Danny and Essence are kicking off summer 2021 with a virtual voice, songwriting, and guitar summer music camp (for kids) via Zoom! This music camp will create a platform for creativity, self expression, and social connection in times when we are physically isolated. Whether you are a complete beginner who’s always wanted to sing, write songs, or play guitar, or have previous experience-- now is the perfect time to take your love for music to the next level!
Ages 8-18 welcome!
Adult group classes and private lessons also available upon request.
Voice and presence have a huge impact on how we feel and how others receive us. So, when students "find their voice," they can achieve more in all avenues of life. I teach healthy vocal techniques and songwriting to singers and songwriters of all levels and draw techniques from both 'Speech Level Singing' and classical theory including:
We’ll work with musical selections from rock, pop, standards, jazz, R&B, country, folk, rap, spoken word, and even classical arias. We’ll have fun while building vocal confidence and healthy technique.
Danny Uzilevsky has been playing guitar professionally since the age of 4 and has performed and recorded internationally for over 40 years. In this week long guitar camp, you will learn the anatomy of the guitar, how to tune and play basic chords as well as picking and strumming techniques. We will also focus on learning contemporary and classic songs.
What you will need:
For songwriting we look at telling stories in the most authentic voice possible. We work on cultivating lyrical imagery, developing melodies and hooks, and learn a variety of song structures and formats ranging from traditional to pop. We will study the works of the greats and I will give you a variety of engaging writing exercises, assignments and tools to break through creative blocks and to keep you generating new material. You will learn to write both independently as well as collaborate in groups.
We will:
Week 1:
Monday - Friday
July 26-30
Week 2:
Monday - Friday
August 2-6
10am - 11am Voice with Essence
11am - 12pm Guitar with Danny
1pm - 3pm Songwriting with Essence and Danny
Our music camp includes up to 20 hours of classes per week based on the number of classes you enroll in.
See the breakdown below.
Guitar - 5 Hours - $175 per week.
Voice - 5 Hours - $175 per week.
Songwriting - 10 Hours - $175 per week.
Class Bundle - $450 - Best Value - Over 20 hours per week we'll spend with your kids.
Full Summer Bundle - Send your kid to music camp the whole summer for $1500.
This includes Voice, Guitar and Songwriting for 4 weeks. Over 80 hours of music and creativity.
Private lessons are also available at $100 per hour with Essence or Danny.
Minimum 5 participants required for group classes.
Award winning singer-songwriter Essence has been immersed in art and music since childhood. Her birth name really is ‘Essence’ – she was raised by quintessential flower children. As a sixth generation native of San Francisco, her parents were two free spirited bohemian artists from the Haight-Ashbury ‘Summer of Love.’ Essence has released 6 CDs (with a 7th slated for release in 2020!) on both independent and major labels. She has toured nationally, opening for Jason Mraz, Shawn Colvin, Tom Petty, Sarah McLachlan, Natalie Merchant, Chrissie Hynde, Steve Miller, Pat Benatar, and Linda Perry. Her sound nods to songwriting legends like Tom Petty and Lucinda Williams, Dolly Parton and Gillian Welch. In addition to writing folk/Americana, country, pop and rock songs, Essence has produced a very much loved children's album called “A Dog Named Moo”.
In addition to recording, writing and touring, Essence has been teaching voice and songwriting to students of all ages and levels since 2004. She also leads a leadership and team building workshop called “Finding Your Voice.” Finding Your Voice enhances professional communication skills by “channeling your inner Rockstar". In this fun and empowering workshop, participants learn how to banish the inner critic, unlock creativity and enhance collaboration and teamwork. Using the tools of the singer/songwriter, participants will bond in a new way, become more confident public speakers and improve their professional presence.
Essence recently received national and international spotlights for her work with Bernie and the Believers through NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series and BBC. The story and music of Essence’s band Bernie and the Believers has been optioned and is being developed into a major Hollywood feature film on which she will be a co-producer. Other producers will include Academy Award Winners Akiva Goldsman, John Legend and others.
While in the studio making her new record, Essence formed a strong bond with guitarist, producer and songwriter Danny Uzilevsky. He is also a founding member of Koolerator. They both soon recognized they shared an earthy and natural musical chemistry and that their voices complimented one another almost magically! Their twinning vocal harmonies are reminiscent of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash and other great male/female duos, making this pair a powerful emerging voice on the Americana landscape. In addition to their original music, they have decided to pay homage to their heroes and dig deep into their passion for roots music with their reverent and spirited Johnny Cash and June Carter Revue known as ‘Johnny & June Forever.’
Born with strings in hand, roots in rhythm, and a musical pedigree that encompasses generations, Danny Uzilevsky has been playing guitar (and any stringed contraption) all his life. Danny has honed his craft, playing lead guitar, bass, keyboards, and singing in popular bands throughout his entire life.
From his first band “Danny & The Bluejays” in third grade, touring the southern American chitlin’ circuit and European exploits of roots blues “Preacher Boy”, to his internationally acclaimed and legendary Americana soundscape known as “Chrome Johnson”, he’s a highly regarded, natural born songwriter/musician/record producer and arranger. Danny Uzilevsky is widely recognized throughout the music industry as a “musical chameleon” and well regarded as being accomplished in almost any style, Danny’s storied career has seen him sharing high profile stages from Glastonbury to Bumbershoot. With live performances with many legends and such as Link Wray, Dick Dale, Taj Mahal, Chris Robinson, Bill Kirtchen, Leo Nocentelli, Roy Rogers, Count Basie Orchestra, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Imogen Heap, Crystal Gayle, Porter Wagoner etc. under his belt, the production and recording credits are just as bountiful. Well known as a “go to” guitarist, Danny Uzilevsky’s musical talents are well regarded and in demand, as are his renowned skills as a vocal stylist and songwriter.
Check out these other sites for more information on Essence's and Danny's other projects:
