Aretha S.

General Info

• Certified Music Teacher

  Certified Music Teacher

  Our rigorous hiring process requires a completed application; an interview with our professional recruiting specialists; personal and professional reference checks; and annual criminal background checks for the duration of each teacher's employment with us.

  
• Background Check Complete

  Criminal Background Check

  In order to ensure the safety of our students, all teachers undergo a thorough criminal background check, which includes: Social Security number trace, multi-state criminal search and a nationwide sex offender registry search.

  
• Levels: Beginner to Advanced

• In-Home Lessons: Yes
• In-Studio Lessons: Yes
• Ages: 5 & up

Subjects Taught

Singing, Music Performance, Songwriting, Speaking Voice

Education

Fuller Theological Seminary - Ethnomusicology - 2008-2010 (Master's degree received)
University of California Los Angeles - Anthropology, African American Studies - 1998-2003 (Bachelor's degree received)
Speech Level Singing - - 2004,

Specialties

Methods: Speech Level Singing
Styles/Genre: Gospel, R&B, but my technique is not genre specific

Lesson Details

Lessons are set up in one hour, 45 minute, or thirty minute sessions. Half of the lesson will be spent training the voice through vocal exercises meant to combat the students' "tends to" to work toward the ultimate goal of reaching their best quality voice. I have trained students for competitions, auditions, and just for fun! With extensive experience in gospel, pop, and R&B genres, I also desire to lead students to push past their limits to constantly try new things with their instrument. ... Each lesson is uniquely geared towards combating the weaknesses identified in each performer at their initial diagnosis, and in a comfortable, loving environment, students are led to build on their strengths, to help them to reach their highest potential as a student.

All ages and levels are welcome.

Read More »

« Read Less

About

Aretha S.

Aretha S. has been using her gift of song all over the United States, and now abroad since the age of 4. Having her start in a singing group called the S. Sisters, which contained her 3 sisters and her parents on accompanying musical instruments, they over time, have sung at various churches, sporting and community events all over the United States. Opening for such artists as The Clark Sisters, Commisioned, Yolanda Adams and Vickie Winans to name a few, they even got the chance to ... sing for such historical events as Rosa Park’s 80th Birthday party and the Tuskeegee Airmen’s Congressional Honorial banquet. After graduating from UCLA in 2003, God opened the door for her and her twin sister Alayna to sing background for Natalie Cole and later other notables such as Whitney Houston, Patti LaBelle, Christina Aguilera, and gospel artists, Fred Hammond, Marvin Sapp and Yolanda Adams. She has been blessed to travel to over 14 countries with her gift of song and now, counts it a privilege to help Take Lessons students reach their fullest vocal potential. As a current performing artist, my desire is to teach all ages and levels of students how to recognize and use their voice as an instrument. With a desire to push student's to be their best, as a teacher I make it a point to stretch my students and help them to see themselves as the creative artists that they are.

Education

1998-2003 University of California Los Angeles
Bachelor of Science, Anthropology. Minor: African American Studies
Extra-curricular/volunteer activities: African Arts Ensemble (AAE)- Co-Directors of vocal component; UCLA Gospel Choir; African Brothers and Sisters (ABS); Intra Mural (IM) basketball; Black Pre-Health; Black Hypertension Project (BHP); UNICAMP; I’m Going to College-mentor program; Academic Advancement Program (AAP); Program Leading to Undergraduate Success (PLUS).

Experience
1985-Current Aretha S. - SopranoVoice
Description: Aretha has been performing for approximately 23 years at various concerts, church, community, and sporting events. As a duet with her twin sister Alayna, she sings gospel and patriotic music, but also sings various styles of music as a background vocalist for artists such as Natalie Cole and Patti LaBelle. Currently, she has performed in over 14 countries and is looking forward to expanding her creative talents to include ventures as an artist, in musical theater, and voice over opportunities.

Background Work: Aretha-Soprano/Alto
Description: Aretha is a former background singer for Natalie Cole (March 2004-2006); sang background for Philip Bailey of “Earth, Wind, and Fire”; as a member of the Maranatha Community Church Choir, sang background at “The Colors of Christmas” each Holiday Season for artists such as Sheena Easton, Peabo Bryson, Christopher Cross, Natalie Cole, and Bill Medley (Righteous Brothers); sang background for a live cd/dvd recording for gospel artist Beverly Crawford in 2007; and sang background in various studio sessions including Helen Baylor, Norman Hutchins, and Beverly Crawford (live recording); in Christmas 2008 she has been selected to sing background for a Gospel in the Holyland concert tour going all throughout Israel.
Acting Work: “Celie” in The Color Purple at the San Bernardino Sturgess Theater (2011); “Ella Fitzgerald” in a community production at my church
TV work:
•BET Celebration of Gospel 2007: sang background for Tye Tribbett, Yolanda Adams, Loretta Devine, Fred Hammond, Fantasia, Coko, Lil Mo, KiKi Sheard, Tonex, Kelly Price, The Caravans, Shirley Caesar, Bobby Jones, and Smokie Norful; Featured gospel artists at the Celebrity Center;
•BET show “Sunday Best” where I sang background for all the contestants and the guest artists such as Mary Mary, BeBe Winans, Shirley Caesar, Martha Munizzi and Stephanie Mills;
•BET Awards 2008: Jill Scott, Anthony Hamilton, Maxwell, Al Green, Marvin Sapp
•BET Celebration of Gospel 2008: sang background for Yolanda Adams, Patti LaBelle, Dr. Bobby Jones, Bebe Winans, KiKi Sheard, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Marvin Sapp, J. Moss, Israel & New Breed, and the Sunday Best Five Finalists.
•BET Celebration of Gospel 2009: sang background for Fred Hammond, Vickie Winans, 2103, Trinitee 5:7; Hezekiah Walker, Karen Clark-Sheard, Donnie McClurklin, Smokie Norful, Mary Mary,Heather Hadley, and Kirk Franklin
•BET Awards 2009: Bel Biv Devoe (BBD), Keith Sweat, Guy, New Edition, Ne-Yo, Monica, Keisha Cole, Mary Mary, Johnny Gill, Trey Songz, Tevin Campbell, The O’Jays
•BET Celebration of Gospel 2010
•BET Awards 2010
•BET Celebration of Gospel 2011: Whitney Houston, Kim Burrell, Smokie Norful, Kirk Franklin, Israel Houghton, Mary Mary, Vashawn Mitchell, Byron Cage,

Events: Featured artist for tributes sung for Nancy Wilson and gospel artist Mary Mary;Toys for Tots, Christmas Tree Festival; benefit concerts for the homeless; various banquets featuring the Historical tribute to the Tuskeegee Airmen, Assemblyman Kelley, Lt. Gov. Leo McCarthy, John Jacobs, past president of the National Urban League, Clifton Davis, Marla Gibbs, and Juan Williams (author of “Eyes on the Prize”); various churches throughout the United States; opening ceremonies for football, basketball, and baseball games for area high schools, minor league teams, and the NBA Summer League; Los Angeles District Attorney’s Inauguration Ceremony 2004 and various events and holiday parties; NFL 2007 holiday special on the NFL TV station with Maranatha Community Choir; Rosemead High School Football Field Dedication 2007; and various plays, weddings, concerts, and events.

Opened for: Yolanda Adams, Shirley Caesar, The Clark Sisters, Vickie Winans, Beau Williams, Commissioned, Phillip Bailey of Earth Wind and Fire, etc.

Achievements/ Honors: Sang "Happy Birthday", the Black National Anthem, and the Star-Spangled Banner at Rosa Parks’ 80th black-tie birthday celebration in 1993; finalists in the 1992 and 1993 McDonald's Gospel Festival (small group competition with S. Sisters); sang at the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Inauguration Ceremony 2004; won the 2004 McDonald’s Gospel Festival (choir competition); sang at the UCR Tuskegee Airmen Tribute 2007; participated in tribute to Mary Mary at I’m Every Woman Conference 2007 (sang 2 songs); and sang tribute to Nancy Wilson in 2007.

2006-Current Certified Speech Level Singing Level 1-Vocal Instructor
ReLay Vocals: as certified vocal coaches, Aretha and Alayna train all levels of singers in choirs, small groups, or as individuals. ReLay Vocals works to combat the vocal deterioration of vocalists and speakers, especially in the body of Christ. With the help of vocal exercises, they encourage others to use their gift of song and speaking to their fullest and most valuable potential. They currently have 10 students and are excited about the increasing number of students. Through their vocal coaching they have also been guest lecturers at UCLA’s Ethnomusicology class 91/191P “World Music Performance Organizations: Music of African Americans”

Read More »

« Read Less

Aretha's Photos

Aretha's Videos

Average Rating