Song Studio

Song Studio is an opportunity for our community to come together through singing and provide a supportive environment to practice performing.  After a period of group singing and warm-up, this class focuses on individual performances from students.

What is Song Studio?

Song Studio is a chance to practice performing a song solo in front fellow performers. Here are the four main areas covered in Song Studio:

1. Musicianship
If you’re gonna sing a great song, you’ve gotta be impeccable with your pitches and rhythms.  Get clear on the notes, the timing, and the phrasing of your song.   

2. Vocal Technique
Use your voice to its maximum potential.  Learn to sing with a powerful, clear, and comfortable sound.  We will work on breath, posture, and tone quality to help you sing your song with with a beautiful voice.

3. Musical Style
Every genre has its own DO’s and DON’Ts.  Become a pro at performing well in your genre of music while making it your own and singing with your own voice. 

4. Performance Skills
Time to communicate!  What are you saying, and how are you going to say it?  Once you’re onstage, you are the storyteller, and you get to take your audience on a journey. 

Are you ready to make your song come alive?  Sing with YOUR voice and create a captivating, engaging performance.

Upcoming Class Dates:

Sunday, December 1, 1pm-3pm
Led by: Stephanie Smith and Caitlin Lushington

Friday, December 13, 7pm-9pm
Led by: Stephanie Smith and Claire Hudkins

Join our email newsletter to be the first to hear about upcoming Song Studio dates!

Cost to Participate:
$40 per student per class
Available as a class option for Premiere Plan members.
Song Studios are FREE to observe! 

​Student Level:
Beginning/Intermediate/Advanced
Each class is limited to 10 participants
(students who perform in class)

How to Register:
Email us at [email protected] with the date you'd like to attend.

What our students are saying:

"...I literally walked out recharged, joyful and smiling from ear to ear! Everyone in the class, and especially Daniel Buchanan, the instructor, made me feel welcomed...Honestly, I expected the class to be intimidating, but it was far from that. It was warm, heartwarming and...deeply inspiring!...I also learned some excellent tips on how to improve your posture and sustain your voice while public speaking or singing. I never knew that singing could bring so much joy!" - Natasha K.

How to prepare for class:

• Pick a song and be prepared to sing it in class. The song can be from any genre of music, such as pop, rock, jazz, classical, musical theater, folk, indie, R&B, etc. 
  
  
• Learn the song well before you attend the class.  You should learn the notes and lyrics to the best of your ability.  Even better is for the song to be memorized.  If you need help learning your song, schedule a private lesson at Resound NW before attending this class.
  
  
• Have a plan for accompaniment.  A professional pianist will be provided in class who can play for you with appropriate sheet music.  You may also accompany yourself on piano, guitar, or another instrument.  The last option is to sing with a karaoke track, which you should bring with you on an mp3 player or CD.  
  
  
• Bring the sheet music for the song.  If it is available, you should bring full sheet music, which includes the vocal line and the piano part.  If this sheet music is not available, you may bring a lead sheet, which has the notes for the melody line and the chord symbols for the pianist to play.  Please do not bring a “chord sheet” that has only the lyrics and the chord symbols.

About the Instructors:

Song Studio is taught by a rotating line-up of our expert instructors, including (but not limited to):
Daniel Buchanan
Courtney Freed
Claire Hudkins
Merideth Kaye Clark
Stephanie Smith
Emily Kinkley
Leah Yorkston
Paul Louis Lessard
Lindy Pendzick

How to Find Sheet Music

Online Resources

• Music Notes: https://www.musicnotes.com (this is the best and most comprehensive collection)
• Sheet Music Plus: www.sheetmusicplus.com
• Online Sheet Music: http://www.onlinesheetmusic.com
  
  

Local Resources

• Public libraries carry large collections of sheet music, especially the Central Library in downtown Portland: https://multcolib.org
• Portland Music Company: www.portlandmusiccompany.com
  
  

Other questions?  Contact Resound NW.

"All that you touch, you change. All that you change, changes you." - Octavia Butler