Menu
Fearless Performing 101: Choir students receive performance and life lessons
Last week, Paul Sperrazza coached The Knight Shades Jazz Choir at Northview High School on being fearless while performing and, ultimately, in life.
Sperrazza, a technical director at the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts and a multi-talented performance coach, has appeared on stages nationwide. He teaches Fearless Performing 101, which focuses on motivating choral students to maximize their potential, engage the audience, and be fearless while performing. The program incorporates beatboxing, basic sound design, and contemporary A cappella.
"There's the weight of, 'I don't want to look stupid,' 'I don't want to put myself out.' My job is to come and break that down and even the playing field, letting the shy kids know, 'Hey, you know what you're doing, you've got talent, get in the front.' That's what it's about," said Sperrazza.
Brenda Buchanan, Director of Choirs at Northview High School, says kids gravitate to Sperrazza, who connects with students and brings them out of their shells.
"He's teaching them how to be really good performers, don't be afraid of what anybody thinks of you, don't be afraid to stand out. Don't sit back and be shy; get out there," said Buchanan.
Sperrazza uses several techniques to get students out of their comfort zone, including microphones.
"It's teaching them to be comfortable standing out, letting them hear their voice, and telling them it's okay," explained Buchanan.
The Knight Shades Jazz Choir also learned the creative process is exciting, challenging, and, most importantly, takes time.
The group assembled a rock song from the radio to an A capella song, also known as contemporary A cappella, during Sperrazza's visit.
"My hope is to take this to our audience at our fall concert," said Buchanan with a smile. "If they can pull it together."
Grants from Arts Midwest and the Indiana Arts Commission sponsored Sperrazza's program at Northview.