VOCAL COACH NYC - Gwen Conley: HOME
GWEN CONLEY
"EMMY AWARD WINNER"
VOCAL COACH & TRAINER
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N E W Y O R K C I T Y
&
RDU, CHAPEL HILL, NC and surrounding areas.
Pop - R& - B'way - Gospel - Jazz
PRIVATE VOCAL TRAINING
&
"WORKSHOPS"
for
BEGINNERS
INTERMEDIATES
PROFESSIONAL SINGERS
VOCAL STRENGTHENING - EAR TRAINING - RIFFING - HARMONY
Piano Lessons (basic) & Music Theory included in all sessions.
(Please see bottom of Home Page for further details)
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Gwen Conley had the honor of winning an Emmy Award as guest soloist for a TV special, "A Christmas Card", with the Ohio State University Symphony Orchestra. She also hosted her own TV variety show, "Feelings with Gwen Conley," enjoying the added pleasure of interviewing major stars, i.e., Billy Dee Williams, Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, et al. She toured as opening act for a month on the road with James Brown and
his famous band and "Maceo", which culminated with her as his opening act in a
week-long appearance at the Apollo.
"A total performing pleasure!"
of being the opening act for other major stars
such as Redd Foxx, Moms Mabley, and Glenn Campbell.
During her first 3 years in NYC she did 9 national TV commerials, and many "Jingles" for TV commercials
including a Coca-Cola session with
her idol, Bill Cosby,
and a memorable Maxwell House Coffee session with music genius, Ray Charles.
GWEN and her idol & BILL COSBY
GWEN & RAY CHARLES IN JINGLE SESSION
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To get each student to bring their ignition, passion and drive to each training session is Gwen's main focus. These traits move them in the direction of their dreams and they learn that their passion must be matched by their hard work! This is where they come to realize that they must also be willing to make sacrifices - whenever necessary - so that nothing comes between them and their daily vocal practice because that’s precisely where progress is made – and this moves them steadily in the direction of their dreams. Steady progress builds a successful professional career and when the student becomes aware of this - this is what ignites them to stay even more focused and committed to progress. They eventually will feel amazing "joy" when they hear the beauty of their voices, and an even higher sense of joy when they feel the control that they’ve always longed to have over their voices when they sing. This helps them to relax more as they start to perform, as they start to feel a sense of confidence when they know what they’re doing - and confidence comes - when you know what you’re doing!
Most of Gwen's students come to her from New York City, RDU, and surrounding areas, and she also has students who travel to her from other countries such as Paris, Spain, Japan, Korea, Lebanon, Germany, and a host of others. She also gives sessions online via "Skype after a few initial sessions with her students. Working with her in person or online via "Skype", you will leave with total focus and a clear awareness of what you came for - every time.
You can also expect your R&B voice lessons - in person or on "Skype" - to incorporate a few minutes of theory topics such as learning to read key signatures, and piano scales and fingering for those not already equipped with these skills. “You become a professional musician by learning to communicate with professional musicians who will be accompanying you on stage.”
As previously mentioned while many of her student are from NYC, NJ, CT and the RDU areas, many travel from countries as distant as Tokyo, Brazil, Turkenistan and Russia - eager to learn the art of "Riffing" as taught by Ms. G which is very popular in R&B, Gospel and Pop music. Mrs. Conley is one of the top "Riffing" specialists in the country. She has always been able to execute runs and riffs naturally and with genuine ease since age 7, and has a passion for developing these skills in her students. Through her experiences as a professional singer she’s developed one of the most "guaranteed" riffing techniques in the industry today. If the student works hard at it – they master it every time!
She also specializes in strengthening their voices in the mid range to prevent "cracking" when going from the chest to head voice. It is a fear of many singers - especially in earlier stages of their career. This is an area where Gwen focuses on very heavily, and her students are thrilled when they learn to control this vocal problem.
To request further information about her R&B, Pop, Gospel & Jazz training and coaching sessions, please click on the "CONTACT FORM" on the Home Page, fill out all items and email it in.
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Alison singing at the Presidential Inaugural Ball for
President Barak Obama and his lovely wife, Michelle Obama, was truly a dream come true!
"There're so many things I've learned from Gwen which are "priceless, and had a glorious time growing in areas where I needed a lot of work. I'm very grateful for the skills that I developed along with the confidence and courage to perform anywhere! She not only helped with my technical skills but helped me to build the courage, guts, and passion needed to re-dedicate myself to my life-long dream of becoming a lead singer in addition to being a back-up singer. It takes guts! Another major step for me."
Alison Foster - Professional cabaret & background singer, NJ, USA
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Stefanie H.- Professional singer & pianist, Paris, France
I made my trip from Paris to see Mrs. Conley because I felt she could put the finishing touches on my riffing skills. I'd been performing for years and had hit a plateau and felt stuck. When she heard me, she told me that she could tell that I'd been working hard to arrive at the level I'd reached. She complimented me on being a tremendous talent and that after after a little "tweaking" I could be on my way. That little "tweaking"turned out to be the hardest drills I'd ever done in my life (!!!) but they did the job for me! Before I went back home to Paris I performed at the Village Underground (one of NYC's premier open-mic clubs) and got the surprise of my life - I received an encore - I was exhilarated!! It was absolutely awesome!! I love how Mrs. Conley helped me and I will come back again the moment I need her only this time I'll be ready for the hard work. Thanks so much, Mrs. Conley.
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Ricardo Abercrombie - Student, NYC, USA
As a singer I already had pretty decent singing skills when I came toMrs. Conley, but I lacked stage confidence which I soon found out that it came when I developed my unique singing style, which I had to work incredibly hard to develop. Mrs. Conley worked with me for about 3 1/2 months and took me to a higher level in both areas - confidence & style! She stressed how important it is to perform regularly, 2-3 times per month, at least, to build confidence and style and to maintain it. I will be sure to return to her for tune-ups periodically, just to keep in shape! She's the best voice coach I've ever had. She's simply the best! Ricardo A.
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Student
Kelly Ryu
R&B Performer and Vocal Coach in Seoul, Korea
Kelly & One of Her Students Visiting Gwen Conley in NYC, 2013
I believed in myself, that I could learn to sing R&B. I came from Seoul, Korea to study with Ms. G for a year and I needed to learn how to "riff" like famous singers. Teaching R&B back in Korea was my goal, and I was determined to learn it in the year's time that I had. I worked really hard with Ms. G, and sometimes I wondered if I was going to achieve my goal but Ms. G never doubted that I would. She always told me that I was a hard worker and very talented and that those 2 traits would get me there. She supported me while I pushed myself, eventually convincing me that those 2 skills could always bring success! I'm glad I kept going because I'm very fulfilled today. I'm back in Korea now and teaching R&B to my students in Seoul and also singing and performing on a regular basis. This keeps me very happy!
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CLICK HERE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05ZWv4tqc9o
for a sneak preview of a successful music video
"THAT WORK - SECRET LOVER"
produced by, HARRY McNALLY, former voice-piano student.
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Hiba Tawaji - Professional singer/actress/dancer
Lebanon, Beirut
Hi Ms. G,
Hope you're doing good, miss u so much! I am sending you my 2 albums
so you should receive them next week ... I am so excited to hear your comments.
Starred in "Don Quixote" - the concept is done by Oussama Rahbani my producer & composer, he's also the composer of the whole musical ...as you can notice its a modern adaptation . The story is very much adapted to my society & country ... ( I play 2 characters : Dulcinea and Dima. Dima is a young woman that works in a "night club/cabaret," Don Quixote meets her and thinks she's Dulcinea.) I would love to hear from you soon! The Albums are coming next week! Please enjoy them!
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Gwen's students travel from Barcelona (below), South Korea, (below), and many other countries,
with a tremendous desire to perfect the vocal skill of "riffing with ease".
Their main objective is to master this "soulful" skill.
Several members of the Barcelona Gospel Choir - Barcelona, Spain attended their very own private gospel workshops with Mrs. Conley. They came with the desire to learn how to sing "contemporary gospel and praise music" even better than they had before - and how to add a bit of "riffing" to the message in tasteful ways. They satisfied their longings and "happily" returned home to share their new skills and repertoire with their wonderful congregation.
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PRIVATE VOCAL LESSONS
NYC
Ripley-Grier Studios
520 Eighth Avenue, 17th Floor
Saturday, Dec. 14th and Sunday, Dec. 15th
For R&B, POP, B'WAY, JAZZ & GOSPEL
Private lessons include:
Vocal Evaluation (sing and get an evaluation)
Diaphragmatic Breathing & Posture
Ear Training
Harmony & Blending
Vocal Strengthening Exercises (Chest Voice, Head Voice and the "Mix")
Riffing Exercises (Sprints)
Vocal Expression & Development of Style
Performance Coaching
Sight-reading
Basic Piano Scales, Chords, and Key Signatures for song-writing
Building Repertoire (Covers & Original songs)
FOR RATES and SCHEDULING POSSIBILITIES,
FILL OUT THE FORM ON THE "CONTACT PAGE" AND EMAIL IT IN.
YOU WILL BE CONTACTED TO DISCUSS SCHEDULING YOUR PRIVATE VOCAL SESSIONS.
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8-HOUR VOCAL WORKSHOP
1st half: 12 noon - 4:00 pm
(1-hr lunch break 4-5:00 pm)
2nd half: 5:00-9:00 pm
Workshop includes -
1. Vocal Evaluation - each student's vocal skills
2. Diaphragmatic BREATHING
3. Q&A PERIOD - all questions related to building a singing career
such as building stage presence & confidence - how to lose the fear!
developing a unique style, how to project your feelings when singing,
vocal strengthening of the "mix" to prevent "cracking", etc., etc., etc.
4. Vocal strengthening warmups before lunch break
LUNCH BREAK - 1 HR.
(Please eat a heavy breakfast so you can eat a very light lunch)
5. 4 HOURS OF VOCAL STRENGTHENING, HARMONY
FLEXIBILITY & RIFFING DRILLS
Will also work on a "RIFF" that you are having difficulty with - please record it and bring it with you to the workshop.
Please bring a strong, focused, and serious work ethic to the workshop
in order to achieve the desired progress you truly hope to achieve.
IGNITION, COMMITMENT and HARD WORK are absolutely necessary.
TO BOOK A SPACE AND GET DETAILS ON PRICE, DATES, ETC.,
FILL OUT THE FORM ON THE "CONTACT PAGE", SPECIFY "WORKSHOP", AND EMAIL IT IN.
YOU WILL BE CONTACTED ASAP
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"BETTER VOCAL TRAINING… STRENGTHEN YOUR VOICE".
MP3's coming soon.