Whidbey Children’s Choir is back for the 2024-2025 season, and it’s got something awesome in store for children aged 7 to 12. If your child falls into that age range and has a spark for creativity, this is the place to be.  Singers, spoken word artists and percussionists in the making!

This choir is unique because it’s not just about singing. The focus is on exposing children and our Whidbey Island Community to native music and folklore, adding layers of cultural richness to the children’s musical journey. Children get to participate in singing performances, and spoken word pieces, with the opportunity to join together as a group in composing a few tunes in native styles.

Performances will double as fundraising events. Funds raised help support families who cannot afford extracurricular activities in the arts. This brings a sense of community and equality, giving every child a chance to shine, regardless of their economic background.

Today there seems to be a glaring lack of funding for the arts in public schools. Programs like this choir can fill that gap, offering children a valuable outlet for their talents and energies.

By raising community awareness and support, an ongoing children’s choir would be intended to grow and build, to become a recognized Young People’s Choir here on Whidbey Island, which would create more opportunities year after year. In the long term, we would be interested in expanding from the scope of native music and folklore to music of select indigenous cultures from around the world.

This I believe is a needed, meaningful, enriching activity for the children of Whidbey and the larger Whidbey Island Community.

This workshop is a game-changer for young performers looking to broaden their skills. For children who are already taking dance or acting lessons, adding singing will open up new opportunities and new horizons. Imagine combining dance moves and acting prowess with powerful vocals – that’s what becoming a triple threat is all about, and when auditioning for a musical, jingles, or most of the performing arts ~ the combination of the 3 are of great value for dancers, actors and singers.  With this, one becomes well rounded in ones performing arts’ craft and journey!

Singing is a way to express oneself, feel emotions deeply, and connect with others, and always has been the storytellers medium, whether it be words put to melody, or a musical that communicates the story of the musical mainly in the Score.  Aside from this, this workshop has such a vital value for children,  now that  many schools have had to cut back on creative arts programs due to budget issues.  Children  need a space where they can explore their creativity and discover new passions, learn more skills and sharpen them.

In this workshop, participants will dive into musical theatre, learning pieces from popular musicals. They’ll get hands-on experience integrating singing with dance and acting. This isn’t just about learning songs – it’s about performing them with confidence and flair.

For those eyeing auditions, the workshop offers invaluable preparation. Knowing how to present oneself as a singer can make a huge difference. Whether it’s hitting the right notes or embodying a character through song, these skills can turn a good audition into a great one.

The workshop takes place in the heart of winter, creating a warm, vibrant environment perfect for igniting passion for performing. Warm-up routines will help participants care for their vocal cords, essential for healthy and strong performances.

Overall, this vocal workshop is more than just singing lessons. It’s a journey through the world of musical theatre, an opportunity to shine in auditions, and a space to build confidence and creativity. Don’t miss out on this chance to become a well-rounded performer.

The Place, Date, and Time will be Posted Soon!  

If you have an interest in your child joining in, do let me know.  We will Connect!

Jana Szabo

The mission here is simple: all kids deserve to explore their musical gifts, regardless of money woes. We want to break down those financial walls holding back talented kids from piano and voice lessons here on Whidbey Island at Szabo Studios. The goal is to make sure every child can tap into their creative side and grow through music.

Think of a world where every child, whether from a wealthy family or not, has access to quality music education. That’s the vision. We see a community bursting with young talent, each child free to pursue their dream of becoming a pianist or singer. Music has this incredible power to shape young minds, build confidence, and foster emotional growth. We’re here to make sure that power is open to every child.

Many families struggle with finances and find it nearly impossible to afford music lessons. The financial strain that families endure often means children with real potential miss out on nurturing their talents. Our scholarship fund aims to tackle this head-on, leveling the playing field for families who need a bit of extra help. Helping children access music education isn’t just about learning notes and scales; it’s about opening doors to future opportunities and enriching their lives.

Establishing a Sustainable Music Scholarship Fund. It’s about creating something lasting for the children who need it most.

First off, let’s talk about eligibility. I would like to open this project up for children ages 3 to 14 who display financial family challenges. These children can demonstrate some musical talent or passionate interest, with a strong recommendation from a parent or someone like a teacher or and community leader. Ensuring we’re helping those who genuinely need it and have the potential to benefit the most.

Applying for the scholarship. Families fill out an application form, and they might add a short video of the child showcasing a passion for singing or playing piano or with some innate musical skills. A recommendation letter helps seal the deal, giving us a clear picture of the child’s talent and enthusiasm.

Now, about the money part. For the first year, I am proposing setting a goal of raising between $1,000 and $5,000. But it’s not just a one-and-done deal. I am interested in building an endowment fund for long-term support. My dream is big as to not leave a child behind! Creative outlets and education I feel are a vital element for the child’s upbringing, also making it much easier for the child to get along in the world we live in.

Where’s the money coming from? These are some of the main sources. Local businesses and big-hearted philanthropists can keep the wheels turning. Online crowdfunding platforms give us a way to reach people far and wide, is an open idea as well. Grants from arts and education foundations that are local Whidbey Island, and greater areas in Washington State, are out there waiting for a creative fundraising project like this one.

Fundraising events are key. We are interested in hosting benefit concerts featuring local talent, sparking community spirit, to bringing everyone together in awareness of the need for a program such as this. Online fundraising campaigns can also be an aspect.

But who’s keeping things organized? I would like to have a scholarship committee of music educators, community leaders, and financial advisors. The handling of everything from reviewing applications to making sure the funds are used responsibly.

Transparency: Clear processes for managing and disbursing donations are in place, with regular financial reports going out to donors and stakeholders, so everyone knows how their contributions are making an impact.

This can be a community-driven effort, so partnering with local schools and nonprofits. They can help spread the word and identify families who might not know such an opportunity exists. Collaboration ensures we’re inclusive and reach kids who can benefit the most.

Promotion :. Using social media platforms like Facebook, and Instagram, sharing success stories and updates. Local newspapers will feature our program to catch the eye of potential supporters. Engaging in community events and fairs also can help get the word out and attract more support.

Lastly sustainability. We then would like to Set up an endowment fund that solidifies the long-term vision. Annual events like benefit concerts will keep the momentum going. Ongoing donor engagement with regular updates and appreciation events ensures our supporters feel valued and stay connected to the cause.

Creating this scholarship fund means more than just giving money. It’s about changing lives, one note at a time. When we lift the financial burden, the real magic happens. Kids get to dream, play, learn, and grow in ways we can’t even imagine yet.

My name is Jana Szabo, I own and work at the established “Szabo Studios” here on South Whidbey Wa. with a passion for teaching music. I have a BFA in Music, with extended studies in Music Education for Children, and a performing artist, composer, Pianist, Vocalist .

A Resume is available upon request.

With Most Sincere Interest and Gratitude in making this happen for our community and the children awaiting for this Project to Launch.

My Piano Students

I love my piano and my students love my Petit Baby Grande as well. I am not a parent and have never had children, but when the children come through my door and into my studio I feel so honored to be a part of their developing “creative process”. A child is so receptive to music and learning something new. They sit at my Petit Baby Grande and wonder. I can tell that their fingers are tingling, egging to play anything that comes to their mind… I am so excited and thankful to meet them there, and share my joy of playing the piano with them

In teaching children piano I have noticed a dramatic development in the self-awareness and self-esteem of the children over time. The ability of the child to also compose soon after the start of lessons is astounding, and with the grasping of some fundamental elements in music theory, a good portion are very comfortable coming up with their patterns, and can easily create their own music, leading into a natural set of composition skills.

The more the teacher gives the child to explore using the tools (piano techniques)I find that this can and will keep the child engaged in an ever-evolving creative pattern, creating something from nothing which ultimately gives the child a creative outlet and a stronger sense of being. Being a music teacher/coach and having also been a student, I feel that this a more practical way of teaching, because the teacher has the assurance that the child has made a personal connection with the instrument, and most often will always have the piano to go back to.

The piano is also an instrument that all musicians turn to.

I for one have used the Piano for composing, also for accompaniment for others and for myself, performing, and using my Nord keyboard for performing and recording with my Logic Program.

I love my Piano, and so do the children.

Jana Szabo directs student and Shifty Sailors member Ted Ravitz to warm up his vocal chords with scales. On any given day in Jana Szabo’s studio, her students sing and push their vocal ranges to the limit.

But for Szabo, “student” is a flexible term that includes both 6-year-olds and 80 year-olds.

“In any community I live in, I need to know that the people, especially the children, aren’t left behind in the arts,” Szabo said. “I was spoon-fed the arts when I was young. I feel obligated to make my community feel the same way, regardless of age.”

The Clinton-based vocal coach has been training singers young and old for 30 years. She brings a flavor of the theatrical West Side of Manhattan to South Whidbey, having grown up in the area listening to the likes of conductor Leonard Bernstein and other Broadway legends. Her background in the Big Apple and being surrounded by music teachers from Julliard sparked her interest in teaching the arts, and she’s never looked back.

These days, Szabo lives to ignite the same passion in her students. She also performs at local venues and works with South Whidbey theaters.

“My interest is in knocking on the door of my students’ own creative potential, and unlocking that doorway using music as the key,” Szabo said.

Szabo’s students range from kindergartners in need of a creative outlet, to retired vocalists, to those in prominent Whidbey groups like the Shifty Sailors and Joann Quintana Band. She says not all vocal coaches are open to working with students of such an age range, with some turning down students they see as too young to have perfect pitch, and others who focus on nurturing young vocalists.

There is no “cookie cutter” method of teaching for Szabo. There isn’t a magic formula or strict code to get her students to the level they want to reach. For example, she doesn’t confine herself to teaching jazz vocals, despite jazz being a large part of her musical heritage. Her training sessions can look much different from one another depending on who her student for the day is.

“One of the great things about Jana as a vocal coach is she’s flexible with her training methods,” Joann Quintana, lead singer of Joann Quintana Band said. “She’s actually come to my band’s practices a couple of times to make the lesson more relevant to my performances.”

Vocal sessions are particularly personalized when it comes to her youngest students. During her vocal sessions with Amelia Rochholz, 6, Szabo will instruct her pupil to sing in front of her reflection in either a mirror or video recording device such as an iPad. Szabo says it’s a way to get the little ones attentive and engaged, since they enjoy seeing themselves perform.

Things look a little different for Rochholz’ 8-year-old sister, Emmalynn Rochholz. The older sister was drawn to the Broadway style of theatrical singing, and is as much of a dancer as a singer. Given Szabo’s Broadway roots, she was able to incorporate dance and mold the sessions perfectly for Emmalynn. As it turns out, Emmalynn Rochholz is a better singer while dancing.

“Jana is extremely flexible with my girls and comes up with creative ways to teach them effectively,” the Rochholzes’ mother, Kristin Hummel, said. “She lets my oldest daughter choreograph her own dance routines to the songs that she creates. It’s been the perfect creative outlet for both of them.”

Szabo says the most important thing in training vocalists young and old is to focus on the individual. She believes some coaches, trainers and educators focus more on their own achievements, where the end goal is to train students their way and mold them into the artist they think their students should be. Szabo leaves that up to the student. For some students such as Shifty Sailors member Ted Ravetz, vocal sessions are for finding his own voice and growing more confident in his own abilities. For others, it’s about fine tuning their singing to fit dance or a backing band.

“I want my students to have control over what they do,” Szabo said. “I can’t teach each student the exact same thing. Otherwise, they’re not molded into the artists they think they can be and the teacher doesn’t learn from the student in return, and that’s important.”

Kyle Jensen / The Record — Szabo is a trained vocalist, director and pianist.