I had grown up thinking I couldn't sing... but Suzi's confidence, support, and genuine appreciation for each
person's vocal expression gave me the courage to participate.
Tina Frost, workshop participant
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Vocalist Suzi Stern has been teaching vocal technique and jazz performance workshops across the United States and Europe for the past 25 years. She was on the faculty of Marylhurst College in Oregon teaching jazz vocals and improvisation, and presently teaches for Austin Live Music Academy through the University of Texas at Austin as well as teaching ongoing jazz clinics.
She has won acclaim for her emotional clear voice and for her own creative compositions and original arrangements. Journalist Brad Buchholtz of The Austin American Statesman says of Stern "Jazz singer Suzi Stern has learned the great secret that transcends art - that the voice from the heart is at the center of all virtuosity."
Inspired by her work with jazz/pop wizard Bobby McFerrin, Suzi's one-day vocal workshops
are designed to free the creative voice and inner spirit through sound.
For more information
about organizing or attending a workshop near you,
contact Suzi directly.
The Art of the Jazz Vocalist
Presented by the Jazz Institute of Houston
in partnership with
The University of Houston Downtown
October 9th from 1:00-5:00 pm
 Learn to make a song feel like a new and spontaneous expression every single time you sing it and get involved with the musical conversation that the rest of the instrumentalists are having on the band stand. information and knowledge of the jazz vocabulary is essential to eliminate fear so that you can take charge as a band leader.
Bring music for our accompanist to read, (two or 3 charts should be fine) and feel free to record the days session.
1:00 to 2:30: A Capella exercises to help free your musical ideas and find a new sense of courage and musical flexibility!
2:45 to 5:00: Apply this new found perspective on the dynamic use of your voice in the performance of jazz standards. Jazz pianist and composer George Oldziey will accompany the vocalists and a sound system and mic will be provided. We will discuss use of the mic, stage presence, reading and understanding your charts, communicating your musical needs to the band and ultimately having a great time singing your tunes making them a fresh and spontaneous adventure every time you sing them!
Location:
The University of Houston, Downtown
1 Main St.
Houston, TX 77002
The Wilhelmina Cullen Robertson Auditorium
3rd floor (Main Street Level) of the Academic Building
Cost: $65.00
To register or for more information, contact Michele White at:
thejazzinstitute@aol.com
Complimentary Parking in the UHD parking garage
Voice Play
Voice Play is a two-part vocal improvisational workshop that addresses the needs of both beginning and advanced students.
Workshop I: Group Improvisation and Dynamics
Designed for students of all skill levels, this a cappella workshop focuses on relaxation, improvisation, and basic voice technique.
During Workshop I, students:
- participate in exercises designed to free the spirit as well as the voice
- learn to solo as well as participate in duo, trio, and larger vocal group interactions
- explore sound production and dynamics
- experiment with spontaneous composition
Workshop II: Sing With An Ensemble (Prerequisite - Workshop I)
prerequisite is participation in workshop I
This advanced workshop is designed for participants who want to learn how to sing with a professional band.
Topics covered include:
- Musical interaction with band members
- The vocalist as part of the ensemble
- The vocalist as an instrumentalist
- Intros
- Outros
- Improvisation
- Phrasing
- Microphone technique
Workshop II students are required to:
- Have participated in Workshop I
- Have memorized at least one song
- Bring charts for any songs they wish to focus on during the workshop
Discount Policy
Workshop discounts for large groups (such as university or high school classes) as well as for very small groups
(from 1 to 5 students) are available. For details, contact Suzi.
What People Say About Suzi's Workshops
"I was thrilled by the workshop. I'll definitely be taking my voice out of the closet!"
- Keesja Hockstra, radio announcer
"Excellent workshop: supportive, technically great, and extremely useful. I highly recommend it to everyone, beginners or advanced singers, teachers or students."
- Lucretia Gardner, performer
"I walked into Suzi's class too timid to sing 'Happy Birthday.' By the end of the day I was taking solos and improvising with my voice in a way I never would have thought possible. I lost my fear and enjoyed my voice!"
- Kristen Johnston, therapist
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