Aspiring musician works with seasoned pro in Rock School

Nadine Ramadan dreams of making it in a rock band. The 16-year-old junior from Steinbrenner High School is laying the groundwork and building her performance experience in the Patel Conservatory’s Rock School program.

“I really wanted to be in a band when I was about 13 years old,” said Nadine, who began singing when she was nine.

She had taken some voice lessons, but wanted the experience of singing with a real band. She joined a local rock band program and was hooked.

She took piano lessons off and on for a few years before joining Patel Conservatory’s Rock School last year, performing vocals and keyboard.

Led by renowned UK musician, Dean Tidey, the Conservatory’s Rock School program gives students the experience of working with a seasoned professional in the industry. Tidey has toured the world as guitarist for the acclaimed UK band Feeder, and has played on support tours with The Rolling Stones, U2, Coldplay and REM.

“Dean takes time to perfect all the songs and make sure they’re the best they can be. He’s a really good teacher,” said Nadine.

Now in her third session, she’s even taken up bass guitar.

“Being here made me want to play bass. Seeing all the different students, and even Dean, play bass, I thought it was so cool.”

She's also started picking up her guitar at home more and enjoys writing lyrics. She likes heavy rock music with strong lead female vocalists, like Paramore. Through Rock School, she gets to perform the type of music she loves and is learning valuable skills along the way.

Since Nadine has enough credits to graduate a year early, she’s looking at college options for next year. But mostly she just wants to get a band together and perform. In the meantime, she looks forward to performing in the Conservatory’s Rock School Blowout in December at one of Tampa’s most popular music venues.

“The shows are cool because they’re at Skipper’s,” said Nadine. “I definitely want to be in a rock band. It’s a tough industry, but that’s what I love to do.”

For more information on joining Patel Conservatory’s Rock School, click here or call 813.222.1002.

Music auditions for Fall 2015

The Patel Conservatory Music Department will hold auditions for their 2015/2016 school year music ensembles.

Music Auditions

Tues., Aug. 18 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Auditions will be held for the following ensembles:

• Chamber Ensembles (Instrumental), Grade 7-College
• Adult Chamber Ensembles (Instrumental), Adult
• Vocal Arts Choirs and Ensembles, Grade 5-College
• Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo and Advanced Jazz Improvisation, Grade 7-College; Adult
• Rock School, Grade 4-Adult

Audition requirements:

• Chamber Ensembles - prepare two short, contrasting pieces and scales. Students may be asked to sight-read.
• Vocal Arts - prepare 16 bars of an art song, folk song, or musical theater song and provide sheet music. An accompanist will be provided. Students may be asked to sight-read.
• Jazz - prepare one short piece that best represents you, and scales. Students may be asked to improvise and/or sight-read.
• Rock School - prepare a piece that showcases your ability and aptitude to function in a Rock Band setting. Drums, keyboard and amps are provided, but student must bring a guitar or bass if auditioning on those instruments.

For more information, or to schedule an audition:

For chamber ensembles, jazz or Rock School, contact Allison Novak at allison.novak@strazcenter.org.

For vocal arts choirs and ensembles, contact Kavanaugh Gillespie at kavanaugh.gillespie@strazcenter.org.

Spotlight on: Alex Carr, Rock School student

Alex Carr had taken drum lessons for years before he finally got the opportunity to perform in a band.

“Before Rock School, I hadn’t been able to find anyone interested in starting a band,” said Alex.

He signed up for his first Rock School band at the Patel Conservatory after his parents saw an article in the newspaper about the program. That was about five years ago. Now a sophomore at Berkeley Preparatory School, Alex continues to enjoy the experience year after year.

“I really just like the experience of playing with a band, rehearsing and putting on a show at the end,” said Alex. “It’s great to be able to practice with a group of people that are around your skill level and like basically the same kind of music you do.”

He’s played with an array of musicians over the past few years, and even keeps in touch with some of his first bandmates.

“It’s a good way to make friends who are interested in music… you branch out musically, and you keep a lot of the connections,” he said.

In fact, his most recent Rock School band has begun to jam together outside of Conservatory rehearsals, including at a youth jam night at the Living Room in Dunedin.

Alex is looking forward to playing at the upcoming Rock School Blowout concert this Sunday at Skipper’s Smokehouse. His band will play Strange Times by the The Black Keys, and Ignorance by Paramore. The concert will also include performances from the Conservatory's jazz ensembles.

“Skipper's is a really cool venue. They have a nice stage and it’s a cool atmosphere they have going on.”

Alex also keeps busy with crew and varsity volleyball at school. (His volleyball team recently won the state championship).

Rock School remains his time to jam, chill and just have fun.

“It’s great to play in a band. I don’t have to be world famous, but to play every once in a while [in front of an audience] is a lot of fun.”

Don’t miss the Patel Conservatory's free Rock School Blowout concert this Sun., Apr. 12 at 3 p.m. at Skipper’s Smokehouse!

Auditions for the Conservatory’s summer Rock School and Rock Star Retreat will be May 19 and 23. For more info, or to sign up, contact Allison at 813.222.1002 or allison.novak@patelconservatory.org.

Auditions for Summer 2015 Music Programs

The Straz Center’s Patel Conservatory is hosting auditions for its summer music programs.

For students in school ensembles, summer intensives can sharpen their techniques and performance skills so they’ll be ready for the new school year.

The Conservatory's summer music programs include our Chamber Music Intensive and Vocal Intensive, featuring broadened curriculum, master classes with professional musicians and an honors recital. We’ve also added new jazz and drumline intensives.

For a complete list of summer music camps and classes, click here.

Music auditions for summer programs will be:

Vocal Arts Voice Intensive (Jun. 8 -19) and Patel-A-Cappella (Jun. 10 - Aug. 15)
Sat., Mar. 21 from 9 to 11 a.m.
Sat., May 9 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Students should prepare a short song or excerpt (16 measures or about 30 seconds) to sing, preferably with sheet music. An accompanist will be provided.

To schedule an audition, email Kavan Gillespie at kavanaugh.gillespie@strazcenter.org. 

Chamber Music Intensive (Jun. 8 - 19)
Sat., Mar. 21 from 9 to 11 a.m.
Sat., May 9 to 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Students should prepare 2 short contrasting pieces and scales. There will also be a short sight-reading element.

To schedule an audition, email allison.novak@patelconservatory.org.

Jazz Intensive (July 27 - 31)
Tues., May 19 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Sat., May 23 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Students should prepare one short piece that best represents them and there may be an improvisation or sight-reading exercise.livepage.apple.com

To schedule an audition, email allison.novak@patelconservatory.org.

Rock Star Retreat and Rock School
Tues., May 19 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Sat., May 23 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Students should prepare a piece that showcases their ability and aptitude on their instrument.

To schedule an audition, email allison.novak@patelconservatory.org.

Rock School students perform at Skipper's Smokehouse

The Patel Conservatory’s Rock School program is bringing the show on the road!

This month’s Rock School Blowout concert changes venues to the iconic Skipper’s Smokehouse in north Tampa.

Skipper’s is a Tiki style restaurant and oyster bar known for hosting live music nightly from local to well known bands. With its Florida fare including gator tail, conch fritters and smoked mullet and its casual outdoor stage, it’s sure to be a unique and fun experience.

“It’s somewhere different, so I’m looking forward to it,” said guitarist Dan Smith.

Dan has been playing with our Rock School program since he moved to Tampa in the summer of 2013.

“He’s done a lot of other band camps, and what you have there [at the Patel Conservatory] is far and away the best anywhere,” said dad Randy Smith, a software developer from New Jersey.

The family has lived in New Jersey and Puerto Rico and tried rock band programs in both places, as well as locally in Florida and even in Boston.

“Most of these places usually don’t have enough students at his playing level,” said Randy.

Dan’s been playing guitar since he was five years old. He also plays piano, bass and drums.

“I like playing guitar because it sounds cool, and I like listening to music, and I’m good at it,” said Dan. “I’ve definitely gotten better by playing in Rock School because Dean [Tidey] has taught me a lot...besides teaching you the song, he teaches other tools, like how to play riffs, and other stuff that helps you excel.”

Led by instructors Dean Tidey and Paul Stoddart, the Conservatory’s Rock School program places students in a band according to their age and skill level. The groups practice weekly and perform at the end of each session in a Rock School Blowout concert.

"The show is fun because you get to perform for a live crowd," said Dan.

The upcoming concert will feature classic and contemporary tunes, including Dan's band playing R U Mine? by the Arctic Monkeys, Radioactive by Imagine Dragons, and a special guest performance from well known singer and songwriter Christie Lenée.

“Some of these kids are phenomenal,” said Randy.

Come jam with our Rock School bands while enjoying some local flavor on Sun., Nov. 23, 2014 at 3:30 p.m. at Skipper’s Smokehouse at 910 Skipper Rd., Tampa. Admission is free.

For musicians and vocalists interested in our Rock School program, the next auditions will be Sat., Dec. 6, 2014 at the Patel Conservatory. For more information, call 813.222.1002.

Patel Conservatory's fall auditions

The Straz Center’s Patel Conservatory will host auditions for upcoming classes for the 2014/2015 season.

A Year with Frog and Toad 

Grades 5 through 8
This performance-based program allows students to put into practice the skills they learn in the classroom. The program culminates in a ticketed performance of this whimsical musical, written by brothers Robert (music) and Willie Reale (book and lyrics), based on the Frog and Toad children's stories.
Auditions will be Mon., Aug. 25 and Tues., Aug. 26 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Instrumental and Vocal programs
Grades 5 through 12
Orchestra, chamber and jazz musicians, and vocalists, hone their skills and gain vaulable ensemble experience.
Auditions will be Sat., Aug. 23 from 10 a.m. to Noon

Rock School

Students are placed in bands according to age and skill level, and weekly rehearsals culminate in a fully-produced Rock School Blowout concert.
Auditions will be Tues., Sept. 2 and Wed., Sept. 3 from 5 to 8 p.m.

For more information, or to RSVP for an audition, please call 813.222.1002.

Auditions for Patel Conservatory's 2014 summer music programs

The Patel Conservatory at the Straz Center in downtown Tampa offers an array of summer music camps and classes.

All interested students are invited to our upcoming auditions for placement in our music programs. Placement auditions help instructors recommend the appropriate classes for the students’ age and skill level.

For more details on our summer music programs, including dates and prices, click here.

Vocal Arts: Patel-A-Capella

Students in grade 7 through college will prepare arrangements of pop and musical theater songs. They’ll perform all solo and instrumental parts with only their voices and learn the fundamentals of beat-boxing and vocal arranging.

Auditions will be:

Sat., Apr. 5 at 5:30 p.m.

Mon., Apr. 7 at 6:30 p.m.

Vocal Arts: Junior and Senior Show Choir

Students receive high-level vocal ensemble training in a show choir setting.

Auditions will be:

Sun., Apr.  6 at 10:30 a.m. or 2 p.m. (Summer Splash also on Apr. 6)

Mon., Apr. 7  (call for times)
Tues., Jun. 3 (call for times)
Sat., Jun. 7 at 9 a.m. or 12 p.m.

Rock School and Rock Star Retreat

Students in grades 5 through12 who have experience on an instrument (guitar, bass, keyboard, drums, vocals) learn classic and contemporary rock songs and perform in an end-of-the-session concert.

Auditions will be:

Mon., Jun. 2 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Tues., Jun. 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. (Open House also on June 3.)

Chamber Music

Students get ensemble playing experience and hone their techniques on their instruments.

Auditions will be:

Tues., Jun. 3 at 6:30 p.m. (Open House also on June 3.)

Sat., Jun. 7 10:30 a.m. (Open House also on June 7.)
Mon., Jul. 7 at 6:30 p.m.

Jazz Improv

Students get ensemble playing experience and hone their improvisation techniques.

Auditions will be:

Tues., Jun. 3 at 6:30 p.m. (Open House also on June 3.)

Sat., Jun. 7 10:30 a.m. (Open House also on June 7.)

There is a $15 audition fee for all music auditions. RSVP is required. Please call 813.222.1002 or email patelconservatory@strazcenter.org.

Additional music classes and camps are available for all skill levels. For music programs that do not require an audition, click here.

For more information, please call 813.222.1002 or visit patelconservatory.org.

Free Rock School workshop in January

Rock School is gearing up for spring!

Free Workshop

The Patel Conservatory’s Rock School program will host a free workshop in January.

In Rock School, students are put into bands based on instrument, musical tastes and age, then work with instructors who show them how to really rock out!

Students who participate in our workshop will get the opportunity to work with professional musicians, Dean Tidey and Paul Stoddart, and vocal coach Deborah Lynch.

Tidey, who has a publishing deal with George Martin Music, writes, produces and plays guitar for the Muddy Apes. Previously, Tidey played guitar for ten years with the acclaimed English rock band, Feeder.

Stoddart has taught guitar and music theory/arrangement/songwriting for more than two decades. He has played in, written for and arranged music for several bands around the country and plays tours throughout the Tampa Bay area with his four piece ensemble.

Lynch served as a music director, accompanist, vocal coach and performer in Richmond, Va. before moving to Tampa and joining the Patel Conservatory as the staff accompanist. Among many other things, she has taught high school chorus, was a soloist for The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in their masterworks concerts with the Richmond Symphony, and has assisted with District Chorus festivals.

The free workshop will be Jan. 4 at 11 a.m. To RSVP, please call 813.222.1002.

Rock School Auditions

Following the workshop, students will be able to audition for the spring Rock School program. Auditions allow instructors to place students in bands appropriate for their age and skill levels.

Rock School audition dates are:

Sat., Jan. 4, from noon-1 p.m.

Mon., Jan. 6, from 5-7 p.m.

Tues., Jan. 7, from 6-8 p.m.

There is a $15 audition fee. Instruments and cords are required. A drum set, amps and keyboards will be provided. Vocalists can now audition without an instrument. 

Returning Rock School students do not need to audition but there is a $10 returning student fee. If you were in the spring or summer Rock School session, please fill out the Returning Student Form.

For more information or to RSVP for an audition, please e-mail music@strazcenter.org, or call 813.222.1002.

Spotlight on Davin Norman

When Davin Norman started in the Rock School program at the Patel Conservatory, he never would have imagined himself playing jazz music.

Davin Norman, front, performs with the Patel
Conservatory's jazz quartet.

“I was a metal head,” said Davin, who now plays bass guitar with the Conservatory’s jazz quartet.

Davin will perform with the quartet in the Conservatory’s Jazz Jamm concert this Friday.

Prior to joining Rock School four years ago, Davin had taken guitar lessons at Paragon Music for a couple of years.

“When my dad mentioned Rock School, I got really excited,” said Davin. He connected with fellow bandmate Parker Wilkson.

“Parker introduced me to jazz, and my appreciation for jazz music rose immensely,” said Davin.

Davin joined Parker in our now popular jazz quartet. The talented ensemble quickly gained popularity and has been asked to perform around town numerous times, including at the Straz Center’s recent Broadway Ball.

“It’s a lot of fun. I get to improvise and trade off solos,” he said. “It’s actually harder than rock. It involves a lot of skill.”

In addition to playing with the jazz quartet, he continues to play with his Rock School band, Nfin8. The band performed at the Gasparilla Music Festival earlier this year and other venues.

Davin is now a freshman at the University of Tampa majoring in information systems, with a minor in music.

He says being in the Conservatory’s rock and jazz programs has helped him improve his music skills. He enjoys working with jazz instructor Matt Weihmuller.

“It’s fun working with Matt. He’s a genius with music and amazing at what he does,” said Davin.

“If anyone wants to learn more about rock or jazz music, they should try a class at the Conservatory. It’s taught me a lot. It’s just been a fun ride.”

The Conservatory will have music placement auditions for spring classes in vocal arts, rock, jazz and chamber music. For more information, click here or call 813-222-1002.

Check out all of our jazz students in the Jazz Jamm concert Fri., Dec. 6, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. in TECO Theater. For tickets, click here.

Spotlight on Julia Powell

Julia Powell, left, performs at a Rock School Blowout concert.

Fourteen-year-old Julia Powell is a longtime student at the Patel Conservatory.

"My favorite thing about the Patel Conservatory is the music program...I think it's individualized to the person, plus there are a lot of classes," said Julia.

She started in the theater program when she was young, and has participated in Rock School for the past two years as a guitarist and a vocalist. 

“I like Rock School because I want to be a musician and it’s given me an image of what it’s going to be like,” she said.

This year, she’s also taking the new Voice Rocks! (VOX) class. The class has given her the opportunity to focus on vocal training in the style of music she enjoys.

“The vocals are my favorite part of performing. I enjoy the VOX program because it allows me to have more individualized attention.”

VOX teacher Deborah Lynch enjoys having Julia in her class. Dee teaches a number of classes at the Patel Conservatory and helps coordinate our Rock School Program. 

“Julia is soft-spoken, gracious and attentive,” said Lynch. “She possesses a thirst for knowledge that is reflected in her participation in the Conservatory's Rock music programs. She brings a lovely spirit to her classes!”

This weekend, Julia will perform in the Rock School Blowout concert. She’ll play two songs with her Rock School band, the Mellow Strawberries, as well as Green Day’s hit Time of Your Life, which will be her first solo performance.

The concert will be Sat., Nov. 23 at 1 p.m. in the Jaeb Theater. Tickets are still $5 through today, and $7 on the day of the show.

For more information about the Rock School Blowout or the VOX class, contact us at 813-222-1002 or visit our website.

Spotlight on Sara Bollinger

Live on TV

When Sara Bollinger showed up at around 6 a.m. at the Patel Conservatory, she’d never performed a solo in front of an audience before. Yet she was about to perform live on television for the entire Tampa Bay area on the Good Day Tampa Bay morning show.

“It was really nerve-wracking up until I started performing,” said Sara. “Then the nerves went away, and it was amazing,” 

The show, which featured our summer camp programs, aired in June. Since then, Sara’s artistic journey at the Conservatory has continued to blossom and reach new heights.

Where she started

Sara joined the Patel Conservatory’s senior choir in January, 2012. The 17-year-old senior from Apollo Beach was pretty laid back and quiet at first.

Prior to joining the Conservatory, she had participated in a musical theater group for home-school students. She also had taken three years of private piano lessons and five years of guitar lessons. But she was hesitant to try something new.

“I joined [the senior choir] in the middle of year, so people already knew each other,” said Sara. “But everyone really accepted me.”

She enjoyed choir and returned for the summer Vocal Arts Academy, where her talents really got her noticed.

“Sara found her comfort here at the Conservatory during the summer,” said instructor Deborah Lynch. “She soon became a leader as a vocalist and a friend to the other students.”

Since then, she has participated in a variety of classes including musical theater, private voice lessons and Rock Star Retreat, where Lynch discovered Sara's solo and keyboard skills and asked her to perform on Good Day Tampa Bay.

Her first public solo performance was her rendition of Eminem and Rihanna’s Love the Way You Lie.

“I enjoy making songs my own. I loved that song...it’s actually part of a giant mash-up of several songs that I put together,” she explained.

Sara also put on a solo acoustic performance for more than 100 people at the Conservatory’s open house in August.

Where she's going

While she always envisioned becoming a solo artist, Sara recently developed a passion for technical theater during the Conservatory’s summer production of Little Shop of Horrors.

There was a call for volunteers to help put the set together and Sara, who was part of the cast, showed up.

“I just had a blast,” she said.

Now, in addition to taking several classes towards a Theater Certification at the Conservatory, she is doing a technical theater internship with Hatrick Theater. She hopes to pursue technical theater in college.

Her time here has helped her develop her vocal technique, deepen her music theory and music reading skills and learn new skills. But, more than that, she has enjoyed the sense of community here.

“It’s a safe place,” said Sara. “It’s the most professional place I’ve ever studied. I’m so glad I found it.”

Check out Sara in our fall Vocal and Instrumental Music Fall Concert on Oct. 22, 2013. Tickets start at just $10.

Observations from the Rock and Roll Forever conference

At the recent Rock and Roll Forever Summer Teachers' Institute in New York City, Patel Conservatory instructor Deborah Lynch studied how to incorporate rock history into standard academic curriculum for middle and high schools.

Patel Conservatory instructor, Deborat Lynch, right, with
with Hugo Burnham, drummer for the post-punk rock
band, The Gang of Four

Lynch is the coordinator and vocal coach for the Patel Conservatory Rock School program. She also teaches the new Vox-Voice Rocks! class offered at the Conservatory.

Here, Lynch shares some observations from the program she attended last month...

“As part of our final project at the Summer Teachers' Institute, my group looked at photos of the Beach Boys, The Beatles and Bob Marley (Killer Bs, as my team came to call them) when they first became popular, and compared them to photos taken later in the artists' careers. Among the changes that took place are the hairstyles of the artists.

We examined whether hairstyles influence music, or if music influences hairstyles.

We then created a lesson plan with the essential question, ‘Are musicians making personal, social and/or artistic statements with their hairstyles and how can these be identified through their music?’

This is just one example of some of the ways we can incorporate rock history in the classroom to help kids get excited about learning.

Overall, I walked away with some really fascinating discoveries about the history of Rock and Roll at the Summer Teachers’ Institute. Here’s a few fun facts you can use to impress your friends:

1. The word "lyric" comes from the ancient Greek practice of singing poetry to the accompaniment of a lyre.
2. John and Alan Lomax are known for their documentation of the American folk song before and during the advent of recording devices, primarily by visiting penitentiaries because prisoners sang folk songs to keep busy.
3. "Punk" rock can be traced, in part, back to British "skiffle" bands that sought to emulate American blues "jug" bands of the 1950s.
4. Background vocalists on recordings and in concert are really talented people who do not typically achieve fame with solo careers.
5. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, rock history has a place in social studies, history, fashion, anthropology, literacy, mathematics and music curricula.

Lynch with Phil Galdston, songwriter
who co-wrote Save the Best for Last
by Vanessa Williams.

It was a privilege to be part of the pilot program of "Little Steven" Van Zandt's Rock Institute.  I look forward to being an ambassador of the content when the program goes live on the web at the end of September!”

The curriculum of Rock and Roll: An American Story, which meets Common Core State Standards, will be available online September 23, 2013 to schools, at no cost.

Come train with us at the Patel Conservatory and create your own rock and roll history through our Rock School and Vox-Voice Rocks! classes.

Join Lynch and our other talented artists/instructors, Paul Stoddart and Dean Tidey, at a free Rock School Workshop on Tues., Sept. 3, 2013. For more information, click here.