WELCOME TO STAR SCHOOL This is your opportunity to work with American Idol's Vocal Coach and Arranger, Debra Byrd. If you've ever auditioned or wanted to audition for a TV show, Broadway show or anything vocal, this is your chance to get the upper hand and learn from the best. Welcome to STAR SCHOOL combines the excitement of a reality TV Show with the hard work and determination that makes a great singer. These seminars will put you through the paces of a "vocal boot camp" that will help build the confidence of any singer. The Fall 2007 seminars I conducted for 6 weeks were a huge success, thank you, everyone. I greatly appreciate all the talented, hopeful, ambitious singers, parents and teachers who attended and made the seminars fun and fabulous! Watch this space for STAR SCHOOL dates and locations in 2008/2009! TESTIMONIALS about WELCOME TO STAR SCHOOL As a music educator, I've sent my students to numerous workshops on performing and auditioning. None have compared to the realism 'Byrd' shares with the participants of Star School! From the vocal techniques and nerve-calming exercises of her introductory call-responses to the afternoon discussions on living, working and surviving in the big cities of New York and LA, I sat mesmerized. Her contacts, her heart, her experiences and her instructions are tremendous, but her musicality that sneaks out during the clinic is nothing short of amazing. The greatness of this workshop is that she teaches the students how to pursue their dreams and if their dreams are attainable in regards to their individual talent and work ethics. Byrd's professionalism and knowledge of the business is something I wish all my serious performers would experience and absorb! -Scott Bradford, Choral Director Beech Grove High School Beech Grove, IN 46107 ..................................... Hi Byrd, My daughter Alexis and I met you recently at the Star School Seminar in Cleveland. Your seminar was excellent; so worthwhile and helpful. Thanks again for giving back. Sincerely, Lauren Generette Floyd ..................................... Byrd, When I walked in I was quite stressed, but hearing you speak right away put me at ease. I knew I came for the right reason and that you were the right person to get the information from. There were so many questions that you answered for me fully. I love the fact that you can go into such thorough explanation for each of your answers. You have helped me more than you know. My mother and I both really appreciate you staying after and answering more of our questions. It meant a lot to both of us. I hope to get a chance to meet with you again! Sincerely, Nicole Bridgens ..................................... Dear Byrd, I would just like to thank you for sharing your wisdom with us this past Sunday. I learned so much from you, it's unbelievable! "Mom you cannot believe what I learned today and who I learned it from!" .... all excited when I got home from a rather long car ride. I hope you keep doing these workshops because I want to come back to one :) Also, I really liked how you didn't "advertise". As in, you didn't advertise for High School Musical, or American Idol (not like it needs the advertisement)...or for certain artists. I've been to some workshops where their main purpose is for you to come back, not to connect with you. You were there openly telling us everything you knew. Byrd, I really enjoyed myself and I hope to make contact with you in the future. Thank you. Sincerely, Jenna Rifkind ..................................... Hi Byrd, I can't tell you how much I've been thinking about what direction I want to take since Star School. I want to thank you for the push. I've needed to get back out there for a while now. So I'm looking for some projects that I can do around the two student shows I'm directing, just to get my feet wet again. Maybe I just need to take the whole plunge. Again thank you. Star School was a wondeful experience because we were able to learn and get advice from a wonderful teacher. Peace and Blessings, Ke'Lee Hicks Director of Educational Programming Golden Music Academy