Singing with Aretha S.

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, Commissioned, 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. Singer/Actress/Song-Writer THEATER Celie in a musical production of “The Color Purple” San Bernardino, CA Performing Arts Center February 12, 2011 Ella Fitzgerald in “Recounting Our History” Los Angeles, CA Maranatha Community Church SINGING Background Work: TouringVocals: Anita Baker, Christina Aguilera & Natalie Cole Studio Session Vocals: Michael Bolton, Anita Baker, Helen Baylor, Norman Hutchins, Beverly Crawford (live recording), and Be Be Winans; TV background Vocals: Whitney Houston, Fred Hammond, Patti LaBelle, BVD, New Edition, Johnny Gill, Ne- Yo, Jamie Foxx, Guy, Tyrese, The O’Jays, Shante Moore, Smokie Norful, Tye Tribbett, Chaka Khan, Mary Mary, Fantasia, Lil’ Mo, KiKi Sheard, Coko(SWV), Christopher Cross, New Edition, Bill Medley (Righteous Brothers), Anthony Hamilton, Loretta Devine, Kelly Price, Yolanda Adams, The Caravans, Juanita Bynum, Maxwell, Tonex, Dr. Bobby Jones, Philip Bailey of “Earth, Wind, and Fire”, BeBe and CeCe Winans, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Martha Munizzi, Stephanie Mills, Mighty Clouds of Joy, New Edition, Al Green, Marvin Sapp, J.Moss, Israel & The New Breed, Sheena Easton, Peabo Bryson TV Appearances: The Voice; The Jay Leno Show; The Ellen DeGeneres Show; The Conan O’Brien Show; BET Sunday Best (season one); BET Celebration of Gospel 2005 - 2013; BET Awards 2007-2013; BET Sunday Best; and Trinity Broadcast Network (TBN). Solo Events: Opening act for Yolanda Adams, Shirley Caesar, The Clark Sisters, Vickie Winans, Beau Williams, Commissioned, Phillip Bailey of Earth Wind and Fire, Tye Tribbett, etc; Missions Conference 2009 in Sao Paulo, Brazil; Christmas Tree Festivals and Toys for Tots; opening ceremonies for football, basketball, and baseball games for area high schools, minor league teams, and the NBA Summer League; benefit concerts for the homeless; and various banquets, weddings, holiday parties, plays, concerts, and events throughout the United States and more than 14 countries. Additional Achievements/ Honors: Rosa Parks’ 80th Birthday Celebration; UCR Tuskegee Airmen Tribute 2007; A Tribute to Nancy Wilson and gospel group Mary Mary; Los Angeles District Attorney’s Inauguration and Retirement Ceremonies 2004, 2008, and 2012; McDonald’s Gospel Festival Winners(choir competition); first Martin Luther King Jr. March at Fuller Theological Seminary 2010. ADDITIONAL SKILLS: Intermediate Fluency in Spanish and Portuguese, Latin Dances *** 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. *** Travel Equipment *** Students should provide a piano and CD, or computer to play music through *** Specialties *** Methods: Speech Level Singing Styles/Genre: Gospel, Jazz, R&B, musical theater but my specific technique is not genre specific; I am able to teach any student who's willing to learn.