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2017 Judges to Be Announced
Meet Our 2015 Judges Below
Pete Strobl:
From the Concentus Musicus in Vienna under Nikolaus Harnoncourt to the concert stage as musical director for Gary Puckett, Pete Strobl has taken advantage of every opportunity to observe real singers dealing with real-world situations.
Los Angeles-based vocal technician and producer, Pete Strobl often draws upon classical influences when working with contemporary artists whether playing bass, arranging, producing or coaching singers in the studio. Pete's extensive understanding of the voice and his blue-collar approach to the development of singing technique is the result of an eclectic and wide-ranging career as a performer, musical director and educator.
Pete left the road to settle in Malibu as resident musician, instrument repair tech and studio manager at the legendary Shangri La Studio which he helped transform into the resonant boutique recording studio which hosted productions by Joe Walsh, Chaka Khan, Tom Jones, Keb' Mo' and Mark Knopfler. It was here that Pete had the opportunity to work with producers like Chuck Ainlay, Lou Adler, John Porter, Ethan Johns, John Hanlon, Val Garay and Ron Hitchcock.
Originally from Salzburg, Austria, Pete headed back to his roots in Europe to produce albums in Salzburg, Vienna and Holland. Pete serves as vocal coach for Wolfgang and Eddie Van Halen in preparation for the album A Different Kind Of Truth and their upcoming 2015 tour.
Pete has given workshops to private groups, public schools and performing arts organizations from Los Angeles to the prestigious Mozarteum in Salzburg. He consults and collaborates with musicians, singers, songwriters and producers from around the world via the internet.
Carla Jamie Perez:
Singer, Voice Actor and Voice Teacher
Carla Jaime Perez is a life-long singer with a professional music career spanning thirty years. She has advanced degrees in both Voice Performance and Theater Arts and is an accomplished, recognized and sought after recitalist, symphony and chamber music soloist and opera singer. She has sung professionally with symphonies, opera companies, in festivals and in recital throughout the U.S., South America, Canada and Europe.
A “singer’s” teacher for over twenty-five years, she makes her home in Pasadena and is the founding director of her own voice studio called ImagineSinging.com. Carla is passionate about singing and “voice lessons” as a metaphor for happy, balanced living. Through her studio programs “Singer’s Edge” and “Singing For Your Life” she not only teaches voice mastery to aspiring career singers but also combines singing with life coaching to assist anyone seeking to expand and enhance their life experience through the freedom of singing. As an active Voice Over talent she also teaches accent reduction and voice production skills through her “Talking for a Living” program. She is continually seeking out original ways to explore and expand her own creativity and that of those she teaches.
She may be reached through her studio website, ImagineSinging.com or by email at ImagineSinging@gmail.com
Susan Larson:
Susan Larson is an accomplished pianist residing in the Los Angeles area. She received her Bachelor of Arts with an emphasis in choral conducting and Master of Arts in piano performance. As a student of Dr. Milton Stern, she developed an expressive and fluid style at the keyboard. Susan has been on the faculty of the renowned Los Angeles County High School for the Arts for over 25 years, teaching music theory, music history, chamber music, as well as coaching solo and duo piano performance. During her time at LACHSA, Susan pioneered the piano department annual Monster Concert, where pianists perform works for four, six, and eight hands. These students have gone on to the premier music conservatories around the world, and many have established themselves as respected performers.
In addition to her work at LACHSA, Susan created a K through 8th grade instrumental and choral music program, and developed children’s music camps serving various communities. She has also directed numerous choirs and vocal ensembles of varying ages. In addition to the classical piano repertoire, Susan plays a variety of musical genres, and is a sought after performer, accompanist, teacher, and music consultant. She has performed in the US and Europe and continues to hold master classes for advanced pianists. Susan maintains a piano studio where she works with promising students, both children and adults, as she enjoys developing talented students into expressive performers.
Teresa Parente:
TERESA PARENTE is an acclaimed singer and an accomplished stage and television actress.
Teresa has sung with composers and artists such as PDQ Bach, Luiz Bonfa, Lukas Foss, Luciano Berio, Charles Strouse, Michael McDonald and Josh Groban. Classically trained, she also sings jazz and The Great American Songbook in concert, with her vocal trio SOS, The Sisters of Swing (“3 great singers with a golden blend…”), and with several fine Los Angeles area choirs, often as featured soloist. She also serves as Music Consultant & Vocal Coach for a local community choir.
She became familiar to Married…With Children fans as hapless TV reporter Miranda Vera Cruz de la Jolla Cardenal, and has guest starred on dozens of television series, including Friends, Café Americain, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Strong Medicine, Numb3rs, and Malcolm & Eddie, played dozens of wildly varied characters as a regular on The Steven Banks Show, and was featured in the feature film S1m0ne. Other recurring Guest Star roles include American Dreams and numerous flashback scenes as Anthony LaPaglia's mother on Without A Trace. Her voice is currently heard on several film scores. Among her animation voices is "Maria Cowess", opera-singing cow" on CatDog. She also sings operatically as SpongeBob on a recent episode of the animated series.
She’s performed on New York and regional stages across the country playing Comedy, Drama, Revues, Opera, Musicals and the Classics, and was a familiar face and voice in scores of TV & Radio commercials.
Teresa currently teaches private Voice and Sightsinging lessons in the foothills area.