SARASOTA, FL – While there are many players and singers who are comfortable with the technical aspect of music, owning the stage during a performance is another thing entirely. In order to help individuals looking to enhance their stage presence, Music Compound presents professional pop/rock singer and stage performer Martina Long, who will teach an intense six-week performance workshop.
The classes will take place on Thursdays, January 21 through February 25, 7-8 p.m. at Music Compound (1751 Cattlemen Rd., Sarasota). Vocalists, band members and solo performers ages 13 and up are invited to attend. A performance opportunity will serve as the culmination of the experience during the Music Compound’s member concert in March.
Over the course of the program, participants will learn to engage with the audience as well as with other performers and/or band members, be shown how to utilize and own the stage, and inspire their inner performer.
Long has experience working in both theatre and rock/pop performance. She earned her B.F.A degree in Musical Theatre from Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Fla. She has traveled the world with Celebrity Cruise Line as their production vocalist, although the pandemic has put that on hold for the time being. She says that anyone can learn how to play or sing but not everyone can just figure out how to be a skilled and engaging performer.
“I’m here to make sure artists are the ‘package deal,’” Long said. “I know what executives in the music industry are looking for. I know the trends. I know what it takes to make it in this business. I am looking forward to taking workshop participants out of their comfort zone and transforming them into the performers they’re meant to be.”
Sarasota Middle School seventh-grader Annelise Kummer can vouch for the impact of the program. Kummer has been taking vocal technique and piano lessons at Music Compound for five years; she has also taught herself to play the ukulele. She has enjoyed numerous performance opportunities with Music Compound but gained significant ground after taking Long’s workshop this past fall.
“I feel like I have improved greatly in my performance skills after participating in this workshop,” Kummer said. “My confidence onstage has been boosted and, after the positive reinforcement I have received from this group, I have a better mindset about how well I am going to perform.”
Cost is $50/Music Compound members, $99/public. Limited to six performers; first-come, first served. Call (941) 379-9100 to register.
PHOTO ID: Professional performer Martina Long will teach Music Compound’s six-week, intensive ‘Performance Workshop,’ which begins January 21
