working with Danny, I feel as if I could do anything without any restrictions or fear. I could conquer any obstacle or challenge the business has to offer.”
- Kelly McCormack

Janet Noll, accompanist

Janet Noll has earned degrees from the University of Kentucky (Bachelor of Music and Master of Library Science) and the University of Montana (Master of Music). Ms. Noll’s accompanying and coaching experience spans thirty-five years, and includes work in the areas of chamber music, solo, vocal and instrumental duo work, choral ensembles, musical theatre and opera productions. She is a solo and duo pianist, harpsichordist, fortepianist, and chamber musician.