The Smart Singer
The Smart Singer
Lexi Pinnata
The Smart Singer Podcast is designed to help you stand out from thousands of other singers and establish a career for yourself. New York based performer and educator, Lexi Pinnata, explores the different career paths of vocally led musicians.
Finding Your Voice Outside of Singing with Dr. Stephannie Moore
Dr. Stephannie Moore discusses finding out who you are and what your life's purpose is to create a more authentic performing experience. Mezzo soprano Stephannie Moore brings an eclectic array of experience into her work as a performer and educator. Known for her colorful stage characters and expressive musicianship, she is a true artist and communicator – equally comfortable on the operatic, concert and theater stages.Some of Stephannie's operatic credits include: Mother Goose in The Rake's Progress with Frost Opera Theater; Madame de la Haltière in Cendrillon with OperaMODO and Frost Opera Theater; Annina in La Traviata with Arbor Opera Theater; Hansel in Hansel and Gretel with Main Street Opera Theater; Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus with the Comic Opera Guild; Pitti-Sing in The Mikado with the University of Michigan Gilbert and Sullivan Society; Annio in La Clemenza di Tito and La Ciesca in Gianni Schicchi with the University of Michigan Opera Theatre. Stephannie premiered the role of Aunt Xue for San Francisco opera’s workshop of the Bright Sheng opera, Dream of the Red Chamber. Stephannie currently teaches voice in the University of Miami's Department of Theater Arts and Broward College. She is a Lead Instructor for Magic City Opera's TOI (Teen Opera Intensive) in Miami, and the Act Healthy musical theater summer program in Belluno, Italy. Her private voice studio is located in Pembroke Pines, Florida and includes award-winning professional singers and emerging artists.In tandem with her work as a musician, Stephannie is a Tibetan language translator, specializing in the literary translation of Buddhist texts from the 18th Century. Her work has led her to Tibet, India, Nepal and China, where she studied with Buddhist lamas and scholars and worked in social service through the Ann Arbor organization, Vision Builders. She co-founded an orphanage and school for young Tibetan girls and helped lay the groundwork for a home for Indian slum children that has now taken hundreds of orphans and impoverished children off the streets of Varanasi, India.https://www.stephanniemoore.com/Follow The Smart Singer-www.thesmartsinger.comInstagram: @thesmartsingerstudioFacebook: The Smart SingerTik Tok: @thesmartsinger
May 23, 2021
48 min
Balancing Career, Family, and Self Care with Melissa Cotton Hunter
AEA actress, Melissa Cotton Hunter, gives tips for maintaining family, relationships and self care as someone in the performing arts.Melissa Hunter is an AEA actor based out of Michigan where she lives with her husband Patrick, two kiddos Christopher and Cotton, and two dogs Franklin Franklin and Elle Woofs. She received a BFA from Kent State and has since worked in various cities around the country. She enjoys reading, hiking, home improvement projects, knitting and donuts.Book recommendations:Lincoln in the Bardo by George SaundersWhere The Crawdads Sing by Delia OwensA Woman is No Man by Etaf RumThe Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans A Piece of the World by Christina Baker KlineFollow Melissa-Instagram: @melissacottonhunterFollow The Smart Singer-Instagram: @thesmartsingerstudioFacebook: The Smart SingerTik Tok: @thesmartsinger
May 2, 2021
45 min
Exploring the Singing Storyteller with Patrick Hunter (MFA Acting)
Michigan based actor, Patrick Hunter, discusses how to find the perfect balance between vocal technique and storytelling. Patrick is an actor, director, playwright and educator, currently serving as Managing Director at The Barn Theatre School. A lifelong student of all things theatrical, Patrick has trained at institutions such as The University of New Orleans (MFA Theatre), Ithaca College (BFA Musical Theatre), Interlochen Arts Academy and the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts.In addition to scholarly pursuits, Patrick has enjoyed an award winning career as an actor and director in multiple regional markets, and appeared in over 55 productions as a member of the resident company at Michigan’s Barn Theatre. Most importantly, he is a father of 2 wonderful Children, Christopher and Cotton, ages 5 and 4 respectively.Follow The Smart Singer-www.thesmartsinger.comInstagram: @thesmartsingerstudioFacebook: The Smart SingerTik Tok: @thesmartsinger
Apr 25, 2021
52 min
Finding Choral Clarity with Adam Paltrowitz
Master educator, composer, conductor, and clinician, Adam Paltrowitz, discusses his approach to building a successful choral program through student empowerment. During his 21-year tenure as the Director of Choral Activities at Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School in New York, his groups have toured throughout Europe, Canada, and the United States.​What makes his choirs unique is his belief that anyone can sing; as a result, his ensembles are always self-selected, while maintaining the highest standard of musical excellence. He also has pioneered a philosophy that every student is a soloist. All students in his choirs continually learn and perform solo repertoire in various languages. Adam's choral program has also gained great acclaim for the cultivation of eight student-run a-cappella ensembles; some of these ensembles have performed on national and local television programs.​Adam earned his B.S. in music education from New York University, M.A. in vocal pedagogy from Columbia University - Teacher's College, and Ed.M. choral conducting from Columbia University - Teacher's College.​His weekly blog, Choral Clarity, has gained a large international audience as it provides a unique perspective to both the role of the choral director and the empowerment of all students.His choral compositions and arrangements have been performed by choirs around the world; many are available on his Choral Clarity instant download platform.​Please join the Choral Clarity Facebook Group for an interactive and introspective conversation about finding our own choral vision.​Adam resides in Manhattan with his wife, Blair Goldberg, a professional Broadway actress, and their daughter, Lyla, and son, Nolan.Follow Choral Clarity-www.choralclarity.comInstagram: @choralclarityFacebook: Choral ClarityFollow The Smart Singer-www.thesmartsinger.comInstagram: @thesmartsingerstudioTik Tok: @thesmartsingerFacebook: The Smart Singer
Apr 11, 2021
52 min
Booking Your Disney Dream Job with Hannah Weaver
NYC based actress, Hannah Weaver, discusses her journey to performing with Disney Cruise Lines and traveling the world. Upon graduation from Lafayette College, she worked on her first feature film in NYC, toured with VStar Entertainment, and traveled the world with Disney Cruise Line. She’s performed for people from all walks of life as a princess, a paleontologist, a bear, and much more. For the past year, Hannah has lived in NYC and loved (give or take a hundred subway delays) every minute of it! Welcome to her crazy adventure in the world of theatre! Follow Hannah-https://www.hannahcweaver.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahweaver001/Tik Tok: @hannahweaver001Podcast: @guysrcrazyFollow The Smart Singer-www.thesmartsinger.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesmartsingerstudio/Tik Tok: @thesmartsingerFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesmartsinger
Apr 4, 2021
21 min
Moving from College to Avenue Q with Jamie Glickman
NYC based singer Jamie Glickman discusses her transition from college to the Off Broadway cast of Avenue Q. In Jamie's junior year at SUNY New Paltz, she got the call that she would be making her off-broadway debut in the cast of AVENUE Q. Some of her other roles include Belle in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and Olive in SPELLING BEE at Jean's Playhouse.After debuting in the closing cast of Avenue Q, graduating college, and doing the audition hustle til Covid-19 hit, Jamie was literally left wondering: What do you do with a BA (in theatre) during a pandemic? Answer: You start a series on BroadwayWorld where you talk all about your obsession with theatre, style, and beauty!The Dressing Room: https://www.broadwayworld.com/topic/The-Dressing-RoomFollow Jamie- www.jamieglickman.comInstagram: @jamieglickmanTik Tok: @jamieglickychickFollow The Smart Singer-www.thesmartsinger.comInstagram: @thesmartsingerstudioFacebook: The Smart SingerTik Tok: @thesmartsinger
Mar 21, 2021
36 min
Becoming a Bicoastal Performer with Dekontee Tucrkile
Dekontee Tucrkile, a triple threat performer from California, shares her experiences as a bicoastal performer in New York and LA. She got her start performing in church musicals and community theatre. In high school, she performed with Mayfair High School's award-winning show choir "Showtime." ​She continued her education at Vanguard University of Southern California where she received a B.A. in Musical Theatre in 2014. After graduating from college, she attended Open Jar Institute in New York City, and trained at the world famous improv school Second City (Hollywood location). She has been seen in theatre shows such as American Idiot, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Jesus Christ Superstar, Mamma Mia. She was also featured in Invisible: A New Sci-fi Musical which made it's NYC debut at 54 Below and The Music Man with Adam Pascal. She performed with the improv- acapella team "Live! On Fire" and had a residency at ComedySportz Los Angeles. She has had the opportunity to work with worked Jeff Whiting, A.J. Rafael, Marc Kudisch, Tara Strong to name a few.Follow Dekontee-https://www.dekonteetucrkile.com/Tik Tok: @dekontee2clayInstagram: @dekonteetucrkileFollow The Smart Singer-www.thesmartsinger.comInstagram: @thesmartsingerstudioTik Tok: @thesmartsingerFacebook: The Smart Singer
Mar 14, 2021
44 min
Building Your Own Success on Broadway with Blair Goldberg
Broadway vet Blair Goldberg discusses her experiences in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN at the age of nine to closing night of KINKY BOOTS and how other performers can find their own success in musical theatre. Blair went on to study theater in both high school and college, earning a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance at NYU. On the very day of graduation from undergrad, she found out she had been cast in a developmental lab of the musical CARRIE. After taking part in the workshop, she was offered a spot in the Off-Broadway production, produced by MCC Theater, where she played the role of Norma, as well as understudying and performing the role of Chris. She can be heard on the Original Cast Album, produced by Sh-K-Boom records. Blair performed in the THE NUTTY PROFESSOR, directed by Jerry Lewis, music by Marvin Hamlisch, and book/lyrics by Rupert Holmes, playing the role of Peg and Understudying the lead role of Stella. She then toured the country as a nun in the 1st National Tour of SISTER ACT, directed by Jerry Zaks. Next, she appeared in the First National Tour of KINKY BOOTS directed by Jerry Mitchell. Some of her other favorite credits include: IF IT ONLY RUNS A MINUTE 5 (NYMF), HOMO THE MUSICAL (Suzie), MAKEOVER (Dinah), IN THAT VALLEY (NAMT), TIME TO KILL at the York Theater (Beth), THE FIX (Violet), AIDA (Amneris), and GREASE (Marty). She appeared on season 6 of Orange Is The New Black.
Mar 8, 2021
36 min
Growing Your Social Media Presence for Performers with Maggie Bera
NYC based actress, Maggie Bera shares how performers can utilize social media to advance their career. During the pandemic, social media has become one of the few platforms to share our work and connect with other artists.Maggie Bera is an actress, entrepreneur, and proud member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA. Off-Broadway, Maggie originated the role of Ruby in Helen on 86th St. at the Chernuchin Theatre. Regional credits include: Little Mermaid, Phantom (Fireside Theatre), The World According To Snoopy (TUTS), Peter Pan, Les Miserables (Connecticut Rep) and Grease (Count Basie). TV: "The Big C." Maggie can also be heard on the soundtrack to TAPES: A Song Cycle, a charity project inspired by Jay Asher's critically acclaimed novel "13 Reasons Why.” Most recently, she voiced the role of Jane in Lady Jane’s Radio Takeover on the new musical podcast, One Million Musicals. She is the founder of the blog, podcast and online learning community, Actor Aesthetic. BFA MT Texas State.Follow Maggie-www.maggiebera.comInstagram: @maggieberaTik Tok: @maggieberaFollow Actor Aesthetic-www.actoraesthetic.comInstagram: @actoraestheticTik Tok: @actoraestheticFollow The Smart Singer-www.thesmartsinger.comInstagram: @thesmartsingerstudioTik Tok: @thesmartsinger
Mar 1, 2021
41 min
From Music Major to Business Owner with Liana Salinas
CEO and Founder of My Music Match, Liana Salinas, shares how she went from being a public school music teacher to creating a private lesson community that revolutionizes education.Liana is a seasoned teacher, she believes in the power of music to connect people. Her goal in founding My Music Match is to build a vibrant community of students, parents, and teachers who share this belief. Liana holds a Bachelor of Music with a specialization in Music Education, and emphasis in jazz, from the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music. She also serves as the Artistic Director of the Miami Children’s Chorus, an organization near and dear to her heart.Follow My Music Match-www.mymusicmatch.orgInstagram: @mymusic.matchFacebook: My Music MatchFollow The Smart Singer-www.thesmartsinger.comInstagram: @thesmartsingerstudioFacebook: The Smart SingerTik Tok: @thesmartsinger
Feb 21, 2021
37 min
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