[Perform-Talk] Musical influences

Thu Apr 28 17:46:40 UTC 2016

Good discussion friends!

No one in my family performs at all, so my influences are largely
famous singers.  Except...  My voice teachers.  My first voice teacher
introduced me to musical theater, shaped my voice, and opened my mind
to so much music.  My other voice teachers and vocal coaches showed me
the beauty of classical art song and opera.

As for other singers...  I want to be Kristin Chenoweth when I grow
up.  She's short and blond like me...  No, seriously, she sings in
many different styles, and her voice is so clear and expressive.  She
sings classical, musical theater, jazz, oldies, contemporary
Christian, and country.  There are probably others...  I would like to
develop the kind of voice that can easily handle a variety of genres
of music.  If she can do it, why can't I?

I love expressive singers, and I adore musical theater.  Les Mis is my
favorite as well!  I grew up on Rent, Wicked, Phantom, Rogers and
Hammerstein, among others.  If I could dance, I would so star in
Carousel some day.

This is a good discussion!  Thanks Darian!

On 4/28/16, Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Perform-talk
<perform-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Good question.
>
> My first foray into performing was dance. My mom taught dance, so I started
> dancing as young as three. Some of my earliest memories are being on stage.
> She took my sister and I to watch ballets, which I loved. The Nutcracker,
> Giselle and Sleeping Beauty have always been my favorites. I admit this is
> one of those things I miss after losing my sight. Attending the ballet is
> not that much fun. It's basically attending a symphony performance for me
> instead of ballet. I'm obsessed with Misty Copeland though. Her story in
> general, but her style, the way she moves, just love it. Wish I could watch
> her for myself.
>
> My uncle was into performing, and he introduced me to the world of music at
> a young age as well. I loved all kinds of music, but musical theatre was my
> favorite. I listened to all types of shows and went to as many live
> performances as I could. I saw a taped performance of Les Mis on PBS, and to
> this day, it's my favorite musical. I also love Westside Story (which we did
> in high school, and I under-studied as Maria) Phantom (because, who
> doesn't?) The Scarlett Pimpernel, Grease and Once Upon a Mattress. I now
> include Rent, Wicked and Newsies in my
> top picks. Actually, a Broadway touring production of Newsies came through
> town a couple of months ago, and I was blown away. It made me a little
> wistful, wanting to be on stage again.
>
> I grew up in the 80s and 90s, so musically, I'm eclectic. Grunge was huge in
> the early and mid-90s, and I think it influenced a lot of musicians. Pearl
> Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana-- there's a reason people still listen to
> this music. The Cranberry's and Garbage were great too.
>
> And I have to be honest, I was very influenced by Christina Aguilera and
> Britney Spears once upon a time. They are considered musical icons now,
> having shaped pop-culture. Most vocalist who were in their teens and 20s at
> that time were in some way influenced by them.
>
> But my all-time favorite pop performer is Mariah Carey. I wanted to be her.
> I studied everything she did-- how she performed, walked, looked--
> everything. Funny, I've often been told I look like a white, thinner version
> of her, LOL! High praise in my book! But she shaped my performing identity
> quite a bit, especially in the 90s.
>
> Bridgit
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Perform-talk [mailto:perform-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> Darian Smith via Perform-talk
> Sent: Thursday, April 28, 2016 9:31 AM
> To: Performing Arts Division list <perform-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Darian Smith <dsmithnfb at gmail.com>
> Subject: [Perform-Talk] Musical influences
>
> Good Morning list!
>   I can’t help but to notice that the list has been a little on the quiet
> side lately so I wanted to liven things up a little bit.
>
>  A week ago Prince passed away, and while it shocked myself and many many
> others around the world I started to look into the musicians which musically
> shaped him. Every artist  or musician has some sort of creative  influence.
> For some it is a family member who was  really talented musically, for
> others it may have been an artist they listen to when they grew up.
>  for myself myDJ influences  were among others my mom who mixed while in
> college and worked some clubs in the local club scene.
>  I also enjoyed listening to radio  DJs in particular a very talented man by
> the name of Greg Lopez.
>   What was it for you? what or who musically influenced you?
>   Thanks Darian
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-- 
Julie A. McGinnity
President, National Federation of the Blind Performing Arts Division,
Second Vice President, National Federation of the Blind of Missouri
"For we walk by faith, not by sight"
2 Cor. 7