Discover what makes your songs unique and memorable, and learn how you can use those elements to capture and keep the audience’s attention.  Through a ten-step strategy for writing better lyrics and melodies, we’ll look at how we can speed up the process of moving from the idea or title to the finished song.  Whether you find yourself with stacks of music and no lyric, or sitting among piles of half-finished songs, this course will give you the tools to write, critique, and refine material that connects with a broader audience.

While we're all striving to write songs that connect with our listeners, there are many different approaches we can use to get us to that goal. Sometimes we find ourselves limited by our process, rather than liberated to write what we feel best expresses our ideas and allows ourstrongest skills to drive.  In this course, we'll talk about the many approaches we can take,from brainstorming storylines or titles, writing lyrics to music, to using melody and harmony to direct the song content. There is no one right way to write a song. While we explore the many ways that a song can be written, this class will help you find the songwriting process that works best for you.

"Learn how to focus and Find your unique style and sound."

Artist Development 101 is a class on making records. All efforts will be focused on helping up and coming vocalists to do their best at becoming recording artists. The course will start off with an overview of what A&R means to the recording process. It will then go step by step to show vocalists what they can do to prepare for a recording session and a recording career.  This course is a prerequisite for ProTrack auditions and participation.

OVERVIEW OF CLASS:

Learn how to Focus

• Attention to detail
• Bring artist into focus

Learn how the A&R (Artist and Repertoire) department relates to record production:

Artist:                                                   

• What is the artist's pitch?
• Define the artists style?
• Does the artist have a unique ‘signature' style?
• Does the artist know what techniques, effects, and equipment to use to get the sound they want?
• Is the artist able to communicate the vision for the record to everyone involved in the process?
• Who are the optimum musicians, engineers, and producers the artist should work with?

Repertoire:

• What songs should I record?
• How do I find and/or develop songs?
• How does collaboration work?
• Song Structure
• Arranging
• Charts / Lyric Sheets

Typical Recording Process:                                  

• The Producer's job
• How to make a record
• Self produced or Produced
• Vocal Production
• Gear

Learn how to answer these and many other questions aspiring artist have to address -

• Why should I make a record?
• What kind of record should I make?
• When should I make a record?
• How do I make a record?
• How much does it cost to make a record?
• How to use the recording studio effectively?
• How to prepare for recording sessions?
• How to write a lyric sheet aid production?
• How to composite a lead vocal?
• How to fly vocal parts?
• What are everyone's roles and responsibilities in the studio?
• What do you need to know about equipment and technology?
• What kind of artist development deals / production deals are there?
• How to use your vocal coach with your producer... 

If you have years of experience behind you, are just starting out in the music business, are a parent of an artist, or are simply curious about how the industry works, the Music Business Boot Camp for you. The music industry is a complicated, fickle, and ever-changing business that is based on the talents of artists like you.

In the 10 days of the intensive, instructor Michael A. Aczon will teach and drill you on the basics of the music industry – from the traditions and history behind the business to how it is run today with an eye toward the future. Topics of discussion will include copyright law, recording contracts, what managers and agents do, understanding songwriting royalties, on line sales and marketing, the dollars and cents of playing live, how producers and musicians are paid, and much more.

Michael will have copies of his book “The Professional Musician's Legal Companion” available for sale at the Summer Program. Purchase is not required, but reading the book prior to attending the Summer Program would be very helpful.

Having a great voice, acting skills and dance ability isn’t enough to ensure success in the competitive world of Musical Theater. You have to have the very separate and unique skills of a great auditioner.

Many prospective performers in the Musical Theater world are fantastic on stage but have a difficult time in the audition environment. This class will help you develop the skills and tools necessary to showcase your talent most effectively in your audition. You will learn what casting directors, musical directors, acting directors and producers are looking for. We will work with you to make your audition the very best it can be.

In this class we will also be discussing the auditioner’s “book”. This is a book of music that is tailored to your individual vocal abilities and voice types. We will also be discussing the do’s and don’ts of auditioning. the things you should never say or do in an audition.

What separates Musical Theater performance from pop, jazz or classical vocal performance? Acting. One of the great responsibilities of a musical theater performer is to tell specific stories that resonate with an audience. Being a great singer is not enough.

Learn the skills that will help you connect with the characters you play, and that will allow an audience to connect with you. Take an exciting journey into a world that is intricately connected to who you are and what is important to you.

Its time to put the skills you have been working on in your auditioning and acting classes to use. We will create a showcase built around class suggestions and talent. In this setting, we will provide opportunities to show off some of your newly honed talents and do what you love to do most- perform! As class members, you will be involved in the creative/developmental process. In the process, we will build a community of support, growth and unity that you will take with you long after the workshop is over.

General Notes
Those attending the performance class will need to bring a black outfit for the final show. This outfit should be modest in nature. No bare midriffs etc. We suggest that you bring your own sheet music for the Musical Theater program.

We will have an accompanist for all of our classes, and cd instrumental tracks are much less effective in this setting. We suggest you bring several songs with you to select from. You will need them as well for your audition class, and song selection for the final show. We will be heavily guiding this song selection based on ability and voice type, but all ideas will be considered.

Navigating the ins and outs of the music industry is a daunting task.  From the roar of applause and adulation of fans to the loneliness of stardom, from the big breaks to the heartaches, how can anyone be fully prepared to face the difficult choices and challenges a music career brings?

The 6 Advisors™ Course can help you find the REAL you in the midst of the blaring lights and loud noise of the music biz.  This course will utilize the scientifically developed 6 Advisors™ Assessment to provide you with a deeper awareness of your thought patterns, what “makes you tick.”  Knowing what you want is great, but not enough.  You need to know where YOU are and what specific challenges YOU need to overcome on your path to greatness.  Come engage in the process of increased self-awareness and self-improvement; attend the 6 Advisors™ Course at SLS Summer Vocal Program 2008.

For more information, click here.

We will be Identifying & learning to implement the principles that help to unleash

• Confidence & acceptance of WHO YOU ARE!
• Artistic identity
• True self expression
• And complete artist satisfaction.

So that you feel equipped to express it on stage.

 Our goal with each session is to help you discover & bring out the artistic qualities that make you unique & exciting! We will be looking at some established artists and the things that make their performances stand out & be recognized. We will also take a look at how you want to be perceived as an artist & lay out the principles on how to achieve that unique perception. We will explore how you develop that unique perception and how you apply that effectively & confidently on stage.

 With each session, we will embark on a journey of self discovery, some of you will coached one on one, on how to raise your game when it comes to performance, using the tools you gather from day to day. The question is: How can you make it YOU?! Because YOU are enough, and YOU already have everything you need inside YOU to make a performance believable, exciting, natural, emotive & original.

 So, lets get together & help you bring out your performance magic! Remember to always enjoy the “moment”! Have fun!

Health, image, strength, endurance and resilience are all results of staying in shape. And, being in shape not only takes working out, but working out properly and structuring workouts to meet individual goals. This class is will address those issues and help singers see how important it is to be in great physical shape.

Whether its for an upcoming tour, or a photo shoot, or just keeping a star image being in top physical shape can make all the pressures of becoming or being a star easier to manage. Come to the class that will show you the secrets and benefits that the stars know, such as:

- If you stay ready you don't have to get ready, you always want to be prepared for anything that your line of work my throw at you.

- Being in shape is a lifestyle.

- The better shape that you are in the easier it is to market you, for TV, movies, photos, endorsments, the will look and feel better on stage.

- The better shape that you are in, the easier your shows and performances will be.

Celebrity fitness experts Jason Bonner and Sean Neuman will show you how to get the most of your workout experience.

Their Clients (just to name a few)- Justin Timberlake, Josh Groban, Tank, Cuttino (cat) Mobley - LA clippers, Nia Long, Heavy D, Lil Easy E, R&B female group Sofia Fresh - Sky and Mickie, Making the Band, Kelly Love and Denosh Bennet. And Music execs from Def Jam, Underdogs - Harvey Mason, 42 West Talent, Geffen, Interscope, Erik Dawkins all know these secrets and rely on these two talented trainers to stay at the top of their game.

See you in the GYM!

(The Demo Drive Up) Let’s us see what you have been working on during the year! It’s time to show your stuff and discuss it so we can all learn from YOU! Come see what Randy Emata and Vanessa De Jesus have been up to, or Lauren Carse and Walter Afenasieff, or YOU! Bring your music and your stories and prepared to let the world hear.

DJ Michele Rundgren & The Tech Team will help set you up and interview you about YOUR creative process. Questions might include what SLS tools did you rely upon, who helped with your project, what were the struggles and the joys of bringing your music to fruition. When you ”Show Me Yours”….. you’ll be sure to inspire others!

Michele Rundgren accomplished her dream of being cast in a Broadway Musical only to be told by her director (Kenny Ortega / High School Musical) that he had a better job for her! Kenny sent Michele to join a rock band called “The Tubes” on Capitol Records. Listening to her director’s advice has lead to a lifetime of making records, MTV Videos, appearances on David Letterman, touring the world singing for thousands, and marrying a rock star named Todd. My advice?.....work on your craft constantly and listen, listen, listen. You CAN have it all!!!!