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HELPFUL INSTRUCTION WILL ALSO BE GIVEN ON THE FOLLOWING:
+ Tone placement.
+
Vowel modification (most important for correct singing).
+ How to sing the "hard to sing" vowels: ee and oo.
+ How to correctly sing the diphthongs: A,I,O,U and triphthong Y.
+ Impingement of the vowels on the palate.
+ Proper breathing.
+ Breath control.
+ How to improve your vocal range and flexibility.
+ Dealing with
the "tremolo."
+ Projection.
+ Diction.
+ Intonation.
+ Vocal attack.
+ The head voice.
+ How to develop the falsetto voice.
+ How to deal with "il passaggio" or the "lift" or "break."
+ How to correctly pronounce and sing in other languages.
+ Develop confidence in singing.
+ Care of
the voice.
+ And much, much more!
Ríos will
also offer expert advice on how to improve your audition skills, how to use a microphone, how to have a better stage presence,
and how to gain contacts that will help further your career. You will also be kept abreast on auditions, their locations and
dates. Plus, you will be given names of recording studios best suited for your needs (vocally and financially), as well as
talent agents.
There are four types of contracts you can select from for your vocal studies.
To learn more about these as well as the non-contract lessons, click on both the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) link and the Contracts link; then give Sonny Rios a call (214.394.8511) or send us an
E-mail.
A WORD OF CAUTION! You must be extremely cautious when selecting a vocal instructor. The voice is a delicate
instrument that merits proper care; therefore, your choice of teacher should be done wisely, not just because that one charges
less. Many have been the singers who were referred to Mr. Ríos who had almost met vocal disaster because of improper
voice teaching received from someone who purported to be a voice teacher but who knew nothing of correct phonation. Teaching correct vocal production is a science!
Thus the teacher must be well grounded in his/her line of work in order to see and hear and then correct and eliminate
every problem singers face: e.g. incorrect position of the tongue and jaw, incorrect impingement of each vowel on the
soft or hard palate (according to the pitch being sung), incorrect breathing, aspirated sounds, and etc. But, sadly, today, due to the popularity of
television programs such as "American Idol," "America's Got Talent,"
"The Entertainer," "Star Search,"
"Nashville Star," "Cantando por Un Sueño," "La Academia,"
"The X-Factor," "The Voice," and etc., you find piano teachers,
guitar players, choral directors, or any other kind of musician attempting to cash in on the business of voice teaching.
But please be aware that just because someone may be able to sing--even well--that does not qualify that one as a voice
teacher. There are many factors that go into being a true voice teacher. This is where Sonny Ríos excels! To learn
more about Mr. Ríos's method of teaching, please click on "The Instructor" link.
BELOW ARE LINKS TO ORGANIZATIONS
OR GROUPS SONNY RIOS IS A PART OF:
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TEACHERS OF SINGING (NATS)
STAR LAUNCHERS
THE TEXAS MUSIC OFFICE
MUSIC EDUCATORS NATIONAL CONFERENCE (MENC)
NASHVILLE SONGWRITERS ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL (NSAI)
SONGWRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA (SGA)
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF COMPOSERS, AUTHORS AND PUBLISHERS (ASCAP)
THE ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT MUSIC PUBLISHERS (AIMP)
THE SRVS SHOWCASES ITS STUDENTS!
The SRVS showcases its students at least three times a year (Winter/Spring concert, Fall
concert, Christmas show). In this manner each student is given an opportunity to perform live before an audience, giving that
student the experience necessary to perform anywhere, with anyone, and for any type of audience, not to mention the confidence
that student gains which is necessary for a musical career.
In every concert there will be between
twenty-five to fifty students performing, including the concert artists that study with Sonny and whose schedules allow
them to be in town for the concerts. Needless to say, people always look forward to these concerts and come from far and wide
to hear their favorite singer.
Also, due to the superb quality of talent that comes from the
SRVS, it has become customary for talent agents to be in attendance at our concerts and shows, as they seek that special
talent (voice). And we are happy to say that many SRVS students have gone on to have an established musical career. To learn
more about these and the rest of Sonny's students, please click on "The Students" link.
So, if you would like to be a part of this exciting and talented group of people,
give Sonny Ríos a call at the following telephone number: 214.394.8511. Or, if you so desire, you may E-Mail him. So...Break a Leg!
And to learn more of what's happening at the studio and where Sonny
Rios's students are performing, please scroll down the page. Thanks.
2012 SEASON SCHEDULE SET:
Spring Concert:
April 22, 2012, at 2:30 P.M., at The Corner Theatre, 211 E. Pleasant Run Road @ Hampton Road, DeSoto, TX 75115. Free
admission and free parking. For more information, please call 214.394.8511 or email tenor@sonnyrios.com.
Fall Concert: September 16, 2012, at 2:30 P.M., at
The Corner Theatre, 211 E. Pleasant Run Road @ Hampton Road, DeSoto, TX 75115. Free admission and free parking. For more information,
please call 214.394.8511 or email tenor@sonnyrios.com.
Christmas Show: December 22, 2012, at 7:00 P.M.,
at The Corner Theatre, 211 E. Pleasant Run Road @ Hampton Road, DeSoto, TX 75115. Admission: $10.00 adults; $5.00 senior citizens
and children 12 and under; infants free. Free parking. For more information, please call 214.394.8511 or email tenor@sonnyrios.com.
FOSTER ENTERTAINMENT, NEW YORK CITY, CALLS SONNY
RIOS STUDIOS FOR SINGERS:
The Sonny Rios Voice Studios were asked
by Foster Entertainment, New York, NY, to supply singers to participate in the Club Kidz Bop - Six Flags National Tour. To
see photos from the show, please click on the following link: Kids Bop.
SRVS STUDENTS APPEAR ON TV,
BROADWAY SHOWS, AND DALLAS METROPLEX CHINESE CELEBRATION: Candice McEnturff sang
Cossette in Les Miserables and a lead role in Godspell. She also sang Alice in Lucia di Lammermoor sextet. Gloria Dorsey and Byron Miño appeared on the Comcast Cable
Network. And LaShondra Peck opened the program for a Met opera star. Keith Bailey, Candice
McEnturff, Byron Miño, and Sonny Ríos
sang for the Metroplex Chinese Celebration. And finally, Mary Ridenour
(see photo below) stars as Annie in Casa Mañana's production of ANNIE on April
27 - May 20, 2012 (for tickets and show times, please call Casa Mañana at 817.332.2272). And
for more information and photos of these and other students, please click on The Students link.
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| Mary Ridenour, stars as Annie at Casa Mañana (click to enlarge) |
DALLAS
OPERA DOCENT INVITES SONNY RIOS: The
Dallas Opera Docent organization invited Sonny Ríos to speak to their group on January 24 on vocal pedagogy. Mr.
Ríos felt honored. His guest artist was Mr. Byron Miño, superb tenor who has studied with Mr. Ríos since 1998, and
whom Mr. Ríos used as an example of his teaching technique.
IN HONOR OF ALL THE GIRLS OF "THE INTERNATIONAL
MISS" AND "TODAY'S GIRL PAGENTS" THAT HAVE OR/ARE STUDYING WITH SONNY RIOS. We
have added a new page to honor all the girls and young ladies that have or are studying with Sonny Rios and who compete in
the International Miss and Today's Girl pagents. From the youngest to the oldest, each has performed superbly--like a pro--and
has gone home with the top prize as well as many other honors. Our hats are off to them. And for those who are still competing,
we say..."Break a Leg!" To view, please click on the following link: Pagents Contestants.
TRACY JORDAN (below) NAMED DALLAS SUMMER MUSICALS
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR.
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| Tracy Jordan (click to enlarge) |
Former student, Tracy Jordan (above), was named
Director of Operations for the Dallas Summer Musicals organization. Tracy began his voice training with Sonny Rios
at The SRVS and continued there for several years. It was from there that he embarked on his professional career singing with
the Fort Worth Opera, Houston Opera, on cruise ships, and finally landing in Las Vegas, where he sang with all of the
big names in show business and culminating as the singing Master of Ceremonies for The Follies. Tracy was featured in the
Entertainment magazine with the above photo on the front cover.
ALYSSA FREEMAN A REGULAR AT BOTH GRAPEVINE
OPRY AND JOHNNIE HIGHS SHOW:
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| Alyssa Freeman sings at Johnnie High's Country Music Revue (click on photo to enlarge). |
Alyssa Freeman (above), singing sensation and
student of Sonny Rios, performed at the Grapevine Opry. Alyssa is already in demand at many of the opry houses in the metroplex, including
The Johnnie High's Country Music Revue (photo above) in Arlington, Texas, as well as in Oklahoma. We hope many of you will
make it a point to go hear this young lady. We promise you that you'll enjoy hearing her sing. For more information on Alyssa
and to hear her sing, please click on the following link: www.myspace.com/alyssapaigefreeman
LUCAS MARTIN PERFORMS AT ANTONE'S IN AUSTIN!
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| Click to enlarge. |
Lucas Martin (above on right) performed at
the renown music club ANTONE'S in Austin, Texas, for the club's 31st Anniversary celebration. Lucas is a young man who studies
with Sonny Ríos, and who has an exceptional talent. Lucas is not only a great singer but a fantastic guitartist whose
talents have been noticed by several recording companies. Backing up Lucas were a trio of beautiful young ladies, two of which
are students of Sonny Ríos, LaShondra Peck and Janelle Hollister. It was a great show!
BYRON MIÑO PERFORMS IN METROPLEX.
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| Byron Miño (click to enlarge) |
Outstanding Ecuadorian tenor and student of Sonny
Ríos, Byron Miño (see photo above), performed in concert with multi-platinum pianist Danny Wright and Oasis Jazz artist
Danny Vincelli. The concert dates were as follows:
March 9 The Plaza Theater, Grapevine, TX
March 11
The Scott Theater, Ft. Worth Community Arts Ctr.
March 16 The Wheeler Opera House, Aspen, CO
April 8 The
Lakewood Theater, Dallas, TX
For more
information as to when and where Byron will be performing, please log on to www.tqmanagement.net. To learn more about Byron Miño, please click on the
following link: The Students.
PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
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| "Music of The Night" |
At left, you see The Phantom (Sonny Ríos) as he
sings the haunting melody, "Music of The Night," to Christine (Amy Haynes), during a performance. (Please click on the
photo for a full-size image.)
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A TRIBUTE TO HARLEY BULLS, FORMER VOICE TEACHER.
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| Harley and Anne Bulls |
Harley Bulls (above), one of the best--if not the
best--voice teacher that ever lived, passed away March 10, 2006, in Levelland, TX, where he lived with his wife
Anne. Harley is the one who, according to Sonny Ríos, helped him find his true voice. Harley Bulls had a gift in vocal
pedagogy that none can surpass. This gift was passed on to Sonny Ríos--thus, Rios's keen ability to pin-point vocal problems
in singers and know how to correct them. Both Harley and Anne Bulls became like family to Sonny. So much so that when they
both retired from being the dean of music (Harley) and theory teacher (Anne) at South Plains College in Levelland, TX, they
willed most of their music library to Sonny Ríos and the rest to Westminster College. Harley will be missed exceedingly. All
whom he touched are much richer in having had the privilege of knowing Harley Bulls. Thank you, Harley, for what you
gave us. Your legacy continues through Sonny Rios's vocal pedagogy. Our prayers are with Anne, the children, and
their families.
Anne Bulls
has asked that, in lieu of flowers, any gifts be made in Harley's honor to the Harley & Anne Bulls Scholarship Fund, South
Plains College, 1401 College Avenue, Levelland, TX 79336.
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FOR ALL YOUR VOCAL NEEDS: Sheetmusic,
Broadway and operatic anthologies, pop, country, R&B, Latino, rock and etc., soundtracks, auditions, and quickiest
way to get into the entertainment industry. Go to this great site, "The Vocalist Site," by clicking on the "New" logo below.
| For all your music needs |
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| The Vocalist Site |
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