News
Singing classes
I've started a beginning singing class, held on Tuesday nights (7:30 to 9 p.m.) in North Berkeley. This is a chance for those with little singing experience to learn about vocal production, gain control over intonation (in unison and simple harmonies), and learn basic tools of improvisation, while at the same time becoming exposed to beautiful, relatively simple songs from around the globe.
For those with some singing experience who want to move at a faster pace, and those particularly interested in the specific stylings and ornamentation of different regions, come to the advanced singing class on Monday nights (7:30 to 9 p.m.) in Berkeley. The core of this class is the harmonies and delicate ornamentation of songs from Eastern Europe, but we have been known to wander off into regions further east and west occasionally.
Violets and Roses
You can still order a copy of Violets And Roses. My friend Lucia Comnes and I have made a short recording of songs from the Balkans, sung in traditional two-part a cappella harmony. It is raw and pure, sung in a village style, with natural acoustics and very little editing. Order a copy by mail by sending an e-mail.
If I had a key to the dawn
I'm very excited that my debut solo album has a tentative release date of February 3rd. Very soon I will post a pre-order form here, and hopefully get advance copies to people before the holidays! Listen to samples at www.myspace.com/songbat. The album is a collection of traditional songs from all over Eastern Europe, in sparse, haunting arrangements, featuring such fine musicians as Dan Cantrell, Ryan Francesconi, Beth Bahia Cohen, Eric Perney, Peter Maund, Diana Rowan, and Shea Comfort. Sign the mailing list to be contacted on its release.
Polyphonia Youth Choir
Julie Graffagna (also formerly of Kitka) and I will be starting a youth choir in January of 2009. Casual auditions will be held on Dec. 13th and 14th. The choir is open to girls and boys, ages 11 to 19. We will focus on traditional polyphony from different parts of the world, including Georgia, Bulgaria, Corsica, Albania, France and China. Rehearsals will be held Thursday afternoons in Berkeley at One World Walk.
Lullaby project
I am currently researching lullabies from all over Asia. If you know of a traditional lullaby, or are willing to provide any language assistance, please email me! Thank you!