Music Performance with Adia L.

Adia has been described as having “a voice full of personality and expression.” Her vocal stylings have been called soulful, soothing, and classy. Dedicated to the preservation of jazz music, her energetic and exciting performances are marked by a blend of jazz standards, original compositions, and an exploration of the elements of jazz found in contemporary music genres. For over ten years Adia performed with Generations, a jazz ensemble dedicated to the preservation of jazz music, consisting of some of the most seasoned jazz musicians in the triangle area, opening for Jimmy Heath and performing with Gary Bartz. Her debut CD First Take, features Generations. Adia is still often accompanied by her father, Generations bassist Freeman L., a bassist with over thirty years of jazz performing experience. A skilled and passionate performer, Adia works with various jazz instrumentalists. She currently performs with the her Quartet which routinely features jazz professionals, instructors, and students from North Carolina and the US east coast on drums, bass, piano, and horns. A native of Durham, NC, Adia holds Bachelors degrees in Music Education and Jazz Studies from North Carolina Central University and a Masters degree in Jazz Performance from New York’s Queens College. She was chosen as an outstanding performer by Downbeat Magazine in 2006, and was selected to participate in the 2006 Betty Carter Jazz Ahead International Jazz Residency and Performance Project. She was selected as a 2008 NC Arts Council Emerging Artist. Her sophomore CD, Take 2: Rendezvous with Yesterdays was well received internationally and reached the top ten on the CMJ jazz station charts. Adia most recently was the featured performer for the 2011 Durham Arts Council Emerging Artist Ceremony and was chosen to be on the 2012-2014 Durham Arts Council CAPS rooster, bringing the arts to public and private schools. She also served as the music director for United Way’s “Shakespeare on Base” held at Fort Bragg Military Base in Fayetteville, North Carolina. *** Lesson Details *** I am a laid back instructor with an incredible love for music. I will tailor each lesson to the needs of each individual student. I love teaching dedicated and diligent students. I am well versed in teaching various styles of music including but not limited to classical, jazz, and musical theater. I encourage my students to become musicians and not just vocalist. Each lesson will be comprised of a vocal warm-up, vocalizing exercises, ear-training, music theory, and singing. I will include a little history and diction when needed. When you study with me you will leave with the ability to sing any type of music of your choosing. I will infuse each student with my own passionate spirit for music. Lets sing! *** Studio Equipment *** Living room set up for lessons with piano and microphones. Parents are able to sit in on lessons. *** Travel Equipment *** I can bring my own keyboard and tape/cd player. I would like for students to have a mirror and a cassette tape or other recording method for practicing purposes. *** Specialties *** I specialize in Jazz Vocal Performance, though I was trained to sing Classical and Broadway music as well.