Meet Producer Kevin Smith!

Chicago native, Kevin Smith is an American composer, arranger, producer, vocalist and keyboardist who is Chicago-based. He is a current member of the rhythm and blues band known as the Chicago Catz.

Kevin’s musical style is considered eclectic. Having been exposed to so many differing genres and styles, he likes to (when possible) mix it up stylistically. Most of the projects he has worked on are R&B oriented, but he appreciates the sophisticated harmonies of gospel, nice string arrangements and “rocked out” guitars whenever possible. The aspect of music Kevin likes best is the ability to express emotions vocally or instrumentally. He has a background in sound design and likes to employ sound effects as well as music to convey a feeling.

Kevin has arranged and produced music for some of the greats, including Charles Stepney, writer/producer for Earth Wind and Fire. Several episodes ago, we interviewed Charles Stepney’s daughter Eibur Stepney.

Kevin has also been an Arranger for Nancy Wilson, Peabo Bryson, Ashford and Simpson, Chuck Mangione…and more!

Listen to the full episode:

ChiArts Student Triniti Cole Attends Interlochen Summer Camp!

Triniti Cole is a talented PrivateMusicStudio.net student, where she studies classical singing privately with Dr. Greta Pope. She attends the Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts) and is in the Vocal Performance Program. Triniti has been selected to attend the three-week Summer Program at Interlochen.

Triniti has been awarded a scholarship from The Windy City Chapter of The Links Incorporated to assist with her expenses at Interlochen. She is also the recipient of the PrivateMusicStudio.net Kay Davis Scholarship. She will be performing several operatic roles at Interlochen during the rigorous three week program. Kudos to Triniti!

Learn more about Dr. Greta Pope by visiting her website, and listen to her weekly podcast, The Business Savvy Singer with episodes released every Monday.

Meet The Lovely Briana Brooks!

Briana Brooks is a Los Angeles native which is where her love for music, singing and theatre began. She most recently performed in the 1st National Tour of Tony award winning revival of Once On This Island where she played Andrea and understudied Ti Moune. Some of her favorite credits include productions of The Color Purple as Nettie, Beauty and the Beast as Belle, Spring Awakening as Martha, and RENT as Joanne. She has performed in several workshops of new musicals. Briana attended Loyola Marymount University where she earned a B.A. Degree.

“As Belle, Briana Brooks is absolutely stellar; her heroine is sweet but has a backbone of pure steel. Brooks is no cookie cutter Disney princess, she puts forth a character who is no one’s victim.” -BroadwayWorld

Learn more about Briana by visiting her website, www.brianabrooks.org, YouTube page, https://www.youtube.com/c/BrianaBrooks7, or her Instagram, @brinana8

Meet American Opera Composer Michael Ching

Michael Ching is a composer, conductor, and music administrator. A prolific and eclectic composer, he is best known nationally as the composer of innovative operas, including his a cappella adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. His other major operas include Buoso’s Ghost (1996), Corps of Discovery (2003), Slaying the Dragon (2012), Speed Dating Tonight! (2013), and Alice Ryley (2015). He has written the librettos of many of his own operas, and has done so for all of his operas composed after 2012. He is on the board of directors of the National Opera Association.

Michael Ching is a finalist in The Acorn Theater Singer/Songwriter Competition. He will be performing on Friday, July 16th at Buchanan Concerts @ The Common. Downtown Buchanan Michigan. 7:30 p.m. eastern.

Listen to Dr. Greta Pope and Michael Ching on this week’s episode of the Business Savvy Singer:

The Business Savvy Singer Podcast Partners with NATSCast!

The Business Savvy Singer is Proud to Partner with NATSCast, the official podcast network of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. NATS is works with a network of podcasts offering quality resources for voice teachers and singers. Subscribe to The Business Savvy Singer and listen each week.

Check out The Business Savvy Singer Podcast now.

The Way Down Wanderers

Join Dr .Greta Pope as she sits down with The Way Down Wanderers. Often referred to by fans as one of the hardest-working, hardest-touring bands on the circuit today, the 5-piece Illinois-based act not only proves that classification with their jam-packed tour schedule but also on stage every night, with youthful exuberance and a lively stage show, as reliable as it is infectious.

High energy percussion, mandolin, guitar, bass, banjo and fiddle weave seamlessly together to create an experience for fans that has sold out shows across the UK and the United States, filling the front rows with fans not just singing along to one tune, but singing along to all of them. “Everybody says it.

Check out the Way Down Wanderers Friday, July 9th at the Buchanan Concerts @ The Common 

The Business Savvy Singer Podcast is proud to be included in the NATSCast Network. NATSCast is the official podcast network of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. It’s an honor to be part of this community and have the opportunity to provide encouragement, education and entertainment to Singers everywhere. 

Meet the Talented Deb Doetzer (Part 2 of 2)

Join Dr. Greta Pope for part two of this two-part episode with Deb Doetzer. Deb is a proud member of the performer unions SAG-AFTRA and AEA. She is represented exclusively by Stewart Talent in Chicago and New York, and has an extensive list of voice-over credits to her name: most recently she will be a recurring character on season two of the Disney animated series “The Owl House.”

Along with many national television and radio commercials for clients like State Farm, Serta, McDonalds and Kraft, Deb’s voiceover career has spanned over 30 years.

The Business Savvy Singer Podcast is proud to be included in the NATSCast Network. NATSCast is the official podcast network of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. It’s an honor to be part of this community and have the opportunity to provide encouragement, education and entertainment to Singers everywhere. 

Thought Provoking – Dynamic – Captivating: Patti Shaffner

Patti Shaffner’s songs and vocal skills appeal to varied audiences and musical tastes. Equally at home with Jazz, Folk, Blues, and Musical Theater, she possesses a solid understanding of dynamics and stage presence. Her lyrics have depth and her delivery engages.

For more information about Buchanan Concerts @ The Common, click here.

Learn more about Patti by visiting her website: www.jazzdakini.com

Follow Patti on Instagram and Facebook

Visit the Music Business Expert Page

Buchanan Concerts @ The Common

Greta Pope Entertainment, Inc. is delighted to announce that we are a Sponsor of the 2021 Buchanan Concerts @ The Common summer concert series.

Buchanan Michigan is a lovely town in Southwest Michigan, where my husband and I have had a lake home for the last 40 years. The area is very near and dear to my heart. Our son Edward has grown up on the lake and took his very first steps at our home.

The area is very near and dear to my heart and I am excited to have this opportunity for philanthropy in a community that means so much to me.

For more information about Buchanan Concerts @ The Common, click here.

Meet the Talented Deb Doetzer (Part 1 of 2)

This week on the Business Savvy Singer, Dr. Greta Pope sits down with Deb Doetzer.

Deb Doetzer is a proud member of the performer unions SAG-AFTRA and AEA. She is represented exclusively by Stewart Talent in Chicago and New York, and has an extensive list of voice-over credits to her name: most recently she will be a recurring character on season two of the Disney animated series “The Owl House.” Along with many national television and radio commercials for clients like State Farm, Serta, McDonalds and Kraft, Deb’s voiceover career has spanned over 30 years.

Deb  can also be heard on the interactive games Red Faction (PA Announcer), Watch Dogs (various) and Injustice: Gods Among Us as the Narrator as well as being the voice of EMMI for healthcare advocate Walters Kluwer for over 15 years. She is adjunct faculty at both Columbia College and the Theater School at Depaul University, an instructor at Acting Studio Chicago and originated the voiceover courses at The Second City Training Center.

Deb is currently on the Steering Committee for CFAC, the Union dedicated to fair and equitable representation for adjunct faculty at CCC.