Linda S  

5

  5.0 (13)

Instruments: Piano, Voice, Music
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, Musical Theater, Showtunes

Linda studied dance, voice, music and acting with notable teachers including, for acting, William Hickey at HB Studio in NYC, and voice, Typhanie Monique & Carol Loverde in Chicago. She received her BA from Columbia College Chicago. With a background in theory, classical, and 20th-century music, Linda has enjoyed roles in musical theater, studio session work, as well as collaborations on original works with artists including, new music composer Christopher Preissing, playwright / composer Tom Weber, many jazz artists, composer-poet Everette Howe, and others. Currently, Linda is working with her long-time collaborator Stu Greenspan on a collection of new arrangements of songs by Thelonious Monk, as well as a non-jazz project called Songs of Love & Hate with co-leader Chris Bernhardt. Past projects include Dreams of You: the Sun, the Moon, and Johnny Mercer, embracing the world of one of America’s finest lyricists; Phoenix Project strove to re-imagine the songs of Jacques Brel, Leonard Cohen, Marlene Deitrich, and her Speakeasy Show, created specifically for Pete Miller's in Evanston. Musicians with whom Linda has performed: Harrison Bankhead, John Beard, Chris Bernhardt, Bret Benteler, Lance Brown, Steve Corley, James Cornolo, Jim Cox, Fred Faller, Tim Fitzpatrick, Pat Flemming, Jim Gailloreto, Lise Gilly, John Goldman, Phill Gratteau, Chris Greene, Stu Greenspan, Stephen Hashimoto, Jeremy Kahn, Geordie Kelly, John William Lauler, Jean-Christophe Leroy, Val Leventhal, Michael Levin, Doug Lofstrom, Bob Lovecchio, Dennis Luxion, Shawn Maxwell, Doug MacDonald, Donovan Mixon, Diana Mosquera, Tommy Muellner, David Onderdonk, Joe Policastro, Abigail Riccards, James Sanders, Zoey Szmulewitz, Benjamin Scholz, Paul Abella, Fred Simon, Steve Strunk, Daniel Tabion, Daniel Thatcher, Leandro Lopez Varady, Chris White and Saalik Ziyad. Trivia: Linda has performed at the Lake Placid Olympic Arena, in ancient Turkish ruins, and on the deck of a battleship in the Mediterranean Sea.

I help my students find their inner muse, their own voice, no matter what style they are interested in. We learn how to read music, music theory, how to practice - in a relaxed, creative and focused atmosphere. PIANO: For very young beginning students, I typically start with Alfred's Little Mozarts series - the children love Mozart Mouse and Beethoven Bear - and spend equal time exploring the piano and working in their workbooks. Most children progress quickly though the books - getting excited as each milestone is reached. For children a little older, I start them off with the Faber & Faber Piano Adventures pedagogy. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I introduce supplemental materials that may include solo repertoire, Hanon exercises, scales & arpeggios, etc - depending on the students needs and interests. I use the the Journey Through the Classics books for almost all my students, as well. For adults, and older beginners I begin with Piano Adventures for Older Beginners or Adults. I believe teaching theory in tandem with technique is crucial, and have found that my students do best when they understand the theoretical underpinnings of a new work they are learning. VOICE: The voice is my principal instrument and I prefer to take on only serious students no younger than 13. A first lesson always begins with a discussion about how the voice works, how do we sing, and what makes up all the parts of the body engaged in that practice. We learn proper breathing techniques, and do physical exercises to relax the body and mind so that we can perform at our best. I use various vocal exercises, and especially like the Hear It, Sing It, Exploring Modal Jazz book by Judy Niemack. Students bring 3 or 4 songs that they are interested in learning - after listening to them together, we choose one to begin with. Students work from the music, and with recordings. I believe in authentic interpretation, and use my background in acting to help students find themselves in the work they are doing. We do not seek to emulate our favorite singers, but rather to discover our own voice.