SINGERS SPOTLIGHT

Amanda Morando is our talented youth conductor. A former member of the teen ensemble, les étoiles, she is in her second year of working with the SingersMarin youth choruses, Twinkling Stars and Starlights.  She is also in her second year as camp director for a summer camp program she created called "Musical You!"  Amanda also sings with the SingersMarin professional a cappella ensemble, Just Voices.  She completed a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from UC Santa Barbara.  In a recent SingersMarin interview she was asked what her plans for the youth program are. To which she replied "My plans for the youth program include making it larger! I like doing classical choral music but adding in some musical theatre pieces, or popular songs arranged for choirs, because I think it keeps the kids engaged more. They are introduced to the classical choral world that I love, but have other music to get them excited the first day of class."  She is excited to be a part of the organization that helped her realize her musical passion, and looks forward to doing the same for the children she works with.  We are delighted to have her as part of the SingersMarin family!

Eleanor Coleman, graduated from les etoiles in 2011, but she did not stop singing. She is attending a top conservatory in New York City, the Manhattan School of Music, to study classical voice as a mezzo-soprano. There is no question that her experience with les etoiles has been the foundation for this opportunity. She traveled with les etoiles to the World Choir Games in Graz, competed at the Golden Gate International Youth and Choir Festival, and has had many, many performance opportunities. She has studied voice with Jan Pedersen Schiff since she was 14. Jan helped prepare her for auditions and summer programs like the Youth Music International Festival and the Carnegie Mellon University pre-conservatory program.

Jessica Fierro inherited the gift of music from her Dad and the love of music from both of her parents.  Her Father, Martin Fierro was a renowned saxophone player who frequently brought Jessica onstage with him at the many shows he performed.  Her Dad passed away in March 2008 when she was 8 years old and at his memorial, which was held at The Fillmore, Jessica performed onstage, for the first time, in front of a sold out crowd singing a song dedicated to her Dad.  Since that time, she has been singing with SingersMarin for three years and enjoys singing with her ensemble, Celestial Voices.  Most recently Jessica has performed with talented local bands around town that her Dad used to play with and plans on continuing to do so.  Below is a link to one of her performances: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2d3PoacXYQ

 Former Wings of Song member, Fran Hament, looks back at her Wings of Song as an experience which is not easy to explain.  "The feelings, the camaraderie, the learning of new and proper ways to sing have stayed with me through the years."  Now living at The Jewish Home in San Francisco,  Fran sings many solo's at the daily coffee bar, and will participate in this year's upcoming Chanukah Show, "American Chai-Dol," (a take off on American Idol).  Her solo for this performance will be a song she wrote lyrics to, on the melody of Stormy Weather -- a sampling of those lyrics:  Don't know why, matzo balls fall from the sky, kosher weather...

Fran says, "I still wear the Wings of Song t-shirt often and think about the lovely memories."

Just Voices member, Patty Wolfe, has just released a a new CD, Postcards From Patty.  These are all original songs she has written over the years.  They include an eclectic variety of styles i.e., rock, soft ballads, Latin, etc...

For more information and to hear samples, check out her website @ www.pattywolfemusic.com

A Joyful Sound! member, Bob Gordon, is enjoying the music we’re singing this summer, because of his past association with the performing artists and composers.  Here are the facts:

HAPPY DAYS:  The writers are Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel, who have been clients.  They are both top writers with Oscars and Emmys to their credit, including the classic hit “Killing Me Softly . . .”.

LISTEN TO THE MUSIC:  This is a famous Doobie Brothers song, written by Tom Johnston.  I represented the Doobie Brothers for about 25 years and continue to represent Tom and his daughter, Lara, who most likely will be a famous singer as well.  I also negotiated the contract resulting in the printing of the sheet music we use!

MILL VALLEY:  I have been counsel to Rita Abrams for decades, and also represent Erik Jacobsen, who was the producer of the recording and involved in the publishing.  I also negotiated the sheet music contract.

YESTERDAY ONCE MORE and TOP OF THE WORLD:  I was the personal attorney for Richard and Karen Carpenter in the mid- and late ‘60s early in their careers.