Virtual Choir Camp - How Can I Keep From Singing?

A couple of months ago, my incredible friend and colleague Erica Glenn asked if I would be willing to help run a virtual choir camp this summer. I thought to myself, "A virtual choir camp? How will that work?" To say I was apprehensive would be an understatement.

But Erica is one of those people who charges through any challenge. She is undeterred by difficult things, and has the most keen knack for innovation and creativity. So with all that being said, somehow I said yes, I would help run this virtual choir camp. I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

My mind raced with questions... What will this look like? How is this going to work? Will I be able to teach students virtually? Honestly, I was scared to death and frustrated at the thought of not being able to teach the students in person. But I decided to push past my fears and dive off the deep end.

As this week has gone on, I've seen joy and smiles on the sweet faces of my campers. They are singing, they are engaged, and they are loving it!!! Music making is still happening in the homes of these campers from all over the world!


This week, I learned so much. I learned how to lead an online choral rehearsal. I learned how to interact with students through a screen and still feel a connection with them. I learned that even if we are not in the same room together, we can still make music together.

The biggest lesson I learned this week:

Say yes even when you're afraid. Wonderful things can happen when you have a little courage and take the plunge.

We Music Educators will keep the music making alive! Nothing can stop us! Let's be bold and brave together as we learn new ways to keep music in the lives of our precious children!

Check out more pictures from camp here!

Interview with Augusto Paglialunga

Over the last few years, I have had the privilege of getting to study with the incredible voice teacher Gus Paglialunga. Gus has contributed to the art of singing by studying, performing, and teaching the skill. He has traveled all over the globe to share the gift of song. His passion, love, and commitment to excellence in singing are truly inspirational. Gus has impacted me as a singer, musician, and teacher in such a huge way. I thank God for the opportunity He's given me to study with Gus.

As a tribute to Gus and his legacy, I asked if I could interview him and get some insight into his journey as a singer and teacher. Included below are two videos from an interview I did with Gus last week.

Check out some of Gus's recordings after the interview. Enjoy!

Recordings of Gus:

1. "Celeste Aida" by G. Verdi

2. "Che gelida manina" by G. Puccini 

3. "Ah si, ben mio" and "Di quella pira" from Il Trovatore by G. Verdi

Artwork by Susan Blasi

Singing Chef

 Music and Artwork have a way of going together like peanut butter and jelly or chocolate and raspberries. Here are a few samples of her artwork. Isn't she incredible? She captures colors, whimsical expression, and the joys of childhood all in a single brushstroke. I cannot brag about her enough.

If you would like to reach out to Susan, send her an email at susanblasi@hotmail.com. She would love to hear from you.

Check out more of Susan's illustrations in my new book, "Something to Sing About" Here.


All the Best,

Lisa

Summertime

Children Singing

Treble Clef

The Choral Window - Learn. Serve. Inspire. Sing On

Herbert Washington (Artistic Director of the Phoenix Boys Choir) just started this incredible website for choral directors. It's called the Choral Window. Check it out! :)

Their tagline: An Accessible and Effective Rehearsal Resource for Choral Educators

Get warm-up ideas, music literacy lessons, and training from professional conductors all over the world. Have something to share? You can contribute your resources to the website!

 Email: thechoralwindow@gmail.com. 

Catharsis: A Virtual Choir Concert

I conduct a choral ensemble in my home town of Gilbert, AZ called Brevity Chorus. We had the privilege of getting to participate in a virtual concert put together by the organization Muse Phoenix.

You can watch the full concert here:

All the Best!

Lisa

Fun Distance Learning Activity for Music Class

Travel Around the World in Your 

Very Own Home

I recently put this lesson together for my students. It's simple, fun, and educational! I've included a short video I created for my students that goes with the lesson. Happy Traveling!

Have you ever been fascinated with a particular country or region of the world? Today, I invite you to go on a journey to the country of your choosing. The beauty is that you don’t even need to pack a bag or leave your home!So, let’s get started:

Process:

Step # 1: Choose the country of your choice

Step # 2: Learn about the music that comes from that country. Answer the following questions:

• Who performs it?

• What is the style of music called?

• When is it performed (i.e. at home, for various festivals, religious ceremonies, etc.)

• Where is it traditionally performed?

• Why is it performed? What is the purpose?

Step # 3: Try to find some recordings of your chosen country’s music. You can find recordings on Itunes, Spotify, YouTube, or just ask Alexa. :) 

Step # 4: Write a short paragraph describing the music you are hearing. Include your thoughts about the music. Did you like it? If yes, why? Maybe you didn’t like it. If not, how come?

Step # 5: Draw a picture of your chosen country’s flag.

Step # 6: Pray for the people of your chosen country. Pray for their health and safety and that God would turn the people in this country to Him.

Extension:

Consider finding a recipe from this country and preparing it for your family. You can set the mood by playing music from your chosen country while preparing and serving your dish. Enjoy!!!!

Webinar - Using Your Voice With Ease When Teaching Online

Hi All,

This past week, I lead a webinar called, Online Lessons and Easing Your Voice. I offer tips and suggestions to help keep your voice in tip-top shape when teaching on FaceTime, Zoom, or other online platforms. Thank you to Neil Moore and the amazing Simply Music team for the opportunity to lead this webinar!

Check it out:

Outline:

1.      Objectives for the workshop

·         Help to ease your voice when teaching online (tools and strategies)

·         Healthy phonation and vocal production for sustained use

·         Self-awareness and mindfulness when speaking

2.      Categories

·         Posture

·         Breathing

·         Resonant Voice/Onset

·         Self-Awareness/Mindfulness

3.      Posture

·         How to sit at the piano

·         Head

·         Chin

·         Neck

·         Shoulders

·         Sternum/Ribs

·         Feet flat on the ground

·         Where is your camera positioned?

4.      Breathing – Deep, Diaphragmatic Breathing compared to Shallow, Clavicle Breathing

·         Nostril Breathing

·         Straw Breathing

·         Silent Breath

·         In through nose/Out on “sss” or “tss”

·         Lip Buzzing

 Resonant Voice – Sinus Cavities

·         Sinus cavities in the face

·         Straw (semi-occluded vocal tract)

·         Humming (with and without straw)

·         Siren

·         Head upside down

·         Gentle Onset (compared to hard onset and glottal fry)

6.      Self-Awareness/Mindfulness

·         How loud are you speaking

·         Wearing Headphones

·         Purchasing a microphone

·         How you are sitting

·         Where is your camera located?

·         Avoid glottal fry

·         How are you beginning sentences when you speak?

Online Piano Lessons

Good Morning,

I hope you are all doing well. I would like to share with you all that I am now teaching online Simply Music lessons. Students around the world can learn to play piano from their living rooms by simply using Zoom or FaceTime. 

Please contact me if you are interested in starting to learn the piano using an incredibly groundbreaking method.

Email - cactusflower87@yahoo.com

https://teachers.simplymusic.com/members/lblasi/

I look forward to hearing from you and answering any questions you might have.

Lisa

Meet the Music Teacher

About Me...

A New York Native, Lisa Blasi moved to the Valley of the Sun to study Music at Arizona State University where she completed her Undergraduate and Graduate degrees in Music Education. Lisa also received all three levels of Orff training at ASU, an active approach to teaching music that incorporates improvisation, movement, critical thinking, creativity, and cooperative learning. She has had the privilege of teaching K-12^th Grade Music for the past eight years in various school settings throughout Arizona and currently teaches private piano and voice lessons to students of all ages. In 2015, she was awarded a grant to open up a performing arts school for underprivileged students in Mesa called Bellas Artes Performing Arts School. Introducing these students to the joys of music and the fine arts has been one of the biggest blessings in her life.

Lisa is passionate about teaching proper vocal technique with an Orff and Kodály emphasis and is currently writing a curriculum on creating an active and engaging elementary choral classroom. She believes that movement and kinesthetic awareness greatly aid the developing voice causing it to grow and flourish.

She is grateful for the opportunity to begin working at Christ’s Greenfield Lutheran School this August and looks forward to sharing her love of music with each student.