Loving the vocalist athlete
New York Voices entertain an appreciative Fort Wayne audience. Left to Right are Kim Nazarian, Darmon Meader, Lauren Kinhan, & Peter Eldridge.
Vocalists are athletes. Anyone who would dispute this has not worked with or studied gifted singers as they perform. When a voice is the instrument, it takes the entire body to support it, which is why you will seldom see a vocalist stand stock-still. Even in constrained spaces, with more subdued pieces, or in solemn performances, the sound comes from deep within the body and travels through the movement before being released into the air. Strength, suppleness, and vocal agility are required to produce tones that delight the listening ear.
James Wigginton leads a workshop on improving vocal quality. Both events were part of the Heartland Sings Vocal Arts Conference, June 2023.
It doesn’t hurt if you enjoy what you are doing, and let me tell you about five people who love their work. I mean, get down into it–move around in it–squeeze every ounce of passion out of it–share the contagious joy of it, love their work. We were fortunate enough to have these individuals here for our Vocal Arts Conference in June and are still feeling the reverberations of their presence among us.
A Coaching Artist for professional singers, James Wigginton of VocalEdge does not have to feign enthusiasm for his work. His pleasure in guiding people to improve their vocal technique is evident. This is a man who is totally absorbed when teaching, which makes him interesting and engaging. When he is working with someone for demonstration purposes, observers feel like they are part of the process. During one workshop, he sat at the piano to illustrate different approaches to the song For All We Know, effortlessly shifting from one interpretation to another. When he landed on one style and sang it through, I was moved by the truth and depth of expression in his voice.
Then there are the four musical artists of New York Voices, whose individual and combined musical artistry is an embarrassment of riches: Darmon Meader, a natural leader and gifted arranger, agilely shifts from saxophonist to vocal improvisational artist extraordinaire. Kim Nazarian? Well, she is a force of nature, with grand gestures for emphasis and a motion-filled stage presence that exudes joy. The charming Peter Eldridge is equally skilled on vocals or keyboard, and his infectious laugh is never far from the surface. Lauren Kinhan is strength and fire and energy; bold, vibrant, and spirited. Together, they are the motherlode of quartets: Gifted teachers all, they feed off of each other and convey their palpable passion for music with those fortunate enough to receive their tutelage.
What I’m trying to say is that having these folks around was fantastic, and I was jazzed to be a part of the experience.
