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Your Instructors
Our internationally renowned faculty includes Dr. Graciella Kowalczyk (piano), Brett Manning (voice), Mario DaSilva (guitar), and Lindsay Rivera (yoga) to take you to the next level. You will work on vocals, write 2 original songs with piano and guitar accompaniment, practice breathing and physical comfort, and then perform for a live audience in a finale that will be professionally recorded.
Graciella Kowalczyk
French-born, Polish-raised star pianist Graciella Kowalczyk has appeared in concerts and recitals as a soloist in over fifteen countries including at the National Philharmonic in Warsaw, Poland; Sergei Rachmaninov Concert Hall in Moscow, Russia; Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria; Bellini Conservatory in Palermo, Italy; Kölner Philharmonic in Köln, Germany; Ed Landreth Auditorium in Fort Worth, TX and further across North and South America and Asia. Besides her concertizing and teaching work, she also serves as Artistic Director for the international non-profit foundation, Doctors for Music…Where Medicine Meets the Arts. These days her students continue to win prizes and accolades across the United States and she coaches singers in the vital skills of piano, composition, and improvisation. The unique Kowalczyk Method improves performance, confidence, and stage presence overnight. It provides a perfect synthesis of style, taste, feeling, and technical instruction based on the unique physiology and background of the student. Participants in her courses come away with powerful technical tools from the Russian school, a tastefully grand style and resonant acoustic atmosphere, and an impeccable blend of European and American stylistic understanding that raises the bar of interpretation. Graciella is an immensely sought-after master professor with prizewinning students spanning the United States and globe and has studied with many of the greatest pianists and musicians of our time including D.Bashkirov, R.Buchbinder, S.Dorenski, J.Feghali, R.Goode, S.Ioudenitch, N.Lugansky, H.Martina, D.Mirska, W.Nabore, P.Nersessian, J.Owings, A.Pisarev, J.Perry, E.Pridonoff, Z.Zohar, J.Winerock. Graciella has won top prizes in many competitions all over the world, and was the recipient of awards from the Louis-Spohr Forderverein, Germany; Internationale Stiftung fur Music, Switzerland; Lili Kraus Scholarship, Fort Worth, TX, and Mu Phi Epsilon, International Music Fraternity, Kansas City, MO; Kansas City Musical Club, Kansas City, MO., and received her doctorate in piano performance from the University of Kansas.
Brett Manning
Brett is one of the most sought-after vocal coaches in the world. He’s worked with Taylor Swift, Leona Lewis, Miley Cyrus, Keith Urban, and more - including countless top contestants on American Idol, America's Got Talent and The X Factor. His illustrious list of students also includes dozens of Grammy winners as well as members of the Broadway tours of Aida and Les Misérables and several permanent fixtures on the Broadway stage. Brett’s approach -- the Singing Success Program -- is a systematic, scientific approach to help discover your voice, develop your style, and find your vocal power. It is the #1 selling vocal program in the world, having been sold in over 150 countries. With this technique, you’ll see an immediate improvement in your range, quality of voice, and confidence as a singer. Join the 1000s of other singers that Brett has helped, transform your voice and become the artist you were meant to be!
Mario DaSilva
Mario DaSilva has been performing since the age of 10. He began his career in Church Music in the Gospel, Blues, and Pop, leading him to begin formal training in Classical and Commercial Guitar at the age of 15 with Maestro Salvador Violla and later with Sr. Edmar Fenicio. Mario DaSilva immigrated to the United States by winning the top scholarship at Belmont University, later earning a Master's Degree comes from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where he graduated with honors as a student of Church Music and Classical Guitar Performance under the guidance of Mr. Douglas Jones. As a renowned guitarist, producer, arranger, and composer, he brings a wonderfully colorful blend of native Brazilian influence to the Nashville stage and studio scene. Mr. DaSilva has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, including orchestrating for Toby Keith’s co-writer Chuck Cannon for a national tour including Keith’s #1 hits “When we were in Love” and Lari White’s “That’s my Baby”. DaSilva has also opened for Little Big Town, and appeared with the likes of Barbara Mandrell, Victor Wooten, Chester Thompson, Annie Moses Band, Sierra, flamenco dancer Felipe Delarossa, and opera superstar Denyce Graves to name a few. He has also been a solo performer on stage and on-air, having performed and recorded acclaimed programs with albums being sold in the UK, Europe, APAC, Russia, Europe, and Latin America. Besides his performing, recording, arranging, and composing career, Mario is a sought-after music educator and clinician involved in multiple educational events locally and countrywide. For years, he has been a part of Belmont University and Indiana University Southeast Guitar Departments. His former guitar students fill the faculty ranks of higher musical institutions and perform alongside such superstars as multiple Grammy Award winner Carrie Underwood, The Denver and Mile High Orchestra, Music Row Session Players, and many others.
Lindsay Rivera
A fitness enthusiast and arts lover with a degree in business, Lindsay Rivera has been teaching Pilates for over 20 years. She is certified through The Pilates Center in Boulder, CO where she also completed a Masters Program. Lindsay has lived and taught Pilates in Chicago, Los Angeles, Pasadena and Nashville. She developed and led teacher training certification programs in each of those cities. Lindsay has studied with the Center of Women’s Fitness, Stott Pilates, Core Pilates NYC, and many more methods. She is also a two-time Lululemon Ambassador. In addition to Pilates, Lindsay has also completed a yoga certification program, and continues to practice and enjoy both disciplines. She developed her own hybrid movement method, called “framework,” that combines various disciplines including Pilates, yoga, meditation and breathwork. Lindsay teaches Pilates to all ages and fitness levels. She believes Pilates can be a full mind, body and spirit workout and incorporates all these elements into her teaching. Each lesson is an in-depth, detailed exploration of body, breath and movement, with a goal of feeling refreshed and reconnected to the body and the spirit. When she’s not teaching, Lindsay enjoys hiking, traveling, listening to live music, art, sustainability, and spending time with her family.