Are you looking for a singing class where you will never be judged, only gently guided? If you want to be enfolded in a safe, womblike environment, you might check out Scrumbly Koldewyn on a Tuesday this winter. Scrumbly is a popular and well-known pianist, singer, performer and teacher.

This class is simple and dynamic--just Scrumbly, the piano and his students, who adore him. The class features vocal technique, group development and individual attention. On the first day, Scrumbly says: "There's only one rule in this class. Don't shut down."

Don't consider yourself a singer by the conventional definition? No problem! The class is not about evaluating relative singing ability. As you get to know your favorite songs, you will explore your emotions, experiment musically and strive to Be Here Now.

Sometimes students are asked to think of a word for what they're feeling on a particular day, and express it emphatically with movement. One day, a student was feeling angry as she prepared to sing a happy, upbeat song. Magically, the seemingly inappropriate emotion enlivened the song and energized the singer.

Some of Scrumbly's homilies:

* Being tired is a blessing when you sing, because your defenses are down.

* Use whatever you're feeling when you sing. You must tap our emotions, or you will not be showing up for your performance.

* Get in touch with yourself and sing through the material from a deep, connected place and express it.

"This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius..." Join Ellen Robinson and Bruce Bierman this winter in creating highlights from America's Tribal Love Rock Musical.

Ellen is a "vocalist who [also] plays piano," so she approaches her students from an "inside out" perspective. "Singing is such a physical activity-- breathing together and vibrating together everybody gets very high and positive."

Ellen teaches vocal technique and breathing. "When supporting your sound, it's important where the sound gets placed. They're learning to have control over their sound."

When it comes time to work with character, Bruce gives input on the desired emotional content they want. Students work on bringing their characters' emotion to their performance.

Bruce and Ellen generally go for a higher level of oomph and polish in their Musical Theatre class than you might expect from amateurs. So their goals are quite different from Scrumbly's.

In a recent class, Bruce and Ellen were rehearsing Stagebridge's fall production, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Bruce encouraged the group to "fill the stage with your energy...musical theater is one of our boldest expressions."

Ellen has a last piece of advice for her enthusiastic students: "Whatever you're doing, do it all out."

This brings to mind Scrumbly's advice to not shut down. Bringing emotionality to singing is all-important. But don't worry; these veterans have lots of supportive tips on how to achieve that.

Stagebridge will also offer Choir (Folk, R&B and More!) on Thursday afternoons to round out its vocal offerings.

Download a winter class list here.

Stagebridge, Home of the Performing Arts Training Institute

2501 Harrison Street, Oakland, CA

(510) 444-4755