Name: Heather Newman
Band: If All Else Fails
Instrument: Vocalist
Years in BluesEd: 2006-2009
Any current music projects:
Currently I'm a Vocalist/Guitarist for the Nick Schnebelen Band. I also do duo acoustic shows with Nick Schnebelen as well as solo acoustic shows around the Kansas City area.
What was your favorite BluesEd moment:
My favorite BluesEd moment would probably be singing with Corky Siegel at the Holland Performing Arts Center. The first time I had that pleasure was 2007 while he was playing with legendary blues drummer Sam Lay. It was a fantastic time being able to connect with them so much so, that the next time Corky was back in town October of 2009, they contacted me about singing again and afterwards surprised me with a birthday cake backstage.
What advice would you give to current BluesEd students:
My advice would be, if music is what you are truly passionate about and it's something you want to pursue as a career, use this program to your advantage. It should teach you to get yourselves to a level of musical maturity not only with your instrument but with your whole demeanor on and off the stage. Make connections with the people you meet, be friendly to the venue owners or sound engineers and make sure that you are appreciative of their hard work as well. Keep those connections strong because when you are wanting to break out and start traveling, those connections can come in handy.
Submitted: 7/2016
Name: Khayman Winfield
Band: When I started in the Youth Artist Development Project, we didn't have a band name, when it became BluesEd and we named the bands, I was in The Blues Wanderers and the other band was The Side Effects.
Instrument: Drums
Years in BluesEd: I started in BluesEd before it was even BluesEd, it was the Youth Artist Development Project (2001) and there was only one band back then. 3 guitarists, me, one singer and the guy who started the program, Doug Baker, played bass. I believe I was 10 when I started and 17 when I left the program.
Any Current Music Projects: Right now, I am in the Hector Anchondo Band touring nationally.
What was your Favorite BluesEd moment: My favorite Blues Ed moment was really a collection of moments. We used to get to open Playing with Fires down on the river and I was lucky enough to get to open and share the same stage as Johnny Winter, Malford Milligan and other incredible musicians. The times we had running around Playing with Fire with members of the different bands and our friends, I will never forget! By far, some of the fondest memories of my childhood!
What advice would you give to current BluesEd students: As far as advice I would give, STICK WITH IT!!! Don't get discouraged because you play a bad show, or have a bad solo. No one plays the perfect show every show, the trick is being able to mess up and roll with it. Mistakes are going to happen, they are inevitable! How you play through it and how you show it are the things that set apart rookies from pros.
Also, don't take your time in BluesEd for granted! Every single musician and person around you, you CAN learn from. The lessons I learned in BluesEd have been INVALUABLE to me in my music career AND in life. Thanks to BluesEd, I had a HUGE jump on people who weren't in the program on understanding how to jam with people, how to play with other musicians, how to be professional on and off stage at shows (because believe it or not, people DO notice how you act off stage), how to play with dynamics and MANY other things. Always think about this, does it make the song better or does it make me sound more impressive? It should ALWAYS be about the song. What can you do to make the song better?
I cannot stress how much my time in BluesEd has helped me further my musical career beyond the program!! Pay attention when you're in workshops, even if the clinician isn't talking to you. You never know what you may be able to learn! But above all else, enjoy every second of it! You will never get this time in your life back. Enjoy every show and every practice! The memories that you're making now will fuel you through any tough times you may have in life or your musical career.
Submitted: May 2016
Band: When I started in the Youth Artist Development Project, we didn't have a band name, when it became BluesEd and we named the bands, I was in The Blues Wanderers and the other band was The Side Effects.
Instrument: Drums
Years in BluesEd: I started in BluesEd before it was even BluesEd, it was the Youth Artist Development Project (2001) and there was only one band back then. 3 guitarists, me, one singer and the guy who started the program, Doug Baker, played bass. I believe I was 10 when I started and 17 when I left the program.
Any Current Music Projects: Right now, I am in the Hector Anchondo Band touring nationally.
What was your Favorite BluesEd moment: My favorite Blues Ed moment was really a collection of moments. We used to get to open Playing with Fires down on the river and I was lucky enough to get to open and share the same stage as Johnny Winter, Malford Milligan and other incredible musicians. The times we had running around Playing with Fire with members of the different bands and our friends, I will never forget! By far, some of the fondest memories of my childhood!
What advice would you give to current BluesEd students: As far as advice I would give, STICK WITH IT!!! Don't get discouraged because you play a bad show, or have a bad solo. No one plays the perfect show every show, the trick is being able to mess up and roll with it. Mistakes are going to happen, they are inevitable! How you play through it and how you show it are the things that set apart rookies from pros.
Also, don't take your time in BluesEd for granted! Every single musician and person around you, you CAN learn from. The lessons I learned in BluesEd have been INVALUABLE to me in my music career AND in life. Thanks to BluesEd, I had a HUGE jump on people who weren't in the program on understanding how to jam with people, how to play with other musicians, how to be professional on and off stage at shows (because believe it or not, people DO notice how you act off stage), how to play with dynamics and MANY other things. Always think about this, does it make the song better or does it make me sound more impressive? It should ALWAYS be about the song. What can you do to make the song better?
I cannot stress how much my time in BluesEd has helped me further my musical career beyond the program!! Pay attention when you're in workshops, even if the clinician isn't talking to you. You never know what you may be able to learn! But above all else, enjoy every second of it! You will never get this time in your life back. Enjoy every show and every practice! The memories that you're making now will fuel you through any tough times you may have in life or your musical career.
Submitted: May 2016
Camie Hemphill was in the BluesEd band, Crimson Dawn, and is also big sister to current BluesEd student, Carmel Hemphill, of Voodoo Vinyl. Camie is currently a student at UNL and still performs on occasion with the local band, Lift Ticket.
"I was a freshman in high school when I first began my relationship with Blues Ed. I was timid and nervous, but certain I wanted to perform. The biggest factor that helped me grow the most in the music, was the courage to let down my walls, risking failure, in the chance I could achieve success. My instrument is my voice. I am a firm believer that there is a tremendous difference between a singer (in my case), and a performer. The audience comes to see a performance. They can listen to a singer on the radio. If they came to your set, they came to be entertained. My biggest piece of advice would be to break out of your comfort zone, and give the audience what they want, a musical performance. Work hard, run with ideas, and accept that not every idea will end in success, but some will. Those creations that work, will be the spice that separates you from every other musician. The audience will feed off the energy of the band. If you're having fun, so will they.
Take advantage of the opportunities BluesEd is providing you. Have fun up there on that stage. These years go by fast, and I guarantee you'll want them back. God gave you this talent for a reason; use it, and give the audience a show."
-Camie Hemphill
Submitted: June 2016
"I was a freshman in high school when I first began my relationship with Blues Ed. I was timid and nervous, but certain I wanted to perform. The biggest factor that helped me grow the most in the music, was the courage to let down my walls, risking failure, in the chance I could achieve success. My instrument is my voice. I am a firm believer that there is a tremendous difference between a singer (in my case), and a performer. The audience comes to see a performance. They can listen to a singer on the radio. If they came to your set, they came to be entertained. My biggest piece of advice would be to break out of your comfort zone, and give the audience what they want, a musical performance. Work hard, run with ideas, and accept that not every idea will end in success, but some will. Those creations that work, will be the spice that separates you from every other musician. The audience will feed off the energy of the band. If you're having fun, so will they.
Take advantage of the opportunities BluesEd is providing you. Have fun up there on that stage. These years go by fast, and I guarantee you'll want them back. God gave you this talent for a reason; use it, and give the audience a show."
-Camie Hemphill
Submitted: June 2016
Ben McLaughlin
Ben is currently attending Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana majoring in Music Industry Studies.
Years in BluesEd: 3
BluesEd band: Dilemma
Instrument: Guitar
Any Current Music Projects: Middle Folk
What was your favorite BluesEd moment: Playing Jazz on the Green
What advice would you give to current BluesEd students:
- Continually reinvent yourself and stay hungry for new music and inspiration, it will keep playing music fresh and fun.
- Be thankful and proud of your accomplishments, but soon after your achievement, refocus and conquer your next goal.
- Understand the power of networking; nurture all relationships, because you never know what might happen simply from knowing the right people.
- Always remember why you started playing music; keep your roots.
Submitted: May 2016
Ben is currently attending Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana majoring in Music Industry Studies.
Years in BluesEd: 3
BluesEd band: Dilemma
Instrument: Guitar
Any Current Music Projects: Middle Folk
What was your favorite BluesEd moment: Playing Jazz on the Green
What advice would you give to current BluesEd students:
- Continually reinvent yourself and stay hungry for new music and inspiration, it will keep playing music fresh and fun.
- Be thankful and proud of your accomplishments, but soon after your achievement, refocus and conquer your next goal.
- Understand the power of networking; nurture all relationships, because you never know what might happen simply from knowing the right people.
- Always remember why you started playing music; keep your roots.
Submitted: May 2016
Name: Ali Fisher
BluesEd Band: Mojo Bag
Instrument: Vocals
Years in BluesEd: 6 years
Current School & Major:DePaul University in Chicago, majoring in Accounting and Spanish
What was your favorite BluesEd moment: Performing in the Youth Showcase at the 2015 International Blues Challenge in Memphis
What was your favorite BluesEd song: The River by Joe Bonamassa
What advice would you give to current BluesEd students: Make an effort to get to know the kids in other bands! They understand you and your love of music...people I met from BluesEd are some of my best friends! We love jamming together and always have a great time.
Submitted: April 2016
BluesEd Band: Mojo Bag
Instrument: Vocals
Years in BluesEd: 6 years
Current School & Major:DePaul University in Chicago, majoring in Accounting and Spanish
What was your favorite BluesEd moment: Performing in the Youth Showcase at the 2015 International Blues Challenge in Memphis
What was your favorite BluesEd song: The River by Joe Bonamassa
What advice would you give to current BluesEd students: Make an effort to get to know the kids in other bands! They understand you and your love of music...people I met from BluesEd are some of my best friends! We love jamming together and always have a great time.
Submitted: April 2016
Josh DeCoster
Running with Scissors 2009, Us & Them 2011 & 2012
Currently attending UNO majoring in Communications (specifically Public Relations and Advertising). After graduating from college, he plans to pursue a career as a professional musician/music producer.
Josh is still heavily involved in music. He serves as drummer for two bands in Omaha (both play professionally in and around the Omaha area: one jazz; one blues/rock). Both bands include current/former BluesEd students. In addition, he has a large following on YouTube, where he has connected with music producers and professional musicians from around the world.
BluesEd has had an impact on Josh's life:
BluesEd taught the fundamentals of playing the drums, how to play/perform with a band, and how to incorporate dynamics in his playing. Also, he learned a great deal from the clinicians and his drum teacher, Carlos Figueroa.
Best memory:
Playing on the stage at Playing with Fire (his first big gig) and all the connections/friendships he made while participating. He wants to emphasize that he is still playing with many of the BluesEd kids. He thinks it's good for current kids to know that BluesEd is a wonderful way to make those important connections with musicians who play at the same level as them.
Submitted May 2014
Running with Scissors 2009, Us & Them 2011 & 2012
Currently attending UNO majoring in Communications (specifically Public Relations and Advertising). After graduating from college, he plans to pursue a career as a professional musician/music producer.
Josh is still heavily involved in music. He serves as drummer for two bands in Omaha (both play professionally in and around the Omaha area: one jazz; one blues/rock). Both bands include current/former BluesEd students. In addition, he has a large following on YouTube, where he has connected with music producers and professional musicians from around the world.
BluesEd has had an impact on Josh's life:
BluesEd taught the fundamentals of playing the drums, how to play/perform with a band, and how to incorporate dynamics in his playing. Also, he learned a great deal from the clinicians and his drum teacher, Carlos Figueroa.
Best memory:
Playing on the stage at Playing with Fire (his first big gig) and all the connections/friendships he made while participating. He wants to emphasize that he is still playing with many of the BluesEd kids. He thinks it's good for current kids to know that BluesEd is a wonderful way to make those important connections with musicians who play at the same level as them.
Submitted May 2014
Anna Kathol
Blues Explosion, Us & Them 2007 to 2011.
Currently: studying Nursing at UNMC. Anna completed two seasons with the UNL Vocal Jazz Ensemble.
Anna is also currently a substitute vocalist for Annette Eckleberry in the "Slim Jim Blues Band"
Favorite memory: Going to movies with her group (The Blues Explosion after performances). Also, performances with the other BluesEd groups present. (Performing for them and listening and seeing their sets.)
Submitted May 2014
Blues Explosion, Us & Them 2007 to 2011.
Currently: studying Nursing at UNMC. Anna completed two seasons with the UNL Vocal Jazz Ensemble.
Anna is also currently a substitute vocalist for Annette Eckleberry in the "Slim Jim Blues Band"
Favorite memory: Going to movies with her group (The Blues Explosion after performances). Also, performances with the other BluesEd groups present. (Performing for them and listening and seeing their sets.)
Submitted May 2014
Connor Meuret
Us & Them 2010, 2011, 2012
Currently attending UNL working toward a double major in Vocal Music and Marketing. She is a member of UNL's show choir, The Big Red Singers and participates in college vocal competitions as well.
Some members of the original Us & Them Band have stayed together and continue to perform professionally around the Omaha and Lincoln under a new band name, Mistaken.
Best Memory/Impact BluesEd has had on Connor's life:
Though Connor has been performing in musicals since age 3, as well as taking voice, piano and guitar lessons and performing in show choirs since middle school - she credits her experience in Blues Ed as the piece that made her a true musician. She'll never forget that first rehearsal when she was asked to sing and she asked for the sheet music in order to do so. They handed her the words on a page and she had to make it her own. The creativity to stylize a song together as a band along with the individual creativity to feel and sing a riff is truly the definition of musicianship.
The Blues Ed Program can be proud of their role in helping to create the next generation of talented musicians and bands that we will all enjoy watching as they continue to grow and perform!
Submitted June 2014
Us & Them 2010, 2011, 2012
Currently attending UNL working toward a double major in Vocal Music and Marketing. She is a member of UNL's show choir, The Big Red Singers and participates in college vocal competitions as well.
Some members of the original Us & Them Band have stayed together and continue to perform professionally around the Omaha and Lincoln under a new band name, Mistaken.
Best Memory/Impact BluesEd has had on Connor's life:
Though Connor has been performing in musicals since age 3, as well as taking voice, piano and guitar lessons and performing in show choirs since middle school - she credits her experience in Blues Ed as the piece that made her a true musician. She'll never forget that first rehearsal when she was asked to sing and she asked for the sheet music in order to do so. They handed her the words on a page and she had to make it her own. The creativity to stylize a song together as a band along with the individual creativity to feel and sing a riff is truly the definition of musicianship.
The Blues Ed Program can be proud of their role in helping to create the next generation of talented musicians and bands that we will all enjoy watching as they continue to grow and perform!
Submitted June 2014
Stanford Swanson
The Wanderers 2005-2007, Depth Perception 2007-2009, including stints with The Blues Explosion, the Operators
Currently: Finishing his final year of college at University of South Dakota majoring in Political Science and International Studies, with which he hopes to put to good use in a completely unrelated field afterwards.
Stanford started as a cello performance major at USD, but switched after one year and did not do much musically for a few years. In early 2013, he was emailed by a stranger from Omaha while in the middle of a 7 month journey to Germany, and was asked to play bass (I guess that's how hard bass players are to come by). Three months later, Stanford got back joined with the group and formed Two Shakes. After nearly a year with the group, Stanford has enjoyed managing, playing, and writing for the group. In addition, he currently plays with his college compadres in the funk and skaw group Old Funk Riot out of Vermillion South Dakota.
Impact of Blues Ed:
Blues Ed was everything for me. My brother Connor played bass in the inaugural year of the program, playing with the high school group as a seventh grader (there was a young and old group then). The next year he picked up the guitar and I picked up his bass and decided to try playing with him and joined the program for fun over the summer. I loved the cello, but pure joy, spontaneity, wealth of improvisation, and freedom of the Blues was something completely new to me. I discovered and cultivated my talent for playing by ear as well as feeling a song, not just reading it. It was vastly different then cello and made me far and away a better and more diverse musician.
One of my favorite memories was in 2009, one of my last years participating in clinics. One of the newer groups (I am sorry I forgot your name!) was playing without their bass player who couldn't make it. I asked if I could sit in and they were very happy to let me play. Once I knew the key, I kept up and had an awesome time without missing to many notes or changes. It's one of the reasons why I love the blues and a testament what the program can give you.
I am ecstatic that BluesEd has not only survived since my time participating, but has thrived going into 2014. I am always proud to say I was a BluesEd Alum and I am looking forward to seeing the current participants and what they do in the future!
The Wanderers 2005-2007, Depth Perception 2007-2009, including stints with The Blues Explosion, the Operators
Currently: Finishing his final year of college at University of South Dakota majoring in Political Science and International Studies, with which he hopes to put to good use in a completely unrelated field afterwards.
Stanford started as a cello performance major at USD, but switched after one year and did not do much musically for a few years. In early 2013, he was emailed by a stranger from Omaha while in the middle of a 7 month journey to Germany, and was asked to play bass (I guess that's how hard bass players are to come by). Three months later, Stanford got back joined with the group and formed Two Shakes. After nearly a year with the group, Stanford has enjoyed managing, playing, and writing for the group. In addition, he currently plays with his college compadres in the funk and skaw group Old Funk Riot out of Vermillion South Dakota.
Impact of Blues Ed:
Blues Ed was everything for me. My brother Connor played bass in the inaugural year of the program, playing with the high school group as a seventh grader (there was a young and old group then). The next year he picked up the guitar and I picked up his bass and decided to try playing with him and joined the program for fun over the summer. I loved the cello, but pure joy, spontaneity, wealth of improvisation, and freedom of the Blues was something completely new to me. I discovered and cultivated my talent for playing by ear as well as feeling a song, not just reading it. It was vastly different then cello and made me far and away a better and more diverse musician.
One of my favorite memories was in 2009, one of my last years participating in clinics. One of the newer groups (I am sorry I forgot your name!) was playing without their bass player who couldn't make it. I asked if I could sit in and they were very happy to let me play. Once I knew the key, I kept up and had an awesome time without missing to many notes or changes. It's one of the reasons why I love the blues and a testament what the program can give you.
I am ecstatic that BluesEd has not only survived since my time participating, but has thrived going into 2014. I am always proud to say I was a BluesEd Alum and I am looking forward to seeing the current participants and what they do in the future!
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