CenterStage Singers
Note from Marilee:
I started Centerstage back in 2009 and have enjoyed it so much. It grew and transformed as the years went by and my family and I gained a lot of satisfaction out of doing it.
I've come to the difficult decision that I won't be running it anymore because of family demands and responsibilities.
The children who I have worked with, I truly love. I have loved teaching and (hopefully) inspiring them. What fun we've had!!!!
To learn more about my boys' condition go to our blog or website http://www.gm-123.org and http://www.gm1gangliosidosis.blogspot.com.
Who Are We?
CenterStage Singers is a show choir for youth ages 6 to 18. Currently, we hold one session a year, consisting of 8 one hour group lessons where the participants learn to sing, dance and perform together as a group. The session is held each spring and registration will typically begin early each December. If interested, submit to our email list for information on upcoming sessions.
Marilee will focus on teaching the students to have fun performing, gain a love for music and do it in a beautifully skilled way. We will cover vocal technique, some dance movement, mic technique and acting/performing skills on stage.
The singers have performed at great local events around Tucson including the Pima County Fair, Oro Valley Marketplace Street Fair and Zoo Lights at Ried Park Zoo.
See the Singers in Action
Benefits of Group Voice Lessons
- Lower cost overall than individual voice lessons
- They are given the opportunity to perform in a professional venue
- Each child will learn vocal technique from not only myself but more experienced peers in the group
- They each get a chance for solo work, but learn harmony and blending as well
- The group feeds off one another to share and grow their love for music
- They learn to work together and applaud the success of others
- The example and confidence of peers can help others in the group develop more confidence to share their own talents
- Each age group gets a chance to record one of the songs each session
Rules and Guidelines
- Please arrive promptly; we will have a lot to learn!
- Each Student or Family will receive a CD of accompaniments to practice with, a weekly assignment sheet, warm up sheet and lyrics.
- Have each student bring a folder or binder to keep all of the above in.
- Please encourage your student to practice the songs or assignments at home. I will keep track of practice days earned each week.
- You may need to purchase a clothing item for the performance. I will try to keep the performance outfits reasonable such as items you may already possess.
- Please pick up your students on time, since we may have classes back to back.
- If a student needs to miss a rehearsal let me know. Depending on need and time availability, I will hold 1 makeup rehearsal each session.
A Little About My Background
As a child I was in a performing group much like this one. We sang and acted out small sections of musicals and our director found places for us to perform, it was great. As I got older I performed in musicals, "Oklahoma", "The Music Man" (twice), and "Fiddler on the Roof". Then for my senior year (2000-2001) I moved to St. Goerge, UT to attend the Tuacahn performing arts High School. While there I starred as Cinderella in "Cinderella" Afterwards I participated in their summer theatre on the big stage amphitheatre at Tuacahn in "Oklahoma". (2001)
Following that, I was a member of the Sunburst singers/Sun Valley Carolers at Utah State University we performed in Sun Valley, Idaho, during the holidays and did our Glenn Miller show during the spring. (2001-2002) The following summer and 2 more after that (summer 2003, 2004, and 2005) I was in the Pickleville Playhouse theatre in Bear Lake, performing slapstick melodrama in one show and accompanying Musicals on the piano in another. Using these experiences and my enjoyment for music, I hope to teach these girls how to have fun performing, gain a love for music and do it in a beautiful and skilled way. I hope to give them confident vocal ability, a little dance and movement as well as acting skills.
-Marilee Leishman