LAMA’s Austin Kolbe Sings Little Dragon’s “No Love”

Thanks to the power of #LAMATube  we can give you front row seats to our artist showcases. In this video, LAMA student Austin Kolbe performs Little Dragon‘s “No Love” during the Spring 2013 vocal showcase, which featured vocal judges Nick Cooper, Scott Wojahn, Windy Wagner, as well as Vocal Artist Development Director Dorian Holley. The song  might be called “No Love” but the way Austin sings, our hearts are filled with lots of love! Watch it here now:

-LAMA Staff

LAMA Vocalist Felicia Andolong Performs “Castles in the Sky”

It’s LAMA-Tube time! In this video, Felicia Andolong performs a beautiful rendition of “Castles in the Sky” during a recent LAMA Vocal Showcase (Spring 2013). The showcases are somewhat like an “American Idol” style format. After each performance, guest vocal judges Nick Cooper, Scott Wojahn and Windy Wagner joined LAMA’s Vocal Artist Development Director Dorian Holley to offer professional feedback. We’re so proud of Felicia’s hard work and solid execution of “Castles.” Check out her performance here:

-LAMA Staff

LAMA Students Visit GrooveWorx Studios

Several very lucky LAMA students enjoyed a very wonderful experience recently, via a trip facilitated by LAMA Artist Development Director Dorian Holley. Students were invited to visit famed studio GrooveWorx (Santa Monica-based haven for some of the most notable talent in the music business including: Pink, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Chris Daughtry, Norah Jones and more). Students were able to attend a recording session with drummer Matt Laug (Alice Cooper, Slash’s Snakepit).

The students on the trip included Jonas Streffer (LAMA drum student), Paul Zewell (LAMA drum student), Jesper Windmar (LAMA music producer student).

-LAMA Staff

Judges Announced for Dorian’s Vocal Showcase

Dorian Holley’s Vocal Showcase at LAMA; Dec. 2012

It’s that time of year! Students doing their finals and showcases all around LAMA. The March 21 vocal showcase (at LAMA, 8pm) for Artist Development Director Dorian Holley means three guest judges will be joining us this evening, and what credits they have! Meet the judges below — and best of luck to our students!

Scott Wojahn

Scott Wojahn is a composer, producer, arranger and singer-songwriter.  He is one half of Wojahn Bros Music in Santa Monica, California, a boutique music production company specializing in commercials and television.  Since 1990, WBM has created award winning original and branded music for some of the most recognizable national and global companies, from Ford to AT&T and American Idol, working with artists including Vince Gill, Buddy Guy and Shawn Colvin.

Scott lives, writes and performs around Los Angeles.

Windy Wagner

Windy was sung on more than 350 songs on the hit FOX television show GLEE.  Windy is also an on set lip sync coordinator that works directly with the actors on the show.

“Pitch Perfect”, “Rock of Ages” (vocal contractor), “Selena Gomez”, “The Lorax”, “The Muppet Movie”, “Barbra Streisand”, “Phineas and Ferb”, “Polly Pocket” (various spots), “Monster High” Barbie, “Tom and Jerry”, “Pixie Hollow” Disney, “Shake it Up” Disney Channel, “Mad TV”, “Folgers, Marshalls, Macys, Twist, K-Mart”, “The Hulk”, “Zu Zu Pets”, “Sponge Bob Square Pants”, “Dance Revolution”, “Teen Spirit”, Texas Lottery”, “Tinkerbell”, Sketchers and various Fox promos.

THEME SONGS: “Good Luck Charlie”, “Hannah Montana and “Sunny with a Chance” All still running, the Disney Channel

Recordings

BRITNEY SPEARS, SELENA GOMEZ, KELLY CLARKSON, TONY BENNETT, MICHAEL BUBLE, NEIL YOUNG, BARBRA STRESAND, BETTE MIDLER, KD LANG, JENNIFER LOPEZ, GLEE, MILEY CYRUS, AND CARRIE UNDERWOOD to name a few.

Windy also toured as a backup singer for k.d. lang.

Nick Cooper

Nick Cooper guides the careers of several A-List recording artists. He has worked on American Idol, Opening Act, and Mary Mary.playing an integral role in artist development of the cast. He has coached J-Lo and help prepare Nikki Minaj for her world tour. Beyonce called on Nicholas to arrange songs for what was considered one of her best performances. Nicholas Cooper is the first African-American to creative-direct a television show for Hunan Television and Suhu.com.  Last but not least, Nicholas just launched his (15,000 square foot) corporate headquarters to house his new online television network (HeliumTV), and artist development center (The Vocal Corner Store).  With a world class recording studio, two live stages, 6 private rehearsal rooms/ sets, a 1,200 square foot dance studio, online radio station, and 5,000 square feet of open space.

-LAMA Staff

Singing with the Stars

LA Music Academy vocal instructor and artist development director Dorian Holley recently hosted his student’s performance finals at Noor in Pasadena, CA. The soon-to-be-alumni of the music college performed for Dorian and four guest judges — the featured singers on Dancing with the Stars including Darryl Phinnessee (Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey), Beverly Staunton (James Taylor, Martina McBride, Michael Buble), Carmen Carter (Queen Latifah, John Legend, Nelly Furtado) and Antonio Sol (Enrique Iglesias, Toni Braxton, Celia Cruz). Watch our video recap of the wonderful evening below:

Tonight Show’s Rickey Minor Visits LA Music Academy

Students taking Dorian Holley’s vocal class at LA Music Academy College of Music were surprised recently with a visit by Emmy-nominated music director Rickey Minor. Rickey worked as American Idol’s music director before joining The Tonight Show with Jay Leno where he replaced longtime music director Kevin Eubanks. Rickey has also collaborated with artists such as Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys, Ray Charles and Beyoncé Knowles so the students were really excited at the opportunity to meet and learn from such an established music industry veteran.

Read more about LA Music Academy’s vocal department here.

-LAMA Staff