Foreword: I really did enjoy many of the performances today, but I just don't take time to write the positive things! So feel happy about your singing, and take these without too much grief.
Kaylee Ann Simmons
I sensed a general lack of vitality and confident, from body to voice to face. Her introduction was quite apologetic, not preparing us well for a good performance. I also noticed the lack of confidence in her body, it was quite slouched. Her facial expression expressed worry, not the true meaning of the piece. At the beginning, the rhythm wasn't quite solid, and I think she may benefit from practicing with a metronome to solidify her internal pulse. The french language needs more contrast, in both vowels and consonants. I got too much darkness, and I need more bright vowels. I would love to also hear more voiced consonants. Breathy tone, and I wonder if that could be helped by connecting to her body.
Sam Meredith
I would like to see more expansion in the torso. I saw this problem especially in his arms, which were hanging in front instead of actively at his sides. I wished he had opened his eyes more, because he seemed to half close them most of the time. And when they were open, they were directed at the floor. I sense that he didn't not have a connection from the beginning of the phrase to the end of the phrase, it was a note-by-note approach. I want a sense of each note has taffy pulling between it and the next note. I noticed a lot of scooping, and it seemed out of habit, not by choice. Reserve scooping for a color, not as a common thing. The large ascending phrases were tight; a big crescendo ascending phrase like that is like falling off a cliff, not trying to climb up one. He also looked very worried the whole time, isn't this a happy nostalgic song? I also am curious about your breath, because I hear little vibrato, and that is a tell tale sign of breath problems.
Ashton Lindsay
She was very timid in her introduction; Ashton, please be excited to sing! And if you aren't, take on a character that is. She has a thinness to her tone, which I think could be assisted by a better body support (scoot the hips back and align the spine.) I also notice the body collapsing as the phrase continues. The body expands as the phrase continues, not the opposite. Also, opening your mouth more could help. Just sing girl! I think a lot of these problems could be improved if she just remembered that she liked music, and singing, and that it's not the most terrifying thing she's ever done!
Randy Wellbaum
Randy has a bad habit of turning his head when he breathes. It has to stop! Movements like that need to mean something, not just a bad habit. This style of music doesn't call for crisp diction, which he gave us. Smash songs don't need such aspirate "t"s. His chest was quite collapsed, perhaps a gorilla stance would assist him. In addition, his neck likes to stick out, messing with the alignment of his body. Something to consider. I can sense that his tone is pleasant, but the center of it is in his throat, not his head. I need some help thinking of exercises to assist with that. And remember, don't think of higher notes as higher, but as lower.
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