Mini Vocal Masterclass For The American Idol Season 10 Top 12 Female Vocalists

March 2, 2011 by Masterclass Lady 2 Comments


Good evening all! I managed to watch the female singers tonight. It was a long day of travel by car, so I am keeping the comments short and, hopefully, they will be coherent.

1. Ta-Tynisa Wilson – “Only Girl (In The World)” by Rihanna

Ta-Tynisa Wilson – great foot work and lovely stage presence. But, you must have been nervous and over- pumped because you did encounter major pitch issues.

Be very diligent when adding your stage movements. Make certain that your voice is technically secure and that your stage movements compliment rather than detract from the overall performance.

Good effort, nonetheless!

2. Naima Adedapo – “Summertime”

Naima – I really loved this free and bluesy version of Summertime. You looked and sounded gorgeous.

However, your adaptation of this song was not true to the original context in which the song is customarily performed. It is supposed to be a heartwarming lullaby and this was a swingin’ upbeat fun adaptation that didn’t sit right with me.

But, stylistically, you are certainly one to watch.

3. Kendra Chantelle – “Impossible” by Christina Aguilera

Kendra – I was not too crazy about your song choice, but you performed the song very well. You are a great performer but, quite honestly, this song did not do you any favors. I was left wanting more.

You appear to be a passionate and committed young artist but you must learn to delve deeper when selecting your repertoire.

4. Rachel Zevita – “Criminal” by Fiona Apple

Rachel – I loved this sultry performance. And you had the courage to move off stage and toward the judges.

However, you did encounter some pitch problems on your journey which means that you must work on maintaining a cohesive balance between the vocals and the choreography.

5. Karen Rodriguez – “Hero” by Mariah Carey (sung half in Spanish)

Karen – I loved your bilingual version of this song. You sang this song so beautifully. I never tire of this song. The lyrics are so inspiring.

I loved the gentle way you navigated your head voice. It was clairvoyant and absolutely perfect.

Brava Karen. You adapted this song to suit YOU and all singers should take a page from your artistic book and follow suit.

6. Lauren Turner sings “Seven Day Fool” by Etta James (Jully Black’s version)

Lauren – I love this song like crazy. You gave a passionate, energetic performance but, vocally, your voice sounded very forced. I am so accustomed to the rich, free timbre of Jully Black. You have a great voice, but you need to work on projecting your vocal sound from the diaphragm and with a relaxed open throat.

7. Ashthon Jones – “Love Over Me” by Monica

Ashthon – you gave a wonderful performance of this song and matched this vocal performance with incredible stage presence.

However, I would like to caution you to deliver your power vocals from the diaphragm. Don’t push from the throat and eliminate that horizontal mouth position when sustaining your vowels in order to create a richer, freer vocal sound.

Overall, though, this was a confident showcase. Excellent.

8. Julie Zorrilla – “Breakaway” by Kelly Clarkson

Julie – you selected a very challenging and iconic song.

It is one if Kelly Clarkson’s biggest songs, so you had big shoes to fill.

And you know what? You did personalize the song and I appreciated this very much.

However, you did encounter some pitch issues and that muddied the waters a bit.

Also, I found the key really, really low and, because of this, the song had less impact and drive. Be very careful with your key selections. Even a half tone higher would have made a positive difference in your performance.

9. Haley Reinhart – “Fallin” by Alicia Keyes

Haley – this was a great performance. I loved the mix of rustic and pure vocals. Stylistically, you nailed it, m’lady.

However, you are going to have to watch to not overdo the stage mannerisms. Sometimes, it seemed to be a distraction to the performance and not entirely genuine.

10. Thia Megia – “Out Here On My Own” from Fame

Thia – I love your voice like apple pie. And that a cappella beginning was beyond gorgeous. And then the whole song took flight. This was just a beautiful, tender performance. Brava Thia!

11. Lauren Alaina – “Turn on the Radio” by Reba McEntire

Lauren – this was a tremendous, crazy performance. Your power vocals were seamless and true.

Your stage movements were well rehearsed and, yet, appeared relaxed. The whole performance looked and sounded effortless. Great work!

12. Pia Toscano – “I’ll Stand By You” by The Pretenders

Pia – I loved your song choice and you performed it so very well. What an exquisite, perfect ending to the Top 12 show. And a standing “O” ? Wow wow wow. You are an amazing vocalist and I cannot wait to hear everything that you are most capable of achieving.

Phenomenal work, Pia! Phe.no.me.nal.

American Idol, American Idol Season 10, Entertainment, Music, Television, Vocal Masterclass Articles
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About Masterclass Lady

Rosanne (Giallonardo) Simunovic began her musical career in Timmins, Ontario. She studied piano with Anne Pizzale and later, at an advanced level, with Soeur Anita Vaugeois (Sister Cecile of Les Soeurs De L’Assomption in Timmins). Her vocal and accompaniment skills were nurtured by her aunt, the late Dorothea Mascioli. When Rosanne graduated from O’Gorman High School, she moved on to the University of Toronto where she continued her piano and vocal studies while attaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree. She was hired as a piano accompanist for several musical companies, most notably, the National Ballet Of Canada. She presently holds an A.R.C.T. Teacher’s Diploma in Voice from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Rosanne has studied choral conducting with numerous well known Canadian Conductors, including Wayne Riddell of Montreal, Quebec and the internationally renowned Dr. Elmer Iseler. She has been a founding member of numerous community-based arts organizations: the Timmins Arts Council, later known as Arts & Culture Timmins, the Timmins Symphony Orchestra, and, the Timmins Youth Singers…as well as the TYS Alumnus choir, the Timmins Concert Singers. In 1987, she was also selected to be the conductor of the Timmins Board Of Education Choir, comprised of talented students from Grades 5 to 8. In 1988, she was elected to the Board Of Directors of the Ontario Choral Federation (now known as Choirs Ontario), where she served as Chair of the Festivals Committee for six consecutive seasons. In 1996, in honour of the Ontario Choral Federation’s 25th Anniversary, Rosanne was selected as one of 25 recipients of the OCF’s Distinguished Service Award for outstanding contribution to the choral art. The ceremony was presided by Lieutenant Governor, Hal Jackman. In November 1997, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Rotary Club Of Timmins to receive the prestigious Paul Harris Award for her years of dedication to the artistic development of young musical talent in Timmins. In August of 2002, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Board Of Directors of Choirs Ontario to serve as Conductor of both the Provincial Junior and Teen Choir Camps, now renamed in honour of the Camp Benefactors, Don and Lillian Wright. In November 2002, Rosanne was the one of the recipients of the Commemorative Medal for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, honouring her work in the development of the arts in Timmins. Under Rosanne Simunovic’s direction, the Timmins Youth Singers and the Timmins Concert Singers have been featured in numerous choral festivals and performing opportunities outside of Timmins. In 1985, they were selected to partici
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2 Responses to “Mini Vocal Masterclass For The American Idol Season 10 Top 12 Female Vocalists”

  1. Unknown's avatar
    Grammie Kari March 3, 2011 at 6:20 pm

    MCL, I just wanted to run over here and read what you had to say about the girls! I really loved Karen’s interpretation both in Spanish and English. She is getting some harsh comments about singing in Spanish. I think some people were upset that her Mother was waving a Mexico flag.

    I am in agreement with your opinions. The thing about Pia is that she is perfect. So, how does she improve? Isn’t that the great part of watching this show? I love to see growth in a contestant. Perhaps, she can touch our hearts and connect better with the audience? I would love to see Naima Adedapo on the tour. I think she would be a good draw and I am anxious to see what she will wear each week. I did like her “Summer Time.”

    There are so many good performances. I have no idea how this will go. Obviously, TPTB want Pia and Lauren A. to be in this. The Wild Card round next week WILL be interesting! Thank you for your comments.

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  2. Unknown's avatar
    Care March 3, 2011 at 9:30 pm

    I enjoyed the girls show so much more than the guys! I had high hopes for Rachel Zevita but am so sad that she projects such an angry look – she never smiles. I didn’t recognize the song she sang until half way through it.

    My favorites were both Laurens, Thia, Pia, Karen and Haley. Haley is one of those people that continues to surprise and fascinate.

    Casey is my favorite of the guys.

    Like