HOMESHOWSPEOPLESUPPORTSCHOOLGOSPEL FOR TEENSSTORENEWS & CONTACTLINKS

Photo credits this page: G.N. Miller.

Professional Development The School of Gospel, Jazz and R&B Arts trains talented singers, musicians and arrangers. We help develop singers’ vocal power and stage presence as well as teach a substantial musical repertoire. Participants have the opportunity to develop the habits and attitudes that create success in any endeavor.

I loved it! Ulysses [the instructor] is gifted and a lot of fun.
—Wanda, Bronx, NY

Although I was a little nervous about singing with other people, I felt welcomed and encouraged to express myself.
—Trevor, Forest Hills, NY

Singing with others is different from singing alone in the shower, but now I’m considering joining my church choir.
—Sammie, Brooklyn, NY

I consider myself a fairly good singer, but I learned that I had a very bad habit of singing on my throat. I was delighted to hear the difference in my voice after changing my technique.
—Andre, Harlem, NY

The most valuable lesson I learned involved proper breathing. I always thought I was an alto and was shocked to discover that I could actually sing soprano!
—LaShonda, Harlem. NY

Mama Foundation for the Arts
Vy Higginsen's School of Gospel, Jazz and R&B Arts
149 West 126th Street
New York, NY 10027
(212) 280-1045

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See the legends . . . hear the untold stories . . . feel the music . . . grasp the history. Experience a spectacular presentation of legendary artists, published music scholars, and internationally performed music masters. A unique and unparalleled music series. The series is held at: Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture 515 Malcolm X Boulevard New York, NY 10037-1801 Enter at 103 West 135th Street (212) 491-2200 (general information) Directions

			Ben E. King Definition of R&B Elegance
			Dr. Billy Taylor Ambassador of Jazz
			Dr. Cissy Houston Gospel Great
7 - 9 p.m. $20 Tickets will be held at the door Print and bring your e-mail receipt

			Portia K. Maultsby, Ph.D. Author, R & B Expert
			Guthrie Ramsey, Jr. Jazz expert, composer and arranger, keyboardist
			Mellonee Burnim, Ph.D. Author, Gospel expert
			Doug E. Fresh Rapper, beatboxer Record Producer
			Kurtis Blow Hip Hop’s first mainstream star
2 - 5 p.m. $20 Tickets will be held at the door Print and bring your e-mail receipt

Season Tickets Enjoy a discount when purchasing tickets to the entire series.

Executive Director Vy Higginsen and Gospel for Teens Choir in performance at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Harlem, New York City, 2006.

For Individuals or Groups

• Improve vocal range
• Expand vocal dynamics
• Develop confidence
• Sing without damage to vocal chords
• Refine interpretation and style
• Step out of the choir or group and
sing solo
• Preparation for auditions and
performances

Appointments

Call for an appointment: 212-280-1045

You will be matched with the vocal coach who most suits your needs. Payment for private lessons is by cash only, due at the beginning of each lesson.

Private Instruction
Ulysses Slaughter
Vocal Coach
$30 for 30 minute session

Ulysses Slaughter lives and performs music as the universal language. He expresses his musical talents for churches, jazz clubs, the theater and the concert hall with equal dignity and ease. His performance credits include the Carnegie Recital Hall, Brooklyn Academy of Music, The Billie Holiday Theatre, Green Street Cafe and the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. In Europe, he has performed in Paris at the Plaza Athenne Hotel, Requin Chagrin, and Au Duc Du Lombard.

Private Instruction
Gregory Henry Hopkins
Vocal Coach
$40 for 45 minute session

Gregory Henry Hopkins holds degrees in Music from Temple University and Curtis Institute of Music. Currently, he is the musical director at Convent Avenue Baptist Church in Harlem, New York. Hopkins is the winner of top prizes in the Buseto Verdi Competition and the Mantova International Vocal Competition, both in Italy. Hopkins' recording credits include "Blue Monday" (Gershwin) and "Lost in the Stars" (Kurt Weill), and a recording of spirituals entitled Amazing Grace, which he also conducted.

Private Instruction
Knoelle Higginson
Vocal Coach
$30 for 30 minute session

Knoelle Higginson has toured all over the world with Mama, I Want to Sing, and performed the leading role in Bermuda, Japan, and New York. she has worked consistently in New York theater and is a recent graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) and Manhattan School of Music. She also serves as an instructor and music director for Mama's Gospel for Teens art education program.