E l e n a G r e c o
THE SINGER
Being a singer poses demands that no other professional has to face. With an instrument that is organic and sentient, there are unique challenges. Also, like acting, it is a profession fraught with rejection. And in modern times, it is very much a business, and the people who decide our fate professionally (if we choose to let them) are interested only in what sells, sometimes with no eye or concern for authentic creative expression.
This page is dedicated to singers. Singers of all genres and professionals who work with singers are welcome and might find value here. Below you will find a Singers' Blog for discussing pertinent issues and a Reference section for practical needs.
I hope that you will gain something from reading in the Singers' Blog how other singers deal with the particular challenges we face, and that you will feel free to contribute your own comments on these issues. Sharing our own experiences can help us be less affected by them and bring us insight. Hearing other people's stories and experiences and the lessons learned can be so beneficial, as we often see ourselves in them or find a solution we have been looking for, and also learn that we're not alone in our struggles. The Singers' Blog is not about having the right answer or a final solution, but about having a forum for sharing and discussing these issues. Please let us hear your voice!
There are links, as well, in the Reference section below to recommendations for the various professionals and items that we need to do our job, stay sane and healthy, and grow spiritually, creatively and professionally. I only post recommendations for people or things that I have actually used myself or have personal knowledge of and recommend. While tastes differ and temperaments need to match, standards of excellence, integrity, compassion and good manners are things most people agree on. The professionals listed on this page meet those standards. If you find that not to be the case, please let me know immediately.
You will note that I have chosen not to reference voice teachers. This is because, first, it is a very personal choice. But most of all I feel that there are very few people who live up to the responsibility and requirements of a being a traditional voice teacher, which requires a high level of self-knowledge, awareness, humility, compassion and sensory empathy, and a solid knowledge of vocal anatomy and physiology, in addition to having mastery of a great technique and the ability to convey it effectively – whew! More importantly, I think that working with a traditional voice teacher is not always the best or only solution for someone who is looking to expand on an already fairly solid technique or who has issues involving their performing or singing that go beyond technique – and all singing goes beyond technique. There are many types of coaches, healers and therapists who can support us in addressing these things, and I will be listing some of these below over time. And for those who do prefer to work with a traditional voice teacher, these alternative approaches used in conjunction with traditional voice lessons can enhance and expedite results. Also, sometimes the key to improving our singing is learning to listen and respond to what our voice and body are telling us from within. It is my intention to support singers in being supremely healthy and vibrant performers, not just voices, and in bringing their whole being freely and creatively to their performing.
If you have a recommendation, please share it with me so that I can try it out and post it, and we can all benefit! I sincerely hope the list will be helpful to everyone. This page is updated weekly, so check back often to see what's new!
SINGERS' BLOG
Ageism in singing
Accompanists
Choosing music
Counteracting burnout
Creativity
Dealing with rejection
Recording
Recuperating from a bad audition or performance
(and having a great next one)
Singing during the period/menopause
Singing with a cold
Staying in touch with your true purpose for singing
Teachers and coaches
Vocal damage/health
Working with narcissistic people
REFERENCES
(alphabetical by section in vertical columns)
(Note: Some professionals prefer to remain private. If you are looking for something you don't see below, feel free to send me an email letting me know what you need.)
(alphabetical by section in vertical columns)
(Note: Some professionals prefer to remain private. If you are looking for something you don't see below, feel free to send me an email letting me know what you need.)
Mind/Body Professionals
Bodywork
Counseling/Consciousness work
Fitness
Homeopathy
Internists
Otolaryngologists
Bodywork
Joseph A. Adler, D.C.
350 Central Park West, New York, NY 10025
(212) 749-7110
Chiropractic. Gentle, great with the neck (a plus for singers), no rebound. I've gone to Joe periodically for 20+ years.
326 Columbus, 4E, New York, NY 10023
(212) 362-4341 alchemicalshiatsu@gmail.com
Asian bodywork (Shiatsu). Tom is a former ABT dancer who has honed his bodywork and healing skills for decades. Gentle but powerful.
698 West End Ave (93), Suite 1A
New York, NY 10025 (also New Paltz)
(212) 864-2034
Eric is an applied kinesiologist and chiropractor who has a unique ability to "listen" to the body utilizing kinesiology and his innate gift for bodywork, which allows him to facilitate transformation quickly. A former dancer/choreographer, Eric brings his artistic sensitivity and creative energy, along with kindness and a non-judgmental attitude, to his work with his clients. Eric is also a classical homeopath who studied with renowned homeopath and Jungian analyst, Dr. Edward C. Whitmont. I've gone to Eric periodically for 20+ years and can vouch for his integrity, commitment and skill.
Joan Witkowski
West Village/Chelsea, New York, NY 10014
(212) 620-0308
Deep tissue massage, healing and Breathing Coordination™. Joan is a kind and empathic healer whose work seems subtle and effortless, but has amazingly deep and lasting results. With a thorough knowledge of anatomy and healing, and innate sensitivity, she is able to effect change with seemingly minimal effort and absolutely no discomfort. She also worked with Carl Stough for many years and can offer Breathing Coordination, which involves both conscious exercises and bodywork – it frees the breathing and makes singing feel effortless.
Counseling/Consciousness work
Midtown West, New York, NY
(212) 757-8914
Unique Jungian clairvoyant, counselor and soul mentor. Transformational for anyone in the creative or healing arts.
Upper West Side, New York, NY 10025
212-932-9419 prakasha@elenagreco.com
A journey into the unconscious focused by a personal intention. Provides healing on all levels (emotional, physical, spiritual, psychological), useful for personal growth and exploration, profoundly relaxing. Coaching also available for those who work in service and healing professions, e.g., teachers, therapists and physicians, in creating the context required for healing and/or effective communication to occur.
This is the website of author Elaine Aron, who is a great source of information about being a Highly Sensitive Person. If you are an HSP, you're not alone -- approximately 20% of the population experiences sensory input in this way!
Fitness
2121 Broadway @ 74th St, NYC 10023
212-874-2410
Gyrokinesis® and many other exercise classes (e.g., yoga, stretch, jazz, ballet).
214 West 85th St @ Bwy, NYC 10024
212-787-9300 studioriverside@kinespirit.com
Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis with well-trained practitioners who perform with major dance companies in New York.
Homeopathy
698 West End Ave (93), Suite 1A
New York, NY 10025 (also New Paltz)
(212) 864-2034
Eric Perlman studied homeopathy with renowned homeopath and Jungian analyst, Dr. Edward C. Whitmont. In addition to his skill as a classical homeopath, Eric is a kinesiologist and chiropractor who has a unique ability to "listen" to the body using kinesiology and his innate gift for bodywork. Also a dancer/choreographer, Eric brings his artistic sensitivity and creative energy, along with kindness and a non-judgmental attitude, to his work with his clients. I've gone to Eric periodically for 20+ years and can vouch for his integrity, commitment and skill.
Internists
Integrative Medical Associates
200 W 57 St, Suite 200, New York, NY 10019
212-399-7000
Functional and integrative medicine (holistic), focuses on wellness and longevity, but addresses any health challenges or imbalances that you would expect from an internist. Very good with determining nutritional needs and assessing allergies through sophisticated testing (the most detailed and accurate I've experienced), assisting with hormone issues naturally, and practicing general medicine. Caring and thorough, works with you till he gets to the bottom of any problem, and helps you raise your overall health level. Wonderful staff, too.
Institute for Functional Medicine. Find a practitioner in your area.
Otolaryngologists
425 W 59 St, Suite 10, New York, NY 10019
212-262-4400
A traditional allopathic physician, well known to opera singers, but has an open mind to alternative therapies and knows his way around vocal cords. Accepts insurance (verify with yours first, of course), no hidden charges.
Music Professionals
Acting coaches
Accompanists
Cellists
Clarinetists
Flamenco
Flutists
Guitarists
Oboists
Percussionists
Photographers
Recording studios
Violinists
Vocal coaches
Acting/performance coaches
Midtown West, New York, NY
(212) 315-2051 david@actingsongs.com
Vocal and acting coach/musical director and arranger. David is a vocal coach who specializes in teaching a technique to bring organic, Meisner-based acting to the performance of songs of all genres. He wrote a wonderful book called
Acting Songs which lays out his method for developing a song. He provides a very safe space for working deeply from within to bring a song to life. He has coached, accompanied and arranged for major stars in the music and recording industries, but maintains a down-to-earth persona and is very comfortable to work with.
Cellists
To come
Clarinetists
To come
Coaches and Accompanists
Upper West Side, New York, NY
Conductor/coach. A world-class conductor (and an assistant conductor at the Met) who has worked with all of opera's luminaries, Lucy specializes in Italian and French opera, as well as Spanish zarzuela. She also loves to work with art song of all types. A native Spanish speaker, she is familiar with the various dialects of Spanish and when to use which in Spanish art song. As a conductor, she sees the aria from a larger perspective and will help you get to the essence of the piece, but she also has a remarkable ear for detail in musical phrasing and language.
Midtown West, New York, NY
(212) 974-1052 richardgordon88@yahoo.com
Vocal coach/accompanist/conductor/arranger. Extremely kind, totally of service to the singer, exceptionally musical, and he can sightread absolutely anything you put in front of him. He often conducts and coaches for opera companies, and is happy to work traditionallly with those who prefer it. But for those who are open to a different kind of work that addresses their whole being, Richard is a genius. Outstanding as a holistic vocal coach, he uses his well-studied background in Feldenkrais, Alexander and many other bodywork and movement modalities, as well as his innate intuitive skills and complete understanding of vocal technique, to support the singer in finding freedom with their singing. In addition, he is very comfortable crossing back and forth between opera, art song, Broadway, pop and rock – something unusual to find in someone at this level of skill and reputation in classical music – and he finds it easy to talk about the difference in sound and style. I would feel comfortable sending anyone to work with him on vocal issues, and certainly on coaching or accompanying repertoire of any genre. And he makes it feel easy.
Upper West Side, New York, NY
212-662-4102 / 917-880-7375
kjhorst@aol.com
Coach/accompanist. Brilliant sightreader, a seasoned vocal accompanist and operatic musical director. Primarily classical, he particularly enjoys New Music and art song, in addition to the standard operatic repertoire.
Eric Sedgwick
Midtown West, New York, NY
sedgwick.eric@gmail.com
Accompanist. Really amazing sightreader, very musical, relaxed and personable; knows how to support the singer. Often accompanied for my Music Salon, which means sightreading in a performance. Experienced at opera, art song, Broadway, jazz, popular genres and lead sheets. Knows French well.
Flamenco
East Village, New York, NY
info@gazpachoandalu.com
Teaches Flamenco singing, performs as cantaor and flutist. Excellent teacher, exceptionally nice.
His Flamenco group is Gazpacho Andalu.
Flutists
New York, NY
Guitarists
Classical/other
Riverdale, NY
347-543-1694 fundimusic@yahoo.com
Extremely musical and lyrical guitar playing. Also a composer and poet, Anthony can play any genre. Very creative; limited availability.
Flamenco guitar
New York, NY
Oboists
Kathy Halvorson
Upper West Side, New York, NY
917-957-4856 info@kathyhalvorson.com
Percussionists
Guillermo Cardenas
Upper West Side, New York, NY
212-865-0281
Latin percussion. Absolute pro, knows all Latin genres, very supportive.
Photographers
To come
Recording studios
Sean Swinney Recording Studios
244 W 54 St, Suite 806, New York, NY 10019
212-262-2249
Veteran recording engineer, works with the pros, very personable, and his studio is a very comfortable place to work.
Violinists
To come
Other things
Acting
Auditioning
Biographical information
Blogs/Discussions/News
Business of singing
Costumes
Creativity
Fitness
Equipment, musical
Financial resources
Intellectual Property
Lyrics/libretti/translations/IPA
Music - CDs/mp3s/listening
Music scanning/transposition
Nutritional supplements
Opera companies
Performance prep opportunities
Performance venues
Practice rooms/rehearsal spaces
Periodicals
Props
Repertoire/Fach
Respiratory/immunity remedies
Sheet music
Vocal issues and physiology
Website tools
Acting
Acting Songs by David Brunetti (book)
Sanford Meisner: On Acting by Sanford Meisner and Dennis Longwell (book)
Biographical information
Composers
Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians
Baroque composers
Baroque composers (Wikipedia)
ClassicCat.net
Classical composers (Wikipedia)
Contemporary composers (Wikipedia)
Mascagni
Medieval composers (Wikipedia)
Music with Ease
Operissimo
PBS Composer Bios
Renaissance composers (Wikipedia)
Romantic composers (Wikipedia)
Tchaikovsky (and others)
20th Century composers (Wikipedia)
21st Century composers (Wikipedia)
Verdi
Zarzuela composers
Opera singers
Biographies of Performers (Bach Cantatas site)
Collections of Singer and Conductor Bios (Bach Cantatas site)
Operissimo
Rosa Ponselle Opera Links
Subito-Cantabile
Blogs/Discussions/News
Collaborative Piano
Coloraturaaah
Despinetta Digs This
New Forum for Classical Singers
Opera-L
Opera Chanteuse
Operavision. Aprile Millo's opera blog
Operissimo
Sestissimo
Singers' Blog
Yankee Diva. Joyce DiDonato's wonderful blog
Business of singing/Auditioning
Aria Ready (Carol Kirkpatrick)
Business of Singing (Cindy Sadler)
Laura Claycomb (click on "Young Artist Corner")
Costumes
Cleo's Closet
Ebay
Gypsy Moon
Pyramid Collection
Sapphire and Sage
Tudor Shoppe
Victorian Trading Company
Creativity
Cirque du Soleil: The Spark – Igniting the Creative Fire That Lives Within Us All (book)
Creativity and What Blocks It (article)
Eric Maisel. Creativity coach, great books, offers workshops and private coaching.
Shaun McNiff. A pioneer in arts therapy and creativity, wonderful books and workshops.
The Music Salon. A creative laboratory and creativity support group.
Fitness
Dr. Frank Lipman's health blog
Gyrokinesis information
Gyrotonic information
Power Systems. Equipment and DVDs for home or on the road.
Equipment, musical
Active Musician
Discount Music
Musician's Friend
Sam Ash
Financial resources
Grants, advice, information, free/recycled/low-cost materials. The only organization I have used myself is The Field, which I recommend.
Americans for the Arts
The Field
The Field Sponsored Artist Program
Foundation Center
Fractured Atlas
Materials for the Arts
New York Foundation for the Arts
TDF Costume Collection
Intellectual Property
Most IP transactions for musicians can be accomplished at low cost without an attorney if you arm yourself with just a little knowledge and a few forms.
Copyright Office, U.S.
Musicians IP Resources
Patent and Trademark Office, U.S.
Recording contract clauses
Recording cover songs legally
ResearchCopyright.com
Lyrics/libretti/translations/IPA
Aria Database
ClassicCat.net
Cyberhymnal
Digital Librarian
Episcopal hymnal (1982)
IPA Source
Lied and Art Song Texts
Opera Guide-Virtual Opera House
Nico Castel's enormous output of beautiful translations / IPA transliterations of arie - usually found at the Public Library
Music - CDs/mp3s/listening
Amazon
Arkiv Music
CD Baby (independent)
CD Universe
iTunes
Judaica Sound Archives (Jewish/Sephardic)
New York Public Library (log in with your card)
Opera mp3s and websites
Tara or Jewish Music (Jewish/Sephardic)
Tritó (Spanish)
Zona de Compras (Spanish)
Music scanning/transposition
Nutritional supplements
The Ayurvedic Institute. Ayurvedic products.
Bazaar of India. Ayurvedic products.
Evitalhealth. High-end supplements.
Lucky Vitamin. Very slow website and sub-par service, but they have very low prices and an enormous selection of brand name and high-end supplements and personal care, including Aquasana water and shower filters. I recommend only for things you can't get at the other sites listed here.
National Discount Vitamins. Complete line of Boiron homeopathic remedies, as well as some high-end supplements.
Nutriessential. Complete line of Boiron homeopathic remedies, and high-end supplements.
Vitacost. Very low prices and huge selection of brand name supplements and personal care. My fav.
Other, continued
Opera Companies
Opera companies, local
Chelsea Opera
Dell'Arte Opera
DiCapo Opera
Gotham Chamber Opera
New York Chamber Opera
New York Grand Opera
Opera Company of Brooklyn
Opera on Tap
Opera companies, major
Chicago Lyric Opera
La Scala
Metropolitan Opera
New York City Opera
San Francisco Opera
Performance prep opportunities
The Music Salon
Sing Through Central
The Singers' Showcase
Performance venues
Periodicals
Practice rooms/rehearsal spaces
Props
Catering Supplies
4 Plastic Glasses
Repertoire/Fach
Fach listings (Andrea's Subito-Cantabile)
Guide to the Aria Repertoire, by Mark Ross Clark (try the local library)
IPA Source
Karen Mercedes' repertoire pages
Respiratory/immunity remedies
Allergy/sinus symptoms
Aller-Max (Biochem)
Bee propolis
BioAllers homeopathic remedies
Coldcalm (Boiron) (homeopathic). Great for cold and allergy symptoms, promotes self-healing. It seems to shorten a cold, too.
Congest-Away (Rainbow Light) (also called SupraClear Sinus and Chest now)
Kali bichromicum (homeopathic) 12x or lower - for sinus and throat congestion. There are many, many homeopathic remedies that offer quick and harmless relief for sinus and throat issues. It's a very individual matter determining which one works, and it's helpful to educate yourself online. Better yet, see a professional classical homeopath for a constitutional remedy.
NutriBiotic Nasal Spray (grapefruit seed extract, glycerine, saline). Helps ward off a cold.
Umcka ColdCare. The herb in these homeopathic products is used to cure and/or alleviate colds, bronchitis and TB, promotes self-healing. I can knock out a cold in just a few days with this.
Zicam Allergy Relief (homeopathic pump)
(Other Zicam products have some nasty chemicals in them (as do Airborne's), and use of nasal zinc, homeopathic or otherwise, destroys taste/smell, often permanently.)
Flu
Coldcalm (homeopathic)
Influenzinum 9C (also influenzinum or influenzinum)
Oscillococcinum
Umcka Cold/Flu
Immune boosters
Pure Essence Immune Cellular Support
Rainbow Light Counter Attack Immuno-Response
Vitamin A - up to 50,000 IUs for a few days
Vitamin D3 - 5,000 IUs for a few days - please click on the link for important info about Vit D
Zinc lozenges To stave off a cold. (But use of nasal zinc, homeopathic or otherwise, destroys taste/smell, often permanently.)
Nasal sprays/rinses
Naturade Saline & Aloe Nasal Spray
NeilMed Sinus Rinse. The clever bottle is much easier to use than a neti pot, and goes higher. Helps prevent colds, clears sinuses and soothes membranes.
Throat soothers/lubrication
ProSeed Throat Relief
Roxalia
Thayers Dry Mouth Spray
Thayers Slippery Elm Lozenges - my favorite
Throat Coat Tea (Traditional Medicinals) - the best!
Throat Comfort Tea (Yogi Tea)
Sheet music
Art Song Central. Free downloads.
ClassicCat.net
Classical Vocal Reprints
Colony Music
Digital Librarian
Free-scores
IMSLP/Petrucci Music Library. Free downloads of public domain music.
Indiana University's VARIATIONS Prototype - for viewing but not printing / saving (yet)
JW Pepper
Juilliard Bookstore
Musicnotes. Digital downloads.
Music Room (British, therefore expensive now)
New York Public Library (log in with your card)
Sheet Music Direct. Digital downloads.
Sheet Music Plus
The Sheet Music Store
Stage Pass
Tara or Jewish Music (Jewish/Sephardic)
T.I.S. Music
Tritó (Spanish)
Virtual Sheet Music
Vocal issues and physiology
To come
Website tools
BandCamp. Online music player and store. Clean, streamlined, great sound quality, very easy to use for you AND the user.
Bravenet
JAlbum. Online photo album.
MyHosting. They offer great prices and service for web hosting and domain registration, and many free applications, such as WordPress and ecommerce software.
Page Tutor
WordPress. Excellent blogging tool, can also be used for many other functions, including serving as a website if you don't have web skills and want a professional-looking site instantly. The installation can be a little tricky, but many web hosting companies (including MyHosting, above) offer automatic installation of this free blog so that you don't have to worry with it. Once it's up and running, the possibilities are endless.
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© Copyright Elena Greco 2010