Tuesday, June 12, 2018 by Trevor Eisenman | Voice

Voice Power Vocal Workshop

Rhonda LaRoy treated us with her vocal power at the Award Recital, and now she's offering her very special 2 day workshop on how to access your vocal power for singing and public speaking. 

A singer, songwriter, dancer, choreographer, and producer, Rhonda started performing at the age of five, singing a cappella to an audience of 500 and a standing ovation. She has continued to perform, in Europe and the United States, amazing audiences with her vocal pyrotechnics. In Germany, she was offered her first major deal with Metronome Records, releasing the CD maxi-single, “Sunday Morning”.  German radio announcers and newspapers said, “Sunday Morning,' by LaRoy, is a smash hit.”  It sold out every week it was in the stores.

Rhonda has taught thousands of people the proper techniques of how to breathe and access your true power. The training is perfect for anyone who wishes to sing, wants to improve their vocal power or anyone involved in public speaking.

In order to schedule the class, the first step is to find out who's interested in this 2-day workshop. We would like to have the class during June 2018, so don't wait to let us know of your interest. Email funmusic4U@gmail.com today and save your spot!

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Tuesday, June 12, 2018 by Trevor Eisenman | Orchestra & Ensembles

In the interest of creating exciting performance opportunities for our local young musicians, Fun Music is establishing the Foothills Youth Community Orchestra! This performance group is open to all local youth, not just Fun Music Students. Being part of group performances was a highlight of my childhood, and I'm excited to spearhead the formation of the orchestra for the Fall Semester. Students will also have opportunities to perform in smaller ensembles, such as string trios, quartets, jazz/rock bands, etc.

Participating in a youth orchestra and/or ensembles develops advanced music skills, fosters teamwork, instills discipline and a number of other admirable qualities: increased poise, confidence and a felling of self-accomplishment, for example. And then there is the thrill of live performances! 

Advanced musical skill and performance experience can also add a competitive edge when applying for colleges, and not just for music majors. Compared side by side, the math or science major with no other skills or interests, could be considered less qualified than the math or science major who also has demonstrated important social and creative skills through a music program, such as a youth orchestra. Many top colleges such as Yale or Princeton have an interest in adding students who might participate in their performance groups. 

For more information on auditions and the registration process, visit the new Orchestra page on our website. If you know another family that might be interested, please let them know about this opportunity right away. The faster we register students, the more momentum we will create for a successful orchestra. 

We'll be working on a Sponsorship program too, to help young musicians access the program. If you or your business would like to participate in "adopting" a student or contributing in some way, please contact the school. A formal Sponsorship program is being developed meanwhile. 

Trevor Eisenman
Managing Director 

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Friday, April 27, 2018 by Trevor Eisenman | Performances

Let's Get Universal

Music is a universal language understandable to anyone. Even just the tone and sound of any event, situation or life moment can signal to us how to react, alert us to any danger present or hint to happy times. It's been said 50% of a movie's impact is the soundtrack, the emotional content of a film being carried by the recorded music & sounds. A single song could change even someone's life, if they hear it at the right time. Could you imagine a world without sound? 

I'm so used to having music and sounds in my life, I'll admit I take it for granted. But if my hearing were to disappear, it would be devastating. Taking away my Human Rights would be just as devastating. 

To me, Human Rights is so basic, so universal to existence, it's just as easy to take for granted as music or the ability to hear. Having grown up as an American, I rarely gave Human Rights a second thought. We have such freedom to be what we want or who we want. But we grow up, don't we? Injustice, crime and hate sometimes live next door in that "friendly" neighborhood, or clings hidden behind the eyes of a co-worker. 

My first wife was Latino. My second (and current) wife is Jewish. Through them I heard stories and had the opportunity to share cultural histories. I watched movies demonstrating how atrocious Man can be to Man. A common "theme" in these catastrophic events, some of which happened not so long ago, was inaction on the part of the many (who enjoyed generous freedoms), which allowed the destruction of less fortunate, who were not allowed any human rights. 

Such a serious topic, I know! But this post has a happy ending, I promise. 

Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day

Anyone who's been out and about this past week has doubtless notice lots of Armenian flags mounted on cars and large groups of Armenians stepping out together to commemorate this Armenian National Holiday. The participation is fantastic, and I think it's great that remembering the past has been established so firmly - never forget! To forget is to have history repeat itself. 

The Freedom Singers

A good friend of mine, Anoush Nevart, an award-winning actress and Grammy Nominee, not to mention a concert pianist, recording artist and choir conductor, asked me to participate in a group called the Freedom Singers. The Freedom Singers get together each year to sing several famous Armenian Songs, broadcast live on Horizon Armenian TV.  Although I had never sung in Armenian before, I felt privileged to take part and help promote Human Rights through music. 

Click here to watch the performance.

The singers were accented with the colors of the Armenian flag; blue, apricot and red. I sang 2nd Tenor as well as performed a brief solo. The only Armenian in the bunch was Anoush; the rest were all Americans, several of whom are of different nationalities. The songs performed were: "Soorp, Soorp" (Holy, Holy), "Groong" (The Crane) and "Yerevan, Erebuni," the most famous song of Armenian origin. Yerevan is the captial of Armenia (formerly called Erebuni). 

All three songs are very beautiful and unique, the first two being folk songs. "Yerevan, Erebuni" is one of the most famous cultural songs in Armenia, from my understanding. It's especially powerful. 

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