These lectures, masterclasses, and workshops teach not only the how to sing in the styles of Black American Music that are based on Blues, Gospel, Jazz and R&B, but the why of singing in these ways, thereby creating original, unique singers. Programs are tailor-made for the voice teacher/coach as well as the professional and amateur singer, to expose and educate about the historical and cultural practices that lead to authentic improvisatory singing, whether it be riffing and scatting or lyrical phrasing and storytelling.
BAM Vocal Clinics and masterclasses (60-90 minutes, high school, college, and adult)
We will help your singers to perfect their sounds with healthy vocal technique with modern singing tools. Students will also learn appropriate singing styles, rhythms, and improvisation.
Rhythm in BAM (2 hours, high school, college, and adult)
Singers will understand how rhythm is used in Black American Music styles of Jazz and R&B. We will connect the linguistic and religious history of African-American Vernacular English (AAVE) to the sound of Spirituals. Participants will learn to incorporate rhythm into the concepts of pocket and groove to create authentic, improvisational storytelling.
BAM: The Why of Improvisation: Riffing (1-2 hours, high school, college, and adult)This interactive performance lecture takes the listener through the cultural history of the why and how Black Americans created their form of improvisatory singing and how anyone can learn and reproduce it. Through active listening, performing, and communal singing, participants will learn how to riff from an authentic place and create their own riffing sound. This is a celebration; all can participate and experience the joy of riffing.
Teaching BAM Styles with Authentic Vocal Technique (60-90 minutes, high school, college, and adult)
Students will learn to sing with proper registration and authentic sounds, belt effectively and healthfully, and utilize appropriate transcriptions to teach the music in authentic ways.
BAM: The Roots of Black American Vocal Music (2 hours, high school, college, and adult)
This lecture includes some audience participation as Alison moves from the the roots of African drumming and language to how it relates and evolves into the Black American sound of Blues, Jazz, Gospel up to the music of today.
Utilizing Rhythm in BAM (1-2 hours, aimed at professional singers, voice teachers, vocal coaches, jazz and show choir directors)
If you are teaching a song out of this tradition, this rhythm workshop introduces the fundamentals of:
- History: Where the singing styles come from
- Foundational Rhythms and Grooves: How to identify them
- Melody: How to authentically rhythmically improvise a melody
- Riffing: An introduction to the Art of Riffing
Our programs create community by linking all generations from young to old through various kinds of cultural, solo and choral singing activities, both in person and online, giving all an opportunity to learn, sing, share and build musical appreciation of jazz.