Author: Aisha

  • Vocal Identity

    Vocal Identity

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    Aisha
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    Last Thursday, I went to Don’t Tell Mama for my weekly Bootcamp to learn how to sing in front of people in a very spontaneous situation. I had practiced two songs – Let’s Do It by Cole Porter and Like A Prayer by Madonna a la Postmodern Jukebox. Welp, I bombed again. I felt like…

  • My Hot Take: A Star Is Born

    My Hot Take: A Star Is Born

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    Aisha
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    THERE ARE SPOILERS! This past weekend, my dearest friend flew in to Las Vegas for another friend’s wedding and to watch A Star Is Born with me (plus some co-misery). After countless mimosas – we literally lost count – we dragged ourselves to a matinee showing. Below is my review.

  • Your Question from Poet Laureate Tracey Smith

    Your Question from Poet Laureate Tracey Smith

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    Aisha
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    Anything can prompt a poem. But deep within one’s verses is a question yearning, screaming, aching, pleading to be answered. That’s what was a topic of discussion on Sep. 29 inside the Winchester Community Center. National Poet Laureate Tracy Smith held a small workshop on writing poetry, with a brief Q&A afterward. After reading her…

  • Bye, Bye Stage Fright

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    Aisha
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    Yes, ya’ll, I’ve been dealing with stage fright for the last five years. It has been a frustrating experience. Whatever progress I make in the studio has zero translation when put in front of an audience, be they auditions or karaoke nights. Two years ago, I went to see a therapist to help me manage…

  • #MinnieWednesday & Vocal Rest

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    Aisha
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    This is long overdue! Here is my first #MinnieWednesday YouTube live mini-concert. Unfortunately, I’ve been unable to do more because of a little thing called vocal nodules. I’m on vocal rest for three months which means very little singing, and a lot of voice therapy. It sucks. I’m trying to find other things to do…

  • REVIEW: Believer Festival 2018

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    Aisha
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    April 13 and 14 was the Black Mountain Institutes “Believer Festival” 2018. I’d never heard of this nerdy festival. Had I known, I’d have snatched up my tickets long ago. If it weren’t for a friend’s Facebook post promoting the COMEDY night, I would have missed out. Where was all the promo BMI? I’m on…

  • Designing my own master class

    Designing my own master class

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    Aisha
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    A large part of my journey to becoming a professional musician is becoming a better musician. While I have a degree in music, it’s been 10 years since I’ve been in a setting where the principles of music were drilled into me 40 hours or more a week. For those of us outside of those…

  • Don’t Tell Mama – November 2017

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    Aisha
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    Wuuuuuttttttttttt….I did it y’all! I went to Don’t Tell Mama with a few friends and I got up and sang, TWICE. Yes, yes, ya’ll – TWICE. I was nervous starting out on Wishing On A Star. Frank didn’t have the sheet music, and I was asking him to transpose it, so it was super rocky,…

  • Quick Tip: How to sound like Earth Kitt

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    Aisha
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  • Wishing On A Star – August 2017

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    Aisha
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    I’ve apparently been working on this song for two years! I’ve made a lot of progress, but there’s always room for improvement, especially with my mic technique. Things I need to work on: As always, consistent tone Too close to the mic at the beginning of song Looking up too much Need internal story to…