The 2012 Mentor is composer, arranger and singer Lauren Kinhan of New York Voices, JaLaLa and her own solo original project. Lauren is most known for her work in the critically acclaimed New York Voices. In her nearly 20 years with them, she has written numerous songs and collaborated on many of their arrangements. In recent years she started two other super groups, JaLaLa and Moss. Her most recent solo CD, Avalon, a collection of her own original compositions, was met with rave reviews. Jazziz publisher Michael Fagien says “I can’t stop listening to it. She mines deep reservoirs of emotion and experience throughout.”
Singer/Songwriter Lauren Kinhan has been creating genre-merging music for years. Avalon is another fine example of how she comfortably bridges the jazz and adult alternative worlds, merging her love of the great standards with the popular music she grew up with. The last 18 years of her career have taken her all over the world and allowed her to work with some of the industry’s great artists. Parenthood influenced the album’s thematic depth and provided a beautiful filter in which to experience this growing repertoire. Jazz Times says, “Her poetic tracks shape a pastiche that is hip, intelligent and vibrant… with sweet surprises lurking around every corner.” Avalon speaks elegantly to solitude, love, life, loss and joy! Legendary Phil Ramone describes Lauren as a true songstress. He produced Lauren’s debut release of her originals, Hardly Blinking, in 2000. Avalon is a good look at some of the mile markers since then. Her versatility in singing and contributing original music is evidenced in her years with New York Voices, and co-founding of JaLaLa and Moss. JaLaLa is short for Janis Siegel, Laurel Massé and Lauren, and they released their tribute to Johnny Mercer, That Old Mercer Magic, in 2009. “Spring, Spring, Spring” was included in the soundtrack of Clint Eastwood's documentary about Mercer titled, The Dream’s on Me. Moss, made up of Luciana Souza, Kate McGarry, Theo Bleckmann, Peter Eldridge and Lauren, released their self-titled CD in 2008 to rave reviews. In 2010, it was included in DownBeat’s Best CDs of the 2000s.
Lauren served on the Board of Governors for the Recording Academy’s NY Chapter from 2008-2010. She currently sits on their National Jazz Committee while continuing her service on the local committees for Education, Jazz and Grammy Career Day. Teaching and mentoring is a growing part of her schedule. She is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music. For more information about Lauren Kinhan, visit www.laurenkinhan.com.
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The 2012 Music Masters Fellowship will be mentored by singer/songwriter and international recording artist Lauren Kinhan (New York Voices, MOSS, JaLaLa). Participating students will be given training in professional rehearsal and performance skills, in addition to preparation for music composition, songwriting and studio recording. They will leave with a portfolio of audio/video materials to assist them in their future endeavors. Lauren Kinhan will conduct a vocal jazz choir using repertoire from the New York Voices book, as well as arrangements from her own songbook and other composers’ works.
will be put through the paces of what it takes to bring notes on a page to life in a choral setting. They will learn three to four pieces of music that will cover a broad range of musical styles (i.e. swing, samba/bossa nova, contemporary, gospel, blues) and learn how to workshop the writing and take it to performance ready. All aspects of nuance will be touched upon on how to bring a song to life. There will be group consciousness taught as well as how to step out and be a solo singer when called for in the arrangement. Lauren Kinhan will provide and insist on a kind and nurture based environment with an emphasis on individual work done outside of class so that time together is productive, instructive and fun! The goal is to perform the songs in a few public settings, foster the musician’s work ethic, and build an individual and collective confidence among the students.
will be chosen for maximum exposure and meaningful connections. Past Fellowship performances have been featured at the NOFO Rock and Folk Festival in Cutchogue, NY; and the Community Mosaic Festival in Riverhead, NY. Performances in 2012 will also be scheduled during the Winterfest Jazz on the Vine Festival, North Fork, NY.
More about the Music Masters Fellowship Program
The Music Masters Fellowship Program was created with the goal of providing local students with one-on-one learning opportunities with masters in the music field, and to encourage student pursuit of post-graduate education. By creating this exciting and enriching program for the students, East End Arts is the catalyst for an expanded sense of opportunity and possibility throughout the academic year. The fellowship program is mentored by a master performer and composer in rock music, jazz, world music or classical music, who works with a small group of talented high school students. Participating students are selected based on auditions and recommendations from music teachers and administrators in 17 school districts.
The pilot program, which took place during the spring of 2011, was mentored by Corky Laing, drummer and songwriter from “Mountain,” and “West, Bruce & Laing.” He coached and rehearsed the initial group on a weekly basis, preparing them for two high-profile public performances in local festivals. He co-produced their CD recording in summer 2011, and will be available to continue with another group in 2012-13.
, contact Steve Watson, Education Director at East End Arts at 631-369-2171 or education@eastendarts.org
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