November Studio Corner

Studio Singers Shine at NATS SEP (11/1/2025)

Congratulations to our competing singers at NATS Student Evaluation Program. Drum roll please… in a studio first, ALL SINGERS PLACED!

The future of music is now!

Our all stars and their well earned awards-

1st- Dorothy Commercial Music

1st- Reese MT

3rd- Shaya MT and Classical

3rd- Sienna Commercial Music

Honorable Mention- Leo Classical

Honorable Mention- Reese Classical

Honorable Mention- Sienna MT

Congratulations to all!

Also, thank you to Hannah Yi, our collaborative pianist extraordinaire, as well as Julie Johnston, our fantastic acting coach! Special props to our mindfulness coach Tamara Oki (also an adult student), who brought us tools for mindfulness flow within the performing mindset.

💫💫💫

NATS SEP provides an annual opportunity for student singers to perform before a panel of adjudicators in a positive and constructive format.  Singers receive written evaluations to assist them in growing as performers and musicians.

As a teacher, I am grateful to work with these outstanding artists, and as always grateful to our beautiful voice community that encourages and uplifts our singers at every stage of growth. Also, I am proud at the sheer RANGE of these singers to shine and be recognized in such diverse genres as classical (arias, art song, spirituals), jazz, musical theatre, and pop! Thank you for honing your craft and sharing your artistry with the world. Onward!

The Holidaze are Upon Us

Studio closures November 24-29, December 21-January 3. Please refer to studio agreement for full year calendar. Hannah and myself are working on details for a December 20th 5:30pm recital day; Seal Beach location. Please save the date!

Gaia Music Collective

Since May 2025 Adriana and her students have been making the trip to Pico-Union Project to sing with

Gaia Music Collective, the truly awe-inspiring movement of worldwide communal singing, with the goal of singing in wellness and community. One simply shows up to sing for three hours, no experience or level of knowledge needed. And it’s gorgeous! Check out this recent video of Golden. Hope as many of you can join November 30 for “For Good.” Tickets

La Boheme at LA Opera; LA Master Chorale If you would like to treat yourselves to the opera or a Disney Hall concert this season. Adriana is singing in La Boheme this month and next! PRO TIP: kids under 18 can go to the opera for 1/2 price, but you must call the LA Opera ticket office and ask. For Disney Hall concerts, Adriana is in Cathedral Christmas, Festival of Carols, and Handel Messiah. Tickets

Also- this Sunday November 9 is the community sing, where tickets start at $15! Great first trip to Disney Hall for an affordable price point.

More Fabulous Concerts this Holiday Season to See Our Studio Tribe Shine OCSA Popular Music Conservatory “Across the Universe” 12/6 2pm, 4pm tickets

Long Beach Chorale- A Winter’s Night, December 13 and 14, tickets

St. Matthew’s Holiday Concert- Friday December 5 7pm (tickets $30), 672 Temple (tickets at the door)

Christ Cathedral- Noche de las Americas, also Friday December 5 7pm (free)

Long Beach Youth Chorus Deb 13 7pm Cal Heights UM Church, 3759 Orange Ave. Long Beach

Dec 20th 5:30pm studio recital, Leisure World Community Church, Seal Beach

Book Club: BREATH by James Nestor 📚

Did you know Adriana convened a book club over the summer? You can check it out via YouTube or Instagram. She and her friend Jessica get together once a week to discuss a chapter and then post online content intermittently so we can all follow along and contemplate the relevant ideas.

PRACTICE TIP: Habit Tracker

Here is the template I generally use for students that is easily adaptable. However you do it, tracking your practice is a great way to Increase the focus, intent, and amount of practice time. More practice = more love for your music process = more lesson and life joy in this artistic life we are so happy to lead! Check it out and keep practicing!

Here is Ashley’s chart, but here is the template so you can make your own adjustments.

PLAYLIST FOR BUSY TIMES - Adriana got a bit randomly artsy this summer (I know, you’re shocked) and, inspired by a trip to Crystal Cove with Gio, made this playlist via Substack. What conceptual playlists have you made lately?

STUDIO SPOTLIGHT: Jasmine Cordon

I met Jasmine a couple years ago via the UC Irvine choir program, through the recommendation of the conductor. I have been so pleased to see her grow both as a classical soprano and as a folkloric/ mariachi singer. You may remember her performances as she accompanies herself on guitarrón. She also plays cello beautifully. Jasmine was part of the founding UCI Mariachi group, Mariachi Orgullo de UCI. I would not be surprised if she is singing Mariachi professionally in the coming months. I would love to share that Jasmine in the past months has made the transition to PRO musician, in securing her first staff cantor position at St. Thomas More church in Irvine! She also recently began her own studio teaching career in Westminster. We love you, Jasmine! Here’s a clip

Icon footage: CECILIA BARTOLI

If you came of age as a singer in the 90s-00s you knew and adored (adore) Cecilia! Fun fact this is my neighbor’s nickname for me on 10th street. Enjoy! For the parents of special learners - check out so many resources and ideas via the We Are Brave Together Podcast. I am a group leader and mentor for this group that supports moms of unique and special needs kids of all ages. Happy to chat anytime!

Curious about starting your musical journey?

I am excited to work with you and look forward to a time of growth and learning. I work with

community musicians of all ages and all abilities who want to build technical skills to express their

authentic artistry. Get Started

“Art is how we decorate space. Music is how we decorate time.“ Jean-Michel Basquiat

Quoting my own maestra…

**** Breathe, Darlings ****

Adriana Manfredi, MFA