Marge Rivingston, the renowned singing teacher of performers like Bette Midler, Maureen McGovern, Robby Benson, Robert DeNiro, Christine Ebersole, Linda Ronstadt, Harry Groener and Meryl Streep, will be conducting a Mini Master Class in Singing and sign copies of her new book, "Do You Hear What I Hear? The Secrets of One of America's Great Singing Teachers," at Awakenings Book Store; 25260 La Paz Road; Suite D & E; Laguna Hills, CA 92653 on Sunday, March 21, 2010 from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
The cost of the Mini Master Class in Singing is $15 per person, or $30 for the Mini Master Class in Singing, plus signed a copy of
Marge Rivingston's book, which includes a practice CD. Attendees are encouraged to bring along sheet music for a song they would like to sing for Rivingston. She will then critique the singer on their performance. Jennifer Hart will accompany singers performing during the Mini Master Class. For further information, please call Awakenings Book Store at 949-457-0797 or visit online at
www.awakeningsmetaphysicalbookstore.com
Marge Rivingston was born on December 4, 1927 in Santa Ana, CA. By 1930, the naturally gifted three-year-old was singing solos at church. Her mother, a pianist, instilled in her children a deep appreciation for the classics: Brahms, Beethoven, Chopin and more. Her father and uncle had beautiful tenor voices.
Rivingston would eventually train as a classical opera singer. But it was her love of musical theatre that would define her life's work. "Do You Hear What Hear? The Secrets of One of America's Great Singing Teachers" follows Rivingston's evolution from her roots in classical opera to performing and acting in musical theatre to teaching and coaching many of America's most famous Broadway performers.
Rivingston's life story spans fascinating decades in the American Musical Theatre, from the 1950s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s - from Broadway to Los Angeles. Rivingston describes her own process while giving readers a rare peak behind the curtain.
Today
Marge Rivingston is a renowned voice teacher. She first came to public prominence when she was selected by her mentor, the late great theatrical impresario,
Joseph Papp, at The Public Theater in New York City, to work as a singing teacher for well known actors and singers appearing in celebrated, critically acclaimed Broadway productions which are now part of American Theatre history.
Rivingston's book, which includes a Foreword written by one of her most famous voice students,
Bette Midler, is published by Trafford Publishing. The book begins with Rivingston's early days as a singer in New York City performing with the New York City Opera, as well as appearing as a performer with the
Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey, the St. Louis Municipal Opera and on tour with artists like
Beverly Sills, and then segues to her career as a performer to her career as a voice teacher.
Her career as a voice teacher took flight when people like producer
Joseph Papp at The Public Theater hired her to work on many high profile musical productions at The Public like: "La Bohéme" with
Linda Ronstadt; "Pirates of Penzance" with
Linda Ronstadt,
Rex Smith and
Kevin Kline; "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" with
Betty Buckley and Cleo Lane; "Don Pasquale" with
Ron Liebman and a play starring Robert DeNiro.
In her book
Marge Rivingston recalls working with her many voice students over the years, including:
Kaye Ballard,
Jim Belushi,
Robby Benson,
Barry Bostwick,
Kate Burton, Kate Kapshaw,
Dixie Carter,
Rosanne Cash,
Shaun Cassidy,
Patrick Cassidy,
David Cassidy,
Tim Curry, Rodney Crowell, Robert DeNiro,
Karla DeVito,
Julia Louis Dreyfus,
Faye Dunaway,
Christine Ebersole,
Carrie Fisher,
Lesley Gore,
Ellen Greene,
Andy Gibb,
Harry Groener,
Mark Hamill,
Corky Hale, Emmylou Harris,
George Irving,
Bill Irwin,
Glynis Johns,
Madeline Kahn,
Lila Kedrova,
Sally Kellerman,
Kevin Kline, Rob Liebman, Natasha Makarova,
Maureen McGovern,
Bette Midler,
Larry Moss,
Peter Noone,
Phyllis Newman,
Sarah Jessica Parker,
Estelle Parsons,
Jane Powell,
Anthony Quinn,
Peter Riegert,
Linda Ronstadt,
Annie Ross, Elizabeth Shue,
Rex Smith,
Meryl Streep,
James Taylor,
Treat Williams,
Paxton Whitehead,
Michael York,
Stephanie Zimbalist and many more.
Besides reminiscing about her life onstage, and off stage, the book is about the topic of vocal pedagogy and keeping ones voice healthy, especially when performing at least eight performances a week, whether on Broadway, or on the road touring. There is also a CD of
Marge Rivingston's Vocal Exercises, illustrating her teaching methods and an Appendix explaining the exercises, included in the book. One set of Vocal Exercises is for Women demonstrated by singer
Laurel Masse, while another set of Vocal Exercises is for Men demonstrated by singer Bruce Eckstut. The CD is included for people to improve their own singing style.
The book includes 11 Basic Vocal Exercises; How To Warm Down Your Vocal Instrument; Nine Signs of Vocal Trouble; 13 Tips for Vocal Hygiene; Eight Tips For Maintaining Your Vocal Health and a Bonus CD of Vocal Exercises. The cover design and artwork for the book are by Dick Brevoort.
"Do You Hear What I Hear? The Secrets of One of America's Great Singing Teachers" can be purchased through www.amazon.com , www.trafford.com and on
Marge Rivingston's website,
www.secretsofmarge.com.
