A Month of Many Performances

By Melanie Alpert | Student News , Studio News

A hearty congratulations to all studio students who are performing at a variety of venues during this month. Leanna Arredondo made a debut performance in the title character and Evan Weinmeister was a featured perfomer in the Karousel Kids production of Annie.

Kaitlin Orr, MacKenzie Orr, Angie Harold, Zach Jacobsen and Scotty Jacobsen are featured in the Citrus College Conservatory performance of Footloose.

Appearing in the Broadway Experience production of Bye Bye Birdie (a project dear to my heart, as I am the music director), are Ariel Fazekas, Laura Musquez, Miranda Ford. Elysee Carenno, Ian Hewitt, Zeke Gonzalez, Michael Vandie, Gabi Ensil, Sabrina Bertic, David Nicholson, Marissa Henkel, Hanna Meisser, Sarah Hinrichesen, Maggie Anderson, Sarah Jackson, Michael Sturgis, Cesar Quintero, Darrah Carattini-Garcia, Chris Small and Brandon Alpert. The production opens on July 24. Additional information can be found here.

A Truly “Wicked” Master Class

By billalpert | Events

Be it an opera of Mozart or a scene from any current Broadway hit, a great score, polished singing and thoughtful acting are all integral to a convincing performance. So found a contingent of young Alpert studio students and alumni who participated in a recent master class presented by Eden Espinosa in conjunction with Broadway Experience.

Kudos to all of our students who attended and/or performed at the event. It was a great opportunity to learn from a well known performer at the top of her game. Ms. Espinosa’s insights received rave reviews from all in attendance. We’re all indebted to her as well as Sergio Mejia who led a dance workshop.

Thanks to Broadway Experience for hosting the event and to Debbie Jackson for providing the photos in this slide show.

Eden Espinosa Master Class

By billalpert | The Kitchen Sink

Eden Espinosa from the cast of Wicked

Alpert Studio Students are invited to participate in a musical theater master class for dance and vocal performance, presented by noted Broadway star Eden Espinosa and choreographer Sergio Mejia.

Eden Espinosa began singing at the age of three and performing at age five.¹ After graduating from Canyon High School, she worked at local theme parks prior to being discovered by the BKLYN casting director. Espinosa worked on creating the title role of the musical at the Denver Civic Theatre for nearly two years. Prior to BKLYN’s Broadway run at the Plymouth Theatre, Eden made her Broadway debut in the original company of Stephen Schwartz‘s musical Wicked, where she understudied Idina Menzel’s Elphaba. Espinosa departed Wicked in August, 2004. BKLYN began its Broadway run on October 24, 2004 and closed on June 26, 2005. (extracted from Wikipedia)

Presented by Broadway Experience
Adult class (14 & up) Sunday, June 28th at 3:00pm
Youth class (7 thru 13) Monday, June 29th at 10:00am
Participant Fee: $65.00

The Studio Theater • 1400 N. Benson Ave., Upland CA

For information call (909) 982-5736 • http://broadwayexperience.org

By reservation only. Sign up early for this very special event, as class sizes are strictly limited

Summer News for Violin Students

By billalpert | Events , violin

High Energy Eclectic Fiddle Fest: Barrage (see Concerts, below)

Just a few quick reminders for violin students of the Alpert Studio:

Summer Schedule:

Violin lessons are scheduled all summer long, with the exception of August 3 – August 14. Additionally, some lessons between August 17-19 may be impacted, however I plan to reschedule those lessons later that week, or during a mutually convenient time. As always, your regular monthly tuition will apply during the summer, as it is based on a total of 40-45 lessons during the year, payable in 12 installments.

If you plan to travel during summer months, please let me know at your earliest convenience, so that I can help you schedule make-up lesson time.

A Musical Summer

Summer often affords students more time to focus on musical activities. I’ll be talking to you about some possible summer projects, if you’d like to put some extra energy into your violin. Let’s talk!

Listening Challenge:

Can you name a famous violinist that performed in each of the following time periods?

1900-1935
1936-1950
1951-1979

Extra Credit: Share an audio/video link to a performance by each of these violinists. I’ll post your selections on the studio website!

Free Outdoor Concerts

Come see the fabulous fiddle group Barrage perform at the Redlands Bowl on Tuesday, July 14. Cody Bryant and the Riders of the Purple Sage perform on Friday, July 10. And I’ll be performing with the Redlands Symphony on Tuesday, July 28. Info: http://www.redlandsbowl.org/programs.htm

Have a wonderful, safe and musical summer!

Bill Alpert

Alpert Studio on Facebook

By billalpert | Studio News

If you’re a fan of Facebook, you can now stay up to date with Alpert Studio news and events on our new Facebook page. Please join us online

Inland Idol Update

By billalpert | Events , Student News

Update: A hearty round of congratulations to eleven year old Genevieve Ellis (who recently participated along with 30 other finalists) in the Inland Idol competition last Sunday. Genevieve advanced through a field of some 600 performers, aged 7-18 who entered the competition and took second place in her age category. Kudos, Genevieve.

Alpert Studio student is an Inland Idol

By billalpert | The Kitchen Sink

Congrats to eleven year old Genevieve Ellis who recently was selected as one of 30 finalists participating in the upcoming Inland Idol competition this Sunday. Genevieve advanced through a field of some 600 performers, aged 7-18 who entered the competition. Please come out and support one of your fellow students this Sunday.

Judges Joe Randeen (left) and Earl Richards during semi finals

INLAND IDOL FINALS

Where: La Mirada Performing Arts Center, 14900 La Mirada Blvd.
When: 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Cost: $14 each,
Information: www.inlandidol.com/tickets, 951-371-5239

Hear My Song

By Melanie Alpert | Events

Hear My Song Event Flyer

Please join The Alpert Studio and Broadway Experience for an intimate evening of contemporary musical theater by Jason Robert Brown, presented in concert version. This musical celebration will include selections from Songs for a New World, The Last Five Years, Thirteen, Parade and selected songs from the Jason Robert Brown library.

This production will feature many students and alumni of the Alpert Studio. These exciting and polished performers have won acclaim and awards for their singing including several who have been semi-finalists in the prestigious Los Angeles County Music Center Spotlight Awards.

I am very proud of this production, while not a kid’s show and includes mature themes, I urge everyone above the age of 12 to attend. Please forward the attached event flyer (link above) to everyone you know!

Hear My Song
The Works of Jason Robert Brown

Presented by Broadway Experience • Barbara Hinrichsen, General Director
Production directed by Melanie Alpert with assistant Directors Brandon Alpert and Cesar Quintero

Friday May 22 and Saturday May 23 at 7:30pm
Sunday May 24 at 1:00pm

All performances at: The Theatre Company • 1400 N. Benson Avenue, Upland, CA 91786

For information call (909) 982-5736

Presented by Broadway Experience • Non Profit 510(c3). Our thanks to Jason Robert Brown who graciously extended permission for this public performance.

Georgia Stitt Master Class for High School Students

By billalpert | Studio News

Award winning composer and lyricist (and the wife of Jason Robert Brown) Georgia Stitt will be offering a May 16 master class at the Covina Center for the Performing Arts. Alpert Studio students have received a special invitation to participate without audition in this event. All studio participants will have the opportunity to perform.

Interested students should sumbit this Master Class Application by May 6. Full information about this event can be found in this document.

Studio Singers Take Home Prizes

By billalpert | The Kitchen Sink

Pictured: Mercedes Machado and Eryn Moore

Congratulations to vocal students Mercedes Machado and Eryn Moore for their recent accomplishments at the recent San Bernardino County Music Educators Solofest Competition. Both singers advanced to the competition finals and ultimately took first place in their respective age divisions.

As winners they are awarded full scholarships to the prestigious summer music camp at Idyllwild. This coveted prize has been enjoyed by many studio students in the past, all giving rave reviews to the experience.

Congratulations to all students who participated in this event, and heartfelt thanks to our friend, pianist and accompanist Janet Noll for her invaluable support.