Performer Skills
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Musical Instruments: Piano, Flute
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Accents: Southern
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Performance Skills: Singing, Playing Piano - All types of music by ear., Former Principal Flute Player - OCU Symphonic Orchestra
Education
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Oklahoma City University - University of Central Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Bach of Music Education - Master of Music Education, 1984
Training
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AIMS Institute of Music, Graz, Austria, Opera
References
- Terry Davies - former pianist for Gladys Knight, Friend/Collegue, SKYE Restaurant - Peoria,Arizona; 623-334-0010
- Lisa Fox Adams - Singer, Dancer, Actress, Director, Friend/Collegue, 405-752-0922
- Dino Deluca - Recording Artist - Sony Records - Represented by Khaki Management , Friend/Collegue
- Gladys Jeminez - Actress (The Bold and the Beautiful) , Friend/Collegue/Voice Teacher for her daughter - Simone Kanan
- Lis Lewis - Voice Teacher(Rockstar Supernova,Britney Spears,Gwen Stefani,Rhianna,Jack Black,Linkin Park,Dave Navarro, Kiss and many more!., Collegue, Los Angeles-based Voice Coach
- Kristin Chenowith - Actress(The West Wing,RV,Kristin,Frasier,and many more., Friend/Collegue/Former Client(Her Pianist)
- Branden Pitcher , Chief Operations Officer - Hollywood's Best New Talent , hollywoodsbestnewtalent@gmail.com>
Voice Student Successes
I was the Voice Teacher for JORDIN SPARKS - American Idol for 2007. A quote from her official site as well as many other sites: "A formally trained singer, she started taking lessons at age 14 from vocal coach Melissa Black. She rigorously trained with her coach for almost a year, in order to perfect her skill." My students have gone on to star in Soap Operas, T.V. Shows, Movies, Broadway Productions,etc... Some - such as Tabitha Fair (Amy Grant Band) are still employed as back-up singers with some of today's recording artists. I was also the pianist for Mary Hart (Entertainment Tonight) when she would perform and sing. I was also the pianist for Kristin Chenowith! Currently in my studio - i have several outstanding young singers who walked the "red carpet" in Hollywood at the Kodak Theater in August 2008 for the "best new talent awards." Several of these talented singers were also in the semi-finals and the finals of IDOL IN THE SKYE - which i judged here in Arizona at SKYE Restaurant. Jill Arnoso is quickly advancing into the world of country music with her powerful voice and her ability on the piano - which i have taught her both. She recently returned from her second trip to Nashville - where she met with Rebecca Lynn Howard as well as agents and managers for Faith Hill and Tim McGraw. She also worked in the studio with the guys of LONE STAR(!) and what an experience! An example of her singing abilities can be found on you tube. (Jill G Marie). I also have many other students who are quickly advancing in the fields of singing,acting and modeling. One of my former clients - Bree Hutchinson (singer with Tanya Tucker and actress on Walker,Texas Ranger) won the title of IDOL IN THE SKYE (season one)!! Congrats to Bree! For the second season of IDOL IN THE SKYE - several of my students advanced to the semi-finals including Sarah Ambrose - 14 years old AND a finalist in season one of Idol in the Skye. Sarah has the most beautiful voice and is well on her way to a HUGE career in music. For season 3 of Idol in the Skye - three of my students advanced to the finals! Also in my studio are singing sensations Jonnie and Brookie Allen. Congrats to these two singers (guitarists and pianists too!!) in all that they are doing around the U.S. Their site is http://www.jonnieandbrookie.com/. Not only are these two young singers/musicians taking arizona by storm - they are constantly performing in California as well - namely Seaworld in San Diego. They recently returned from Nashville - where they wrote and recorded several original songs - they have also released several albums - with more in the works. They were also recently featured with THE JONAS BROTHERS. Congratulations to all of my singers who are excelling in the field of music - including Athena Creese - 8 years old!! - who recently sang at the Los Angeles lakers game AND performed at a charity event for the Jonas Brothers and Jordin Sparks. CONGRATS!!!
VERY EXCITING NEWS!!! The Phoenix Symphony is proud to announce that International Opera star Cheri Rose Katz, Los Angeles Music Producer Marylata E. Jacob and Miss Arizona 2008 Erin Nurss joined Virginia G. Piper Music Director Michael Christie and Phoenix-local vocalist Dennis Rowland ( judges for the "Call for Christine" contest") in selecting my vocal student - SARAH AMBROSE (14 years old!!!) as the winner in yesterdays finals. "Call for Christine" was a vocal competition during which contestants throughout Arizona auditioned for a chance to sing "All I Ask of You" in the role of Christine from Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera. Sarah will perform alongside Franc D' Ambrosio at the Symphony's New Year's Eve Gala held at the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa. Franc D' Ambrosio earned the title "The World's Longest Running Phantom" after playing the role nearly 3,000 times. He starred in a national tour and in San Francisco for five years. GOOD LUCK SARAH AND CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! IN July of 2009 - Sarah Ambrose won her division of HOT PIPES!!!! CONGRATS!!
BIG NEWS FOR ALL YOUNG TEENS OUT THERE!!!!! These gals are former clients of mine and they are THE OFFICIAL WINNERS OF RADIO DISNEY'S NEXT BIG STAR!!!! CHECK IT OUT!
Radio Disney | Artists | NBT (copy and paste)
Their names are JONNIE and BROOKIE ALLEN.
Special Musical Talents/VOCAL PRODUCER INFO/
I am a working musician who plays and sings all types of music by ear. I also have perfect pitch and have the ability to transpose on sight - which makes me in demand for session work as a pianist. Not only am i in demand for recording sessions as a pianist - but i coach the singers on their vocal technique as well. I am an excellent arranger of all types of music and have a proven record of not only getting the job done - but done well and fast. I am in great demand as a pianist for parties and receptions. I do play and sing all types of music - however my speciality is pop,rock,country and the classic standards. I play music by ear by such artists as Cher, Celine Dion, Pat Benetar, Scandal, Kelly Clarkson, Billy Joel, Bon Jovi, Poisen, Motley Crue, Guns and Roses, Alice Cooper, Pink, Evanessence, Cheyenne Kimball, Aly and A.J., Anna Nalick, Michelle Branch, Whitney Houston, Heart, Blondie, Linda Rondstandt, Lional Richie, Melissa Etheridge, Ashlee Simpson, Jessica Simpson, Lindsay Lohan, Mariah Carey, Josh Groban, Bonnie Tyler, Saving Jane, Jewel, Carrie Underwood, Martina Mcbride, Taylor Swift, Trisha Yearwood, Sara Evans, Terri Clark, The Gatlin Brothers, Glen Campbell, Leann Rimes, Jessica Andrews, The Dixie Chicks, Sugarland, Wynona Judd, Pam Tillis, Jaime O'Neal,etc... - just to name a few.
When students come into my studio to study rock,pop and country music - they never have to bring anything but themselves! I do everything by ear and if it has been on the radio or i have seen the music video,etc.. - i know it - all i need - and i have tons - are the lyric sheets and therefore no student has ever had to buy music or bring their own pianist.
I am what you would call a CONTEMPORARY VOCAL INSTRUCTOR - in other words - i SPECIALIZE in rock,pop,country,r&b,etc... as well as broadway. I am also a VOCAL PRODUCER. My skills as a vocal producer have led to jobs in recording studios to participate as a vocal producer and vocal coach on master recording sessions. Not only have i used my musical talents to enhance my own career, but i have helped many national artists in their endeavors as well. In recording sessions - often times the ENGINEER does have extensive knowledge of a VOCAL COACH - but most do not - it is not what they are trained to do. As a singer AND pianist - i come into the studio and work with not only the major artists - but the backup singers as well.
Studio Policy
The studio of Melissa Black is primarily a vocal teaching studio that specializes in teaching female voices - Melissa trains young voices to prepare for a career in rock,pop,country,r&b,broadway,etc... HOWEVER - there are circumstances where males are more than welcome to train with Melissa on a semi-regular basis - those being preparing for auditions for Idol and/or other comparable competiions, getting ready to make a CD in a recording studio, getting a rock or country band formed and needing vocal coaching on that particular kind of repetoire, etc... For example - TRAVIS NEESE - FORMER ARIZONA IDOL!! - was just in here for coaching to prepare for the up-coming American Idol auditions. What an honor that was for me to have him in here and to get to hear that beautiful tenor voice. GOOD LUCK TRAVIS!! Melissa also plays ALL KINDS of music and is available as a pianist for female singers as well as males. Melissa had an extensive male client list when teaching in Oklahoma City. The rates in this studio are FANTASTIC also! I charge 30 dollars for one lesson a week AND the great thing is - since i am the pianist/vocal coach for the lesson as well as the voice teacher of technique and repetoire - there is no need for the extra cost of a pianist for the lesson - AND since i also do group lessons - you may add on a friend to your lesson and that not only is fun for kids and teens - but much cheaper on parents! Music by Melissa is also a recording studio equiped with sound system and cd recorder to record your lessons,etc... onto a cd.
Hobbies
My hobbies include visiting Los Angeles as often as i can with my husband and my beautiful pekingese - dusty. We enjoy going to the live t.v. tapings of JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE as well as live studio tapings of TWO AND A HALF MEN, ACCORDING TO JIM and many others. When EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND was in production - we went quite often to that t.v. show studio live taping as well as JUST SHOOT ME and JOEY.
Songwriter - Member - ASCAP
After a long haitus from song-writing - i am back in full swing! I am a song-writer who specializes in writing country music. I do write ballad's as well as up-tempo original music - and the best part is - i write them quickly AND since i am an expert on the piano - i do the music as well as the lyrics. I just got a copyright on two brand new original songs that i completed in less than an hour. My songwriting is in the style of Carrie Underwood ballads mixed in with a little Sugarland. I just submitted three original new songs to the MURRAH MUSIC GROUP there in Nashville on MUSIC ROW - so we will wait and see!!
Employment Details
- Work History: PIanist - Ballet Oklahoma; Pianist - Ballet Arizona, Judge - IDOL IN THE SKYE Vocal Competition, Singer/Dancer with Lyric Theater - Oklahoma City for Several Seasons, Pianist/Singer: Country Clubs, Hotels, Parties, Conventions, Weddings, Receptions, Theater, Certified Substitute Teacher - Peoria Unified School District
- Job Categories: Music Arranger, Acting, Composing
- Are you willing to work unpaid?: No
- Authorized to work in United States: Yes
- Primary Citizenship: United States
- Valid Passport: No
- Prior Job Title(s): Pianist/Singer - The Lakes Club Country Club - Arizona, Pianist - Ballet Arizona, Adjunct Faculty - Oklahoma City University - Voice/Accompanist
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