Mitch Seekins- Summary Profile


 

Mitch Seekins has been singing professionally for over 24 years, has studied voice intensely for 15 years, and had been teaching students vocal technique for over 16 years.  He has performed Pop, Rock, and R&B coast to coast in Canada and the USA.  In 1996, he was encouraged to make a crossover into Classical music. His credits include lead roles in such opera as Madama Butterfly, La Traviata, Cosi Fan Tutte, The Magic Flute, Gianni Schicchi, The Abduction from the Seraglio, Trail by Jury and The Coronation of Poppea. 

If you would like to hear and/or see Mitch perform, visit any one of his “performance” web sites listed below:

www.legendarytenors.com    www.mitchellvandtheworld.com  
  www.mitchseekins.com  www.bubletobocelli.com  (coming soon)

Having studied voice so extensively and performing in multiple musical genres, Mitch has been able to develop a unique vocal technique (The Mitch Seekins Vocal Technique) that empowers his students with the ability to sing in any musical genre.   Mitch’s vocal technique is very different from “vocal coaching”.  Vocal coaching, which is widely available, guides a student through music and phrasing.  The vocal skills students learn from Mitch are more fundamental and are completely transferable from one vocal style to another.  Essentially, Mitch teaches students “how to sing” and how to sing well!

Mitch has shared his own specialized vocal technique, with the likes of  Margo Timmins of the Cowboy Junkies, and well-known independent artists such as Emm Gryner (who has sung backup vocals for David Bowie), 2 time 2002 Juno award winner Hawksley Workman, Juno award winner Carlos Morgan and many others.

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Mitch Seekins Full Biography

  EDUCATION: Vocal Education has been through private study.

·        Vocal Coaching with Mr. Brahm Goldhammer                                                         1996 to 2000

·        Vocal Instruction with Tenor, Mr. Lenard Whitting                                                   1996 to 1999

·        Vocal Coaching with Ms. Mila Filatova                                                                              1995

·        Vocal Instruction with Mezzo Soprano, Mrs. Susan Gudgeon                                     1993 to 1996

·        Vocal Instruction with Tenor, Mr. Edward Johnson                                                  1985 to 1993

 VOCAL STUDIO EXPERIENCE                                                                    1990 to 2004

·        Launched Mitch Seekins Vocal Studio in Toronto in 1990

·        In 1991, expanded to include Vocal Studios in London and Hamilton and ran successfully to 1996

·        In 1996, closed the London Studio to dedicate extra time to learning Opera Roles

·        In 1998 began to prepare for On-line Vocal School

·        In 2000, closed the Hamilton Studio to focus on growth and expansion of Toronto Studio.

·        In 2002 moved Toronto Studio to Oakville, Ontario

·        In 2003 began establishing On-line Vocal School

TEACHING EXPERIENCE                                                                  1990 to Present

·        Private vocal instructor, experienced teaching in-depth instruction on diaphragmatic breathing, support, projection/resonance, vocal care, microphone technique & execution of language.

·        Experience dealing with a range of students, from ages 10 to 60, from international recording artists, to night club performers, musical theatre performers, actors, corporate executives and people just wanting to learn to sing for fun.

·        Motivated and inspired students interested in pursuing a professional singing career. Students have included: Margo Timmins from Cowboy Junkies; Emm Gryner, solo artist, multiple Juno award nominee and backup vocalist for David Bowie, Hawksley Workman, with Universal Records, two time Juno Award winner in 2003, and Carlos Morgan, Juno Award Winner (Best R&B vocalist) to name a few.

·        Academic appointment at Mohawk College from 1995 to 1997 as a Jazz Vocal Instructor via Continuing Education Dept.

·        Assisted established pop and rock artists dealing with vocal problems, cord damage and the challenges that instrumentalist/vocalists face.

PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE                                                     1981 to Present

• Extensive cross Canada tour 1981 to 1990, featured in nightclubs performing Pop, Rock and R&B and conducting interviews on local television and performing radio simulcasts.  Exclusively performed for Toronto clubs 1990 to 1995 

·        In 1996, made the transition to classical music and performed in various operas and roles:

·        Pinkerton in the 1996 Centuries Opera Summer workshop production of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly

·        Gastone in the J.H.S. Opera Company production of Verdi’s La Traviata

·        Ferrando in Opera Buffa's 1997 summer production of Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte

·        A Companion of Seneca in the Royal Conservatory’s 1998 production of The Coronation of Poppea

·        For Opera Buffa’s 1998 summer workshop series he performed the roles of Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi, The Defendant (Edwin)  in Trail by Jury and Monostatos in The Magic Flute

·        For Opera Anonymous, the role of Padrillo in their fall ’98 production of Mozart’s The Abduction From The Seraglio

·        Sang as the tenor soloist in Gounod’s St. Cecilia Mass (Oct. ’98) with a 60-piece choir

·        Hired by the Trinity Presbyterian Church choir in 1996 as Tenor Soloist performing pieces from the 16 to the 20 century.

·        Organized and currently performs "Romanza ~ A Tribute to Andrea Bocelli" to theatres and audiences within south-western Ontario

·        Co-founder of the performing act "The Legendary Tenors" who have performed across Canada and the USA for clients such as: Francis Ford Copolla at the Niebaum-Copolla Winery in California, The Right Honourable John Turner and The Royal Canadian Yacht Club.

·        Performed as a session vocalist for major label and independent releases and demos

·        Has sung on many television and radio jingles for Canadian and USA clients, ie: London Telecom, Subway Sandwiches, Great West Homes and many others.

·        Developed Mitchell V & the World, one of Canada's premier corporate party bands.  Clients have included, AT&T (President's Club in Cancun Mexico), Mount Sinai Annual Gala with Bill Cosby, Queens Park Canada Day 2001, Bell Canada, Nortel, Rogers Communication, British Airways World Conference, Cadillac Fairview, Ontario Food & Beverage Union, just to name a few.

·        Creator of “Bublé to Bocelli”, a show featuring Mitch Seekins and his 11 piece band.  This show combines two great musical styles - all the old Crooner standards mixed with the Andrea Bocelli hits.  

·        Creator of The Singers Summer Workshop, a summer camp designed to teach students “what it takes” to be a successful vocalist. An intensive 5 day course culminating with each student recording a one song demo in a professional recording studio.

·        Creator of The Power of Voice ™, a workshop geared to corporate clients that allow participants "to build public speaking and self-confidence through vocal/singing workshops”.