Grace Testani Music CV

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Music educator for over 20 years
Professional musician (voice) performing with top musicians at venues such as Birdland, Blue Note, Village Gate
Co-writer with Chick Corea and Kenny Barron
Accomplished arranger, composer, and keyboardist
Experienced Instructional Designer in classroom, online and blended learning
Founder or co-founder of five (5) arts organizations and four (4) technology learning centers
Author (publisher: Ziff-Davis)
Grant Recipient: New York University Coordinating Council for Music 2008-2009
Advanced level computer, applications, and networking knowledge and a pioneer in Distance Learning

MUSIC TEACHING EXPERIENCE

New York University - Adjunct Faculty, SCPS, Humanities (2004 – present)
Vocal Jazz Workshops
Grace Notes Enterprises aka Grace Notes Music™ - Owner/Director (1983 – present)
The Singers Center™ - Sing Jazz & More...
Vocal Technique, Theory, Sight-Singing, Piano, Jazz Improvisation, Music Business, Coaching & Performance Technique -- workshops, clinics, online classes and individual instruction (www.singerscenter.com)
New York Public Library – various branches – Guest Artist (2008 – present)
Performance workshops for special Teens Sing Out, with Grace Testani program
The Collective/SOJ Jazz Music Center – Faculty, Instrumental Jazz Studies Program (1980 – 1995)
Taught Instrumental Jazz Ensembles (all instruments) in jazz improvisation and playing in an ensemble, All levels of Sight-reading, Ear-training, Theory and Musicianship Classes (all instruments, all levels), Individual Instruction on piano
SOJ Jazz Music Center – Coordinator & Primary Faculty, Vocal Jazz Studies Program (1985 – 1995)
Developed & implemented curriculum, Supervised & trained other vocal teachers; Instructed in all areas/all levels of vocal technique, performance, recording skills, sight‑reading, ensembles, arranging, coaching & general musicianship such as Vocal Jazz Workshops, Vocal Scat, Vocal Jazz Ensembles, Vocal Contemporary Styles Performance Workshops, Individual Coaching and Technique Instruction
NYC Women’s Jazz Festival – Co-Leader, Vocal Jazz Clinic (1983)
with Sheila Jordon, Jay Clayton & Janet Lawson
Reno International Jazz Festival (NV) – Adjudicator, Vocal Jazz Competitions (1988)
National College and High School Vocal Jazz Ensemble and Vocal Jazz Chorus Competitions
New School for Social Research (Guitar Study Center) – Faculty (1982 – 1985)
Vocal Technique and Performance Classes, Theory Classes, Piano Classes
New York University – Tutor, Gallatin Division (1990 – 1994)
Individual Piano Instruction, Technique and Theory; Individual Vocal Technique, Vocal Improvisation
Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.) – Mentor (1994 – 1996)
Mentor and advisor to Singer/Songwriter
Empire State College – Tutor (1983 1986)
Individual Vocal Technique
Hebrew Arts School (Abraham Goodman Center) – Faculty (1982 – 1986)
Vocal Technique, Performance and Improvisation Classes

PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE / ARRANGING / COMPOSING HIGHLIGHTS
(Partial Listing)

Professional performer, arranger, composer, keyboardist, and recording artist
Co-writer with Chick Corea (Watching the Wind, ASCAP) (1997)
Co-writer with Kenny Barron (Morning Sunshower, BMI) (1997)
Current CD, Something's Coming, continues to receiving airplay in Europe and the US (See Review sheet)
Performs with the best jazz musicians in various clubs, concerts, festivals, videos/TV/Film, musical theatre, club dates, and studio work
Opened twice for world renown saxophonist, Sonny Fortune
Entire ½ radio show in Buenos Aires (2007) dedicated to Grace’s music
Entire ½ radio show in Denmark (1999) dedicated to Grace’s music
Entire ½ radio show on WBAI, NYC (1991) dedicated to Grace’s music
On-Air radio interview from the Masie Center: Jazz Music and the Learning Environment (1996)
On-air interview with Canadian Jazz radio station planned for early 2007
Next planned recording (Spring 2010): This is for Albert (and Wayne) featuring music of Wayne Shorter, lyrics by Grace Testani
Castillo Cultural Center – Choral Conductor, Musical productions consultant (1997)
Arrangements and/or Compositions for (various dates):
  New Alliance Chorus (also conducted) ‑ Columbia University, Macmillan Hall, NYC
   Dale Gordon’s Inner Beats - recording session, NYC; New Music Cafe, NYC
   Vocal Jazz, Inc. (vocal group) NYC
   Cathy Rose Salit Band ‑ Village Gate, NYC
   Castillo Chorus (also conducted) – NYC
   Instrumental & Vocal Jazz Ensemble Classes - SOJ/The Collective & Grace Notes
   Octet arrangements - Various groups

OTHER APPEARANCES:

Theatre:	*Lady Liberty on the Rocks* (Comedy Show featuring Emmy Gay) Synthesizer accompaniment & vocals)	Harvard University, Penn State; Castillo Cultural Center - extended run, Upstate NY Colleges, Various Prisons, 1991; Pratt University, Collective Unconscious, NYC, 1994
	Off-Broadway productions	Co-Founder: Castillo Cultural Center; Various musicals
	Off-Off Broadway productions	Cinderella; Prospero (Musical Group), others
	Regional Theatre productions	Co-Founder: Capital Rep Theatre, Albany, NY; Various plays as part of the theatre company; Weekly Piano Bar at Hotel
Film:	Godfather II	Extra
Video/TV:	Japanese Television	Sang on TV documentary of Teramasa Hino (trumpeter)
	NYC	MSNCB national TV show, Morning Blend
	NYC	Live at Birdland Video; Live at Tavern on The Green Video
Recording:	As leader As side person	*Something’s Coming* 1997 Dale Gordon’s Inner Beats, 1993; Various Studio Sessions, 1989-91 New Age Recording 2009

FOUNDER - ARTS ORGANIZATIONS

The Singers Center (NYC) - Founder, Owner & Director (2005 – present)
Run all aspects of day-to-day operations of this educational, performance & recording center including curriculum development of classroom & online courses, advertising & marketing, accounting, student outreach as well as teaching and recruiting faculty
Grace Notes Enterprise aka Grace Notes Music (NYC) - Founder & Owner (1988 – present)
Run all aspects of day-to-day operations of this music production company and record label including advertising & marketing, promotions, accounting, audience building, etc.
Castillo Cultural Center (NYC) - Co-Founder and Director of Music Department (1983–91)
Produced all Music Events as well as oversee musical involvement in all productions
- Secured in-kind contributions of Steinway Grand Piano, Yamaha Electric Piano, PA system, microphones, guitar & bass amplifiers
- Produced Jazz, Gospel, R&B, New Music, Avant-garde, Caribbean, Irish, African, Blues & Latin Concerts.
- Produced Join the Jam at Mikell’s featuring Slide Hampton, Jerry Jammot and many others.
- Co-Produced Sonny Fortune in Concert at Castillo Center
- Co-Produced Jam for Our Youth to raise money for summer jobs for Inner City Youth.
- Music Consultant for Our Young Black Men Are Dying and No One Seems to Care, Malcolm and Billie, On The Street
New Alliance Productions (NYC) - Assistant Producer & Line Producer (1984 – 1988)
Assistant Producer & Co-Founder - MUSICRUISE & All Stars Talent Show Network
- Assisted in conceptualization of products MUSICRUISE & National All Stars Talent Show Network
Line Producer ‑ MUSICRUISE ‑ NYC Summer Music concert series
- Responsible for actualizing all aspects of the production of concert series
Assistant Producer ‑ National All Stars Talent Show Network - Regional shows culminating in annual All Stars Finals at Town Hall in NYC
- Responsible for actualizing all aspects of production of All Stars shows
Capital Repertory Theatre (Albany, NY) - Co-Founder and Director of Fundraising & Long Range Planning, Actress & Singer (1976 – 77)
- Secured Grant from the Whitney Foundation
- Responsible for bookkeeping, fundraising parties; assisted in theatrical productions (lighting, sets, makeup)
- Co-produced & performed in Sonora Creative Music Festival, featuring Philip Glass and John Cage.

ADDITIONAL ARTS ORGANIZATION ADMINISTRATION

New York University - Lyris Forum Administrator, Gallatin-Educators (2004 – present
Serve as List Administrator and Manager for this NYU forum
SOJ Jazz Music Center – Assistant Director (1977 – 1985)
Managed all aspects of the business including bookkeeping, enrollment, student intake interviews, studio rental bookings and payment.

TECHNOLOGY BACKGROUND
For more information, please visit: www.creativecomputingcentr.com/bio/who_gt.html - technology CV provided upon request

Creative Computing Center, Inc. (NYC) – President and CEO (1988 – present)
Run all aspects of day-to-day operations of this technology training & consulting firm which has trained over 41,800 corporate and government clients and logged in over 14,700 classroom training hours.

Built Four (4) Technology Training Centers (in addition to Creative Computing Center)
Advanced level experience in computer applications, hardware and networking

DEGREES & EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Double Bachelor of Arts - Psychology & Philosophy New York University
Professional Certificate - Organizational & Executive Coaching New York University

Musical Studies	Nancy Evers (1983 to present, intermittent); Jutta Rose (1973‑1977) – Voice SOJ Jazz Music Center ‑ Jazz Improvisation, piano, composition, arranging, sight-singing ear training, musicianship, sight reading (instrumental), drums, bass (1977 - 1980); John Castellano: Composition, arranging & musicianship (1979‑1980)
Theatrical Studies	H.B. Studios; George Morrison Studios
CITATIONS	Numerous newspaper and magazine articles/reviews including *JazzTimes, JazzImprov, New York Post, Daily News, Jazz World Index, All Music Guide, LA Jazz Scene, 4-Star Pick* in *All Music Guide; Mentioned in the book Louis' Children* about Jazz Singers; Included in photography exhibit of Jazz Singers with photos of Sarah Vaughn, Betty Carter, Carmen McRae, and others held in New York City
PUBLICATIONS	Author, *Building Your First Web Site with HTM*, Ziff-Davis, publisher (ISBN 0-73722-865-2) (1998) - required textbook for online class (Element K, formerly ZDU)
AFFILIATIONS	BMI; International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE), International Coach Federation (ICF)