What do you get when you combine sunny skies, tons of food, herds of people, and some extremely talented performers? I would say, the perfect day! And it certainly felt perfect as Patrice Peris Voice Studies artists took on Faneuil Hall Market place on Sunday, May 17th.

 At the start of the week, it was questionable whether or not the show would go on at all, but it did and was a major success! Artists sang a variety of songs ranging from the oldies favorite, "My Girl" to recent pop smash hit, "Love Me Like You Do," leaving both the younger and older crowds feeling pleased.  The artists’ performances went so well that an older couple Patrice found enjoying the music admitted they had only been walking by, but had decided to stay because they were so taken with the performers. 

Check out more highlights below!

As the first act, Herman Jones did what he does best and took us back to the days of the Beehive hairdos and pink Cadillacs. He sang some classic oldies hits including "My Girl" and "Ain't to Proud to Beg." We cheered him on as the crowd started to gather, and of course, sing along! I mean, who can resist singing along to "My Girl?”

Following Herman, we welcomed newcomer Lexi Sinka to the stage. Lexi made her debut performance to a huge audience.  With her sultry vocals and polished poise, it was hard to believe she was new to the stage!  Her take on "Elastic Love" and "Summertime Love" helped her book another gig in NY!  Yay!

Keeping the momentum rolling, Cate Toole brought her sweet charm and charisma onstage along with a variety of songs including "True Colors" and "Love Me Like You Do."  Additionally, I would like to mention that Cate recently covered “Love Me Like You Do” in the studio and released it to YouTube this past week.

The youngest of the crew, Emalie Kurko, had the audience loudly cheering after her performance of Miranda Lambert's "The House that Built Me."

Next, Kassie Sakhat sang a mix of songs that included Amy Winehouse's "Valerie" and Sam Smith's "Lay Me Down.”  This powerful combination showcased her bubbly personality and powerhouse vocals.

Bringing a bit of southern spice to Faneuil Hall, Melanie Mulrain took the stage with Sugarland's "Stay" and Carrie Underwood's "Good Girl," proving the country music world has yet another sweet and sassy girl to look out for!

Ciara Cargiulo came on next, and I think it’s safe to say that the audience had no idea what they were in for!  By the time fourteen-year-old Ciara had finished her first piece, Jesse J's "Mamma Knows Best," the audience was hooked!  Songs by Jessie J, Florence and the Machine, Paramore, and Christina Aguliera are not easy to sing; however, Ciara’s performance would have made these artists proud.
 

Continuing with powerhouse singers, Veronica Homand displayed her dynamic performance skills to Adele’s "Rumor Has It" and Lana Del Rey's "Young and Beautiful."  She conquered Faneuil Hall with her performance and had the audience singing along with every word.

Performing her latest originals "Believe" and "What if I" (both of which will be released on her EP this year!), friend of the studio and recording artist April Forrest joined the showcase. There is no denying that she is well on her way to having a Top 40 hit!

John Miwanda helped bring the show to a close with a bang!  His take of John Mayer's "Waiting on the World" had ladies in the audience pulling out their phones to capture the moment.  He followed with his acoustic version of "I See Fire” and proved that he has a voice and talent beyond his years.

Last, but certainly not least, was the owner of the studio, Patrice Peris. She debuted her latest single "Walking Away" to a live audience for the first time. The passion Patrice carries is infectious and her love of singing cannot be denied.  

 

 

Photo's and Video's from the Event:

 

 

Herman Jones post performance!

 

Lexi Sinka

 

Cate Toole

 

Patrice Peris and Emalie Kurko

Kassie Sakhat

 

Melanie Mulrain

Ciara Cargiulo

Ciara Cargiulo

Veronica Homand

John Miwanda

 

John Miwanda

 

Video's from the Show:

 

John Miwanda performing "Waiting on the World"

 

 

Ciara Cargiulo

 

 

 

 

Highlights from the Westborough Spring Festival!

Saturday, May 2nd was a picture perfect day for the artists from Patrice Peris Voice Studios who took the stage at the Annual Westborough Spring Festival! A great crowd formed to enjoy the beautiful weather, learn about local businesses, enjoy the kid’s activities, and hear some live music on the common!

 

 

The Westborough Spring Festival Music Fest began in 2010 and allows local talent to showcase their hard work to the community each year.  Patrice Peris Voice Studio artist, C Cargiulo started the show off with an upbeat set consisting of, Paramore, Jessie J, Florence and the Machine, and Christina Aguilera!  Never one to disappoint, C used her incredible vocals and outgoing personality to draw in the crowd.  Then, Kassie Sakhat, who at twelve years old has a style and voice well beyond her age, brought her beautiful voice to the stage to perform Ariana Grandes latest hit, "My Everything" along with a classic Amy Winehouse piece, "Valerie."  John Miwanda turned heads with his unique voice and cool and relaxed stage presence, performing "I See Fire" and John Mayer's "Waiting on the World to Change."  Last, but certainly not least, was Veronica Homand who brought her sultry vocals to the show!  Veronica showed off with her version Ella Henderson’s popular song, "Mirror Man" as well as Lana Del Rey's, "Young and Beautiful," both of which amazed the audience.  All the performers did an incredible job!  Stay tuned for more from these young and talented artist as they will also be hitting the stage on Sunday, May 17th at Faneuil Hall.  

From the left: Kassie Sakhat, C Cargiulo and Cate Toole

 

C Cargiulo

Kassie Sakhat

John Miwanda

Veronica Homand

 

 

The Latest Patrice Peris Voice Studios Newsletter Has Arrived!

Hello All!

 

The past four months have gone by like the blink of an eye, but so much has happened at the studio!  Even with the record breaking amount of snow we had this year, open mics, auditions, shows, and workshops all still managed to get accomplished!  Below, check out some of the season’s highlights and take a look at incredible upcoming events and classes!

 

Highlights!

 

Songwriting Workshop!

Starting the year off, the songwriting workshop, hosted in mid-January and February, was a huge success!  One of the many highlights was seeing how each individual created a unique piece of their own, and it was a blast watching those lyrics come to life in the studio.  Watching everyone work really drove home my belief that there are no right or wrong processes or formats when it comes to writing.  While there are a lot of great writing tips and tools out there, at the end of the day, writing is an individual practice one must explore on their own.

 

​ 

 

Return to Tatnuck Booksellers!

Shortly after the workshop was yet another successful Open Mic at the Tatnuck Booksellers! Anand Desai on his guitar did an excellent mash up of "Sweater Weather" and "Riptide" which was both creative and powerful.  Ciara Cargiulo belted out “Mamma Knows Best” which left the crowd in awe.  As always, the eclectic group of poets, singers, and speakers who gathered were welcoming and talented!

 

NU Café Open Mics

On February 7^th, the NU Cafe Open Mic was packed as usual.  Kassie Sakhat and Anyee Li managed to get the entire crowds’ attention!   Kassie showed off her beautiful vocals with “Skinny Love” and “Valerie,” managing to combine both old and new styles while making each piece her own.  At just ten years old, Anye Li successfully performed the powerful song “Titanium.”  She even caught the attention of some students whom proceeded to video her performance as a keepsake and proof of some young talent on the rise. 

 

Again on April 11^th, we had yet another successful night at the Nu Café! Cate Toole started the night off by performing one of the radios hottest hits right now, “Ghost” by Ella Henderson and she did not disappoint.  Twelve year old Kassie Sakhat was next with a cover of Ariana Grande’s, “My Everything.”  Melanie Mulrain got the whole rooms attention by breaking out Sugarland’s, “Stay.” Veronica Homand sultry version of "Young and Beautiful" would have made Lana Del Rey very proud.  And finally, Ciara Cargiulo ended the night with an enthusiastic performance of Paramore’s, “Aint It Fun!”  The singers gained the attention of everyone in the crowded café.
 

Music Spotlight Section!

Patrice Peris’s single, “Walking Away” released!  Produced by Jared Hancock at Surefire Creative Studios, “Walking Away” was released March 27^th!  Patrice believes the song is her “greatest piece to date!”  You can find the single on her upcoming EP, alongside other original work.  Keep an eye out for the full EP to be released by the end of the year! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciKRk2oA884

 

On March 19^th, artist Chrissie released a cover of “Lips Are Movin” by Meghan Trainor!  Chrissie briJared Hancock at Surefire Creative Studios!  You can check out the song and get updates at, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKTLLxVRoL4!
 

Cate Toole also released a cover produced by Jared Hancock of Surefire Creative Studios at the end of April 2015! Cate did her own take on Ellie Goulding’s hottest hit right now, “Love Me Like You Do!” You can find the cover along with additional updates from Cate by liking her Facebook page,  www.facebook.com/catetoolemusic!

 

 

Special Shout-outs!

·         A big congratulations to Lexi Sinka who took home her 4th win for Best Female Soloist at her Show Choirs competition this April!  She won this award at every competition they competed in.  Talk about cleaning house!
 

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·         Kara Diorio not only made it to districts, but to State level as well!

·         Gail Fabbri had a busy few months performing for the Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services Gala as a singing act! Gail sang a Great Gatsby themed set including, “It Don’t Mean A Thing,” “Back To Black,”  “Someone To Watch Over Me,” and “The A Train!” Additionally, Gail was found doing an original mash-up at the Shrewsbury High School Coffee Shop of “Riptide” and “Skinny Love!

·         John Miwanda closed the show for the Shrewsbury Oak Middle School talent show with his  powerful performance of “I See Fire.”

 

Upcoming Performances!

There have been so many wonderful opportunities in the past few months, and they will be continuing!  You don’t want to miss out!

 

·         Stop by Westborough’s Spring Fest on May 2^nd to check out performers, Kassie Sakhat, Ciara Cargiulo, John MiWanda and Veronica Homand!

 

·         Join Chrissie on May 3rd, 2015 at the 9ines Sunday Songs for Soldiers! Enjoy the all-day event featuring local music to show support for local veterans! 100% of donations made will go to the local Veterans shelter. Chrissie will be playing alongside the very talented: Shamrock Whiskey, Shakedown Street, The Bubbleheads, Left-Right, Stonethrow, Mike O'connell, Bent Hen & Rich Mack!

 

·         On May 12^th, check out Isabella Vukmirovits, Sophia Moreno, Colleen McNamara, John Miwanda, Taylor, and McKenna Katz performing for the Shrewsbury Oak Middle School concert.  Show starts at 7 p.m.

 

·         Sunday, May 17^th artists such as, Cate Toole, Ciara Cargiulo, Kassie Sakhat and Veronica Homand will be singing at Faneuil Hall along with Patrice! There will be a variety of music between 1:00 and 3:30 p.m.! You won't want to miss out!

 

·         On June 5^thand 6^th, you can check out Colleen McNamara, Taylor, and McKenna Katz in the Shrewsbury Oak Middle Schools production of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

·         Kassie Sakhat will be singing the National anthem for the Worcester Bravehearts game on June 19^th!

 

·         Catch Emily and Andrew Salonich in Tarzan the Musical on June, 19^th, 20^th and 21^st! The musical is being run by Milford Performing Arts Center in Milford, MA, and it is a must see show!

 

·         You can find Cate Toole singing the National Anthem on June 28^th for The North Shore Navigators as well as July 28^th for the Worcester Bravehearts!

UPCOMING SUMMER CLASSES!

 

Group Voice Class- This six week class is a great option for those looking to get some extra practice in a group setting.  Each student will have the chance to practice a song of their choice while giving and receiving feedback.   This class is limited to six people.  Meetings will be Wednesdays from 7 – 8:30 p.m. starting the first week in June.  Cost is $75 per student.

 

 Summer Private Voice Lessons Special:   Sign up for this program and save 15% on private lessons!!  Private lessons are available for anyone from beginners to professionals.   The summer is a great time to learn a new skill or to refine your craft, so why not take advantage of this deal?  Students will learn the fundamentals of singing and how to create a contemporary sound that can compete with the music on the radio.   This thirteen week program starts the first week in June and runs through the last week in August!  Half hour and hour long classes are both available.  The cost for half hour lessons is $442, and the cost for hour long lessons is $828.75.

Performance Workshop: This seven week workshop will go over the fundamentals of performing, providing students with valuable tools to conquer stage fright, learn how to really engage an audience, learn the keys to a successful performance, and much more!  It is perfect for those just starting out as well as seasoned pros.  At the end of the workshop,  will get the chance to showcase what they have learned in a performance set up outside the studio.  Class is limited to six people, so don't miss out!  It will be held on Tuesdays from 7 – 9 p.m. starting on June 2nd.  Cost is $225 per student.

Songwriters Circle:  The Songwriters Circle will be held on the third Thursday of every month over the summer!  This is a great way to get feedback on your songs from other writers as well as fine tune your skills.  And don't worry if you haven’t been writing.  There will be drills each class to help get the creative juices flowing!  Cost is $15.

 

 

Introductoryice Class: This eight week class will cover all the fundamentals of singing, including: the correct way to breathe, help with expanding one’s range, tips for singing high notes, and the importance of giving an emotional performance to name a few.   This class is for new students only.  Class starts the second week in June and will be held Mondays from 5 – 6:30 p.m.  Class size is limited to six people.  Cost is $225 per student.

PHOTO'S FROM PAST EVENTS:

Songwriting workshop:













Anand Desai

Ciara Cargiulo

 Chrissie

 Kassie Sakhat

 Cate Toole

Craig Wagenhoffer
 



 

 



 

TATNUCK BOOKSELLERS LITERARY ARTS OPEN MIC NIGHT:



Ciara Carguilo

 

Anand Deasi

 

 

 

 

 

 

NU CAFE OPEN MIC NIGHT:

 

Anyee Li

 

Kassie Sakhat

 

 

 

 

 

SONGWRITERS CIRCLE:

 

John Miwanda

 

 

From the Left: Veronica Homand, Melanie Mulrain and John Miwanda

 





Patrice Peris Releases Latest Single, "Walking Away"

 

 

 

 After a brief hiatus, Patrice Peris is back in full form and with a new single.
 

Peris is excited to release “Walking away,” a song that she believes may be her “greatest piece to date.”  The single will be available on her upcoming EP along with some other original songs.  Of the project, Peris said, “my upcoming EP is very dear to me because, out of everything that I have done thus far, it is the most personal."    

 

Peris is no stranger to the music industry, but was briefly estranged from it after giving birth to “the love of her life,” a son named Tyler.  Additionally, she recently opened her own voice studio.   While her new son and new studio have certainly provided enough of a juggling act, recording is something Peris believes she could not live without.  “I feel like to be the best version of me, I need to be creating, and with so many incredible things happening in my life, the writing process has been amazing" Peris said.  

 

"Walking Away" will provide listeners with the first taste of the full EP to be released this fall.  The song itself is a mix of sultry vocals, driving beat, and hard hitting lyrics. It was produced and co-written by Jared Hancock of Surefire Creative Studios whose long list of credits includes Ne-Yo, Rick Ross, Jordan Knight, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Nina Sky, Bebe Rexha, Maino, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, Twista, Trin-i-tee 5:7, Brooke Hogan, Bobby Valentino, and Missy Elliot among others.

 

 “It has been a whirlwind of emotions this past year,” Peris said, “and I have had some amazing ups and some downs.  This song came out of a moment when I felt as though I was being held back and I had to do something about it."

 

With the addition of her son, her newly opened studio, and now this single, Peris is proving that she’s more than a talented musician.  She’s a force to be reckoned with, and it doesn’t seem like she’ll be slowing down anytime soon. 

 

Check out "Walking Away" here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciKRk2oA884&feature=youtu.be

 

Songwriting: To Write or Not to Write

 

 

Recently, I had the opportunity to host a songwriting workshop, and I must say it was quite the experience!  Of the many highlights, one was seeing the different songs people created with their unique way of phrasing things. And it was as a blast watching those lyrics come to life in the studio.  Watching everyone work really drove home my belief that there are many different processes and formats when it comes to writing.  While there are great writing tips and tools everyone can use, at the end of the day, writing is an individual practice one must explore.  Even after you find a process that works, it is important to note that at times it may be useful to try different things. 

Writing is an emotional experience, and we all express our emotions differently.  One person might like to write in silence and then bring the lyrics to life with music afterwards.  Another might like to listen to music that provokes an emotion and use that to write.  Either way, it’s up to the writer to pick a method that works for him or her. 

I feel that writing is an important skill for any artist looking to pursue music, and is something you should experiment with even if you feel you can't write.  It could be said that if you have vocal cords, you have the ability to sing.  With writing, if you have ever felt emotion, then you have the ability to write.  Sometimes it’s just believing in yourself and picking up the pen that makes it happen.  Often, I am surprised by people who tell me they aren’t writers then come up with some of the best stuff.  Also, I speak from experience when I say, sometimes it takes time to hone in on your skills.  

Writing is a great way to express your feelings and is looked highly upon in the music industry.  It can be a nice way to make your way into a label where you will be welcomed with open arms if you have a great product to offer.  Approaching a label as a songwriter allows you to create connections within the industry which may later help you launch your singing career. Or, you could go in as a singer/songwriter and approach it that way.  Labels often need songwriters for the artists they already have, and if you are approaching them as a singer/songwriter, finding you a songwriter is one less thing they’ll have to worry about. Plus, there is money to be made as a songwriter! 

In a recent article, Jesse J talked about having paid her rent for three years (yes you read that correctly: THREE years) off the money she made writing "Party in the U.S.A."!   And she isn’t the only one!  Lady Gaga, Keri Hilson, Ke$ha and many more started off as songwriters, and then became the mega stars they are today.   

So, for those of you who are questioning your ability as a songwriter, my advice to you is this: just write!  Check out different articles about songwriting and start to play.  Lastly, to quote Jared Hancock, a friend, producer, songwriter, and the host of the songwriting workshop, "Don't worry about writing a hit song all the time; just write."  Perfect advice.  A lot of times, singers try so hard to write a hit that they drive themselves crazy, so don't worry about always having to write a hit, just have fun and let go.  Who knows, it could turn into the next big song!  And Jared isn’t the only one with that advice.  The day after the workshop, I had the opportunity to see Christina Perri in a small live show and was able to ask her a question.  Since I was fresh from the workshop, I asked her what her songwriting process was like, and she told me that part of her process is to write even if it is no good.  So, there you go!  JUST WRITE!

The Key to Success!

 On the heels of the New England Patriots’ Super Bowl win, I have to say that I am a big believer in hard work, determination, and shutting out the “noise” of others. These three things will almost inevitably lead to success. Now, I know everyone has his or her opinion about what happened in the game, and to be quite honest, I really didn't look into the whole situation much. But all of this has made me realize that you deal with haters in every field, and it is how you deal with them that makes the difference. This becomes even truer as you climb the ladder in your chosen field. You see, as you become more successful, the haters come out and try to stop you. Sometimes, they knock you down and crush your spirits, but this is precisely when you need to flourish and prosper! In this industry, shutting out the negative is just as important as singing correctly, and it allows the best of you to come through. It keeps you on track, and you won’t waste your energy dealing with the negative (unless, of course, you decide to channel it into something positive like writing a song). So, to all those dreamers out there: don’t stop dreaming! Block out the noise, lose the negative baggage, and find your success!

What Drives Me

 

Like many musicians, what drives me is my fiery passion for singing and creating music. Looking back, I find that when I wasn’t performing or creating music, I was pretty down. I wasn’t myself, and I wasn’t as happy as I knew I could be. It follows, then, that I need to keep creating music in order to be the best version of myself. This realization helps me understand where the other artists I work with are coming from. Essentially, I think we’re all cut from the same cloth. Though we may have vastly different styles, it is our burning desire to create music that keeps us going and gives purpose to the mundane days. All of us are part of the same community, despite our differences and disagreements, and I do everything I can to keep my fellow artists doing what they love. I know that when we aren’t making music, we lose a piece of ourselves, and if possible, I want everyone to remain intact.

 

There is, however, one big problem I keep running into. I continue to hear from artist after artist that someone has told them that singing isn’t a realistic career choice or isn’t doable. As someone who has made it work and has helped a lot of aspiring singers make it work, I know that it is possible to have a successful career as a musician. And honestly, I would like to talk with the people who say this and ask them to never listen to another song on their radio, iPod, computer, etc. You see, all of us, even those who don’t make music, use music as an outlet or escape. We use it when we’re going through a breakup and need to rock out to Kelly Clarkson or Taylor Swift to carry ourselves through, or when we’re having an awesome day and want to listen to Katy Perry or Ellie Goulding to celebrate and get pumped up. If we continue to discourage those who want to create, then we may be missing out on that next hit song that will carry us through life’s precious moments.

 

This idea, this hope that my next favorite artist is somewhere out there, making her way to the open mic night that’ll get her discovered, is constantly inspiring me and driving me, as well. It’s important for me to be the one who says to forget about those people whose favorite word is “can’t” and listen to your heart. Sure, not everyone will win a Grammy or sell out Gillette Stadium, but there are plenty of people I know who use their voices and other musical skills to pay the bills. We as a society have this idea that you’re either famous or you’re nothing, and that’s just not true. I see musicians in bands performing for corporate events and weddings. I see little-known artists touring around the country, doing what they love and not living out of their cars (that’s right, that stereotype isn’t necessarily true).

 

My point is this: whether or not you end up being a world-renowned rock star, you can still find your own success and happiness by doing what you love. Forget about the haters, make the best of each opportunity, and don't let the words of others stop you.

Maybe you’re the one who will be discovered at open mic tonight.