Review: Disney Performing Arts Workshops

Yes, I could be paying attention, but I knew there was a camera on me.

On Jan 31, and Feb 1st, as part of the Niagara Star Singer’s Disney World tour, I took part in two workshops with Disney Performing Arts.  In a very short summary, they were awesome.

For one workshop we were whisked “backstage” at Epcot to work in a great rehearsal space and for the other, we worked in a performance theatre at one of the resorts.  So the venues were great and we had a Disney performer named Cameron work with us.  He was everything you could ask for in a coach.  Cameron had energy to burn, he pushed us and pulled us along, he was able to share all sorts of insider stories about working at Disney and he was a super teacher.

“So when I’m famous, I’ll have 2 ponies and a mansion…”

Learning the Moonwalk at Disney Performing Arts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While at Epcot, we worked on staging a classic Disney stage number called Adventureland and we staged the opening scene to Beauty and The Beast in our other workshop.  Cameron led both workshops which was great since he already had an idea of what we could do and cuz we liked him so much.

I can’t recommend these workshops highly enough to anyone that does musical theatre or live performance.  We were treated so well and we learned so much.  They were great and two of the best mornings I’ve spent in a long time.

The end of our workshop with Cameron, Minnie and all of the Niagara Star Singers

Celeste and I are rockin’ out with Minnie.

Update: Seussical the Musical

Today is the last day of Suessical rehearsals.  We have a technical rehearsal on Monday and opening night on Tuesday.  This one has been a whirlwind.  But, even with working with so many non-theatre kids, it has been going pretty good.  Seems one of the hardest parts to get down was the bows at the end.  Shaking my head, I have no idea why that was so hard.

Regardless, my dad is coming to photograph the tech rehearsals so you should be able to see photos early next week.

Until then.

Christmas Message of Thanks

Just before I disappear for a week of holiday fun, I wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays etc.  There are so many people that have been important and supportive of my this year.  I’m grateful to all of them.  In no particular order…

• Lisa Brillon – What a great singing teacher you are and I appreciate all the extra help you’ve given me.  I have so much fun working with you not only one on one but also with the Niagara Star Singers.  We are going to rock both Disney and the Provincial singing competition in 2015!
• Arthur Massei – Thanks to you and everyone at TalentInk-NY for the great opportunities you’ve pitched me for.  2015 is going to be the year of the Visa, I can feel it.
• Lisan and Brooke Dingman-Nagy – You two have made a real impact on my dancing and my fitness this year.  I never thought I’d be so flexible nor be able to do so many crunches.
• Geoff Chapman and Stanlee – Thanks for the jobs this year.  I’ll miss hanging out backstage with Stanlee, but I know she’ll be enjoying her retirement.
• Sterling Johnston – This has been a super year together.  Thanks for your enthusiasm and creativity.  We’ve got plenty more movies in us, but let’s cast some girls this year, huh?
• Brigitte Robinson, Guy Bannerman, Dianna Donnelly – All of you have helped coach me for various auditions this year.  I’m so lucky to have great actors nearby that are willing to work with me.  I’m really blessed.
• Heather Kiemele – I really appreciate that you decided to have a school musical this year and that you cast me in it.  We are going to put on a show to remember.  One more year with you, so start thinking about next year’s musical.

Lastly, I’d like to thank my mom and dad for all the times they’ve driven me to Toronto for 5 minute auditions, found time and money for extra coaching, for all the love and support that you give me.  Thank you doesn’t say enough.

Niagara Star Singers Concert – Dec 7th, 2014

If you can ignore Dad’s shaky hands at the beginning, he is 42 after all, the video is from a darn good performance of Gonna Catch That Santa.  We were part of a Christmas concert put on by the Queenston Ladies Choir.  It took place in Niagara-on-the-Lake at St. Mark’s Anglican Church on Dec 7th, 2014.  Here are some photos that were taken during the rehearsal and the performance.  We had a ton of fun.

 

You didn’t think that I took jazz for nothing, did you? I’m a dancing machine.

It’s true! I’m a Christmas elf. Honourary.

Lisa!!!! Geena is pushing me…

Here is a shot of us paying solemn attention to our choir director, Lisa. She is great and scary, too.

Music Video: Gonna Catch That Santa

Here is the video that Sterling made of Maya and I singing the other night.  Enjoy.

Update: Burlington Rotary Music Festival

Just a quick note…

I was honoured yesterday to learn that I have been invited by the festival to represent them at the Provincial level competition next June.  That honour was on top of a scholarship I’d received at the Gala Concert last Saturday night.

So, I’ve got about 8 months to prepare a concert class of 2 contrasting songs that will kick ass at the Provincial level.  I know some people that competed last year and didn’t even place, so I’m well aware that the level of competition is fierce.  There are 2 more local level competitions I plan to enter early next year and I’ll use those to “workshop” my songs.

If anyone has suggestions for great songs, appropriate to a 12 year old male tenor, please let me know.  I’ll be competing in the Musical Theatre category so that will help to shape the choices.

Oh yeah, my sister did amazing in her voice classes – all seconds and firsts.  Go Maya!

Burlington Rotary Music Festival

This past week, my sister and I competed in the Burlington Rotary Music Festival in the Musical Theatre category.  I’m all done but Maya will still be competing this week in the Voice category.  I’m pleased to say that I brought home a first and 2 second place finishes and together, Maya and I won the duet class for my age group.

Now that I am just competing against boys, there are less people to compete against which I think is both good and bad.  In my three individual classes, there was just another boy and me – one class actually had 3 of us.  We got to know each other but I’d like to have some variety in the group.  These are the same kids that I was against last year.  In contrast, some of the girls I sing with regularly were in a class with 6 or 8 others.  You can actually lose in those classes and you really need to bring your very best. I expect to enter 2 other competitions this year and I hope there will be more guys.

This year’s judge was pretty good and seemed to be mostly focused on how well our performance told the story and how believable we were.  It worked very well for my performance as Gilbert from Anne of Green Gables singing Wonderin’ and worked against me for Billy Elliot singing Electricity.  My damned changed voice sure belts out a power tune but I guess Billy was more of a treble and less of a tenor.  Regardless, I had fun singing the roles.

I hope my sister does well this week in her voice classes.  I’m wishing her luck.

Niagara Star Singers Gala Showcase

You always need moms backstage to help with hair and makeup.

Without Sylvain the Soundman there is no show.

Lookin’ slick in sequins.

Mary Maria, Emily and I living it up on stage.

Ok. Who turned Celeste and Nora into hippies? A medley from Hair.

Emily, Stella, Yvonne, Gena and I get ready to jump, or maybe clap, I forget.

The massed Niagara and Junior Niagara Star Singers on stage.

Grace casts a critical eye over her make up job.

End of Year Music Recital

Wow. You can’t believe the talent that was showcased on Sunday night. My wonderful music teacher, Lisa Brillon, had her students put on a show that left the crowd speechless. I was so proud to stand on the stage with such great singers and I can see that I have a really high standard to maintain.

Here is my humble addition to the show.

Audition Update: May Contain Nuts

Great news:  I got offered the part for May Contain Nuts.

Not as Great News:  I couldn’t make the date of the shoot so I had to turn it down.

I knew there was a chance that I’d need to turn down the job because of my commitment to Niagara Star Singers.  Tough luck that our end of the season fundraiser gala was on the same day as the shoot.  But, when I joined the JNSS, I made a promise to make it my first priority and I couldn’t let the group down.  I’m not going to break my promise now.  I’ve made some real progress working with choreography and working in a group because of Star Singers.

There’s more projects out there.  I’ll just go get them.