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:
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.
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”.
