BA, Bowdoin College. Songwriting with Paul Simon, New York University, 1969; taught Singing Workshop with John Braswell at Sarah Lawrence (1971-77); scored musicals at Sarah Lawrence, Astor Place Theatre, and Cafe LaMaMa, New York City; composed, orchestrated, and musical-directed three rock operas Off-Off Broadway and at Sarah Lawrence. (The first, Joe’s Opera, was twice optioned for Broadway production; animated the second, The Sea of Simile, on a full-length DVD.) Toured and recorded (1977-1998) from Vietnam to Vienna, New York City to Sun City, with Dire Straits, Bryan Adams, Cyndi Lauper, Tina Turner, Bon Jovi, B-52s, the Pretenders, Nils Lofgren, Little Steven, Peter Wolf, Ian Hunter/Mick Ronson, two former NY Dolls, Live at CBGB’s, the Spinners, Shannon, John Waite, and Pavarotti. Returned to Sarah Lawrence in 2000 to work with Shirley Kaplan, William McRee, and Thomas Young. Fields of expertise: Hammond organ, rock-and-roll piano, synthesizer programming and sequencing, piano accompaniment, popular and progressive music of the 1950s-1990s. SLC, 1971-77, 2000–
Theatre
Open, Component—Year
THEA 5601
We will explore the actor’s performance with songs in various styles of popular music, music for theatre, cabaret, and original work, emphasizing communication with the audience and material selection. Dynamics of vocal interpretation and style will also be examined. Students perform new or returning material each week in class and have outside class time scheduled with the musical director to arrange and rehearse their material. Students enrolled in the course also have priority placement for voice lessons with faculty in the music program and enrollment in Alexander Technique classes or other movement courses of their choosing.
Faculty
MFA Theatre
Component—Year
5601
We will explore the actor’s performance with songs in various styles of popular music, music for theatre, cabaret, and original work, emphasizing communication with the audience and material selection. Dynamics of vocal interpretation and style will also be examined. Students perform new or returning material each week in class and have outside class time scheduled with the musical director to arrange and rehearse their material. Students enrolled in the course also have priority placement for voice lessons with faculty in the music program and enrollment in Alexander Technique classes or other movement courses of their choosing.
Faculty
MFA Theatre
Component—Year
We will explore the actor’s performance with songs in various styles of popular music, music for theatre, cabaret, and original work, emphasizing communication with the audience and material selection. Dynamics of vocal interpretation and style will also be examined. Students perform new or returning material each week in class and have outside class time scheduled with the musical director to arrange and rehearse their material. Students enrolled in the course also have priority placement for voice lessons with faculty in the music program and enrollment in Alexander Technique classes or other movement courses of their choosing.
