Gergana Velinova - Workshops

Extreme Vocal Makeover A Summer Vocal Workshop for Singers Produced by Gergana Velinova June 18 - 22 Held at the Victoria Conservatory of Music 900 Johnson Street Victoria BC Full Time Program for Soloists: The Full Time program for soloists is open to 10 advanced singers by interview and audition only. Please email: gergavelinova@gmail.com for more information, interview or to schedule audition time. Soloists who are admitted are strongly encouraged to have their workshop pieces memorised. Day 1 - Song Writing for Singers with Anne Schaefer Winner of Vocalist of the Year at the 2004 Island Music Awards, Songwriter of the Year and Artist of the Year at the 2005 IMA, and Favorite Jazz Artist at the 2006 M Awards, singer/songwriter Anne Schaefer will work individually and in a group setting on the theme of song writing. Soloist who have written their own songs are encouraged to come prepared to perform one original piece. Day 2 - Musical Theater and Stage Presence with Robyn Cathcart As a tenor, director, voice teacher and coach, Mr. Cathcart is a multi-faceted, dynamic and in-demand artist whose 25 year career spans the worlds of opera, musical theatre, jazz, pop, concert performance, commercial performance and recording. Soloists need to prepare one piece from the Musical Theater, Jazz Standards or Cabaret repertoire. The songs can be in a foreign language. Day 3 - Latin Songs and Rhythms with Adonis Puentes Grammy nominated Cuban-Canadian Vocalist and Songwriter, Adonis Puentes, is a predominant figure in today’s world music scene, bringing fresh sounds strongly rooted in the traditions of Cuba to international audiences. The Latin day will be focusing on learning how to count off and differentiate the variety of Latin styles as well as the difference between Latin vs. Brazilian rhythms. Soloists may bring one song in a Latin style or bring percussion instruments such as congas and maracas. However, singers do not need to come prepared for the Latin day as Adonis is going to be working with the group regardless of having prepared material or not. Day 4 - Improvisation and Vocal Technique with Jennifer Scott Jennifer Scott is a Vancouver-born vocalist and jazz pianist specializing in jazz, blues and world music. Jennifer is considered one of the most important jazz artists working in Canada and the United States today. Mrs. Scott will focus on vocal technique, improvisation, and Brazilian music and will be open to work with singers on any style they wish. Soloists should prepare one or two pieces. Singers who play piano are strongly encouraged to sing for her while accompanying themselves. Day 5 - Summary, Final Performance Preparation with Gergana Velinova For complete bio please visit Gergana's "About" page on this site. This day will focus on summarizing the workshop experience, discussions and community building as well as final preparation and a rehearsal for the Gala Concert that evening. Soloists should be ready to perform two pieces by memory. Auditing Singers: Singers who wish to audit do not need to audition. They may attend any of the workshop days and may come and go at any time during the day. Auditing singers are welcome to participate in any of the group activities such as warm ups or songwriting or vocal and rhythm exercises, however they will not be able to work with the Guest Artists on solo pieces. Auditing singers are welcome to participate in any of the evening jam session at Moxie's. Please email: gerganavelinova@gmail.com if you need additional information. Daily Schedule Monday June 18 - Friday June 22 9:00 - 12:30 - Workshop (part one) 12:30 - 1:30 - Lunch 1:30 - 5:00 - Workshop (part two) Open Jam Sessions at Moxie's 7:3O- 10:00 p.m. in partnerhsip with U-Jam Jazz Society (We are in dialog with the managment of Moxie's and will be confirming the jazz session shortly. The Jam Sessions will be open to all participants including auditing singers as well as singers and instrumentalists from the community.) Moxie's Grill & Bar , 1010 Yates Street, Victoria. (250) 360-1660 Friday Night, June 22 - 7:30* Workshop participants Gala Concert Tickets: by donation Tuition: $500* - Full Time Soloists $200 - Auditing (all week all classes, no audition necessary) $50 - Single Day Auditing Pass (only when available) *$150 Required to reserve. Payments: Tuition is due on or before June 1, 2012. Deposit of $150 is required to reserve a spot for the soloist program. If the due date has past please email: gerganavelinova@gmail.com for more information and availability. Payments can be made by personal checks or money order made to Gergana Velinova and send to the mailing address below. Gergana Velinova - Extreme Vocal Makeover 3933 Cumberland Rd. Victoria, BC V8P 3J5 Canada Contact: For additional information, registration, audition or sponsorship please contact Gergana Velinova by email: gerganavelinova@gmail.com.


"So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole world." Baha'u'llah The East Meets South Project was born after Gergana and Kim Pacheco's first musical collaboration when the two singers - joined by the extraordinary jazz and gospel pianist Richard White Jr. - combined their artistic talents conducting a vocal workshop and concert tour in Canada and the United States. Gergana is originally from Sofia, Bulgaria, and Kim and Richard are from the Southern United States (NC and SC) hence the name East Meets South. Our mission is to bring cultural, historical, racial and spiritual awareness to our global community through music and artistic excellence. We hope that our friendship as well as our professional collaborations will stand as an example of unity in diversity.
The East Meets South Project will celebrate 2011 Black History Month with a Gospel Workshop and a Community Concert. The workshop will be facilitated by vocalist Kim Pacheco and pianist Richard White Jr.. The two extraordinary gospel musicians will bring the Southern African-American gospel church song tradition to Victoria in a choir setting with some soloist opportunities as well. The workshop is open to all who love to sing regardless of their level of experience. THE GOSPEL WORKSHOP is divided in two separate groups (see details and schedules below) HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS GROUP - $30 February 14 and 16 from 3-6 pm. ADULT GROUP - $100 February 18 , 19 and 20. THE GALA CONCERT: On Sunday, February 20 at 2 p.m. both the adult and high school students choirs will unite in a MASS GOSPEL CHOIR for a gala concert open to the Victoria community. The concert will take place at Vic-High newly renovated 750 seats auditorium. To REGISTER please read the detailed information provided below.
THE SPECIAL THEATER PLAY: As part of the first half of the Sunday gala-concert celebration, East Meets South Project is proud to present and support actor Justin Carter and his one-man show "Son of Africville". In recent months the play has become a sensation in Victoria. This extraordinary theatrical work combines Carter's unique ability to weave drama, comedy and his own written and performed music in a heart-felt autobiographical story of how after a 20-year separation the actor was finally reunited with his birth mother in Africville, Halifax; one of the oldest black communities in Canada. As Justin remembers the gospel songs his mother sang to him as a child, the workshop participants will sing along with him and join him at the finale of the play. To learn more about Justin Carter and "Son of Africville" read the recent article in the Times Colonist here:
The Adult Workshop is open to all who love to sing. No previous experience necessary. The early registration is $100 paid by check, money order or cash. Registration the day of $120. Rehearsals will be held at Vic-High. The schedule is: February 18 - 6:00 - 9:00 pm February 19 - 10:00 - 5:00 pm February 20 - Gala Concert begins at 2 pm. (rehearsal call is for 12 noon.) To confirm your spot and receive early registration please email: workshops@gerganamusic.com
The Gospel Workshop for high school students is open to all high school students who love to sing. No previous experience necessary. The workshop dates are MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14 and WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2011 from 3 - 6 pm. COST IS $30. The students participating in the workshop will join the VIC HIGH R& B Band and the adult workshop choir to form a mass choir on Sunday, February 20 to perform at the 2 pm gala concert. The concert call on Sunday will be 12 noon. The workshop will take place at the band room (211) of Victoria High School located at 1260 Grant Street Victoria, BC V8T 1C2 in the Fernwood area. For registrations: you can contact your band or choir teacher at your high school or email: workshops@gerganamusic.com .

East Meets South Project Presents SUMMER Jazz and Gospel VOCAL WORKSHOP with Gergana Velinova and Walter Martella, Bulgaria, Canada and guest artists: Kim Pacheco and Richard White Jr.- USA, (SC NC) When: Saturday, June 26 - Wednesday June 30. (you can register as a full time or "per day" participant) What Time: From 9 am to 5 pm all five days. Lunch break: from 12:15-1:00 pm Workshop Cost: Total Cost $510 for a full time soloist $100 a day audit for soloist (please contact Gergana in advance for availability) $50 a day general audit and choir/ensemble Payments by check, money order or cash due in advance for full time and individual days soloist due immediately. Final Concert: June 30, 7:30 pm. The workshop will conclude with a Gala Evening Concert given by all participants June 30 starting at 7:30 pm. Concert will be held at the Wood Recital Hall at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. Open to the public. $10 tickets. Where: All classes will be held at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. 900 Johnson Street. Room 302 and Room 303. On Wednesday July 30 both groups will be rehearsing together at the Wood Recital Hall finishing the workshop and getting ready for the Gala Concert. What to Prepare: For soloists minimum of 5 songs in any modern styles such as jazz, gospel, blues, R&B, pop, rock or soul. Not more than 10 songs! ALL songs must be in the proper keys. You must provide 2 pairs (not including the one for yourself) of sheet music for anything you like to perform. If you are using photocopies ALL of your pages must be clearly copied (with copyright permission) and all notes and chords must be visible. If you are not sure about your key consult with a musician in your area that can help you. We will be providing microphone and amplification but you are welcome to bring your own mic or if you would like to play an instrument such as guitar or percussion you can do so. No preparation necessary if you are taking the workshop as a choir/ensemble participant!!! NO BACKTRACK/Karaoke music will be used! Who Can Register: To participate as a soloist the workshop is appropriate for singers with intermediate to advance experience in all modern styles. To participate as a gospel/jazz choir member you do not need previous experience. If you have not studied with Gergana or Kim and wish to participate as a full time or one day soloist a phone interview or an audition will be requested. Workshop Schedule: The 5 days workshop is designed after the Victoria Conservatory of Music Summer Jazz Academy which some of you have been a part of. There will be a vocal technique/warm up from 9 to 9:30 every morning. After that singers will be separated into 2 groups. One group will work with Gergana and the other with Kim for the day. Half of the day will be for solo work and the other half will be working in a gospel/jazz choir setting. The next day groups will be alternated so everyone can have an equal opportunity to work with Gergana and Kim on both solo and choir/ensemble. For those who wish to participate in the choir/ensemble group only half of your day will be spend with Gergana and the other half with Kim. During the 4 days everyone will learn 3 authentic gospel songs that Kim is bringing from her incredible Southern - gospel background and 3 jazz choir songs with Gergana. All solo participants will be featured in the gospel and jazz choir pieces with a solo. For the Final Gala Workshop concert soloists will perform one or two songs of their choice which they have worked on during the workshop. NOTE: You can chose to stay and switch groups in a way that will give a chance to do only solo work or only gospel/jazz choir setting. Daily Performance opportunities: From 4:30 -5 everyday (there will be a set schedule for that) Both groups will be gathering each day at 4:30 in one space so people who like to try their solo pieces can have a chance to perform. Accommodation and Food for folks out of town: We will not be providing accommodation or lunch. However, if you are bringing your own food we can provide a microwave, coffee machine and tea kettle for all who need them. Also, there are many wonderful places to eat in the neighborhood. What to Bring Each Day: Have a bottle of water with you at all times. Bring your music in a black binder. You should wear comfortable clothes as the days are long. You are welcome to bring cameras and video cameras if you wish and record the sessions.
ADULT WORKSHOP MESSAGE! ATTENTION SINGERS! Workshop starts this Friday, February 18 at 6 pm in room 211 (band room) at Vic High located across from the Belfry Theater in Fernwood Village. The address of the School is: 1260 Grant Street, Victoria, British Columbia V8T 1C2. We have been given permission to use the faculty and staff parking which is located on the side of the school. Please be advised that if you park in a Resident Parking area you might be ticketed. Workshop Schedule: Friday night - Workshop: 6-9 pm. Saturday Day - Workshop 10-5 pm (lunch break around 12:45 for about 45 min.) Saturday Night - Kim, Richard and Gergana perform at Hermann's Jazz Club at 8 pm for those who wish to attend. $15 at the door. Sunday Day - call time for rehearsal is 12 noon. Gala Celebration begins at 2 p.m First half of the program is Justin Carter's play Son of Africville (workshop participant will be in the audience getting ready to perform the last song along with Justin. Intermission - 15 min (from around 3:00 to 3:15 Second Half: Concert of the Gospel Workshop participants. Concert attire is ALL BLACK (long pants, long sleeves, black shoes if possible) WITH A SPLASH OF COLOR such as colorful scarf, tie, accessoires (details will be given Friday night.) There will be no lunch or water provided so bring your own snacks and drinks. Lots of them for Saturday. There are a few nice restaurants and coffee shops in the Fernwood area if you wish to buy lunch. No microwave for heating food is available. Tickets for the Sunday concert are $15 adults and $10 for students (high school and college.) Children under 12 are free. Tickets are available at Long & McQuade and Larsen Music and will be available at the door on Sunday. Due to limited seating tickets for the Hermann's show will be available Friday and Saturday during the workshop. We have been told that there might be a chance that the workshop space might be a bit chilly as the building does not heat during the weekend so dress in layers. If you have any questions please email workshops@gerganamusic.com. Thank you for being part of our project. See you all Friday!