July 1 - 3, 2011
• • • •   What's the program like?
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PLEASE NOTE: This program has not been updated with 2012 program information. Information about the 2012 program will appear online shortly. Until then, feel free to browse the information about our 2011 program, to get a sense of what the program is like.

The Berklee in Valencia Singer/Songwriter and Vocal Program gives you an unparalleled opportunity to explore songwriting, vocal technique, style, and performance—in a cosmopolitan setting where the musical worlds of Europe, Africa, and the Mediterranean meet.

What makes you stand out from the crowd when you audition for that competition, scholarship, part, or gig? We'll help you find your unique strengths.

And landing the gig is only half of it. Once you're in, living up to expectations means putting on a great performance each and every time. Are you comfortable when you get up on stage? Do you know what it takes?

The Berklee in Valencia Singer/Songwriter and Vocal Program will give you insight into song selection, musicianship, your look, and how to present yourself, all of which will help set you apart.

Classes will include Singer/Songwriter Workshop, Melody Writing, Lyric Writing, Harmony and Arranging Your Music, Creating Your Own Demo and Recordings, Stage Performance Workshop, and Vocal Techniques, while you meet students and professionals from around the world at Berklee's first international campus in Valencia, Spain.

Who Are the Instructors?

The program will be taught by Berklee faculty, and guest instructors.

Livingston Taylor: Composer and performer of Top 40 hit "I Will Be in Love with You"; Author of Stage Performance Workshop and instructional DVD, Livingston's Excellent Guitar Lesson; Recordings include There You Are Again, Livingston Taylor, Liv, Over the Rainbow, and Life Is Good; also City Lights, with James Taylor; Composer of network television themes and nationally broadcast commercials.

Sally Taylor: Sally Taylor was bred into the thick of it all, thanks to her singer/songwriter parents James Taylor and Carly Simon. Reluctant to attach herself to a major label, she formed her own Record Company, Blue Elbow Music. She and her four-piece band jumped on the music bandwagon in 1998 to promote her debut album, Tomboy Bride. That same year, she played on three nationwide tours, playing over 150 shows, which included dates with her parents and brother Ben Taylor.

Named for her old apartment she shared with her mom, Sally Taylor released her sophomore effort, Apt. #6S, in September 2000. This album reflected Taylor's rich songwriting skills and witty vocals. Her latest CD, entitled Shotgun, is self-produced and the most intimate and reflective of her records. Since moving to Boston in 2007, she has been involved with Berklee teaching lyric writing and music business clinics as well as participating in Berklee's summer performance and songwriting programs.

Melissa Ferrick: An accomplished singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has shared stages with artists as wide-ranging as Bob Dylan, Paul Westerberg, Weezer and Ani DiFranco. Ferrick began her career singing and playing in coffeehouses in the East Village, New York City. She received a great deal of publicity in 1991 when she replaced, at the last minute, the opening act for the singer Morrissey on tour. She was subsequently signed to a recording contract with Atlantic Records and released her first studio album, Massive Blur, in 1993.

Donna McElroy: B.M., Fisk University; Arranger/background vocalist on gold and platinum releases by Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks, BeBe and CeCe Winans, and Amy Grant; Recipient of Grammy nomination, Dove Award, and 1993 Best Actress Award; Missionary with International Christian Artists Reaching the Earth, Ghana.

Ken Zambello: B.M., Berklee College of Music; Coordinator of the Yo Team, Berklee College of Music; Bassist and Vocalist; Performances on bass and keyboards for classic pop acts such as The Belmonts, The Coasters, The Flamingos, The Teenagers, The Original Drifters, The Diamonds, Frankie Ford, and various pop/rock tribute shows; Arranger/composer of over 100 radio & television jingles and station I.D.'s in the New England area; Official voting member of the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame

Javier Limón: Record producer, singer and songwriter born and raised in Madrid, Spain. Limón has worked with several artists, mainly from Spain, since he incorporates elements of flamenco rhythm to his work. Besides his work as producer has also dabbled as an interpreter and has released three studio albums, Limon, Son de Limón and Mujeres de Agua. In 2004, Limón was awarded the Lating Grammy Award for Producer of the Year for his work on Lágrimas Negras by Diego El Cigala and Bebo Valdes, Cositas Buenas by Paco de Lucia, El Cantante by Andrés Calamaro, El Pequeño Reloj by Enrique Morente, Niño Josele by Niño Josele and Tributo Flamenco A Don Juan Valderrama by Various Artists.

Visiting Artists

Soledad Giménez: One of Spain's best known singer/songwriter's and performers. Sole has developed her career as a multi talented vocalist and composer and has recorded fourteen CD's with Presuntos Implicados featuring songs such as "Alma de Blues" or "Mi pequeño Tesoro" as well as the well known hit "Cómo hemos cambiado". Sole has also released four solo albums, "Pequeñas Cosas" being her latest. During her career she has collaborated with artists such as Joan Manuel Serrat, Herbie Hancock, Milton Nascimento, Randy Crawford, Armando Manzanero, Páncho Céspedes, Ana Torroja, Miguel Ríos, Ana Belén, Revólver, Los Piratas, etc.

WHAT’S THE SCHEDULE?

Clinics generally will run from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and concerts take place in the late afternoon and evening.

Singer/Songwriter Workshop: Participants will perform their original songs in class and will receive feedback and critiques about the songs and their performances with advice on how to improve their over all presentation. Songwriters can accompany themselves on Guitar or Piano, or have someone accompany them, use of prerecorded music is encouraged.

Songwriting Composition Techniques: Topics include melody writing, chord progressions, chord sounds, and modulations. Arranging techniques will include inversions, reharmonization, use of pedal points and ostinato, and groove writing.

Lyric Writing: Topics include setting words to music and music to words, alliteration,rhymes and near rhymes, and writing from title. Participants will have opportunities to collaborate with fellow students.

Creating your Own Demo and Recordings: How to produce quality demos and ways to market them.

Stage Performance Workshop: Participants will work on song selection, stage presence and presentation, musicianship, and personal style. You will learn various techniques that will enhance your auditioning and performance skills. You will also have an opportunity to perform in front of your fellow students and the faculty, and receive feedback.

Vocal class: Students will study vocal technique, stylistic interpretation, musical expression, microphone technique, and other elements that will prepare you for a successful career as a lead and background vocalist. In addition, all participants will learn how to prepare, rehearse, and lead their own band. Vocal improvisation will be presented, including scat singing, melodic embellishment, and rhythmic phrasing.

Showcases: Each evening faculty, guest artists and students will perform their songs in various settings (concerts/open mic nights)

Friends, parents and family are welcome to attend the evening showcases.

Housing

Students are required to make their own housing arrangements. Below is a list of options that you might want to consider for your stay in Valencia:

Hotels:

Dorms:
Resa