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BluesEd students had an amazing summer of special Guest Clinicians lined up for them in 2016. Thanks to our generous donors we are able to have several touring professional musicians work with our students. We were delighted to welcome Bruce Katz, Brad Cordle, Heather Newman, Nick Schnebelen and Justin Shelton as guest clinicians. Brad Cordle, Omaha's own "Crown Jewel of Blues," offered our students three vocal clinics where he worked with our students on breath control, stage presence, interacting with the band and audience and learning lyrics. Brad was accompanied by pianist Brian England. Bruce Katz and his bandmates, Chris Vitarello & Ralph Rosen, gave our students an impressive clinic filled with Blues history, Hammond organ tips and tricks, Bruce's experience touring with The Allman Brothers and other musicians, plus his background teaching at Berklee College of Music. Students were treated to a private concert also. Later that evening Bruce and his band let a couple of our BluesEd students sit in on a few songs with the band during his show at The 21st Saloon.  BluesEd alumni. Heather Newman, and Nick Schnebelen, gave our students a clinic before their performance at Playing with Fire. Heather, being an alum, understood what the students wanted to hear as she was in their position not that long ago. Heather & Nick played some then invited students to come up and play with them. Sprinkled in between all the playing was a great deal of wisdom passed down on songwriting, stage presence, the business side of music and much more.  Our final BluesEd guest clinic of 2016 was a harmonica clinic given my Justin Shelton, of Hector Anchondo band. Justin gave an outstanding "harp" clinic for our students (and some siblings and parents joined in too!) on the basics of harp playing all the way up to advanced skills. By the end of the clinic our students were playing full Blues tunes on their harps. It was wonderful to hear!  All of the guest clinician's experience and advice only enhances our students educational training during their time in BluesEd. We are grateful to the guest clinicians for sharing their time, talent and the stage with our students.
Thanks also goes out to The 21st Saloon (96th & L) for hosting several of our clinics this season. There is no better place in Omaha to see live Blues and support live music!
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