Vocal Archives - IndyArtsGuide.org

Pages:

Elizabeth Souza

Performing Arts: Vocal

“My music has expanded since founding Ipanema in 2003. The group started out playing mostly Brazilian Bossa’s & Jazz, and later we started adding sambas, samba reggae, funk, axe, & pagode. Our biggest accomplishment has been to expand the group with extra percussionists & dancers to create a Brazilian Carnival show, to be offered as a cultural piece throughout the year, as the show includes a wide variety of Brazilian music styles and choreography with dancers in costumes.” -Elizabeth Souza

Matt Soverns

Performing Arts: Actor/Actress, Music, Theatre, Vocal

A Musical Misfit Inspired by his 3 older brothers, Matt began performing in local theatrical productions at the embryonic age of 8. Not much later, he began writing comedy sketches for his middle school talent shows, and self-producing shows with his friends to great success! Matt began his professional journey in early 2013 as a pianist in a Saxophone/piano duo called Rhatatat at the Anderson, Indiana Mayors Ball. Almost ten years later, Matt has performed well over 1,000 shows as a professional pianist and singer in over 10 states and 2 countries in every imaginable capacity from smoky bars in Downtown Chicago to beautiful churches in Central Florida, noisy street corners in Nashville, Tennessee to U.S. military installations in Germany, and much much more. Today, at the “not-so-embryonic” age of 28, Matt is still producing music, writing comedy, and making original content. When you make it a point to see Matt Soverns perform in person, you don’t regret it!

Mia Stien

Mia is an 18 year old singer and songwriter out of Brownsburg, IN. Working on her first record, she has performing experience and always makes sure to carry herself to be the best she can be on and off stage.

Kacie Swierk

Performing Arts: Music, Storytelling, Vocal

Based in Chicago, IL, Kacie Swierk is a musician, singer and songwriter. Her sophomore album, Hummingbird, is set to release early 2019, led by the release of three singles (Seattle, June 2018, Midwest Dreams, July 2018, and Strong One, November 2018). Swierk’s style floats between Alternative Folk, Americana, Indie and Singer/Songwriter. Energy and harmonization float, also, as Swierk’s performances range from solo shows to duo, to trio — all the way to her full nine-piece band (showcased on her upcoming album).

Books, the SoulScholar

Media; Multi Arts; Performing Arts: Actor/Actress, Dance, Music, Theatre, Vocal; Visual Arts: Media and Visual Communications, Performers and Writers

Originally from Nashville, TN, Books draws her inspiration from a blend of gospel, soul, funk, and blues. Ever eclectic, she enjoys, and draws inspiration from, a variety of music artists and genres, including Donny Hathaway, Sarah McLachlan, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Billy Joel, Yussef Lateef, J. Dilla, John Legend, Maurice White, Ella Fitzgerald, Ledisi, Hiatus Kaiyote, Jill Scott, and many more. Books has shared her music with audiences in the US and abroad for over 15 years. She credits her parents and close friends as inspirations, motivating and encouraging her evolution, growth, and continued journey as an artist. Ever the scholar, Books has always been studious and hungry to learn whatever she can, which led to her embrace of the nickname “Books.” She adopted the title of the SoulScholar later, as early collaborators felt her passion and energy and hunger to constantly better herself musically. Before diving completely into her artistry, Books formerly blessed stages as Brandi Nicole and regularly lent her voice as a guest feature with ensembles and choirs that opened for musical acts like Con Funk Shun, CeCe Winans, Kelly Clarkson, and Pentatonix. In the early 2000s, her voice was the melodic backbone for the Regal Records camp, which included collaborations with Yung Nawlege, Big Flex, and Daniel Hayes. Books is a classically trained musician and dancer. She was a regular feature for Jazz celebrations in middle Tennessee. The original BB King’s and the Funnybone comedy club on Historic Beale street were home to her in the mid 2000s. Books’ voice has taken her as far as Germany, as a featured soloist at the SACCRA International Music Festival. In the few years leading up to her full-time artistry as Books, the SoulScholar, she was an original member of the “Women of Rock and Soul” trio that successfully toured across the Midwest. Once she fully embraced the power in her voice and distinctive style, she began her journey full time and started work on her first projects as Books, the SoulScholar. Books then joined Planet Boom Bap on their debut album “Parallel Universe” as musician, songwriter, and lead vocalist. In 2016, Books, the SoulScholar decided that the world needed her original music and has since been focused on building her audience as a solo artist. Books has performed for packed audiences at highly anticipated events like the Women:317 series, The Underground, and The Green House Affect. Her music, including 2017’s “Charm Bracelet,” is on regular rotation across radio outlets like the IndiePennedIt Radio Show, Nuu Beat Radio, Brother, Brother Beer Cast, and the Subjective Comedy Podcast. An “old soul,” but a child of the 90s, she continues to mix in her love of jazz, hip-hop, singer-songwriter, and R&B. Her debut EP, “Songs in the Key of June” hits all major music outlets October 2018 and her full-length project, “the SoulScholar” will debut early 2019. Her singles, including “Charm Bracelet” are streaming across all music platforms.

Tony Wallace II

Performing Arts: Music, Spoken Word, Vocal

Tony “WHOA!” Wallace II is a Christian Rapper from Indianapolis, Indiana, who recently released his ninth CD, A Day in the Walk. There needs to be many more music artists like TonyWHOA! and if they are out there then they need to be promoted. WHOA! makes and performs hip hop music: a genre currently filled with negative stereotypes of ungodly wickedness that has plagued/cursed individuals, families, communities, schools, people groups, cultures, work environments, cities, states and countries all over the world. WHOA! is not afraid to say what needs to be said in order to stop the plague…Even if it takes him denouncing hip hop to let you know who and what is more valuable and most important in life. This man is not only an rapper/MC(or whatever you call it). He is a brother, husband, father, a friend and a very hard working man. TonyWHOA! makes it clear as day that he is not about street status, money or popularity. He fearlessly and boldly states the truth in his lyrics. He poetically delivers mature messages of substance, wisdom, encouragement, hope, love, peace, righteousness, consequences, grace, mercy and faith in his own creative/unorthodox way..yet with clarity. Pay close attention! You’ll want to listen again and again; just in case you missed something the other times around. Whenever, or however TonyWHOA!’s name is brought up, there is no question who TonyWHOA! stands for…JESUS!!! (written by A.P. Spaulding Jr.) “Trying to paint Tony as an average cat would be doing him disservice. As a matter of fact TonyWHOA! is a dude cut from a different cloth. He is a throwback MC in every sense of the word. Not only that, based on his socially conscience and at times humorous rhymes’ Tony might be considered a symbol of those who would like to take things back to “The Roots.” (Paul Collins, Dasouth.com)

Drew Watson

Performing Arts: Music, Vocal

Nate and Drew of Redoux! started playing music together over 20 years ago; after a successful run of playing originals in places such as Bogart’s in Cincinnati and multiple venues across the Midwest. However, with Drew’s string of living and playing music overseas – Germany, Italy, Belgium, and Brazil – they took a pause in their collaboration. Along the way, even playing separately with other groups, their musicianship and stage presence continued to grow. Now, with Drew back in Indy, they are incorporating multiple instruments and complex loops while still keeping the enjoyable songs and crowd-pleasing stage presence with their duo Redoux! Their fanbase continues to grow, as does their experimentation and the fun, as they love to reimagine pop songs and incorporate their own originals in their setlist.

Rachelle Woolston

Performing Arts: Music, Vocal

Rachelle Woolston, soprano EDUCATION · Doctor of Musical Arts: Voice, 2012 University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM): Cincinnati, OH o Dissertation document: “The Voice of Children in Art Song: A Study of Six Cycles Involving a Child’s Perspective” o Cognate field: German · Master of Music: Voice, 2004 University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM): Cincinnati, OH · Bachelor of Arts: Voice, 2002 Brigham Young University (BYU): Provo, UT OPERA EXPERIENCE · Violetta, La Traviata (Verdi) directed by Dylan Thomas, Center Stage Opera, (Chatsworth, CA), September 2014 · Mother Abbess, The Sound of Music (Rogers & Hammerstein) Burbank Community Theater, (Burbank, CA) June 2014 · Cio-Cio San (cover), Madama Butterfly (Puccini) directed by Dylan Thomas: Center Stage Opera, (Chatsworth, CA), June 2014 · Oscar (partial role), Un Ballo in Maschera (Verdi) conducted by Mark Gibson: CCM (Cincinnati, OH), 2004 · The Queen of the Night, Die Zauberflöte (Mozart) conducted by Paul Stanbery: Hamilton-Fairfield Symphony Orchestra (Fairfield, OH), 2003 · Lady Harriet (partial role), Martha (Flotow) directed by Thomas de Mallet Burgess: CCM (Cincinnati, OH), 2003 · Kolombine, Die Kleine Harlekinade (Salieri) directed by Sandra Bernhard: CCM (Cincinnati, OH), 2003 · Barbarina, Le nozze di Figaro (Mozart) directed by Paula Williams: CCM (Cincinnati, OH), 2003 · Susanna (cover), Le nozze di Figaro (Mozart) coached by Kelly Hale: CCM (Cincinnati, OH), 2003 · The Queen of the Night, Die Zauberflöte (Mozart) directed by Lawrence Vincent: BYU (Provo, UT), 2000 · Dew Fairy, Hansel and Gretel (Humperdinck) directed by Lawrence Vincent: BYU (Provo, UT), 2000 · Valencienne, The Merry Widow (Lehár) directed by Marion Bentley and Lawrence Vincent: BYU (Provo, UT), 1997 SELECTED RECITAL PERFORMANCES · Collaborative recital: “Facets of Love” with bassoonist PJ Woolston, (Marian Univeristy), Feb 15, 2015 · Collaborative recital: “Love, Madness and Longing: Songs of Richard Strauss in Celebration of his 150th Birthday” with USC French horn professor Jim Thatcher (Burbank, CA), April 6, 2014 · Guest soloist: Santa Barbara Music Club Concert Series (Santa Barbara, CA), March 22, 2014 · Guest soloist: Presidio Concert Series (San Francisco, CA), March 13, 14, 15, 2014 · Solo recital tour (Madrid, Spain), March 8-9, 2014 · Solo recital: “An Evening of Classical Music” (Houston, TX), 2014 · Chamber recital: “Canto e Corno” with French horn player Cindy Deane and pianist Coleen Thatcher (in Pasadena, CA), 2013 · Collaborative recital with organist James Welch (San Diego, CA), 2013 · Guest artist recital at Brigham Young University (Provo, UT), 2013 · Solo recital: “An Evening Voyage across Europe” (Houston, TX), 2004 · Featured soloist “Laurie’s Song” (Copland) BYU School of Music Convocation Ceremony (Provo, UT), 2002 · Recital tour (Portugal, the Azores, and Madeira), 2000 ADVANCED PERFORMANCE TRAINING · Middlebury College German for Singers Program in Middlebury, VT, 2005 (James McDonald, Carolyn Hague) · Opera Theatre and Music Festival of Lucca in Italy, Solisti program, 2004 (Lorenzo Malfatti, Barbara Honn) · Rising Star Singers Audition Works in Rising Sun, IN, 2003 (Gene Klein, Christina Haan, Terry Lusk) · Grandin Festival in Cincinnati, OH, 2003, 2004 (Warren Jones) HONORS AND AWARDS · Finalist, Corbett Opera Competition, CCM, 2005 · Finalist, Irma M Cooper Vocal Competition, Columbus, OH, 2004 · 2nd place National Council Award, Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (Rocky Mountain Region), 2001 · The Mrs. Theodore R. McEwen Award; The Arthur and Miriam Bender Memorial Award; The Diamond Wendelboe Memorial Award; Patron Award; Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (Rocky Mountain Region), 2001 · Winner, Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, (Utah District), 2001 · National Merit Scholar, BYU, 1995 TEACHERS AND COACHES Voice teachers · Barbara Honn · Audrey B. Luna · Lawrence Vincent · Lila Stuart-Bachelder Stage Directors · Dylan Thomas · Sandra Bernhard · Paula Williams · Thomas de Mallet Burgess · Lawrence Vincent Vocal Coaches · Shira Renée Thomas · Terry Lusk · Donna Loewy · Kenneth Griffiths · Martin Katz Conductors Brian Onderdonck · Misha Shtangrud · Earl Rivers · Stephen Coker · Ronald Staheli · Mack Wilberg LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY · Spanish: Conversational level of fluency acquired through childhood travel to Spain and college coursework · Portuguese: Conversational level of fluency acquired while living in Portugal (1998-2000) · German: Seven-week immersive language study at Middlebury College, advanced level (2005), Goethe-Institut Zeugnis Zentrale Mittelstufenprüfung (ZMP) score: “gut” · Italian: Six-week intensive language study in Lucca, Italy, advanced level (2004) · French: Proficiency exam for one year of college course credit (2001-2002)

Pages:

Find An Artist