From Badiene Magaziner:
An inspiring performance of the song “Shine” by the Badiene Magaziner Vocal Studio representing the Young Voices For Change. This incredible song, written and originally performed by survivors Sawyer Garrity and Andrea Pena, was created in the aftermath of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Florida to bring healing.
Read more about it on Broadway World!
Students from the Badiene Magaziner Vocal Studio will be performing “Shine” a song written by Sawyer Garrity and Andrea Pena of the Stoneman Douglas High School Drama Club, at this Saturday’s March For Our Lives event in Central Park.
The performance came about after Denise Simon (NYC acting coach, director and author of Parenting In The Spotlight, the ultimate guide to navigating the acting industry while reaping life lessons to ensure a successful adulthood) approached Magaziner to see if she had any students who could perform “Shine” at the event. Magaziner instantly said “yes,” as this is a cause close to her heart.
“Many of my middle school and high school students are living in fear. They want to be able to go to school and feel secure,” said Magaziner, the go-to voice teacher for building young voices and getting kids to Broadway. “This generation will soon be eligible to vote. I’m so proud of my students and all young people, for having the courage to stand up for their beliefs and fight for change!”
Seven students will be performing, “Shine.” They include Annabelle Kempf (Billy Elliot, Broadway), Clifford Lee (Lion King, Broadway), Ruobing Zhang (Juilliard student), Kate Vohs (Erik’s Wish Benefit@ Feinstein’s/54 Below, singer/songwriter & 2017 BWW Best Actress Under 25 Central PA), Justin Lopez (Ikea commercial, v/o Dareway, Ring Pop Sours), Brianna Paradiso (Erik’s Wish Benefit@Feinstein’s/54 Below), and Whitney Woerz (singer/songwriter currently holds Billboard Top 40 Adult Pop single with “Idea of Her”/Teen ambassador working with Glenn Close‘s Bring Change 2 Mind to help eliminate the stigma attached to Mental Illness.)
In addition to Magaziner and Simon the creative team behind the performance and forthcoming video includes Seth Weinstein, composer, musical director/arranger, and producer (How to Save the World and Find True Love in 90 Minutes/Conversations with Chagall), and Global Media Music producer Tony Coluccio (credits include Bette Midler, Gold and Multi-platinum dance remixes for Whitney Houston, Beyonce and Christina Aguilera). The recording will take place at Eastside Sound Studios.
An internationally sought-after voice teacher on the faculty of her alma mater, The Juilliard School, Magaziner starred in operas in Europe before making her American debut, starring in The Consul at The Kennedy Center. Magaziner opened her studio 15+ years ago when her beloved son, Erik passed away after a valiant battle with leukemia. Trying to fulfill his dying wish that, “No kid dies from leukemia,” she produced “Erik’s Wish,” a series of benefit concerts to raise funds for children with cancer. After the first concert, parents approached Magaziner asking if she would teach their child, and the Badiene Magaziner Vocal Studio was born.
Since then, her students have appeared in numerous shows including: Dear Evan Hansen, Hamilton, School of Rock, Frozen, Anastasia, Kinky Boots, Lion King, Fun Home, Matilda & Annie. “As a teacher, the most exciting moments are seeing the joy on my students’ faces after they achieve a vocal goal, or book a Broadway show!”
Her advice to those looking to make it in the professional theater world? “Dedication, perseverance, determination, work ethic, exemplary technique and joy are all crucial! It’s also essential to develop a “thick skin!” You’re lucky if you get one call back out of ten auditions. With many of my younger students, I often use a baseball analogy. If you are batting 350, you are considered a great batter! That means, out of every ten pitches, you hit three balls. So if you are getting three callbacks from ten auditions, you are doing a phenomenal job!”