Master Classes are designed for musicians to learn and share from their experiences. While each master class has a specific structure of themes that are tackled, individual questions about the themes are augmented by questions about anything the participants would like to talk about.

These classes are designed so that anyone with knowledge of the instrument can walk away with having learned something new. They are highly interactive and fun.

Participant enrollment is limited for each Master Class. Advance tickets are strogly suggested to reserve your seat. Please call 672.7625 to reserve your seat.

MASTER CLASS WORKSHOP SERIES
Drums
WITH: ALLISON HOVEY

“PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER”

  This class is designed to help you become a better drummer using some new ideas as well as some things you may be aware of but are unsure of how to implement them into your everyday playing. The master class series is a great chance to have your questions answered by a professional in a small group setting and will give you practical useable advice you can start using right away.    

   This workshop will cover your hands and feet, the basic rudiments and how to apply them to the drum set, timing and working with a click track, soloing, effective practice tips, tuning, selecting the right equipment and much, much, more. 

    Space is limited for the master class series (25 seats) and tickets are going quickly so sign up soon to take advantage of this opportunity. This is a perfect chance to add some new life to your playing or learn something completely new.

 Allison Hovey has been an in-demand session and touring drummer on the East Coast of Canada for over fifteen years. He has performed on over 60 + recordings ranging from country to pop and all styles in between, many of the recordings being nominated for music awards. He has also appeared on live TV spots and live radio broadcasts for CTV, ATV and CBC in Atlantic Canada and Live TV appearance on European TV as well . Allison is currently an endorse for Mapex Drums, Dream Cymbals and Los Cabos drumsticks.

Recently, Allison has been playing live and recording with many artists including "Wild T & The Spirit" ( Tony Springer), Canadian Country artists Chris Cummings and Kevin Chase, roots rocker John Hughes, as well as Dee Hernandez. 2009 also saw Allison's first national drum festival appearance as well with a short set during the Cape Breton International Drum Festival in May. Currently, Allison is teaching and performing clinics across Canada.

 

MASTER CLASS WORKSHOP SERIES
Vocals
WITH INTERNATIONAL RECORDING ARTIST DEE

This master class will address everything from vocal techniques, staging, as well as audition techniques, rhythmic and melodic sight reading technique. Practice exercises will also be addressed, as well as the diatonic and chromatic scales for each voice part. The purpose of this workshop is to give participants a chance to practice and correct common mistakes, and get individualized advice.

Participants will have the opportunity to sing and practice singing in very close harmony with other participants. In large choral ensembles, singers frequently become too dependant on others to sing their part. The great advantage of a small setting of a master class is that everyone works with one another to help address concerns. We will address how to communicate the message of a composer's song, and how to confront a problem and fix it. Managing breath is one of the challenges all singers encounter. You will be shown how to use and manage your breath to create the sound, inflection and texture you want to produce. Use your body to your advantage in creating, supporting and maintaining sound.

Dianelys Hernandez grew up in Havana, Cuba surrounded by music. "For my family, singing was the way we could all come together. Every member in my family has a beautiful voice ". She has developed into an artist with a national and international career. The combination of original music, intelligent lyrics, superb vocal abilities and a dynamic stage presence make Dianelys Hernandez an artist to both appreciate and watch out for.

Dianelys Hernandez trained at the Conservatory of Music in Cuba, performed throughout the Island with a number of different bands and sang for Cuban President Fidel Castro by the age of 11.
After performing at the International Music Festival "Quimera96 " at age 13 in Toluca-Metec, Mexico, she was invited to perform at Canadian venues and festivals, such as the world-renown Montreal Jazz Festival. By the time she reached age 16, Dianelys "dedicated her life to music" (inspired by Cuban diva Celia Cruz) to the point where "I had to leave my family and country to take my career to a higher level". She settled in Canada to pursue her dreams.

Dianelys started her new life as a singer in Toronto, performing regularly with the Latin band Cassava, Hot Handle and recording as a featured vocalist on many independent CDs with various artists, such as Pedras da Rua. Word about her unique talents spread quickly and soon Dianelys was invited to perform at top Latin and Jazz venues in Toronto such as Lee's Palace, the Harbor Front Center, Havana Cafe and many others. Singing in Spanish, Portuguese and English, Dee - as her family and friends call her - developed her own musical style as a singer and composer.
In 2005, Dianelys started a solo project under the name of "DEE " that incorporates the success of her previous works and her appearance on Canada's top rated TV program, Canadian Idol, where she placed in the Top 11 and received many rave reviews from the judges, such as being described as "A World Class Jazz Singer" by Sass Jordan.

In December of 2009, Dee released her first CD “Crazy Love”, which has received a lot of international attention, especially in Asia and China. Dee has her music featured on several original MTV programs around the world and has had one of her original songs embedded into Samsung phones globally.

She is the most sought after vocal teacher in Southern New Brunswick and frequently provides back-up and harmony vocals on recordings by other recording artists.

 

MASTER CLASS WORKSHOP SERIES
Bass
WITH: JOHN COLLIER

Whether you are a beginner, novice or advanced player. There is always room for learning and adapting tips from experienced players who are willing to share their knowledge. Everything from tuning to advanced slapping techniques will be shared at Bass Master Class with John Collier.

This will be an interactive event and anyone who wishes to jam or swap licks or tricks with John will be encouraged to do so. Main focus will be on right handed technique, left handed technique, ghost notes, syncopated rythms, advanced slapping techniques, practice exercises to develop strength and endurance, soloing, and most important of all....Listening!!! Your ears are your most valuable asset as a musician!!   A very wise friend and Master Bassist once told me this insightful advice....." Playing Bass is like shooting snooker; it's not what you sink.... it's what you leave. 

John Collier has been playing bass professionally for 27 years. Toured the Maritimes and across Canada from 1985 to 1992. John has been fortunate to play with such artists as Carson Downey, Tony " Wild T " Springer, Thom Swift, Chris Cummings and the late Kenny Maclean of Platinum Blonde fame; to name a few. John's influences are Geddy Lee, Mark King, Stanley Clarke, Tony Levin and Victor Wooten. John is now playing with international recording artist DEE and is in high demand for freelance work and studio sessions.
John has always believed the rythm section is the backbone of any band. John has opened for such bands as, Trooper, Rik Emmit, Sven Gali, Haywire, to name a few.