Workshops & School Programs
Over the years, Suz has led workshops on singing, songwriting, improvising, playing with Boomwhackers, and other assorted topics. Here’s a list of a few of them.
Singing (and speaking) Without Fear
Adventures in LifeLong Learning, Corvallis, Oregon. Feb 12, 2008. An interactive 2 hour workshop about recognizing and releasing the blocks we hold to expressing our authentic voices, whether in singing or speaking. Suz and participants explored how to PLAY again — using the voice 
without fear or judgment. At the same time, Suz demonstrated top secret performance tips, tricks and techniques to tap into the relaxed, natural voice inside everyone. The workshop ended with participants making up oodles of styles of singing one song (from country to Grand opera), and then Suz demonstrated some of her on-the-spot songwriting. Yahoo!
- photos by Tony Hayden.
Easy Improv for the Classical Teacher
April, 2007 A presentation by Suz for the Oregon Music Teachers Association, Corvallis Chapter. Suz led teachers through specifics of how to teach students to improvise and play by ear right away; how to integrate this information into traditional piano lessons, and how to encourage music play.
Right Brain Fitness
Jean Bonifas, Springboard Speakers Studio. A romp through tapping into one’s inner creativity through movement, storytelling and vocalizing.
Singing Without Terror
Unitarian Universalist Women’s Reatreat. A, fun small group experience with Suz and Vicki Hannah Lein at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship’s Woman’s retreat at Triangle Lake, Oregon. Participants explored basics of music, improvisational play, and how to create song “styles”. At the end, participants co-wrote two fantastic songs celebrating the human spirit!
Live Out Your Piano Dreams
Group Classes through Corvallis Parks & Recreation Department and Gracewinds Music, 2001 to present.
Suz led students through the secrets of how songs are made from just 7 notes of a scale, how chords, harmonies, and styles are also made of the same building blocks, and how students can play songs right away using 3 simple chords.
- photo by Tony Hayden.
Music Sequencing and software for Teens
Students did hands on sequencing and recording projects using digital keyboards and Roland MT200 sequencer and sound modules at Gracewinds Music.
Songwriting workshops
Suz has led numerous sonwriting workshops over the years, at her private music studios, through Gracewinds Music, through the local Olympics of the Mind groups, and through Corvallis Park & Rec and other venues.
CD Recording Project: “Outta Sight”
Oregon State School for the Blind, Relan Colley’s Class. Suz visited the class several times, gave concerts, and coached students in playing and singing songs of their choosing. Then they recorded the songs and created a nifty Compact Disc of their own!
Building Communities Block by Block
Keynote concert and workshop presentation by Suz and 2-6-07 with Vicki Hannah Lein, Salem, Oregon
Keynote Concert & post dinner concert
With Vicki Hannah Lein at Kahneetah Lodge in Easter Oregon, November 2002
CD Recording Project: “Boomwhack Attack!”
Calapooia Middle School, Albany, Oregon, Cindy Miller’s class. Suz visited the classroom several times to teach students the fun-damentals of using Boomwhackers, tuned percussion tubes that are waaaaaayyyyy tubular, man! Students learned to play 8 songs, including one that they composed themselves. Then these were recorded and made into CDs — and every student got to have one. Pretty fun!
Keynote Concert with Vicki Hannah Lein
In Coos Baby, Oregon June 28, 2003
“Building Block to Learning: Developing Capable Children, Supporting professional You”
With Vicki Hannah Lein - Retreat by the Lake June 28-29, 2003 Care Connection, Coos Bay, Oregon
Seaside Oregon Wellness Retreat
A week of fun, healing and misc. Workshops. Suz gave a workshop on “Fun with Boomwhackers,” and, along with Vicki Hannah Lein, led a workshop on “Singing Without Fear.”