LINK: Carly Rose Sonenclar - Stole My Heart Carly Rose Sonenclar , now age 23, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. In December 2012, she became the runner-up on the second season of the U.S.version of The X Factor. Carly started singing at the age of two. Carly made her Broadway debut at the age of seven in Les Miserables as Young Cosette (singing “Castle on a Cloud”).  She made her television debut as Gilda Flip in Season three of The Electric Company.  Screen cr

A young child says to his mother, “Mom, when I grow up I’d like to be a musician.” She replies, “Well honey, you know you can’t do both.”...

Think singing lessons are only for the young or those who have dreams of stardom? Think again! Our wonderful vocal students at The Music...

Those of us at The Music Junction believe talent is everywhere and inside all of us. You do not have to be born with musical ability to be a great singer nor do you have to be rich to create beautiful music.   We came across an NPR story that is a wonderful reminder about talent. Also, you’ll quickly become enchanted with this music!   The Malawi Mouse Boys spend several hours every Sunday singing for their church. The rest of the week, they hunt mice to sell as snacks to t

Kurt Elling is my (Charissa’s) favorite jazz vocalist of all time (sorry Ella).  I first saw him live 7 years ago at the Green Mill Jazz Club in Chicago, where he got his start.  He performed in LA in 2012 and gave one of the best performances I’ve ever seen, with a small 3-piece ensemble of high-end musicians who were so tight and advanced that it felt like a whole new level of music. Miamiartzine.com has a great description of his voice.  “Elling has a weapon in his throa

Some people start their day with a cup of coffee while others read the newspaper. Still more, check their social media accounts. Do you...

Here’s a clip of American Idol runner up Melinda Doolittle singing “ My Funny Valentine ”. She is one of the most exceptional talents the show has ever seen. This year 2016 marks the final year of American Idol after a 15 season run. Cheers to the show that made us all think we could be stars and cheers to all the lovers out there this Valentine’s Day.  Interested in lessons?   Learn more!   | Questions?   Contact us Music Junction offers private one-on-one music lessons with

The New York Times reports on a study showing that children who took music lessons at a young age had advanced development in their...

We already know how much listening to music can benefit Alzheimer’s patients thanks to the documentary “Alive Inside.” Now, new research...

Every year the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in West Hollywood presents over one hundred concerts featuring leading...

Alive Inside is a documentary that follows social worker Dan Cohen as he creates personalized iPod playlists for people in elder care facilities, hoping to reconnect them with the music they love.  Despondent patients come back to life after listening to familiar songs that they connect with.  Long lost past memories come back to them.  Their mood is lifted and they become more conversational.  In this clip one of the patients receiving the music therapy, Henry, is asked “Wha

Across religions and countries, chanting has often been used to create spiritual and meditative results for the listeners.  This is another way music has been utilized to create positive effects on our human emotions – in this case to calm the mind and encourage introspection. Catholic monks created the “ Gregorian” chant. “The Gregorian chant originated as a form of plainsong in the Roman Catholic church under the auspices of Pope Gregory the Great. Gregory is depicted in e

Japanese school teacher Junji Koyama has become world-famous for making musical instruments out of fruits and vegetables and posting YouTube performances of his work.  Junji has performed on every kind of fruit or vegetable you can think of – apples, pineapples, strawberries, limes, cactus, carrots, radishes, broccoli, cucumbers – a full orchestra of edible instruments. Originally, Junji’s work was exclusive to vegetables, until the world’s largest self-serve frozen yogurt br

4-year-old Kai gives a riveting performance of Bruno Mars’ “Grenade” on his youtube video sensation, and then again in front of a live audience on this Ellen show.  This boy has an impressive handle on language and expressiveness for his age.  These are some of the skills young people can build in singing lessons, along with intonation, breath control, tone, and broadening the range.  But besides developing a pretty-sounding voice, voice lessons are a great way to help child

“ The Most Unwanted Song ” is a song created by artists Komar and Melamid and composer Dave Soldier in 1997. The song was designed to incorporate lyrical and musical elements that were annoying to most people. These elements included bagpipes, cowboy music, an opera singer rapping, and a children’s choir that urged listeners to go shopping at Wal-Mart. Komar & Melamid and David Soldier‘s list of undesirable elements included holiday music, bagpipes, pipe organ, a children’s c

We know that a lack of exercise can weaken leg, arm and back muscles and affect an athlete’s performance. Now science has shown any...

Jackie Silberg is an Early Childhood Specialist.  Her expertise is in brain and literacy development for young children and developmental...

With the way that schools in California (and other states) have been gutting/removing their music programs, you would think that people...

When Frozen was dubbed into 41 languages, it meant that 41 singers had to be selected for the popular favorite “ Let it Go .”  Hear 25 of the vocalists in 25 different languages.  It is really amazing to listen to one take of the song, with 25 different voices & languages all patched together.  Even though these are 25 vocalists, their voices meld into one. According to the Hollywood Reporter, “ Let it Go ” composer Robert Lopez is grateful that the animated hit’s 41 foreign-

A lot of folks believe that if they sing out of tune it can never be corrected – they either “have it” or they don’t.  This is simply not...