Singer. Songwriter. Teacher. Poet. Frontwoman. Radio Host. Voice Actress.
People often ask me how long I've been singing. The answer is, most of my life. I've been singing professionally for close to 20 years, but I was known to belt out songs from Sesame Street and the occasional Broadway number as early as 3 years old.
After studying classical voice in high school, I continued to expand my understanding of different vocal styles throughout the years. I studied jazz and improvisational singing while at Berklee School of Music in Boston, MA, and pop, rock and Broadway after that. Funk followed years later, and proved to be a true musical and vocal education.
I've performed with a number of artists and bands throughout the state, including the original southern rock band, Creepin' Charlie, the elegant, finger-style acoustic duo "Essence" (with my husband, Ed), and the fun, sometimes-raucous, always-harmony-centered "Big Yellow Taxi" with Sean Morrissey.
From 2007 to 2009, I fronted the 8-piece funk/rock band, "Electric Mayhem" - winners of "Best Funk Band" in Fairfield Weekly's 2007 & 2008 Grand Band Slams. Mayhem funked out everywhere from Acoustic Café in Bridgeport and The Main Pub in Manchester, to Daniel Street in Milford and Toad's Place in New Haven.
I released my debut solo album, "The Brightness of Orchids" in September of 2009, and released my follow-up single "Sweet Thing" in January of 2011. I'm honored to have been voted "Best Singer/Songwriter" in the New Haven Advocate's 2010 & 2011 Grand Band Slams, and I'm currently working on new songs & hope to get myself back in to the studio soon...
My musical influences are all over the map (thanks to my musical upbringing), and include Annie Lennox, Tori Amos, Alanis Morissette, AeroSmith, Alice in Chains, Simon & Garfunkel, The Eagles, The Doors, Pink Floyd and Queen.
Since 2004, I've taught voice to students of all ability levels at RVP Studios in West Haven. I recently expanded my practice to include songwriting, beginner piano and music theory.
Some of my musical resume is posted below...
TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
RVP Studios, West Haven, CT – Voice & Piano Instructor, 2004-present
DIRECTING:
Wooster Middle School, Stratford, CT – Vocal Director for "Little Shop of Horrors," 2010
Wooster Middle School, Stratford, CT – Vocal Director for “The Music Man," 2009
Stratford Academy, Johnson House, Stratford, CT – Vocal Director for “The Wiz,” 2008
PRODUCER:
Loud & Free, original single, Executive Producer, 2011
Sweet Thing, original single, Executive Producer, 2011
The Brightness of Orchids, original debut solo album, Executive Producer, 2009
Songs for the Cell, CD project with actor Mitch Longley (formerly of NBC’s show, “Las Vegas”), 2007
“Student Variety Shows” at RVP Studios (music school), semi-annual showcases for vocal & piano students, 2004-present
RECORDED:
Original single release: vocals and piano, Loud & Free, White House Productions, Shelton, CT 2011
Backing vocals for Mia Fanali: Let Me Introduce Myself, Real-Time Recording, Milford, CT, 2011
Original single release: Lead & backing vocals, piano, Sweet Thing, White House Productions, Shelton, CT, 2010-2011
Original solo album: Lead & backing vocals & keyboards, The Brightness of Orchids, White House Productions, Shelton, CT, 2008-2009
Original album: Lead & backing vocals, Electric Mayhem, Horizon Studios, West Haven, CT, 2008
Duet: “To Believe” with Solar Steve of the band, INK, home studio, Milford, CT, 2006
Back-up vocals for The Mustangs self-titled CD, Long Hill Studios, Shelton, CT, 2004
Demo: 4 cover songs for acoustic duo, “Essence,” Long Hill Studios, Shelton, CT, 2004
Background vocals for Rose Coppola EP, Long Hill Studios, Shelton, CT, 2003
CURRENT PROJECTS:
"Suzanne Vick" - solo original project, lead vocals and keyboard/piano, 2009-present
PAST PROJECTS:
“Electric Mayhem” – original 8-piece funk/rock band, lead vocals,
2007-2009
"Big Yellow Taxi" - harmony-based acoustic covers, lead and backing vocals and percussion, 2004-2007
"Creepin' Charlie" - original southern-rock style band, backing vocals, 1995-1997
AWARDS:
"Best Singer/Songwriter" - New Haven Advocate's 2011 Grand Band Slam (reader's poll)
"Best Singer/Songwriter" - New Haven Advocate's 2010 Grand Band Slam (reader's poll)
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT :
Classical piano and advanced music theory with Will Duchon (MFA Music Performance), Milford, CT
