Frank began music studies in 1967, graduated from Berklee College of Music
with a Composition Degree in 1980 (Magna Cum Laude),
and studied privately with
Charlie Banacos
for several years, completing Guitar Studies and adding Piano Studies afterward.
He studied Drums with Joe Dorris, a student of Gary Chaffee, and Sax and Voice with
Stan Bialomizy. Stanley F. Bialomizy, a native of Erie, PA,
holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from the Pennsylvania State University,
and a Master's Degree from Teacher's College, Columbia University.
He has been a board member of New York State School Music Association,
and a past president of Nassau Music Educators Association, Long Island, New York.
He has served as a clinician, adjudicator,
and guest conductor for area All-State Jazz Ensembles and All-County Bands.
As a member of many honorary and professional organizations,
including Phi Delta Kappa and the College Band Director's Association,
he is also listed in the International "Who's Who In Music".
Stan is a published arranger and composer with Alfred Music Publishers,
Cherry Lane Music Co., Belwin-Mills Music Publishers and Columbia Pictures Publications.
He also served as an instrumental music editor with Boosey and Hawkes Publishing Company.
He is the composer of the 2005 New York State School Music Association theme song
"A World of Music for All".
After his career as Chairman of Music and Director of Bands at W. Tresper Clarke High School,
East Meadow, NY, and Assistant Professor of Music, Long Island University C.W. Post Center,
he returned to Erie PA as the associate conductor of the Erie Concert Band.
He subsequently joined the staff of radio broadcasters at WQLN-FM
as a jazz radio personality, producing and hosting the program "Jazz Club on the Air".
He maintains a busy schedule in performance on saxophone, clarinet, jazz piano and voice.
Playing credits include the Temptations, Tribute to the Dorsey Brothers and
Benny Goodman Orchestras, and Stan is presently performing with the New York City-based
American Jazz Repertory Orchestra.
More details of Frank's experience in
each area of study are listed
on the
Home Page
in the individual catagories.
Experience
Frank has been teaching since 1974, seeing thousands of students over the years.
He has been teaching online since 2010, using
Skype, FaceTime and Zoom,
at various times over the years
meeting with students in
Argentina, Australia,
England and Ireland.
See what some of them have to say:
Brad Amidon (Guitar, Drums, Composition, Theory)
"Miles Davis called organist Jimmy Smith "the eighth wonder of the world."
Had Mr. Davis met Frank Singer, I'm sure Miles would have made his list "one longer".
Frank Singer is, quite simply, the best it can get.
Encyclopedic knowledge of instrumental techniques and theoretical principles wedded with a common sense approach to applying these principles in real world situations make Frank indispensable for the beginning student as well as more experienced musicians looking to "stretch themselves".
In the short time I studied with him I compiled literally years of practice materials (I'm not through them yet).
Frank will go as slow or as fast as you are able until you feel comfortable with the material you are working on.
Proof of the success of Frank's methods are as close as his
CD's,
posted videos,
and live performances.
Truly phenomenal!!"
Jonathan Beam (Drums, Guitar, Vocals, Piano)
"Frank Singer taught me both drums and guitar. We also did a few vocal and piano lessons when I broke my arm.
Now, having been an active musician for years, I find myself remembering things Frank taught me everytime I perform, record, practice, or write music.
For instance when I record vocals, sitting or standing I am always having a good posture - Frank taught me that a good open posture to sing is always going to help you sing.
Frank also taught me that it didn't matter being the fastest soloist on guitar or drums, (or) meant you were good, especially in context of a band. But rather that knowing your part, slowing down the tempo to ingrain it into your muscle memory, and being on the beat were the best things you can do for your own playing, and in support to your fellow musicians.
Creatively Frank enabled me by saying once, 'There's no wrong note to your song, if it's right to you.' That wasn't to say don't know the key, the chords, the scales, the timing, but don't let those things dictate or write your song, your write your song, and let your voice come through."
Eric Brewer (Drums)
"You were one of my first music teachers and an inspiration in my choosing music as a career.
Although it wasn't even guitar I took from you, I was inspired to learn several instruments from those early lessons,
go on to study music in college and ultimately, wind up as an instructor myself.
To now be able to say that at the age of 23 I get to share the same stage with you is an honor."
Raymond Buyce (Guitar)
"A highly skilled guitar player with his own band, Frank is also highly trained in musical theory – how it all works.
He makes use of his skill and experience to structure the sequence and content of lessons efficiently.
Your assignments will be short and sweet but crucial to your success.
It works!
He has taken on this 80-year-old mediocre guitar player and helped me to boost my skills by several levels in a process that I’ve enjoyed enormously.
Should you choose to come along on the journey to improved guitar playing a lot of effort will be required but Frank’s unfailing faith in you will go a long way toward providing the self-confidence necessary.
I’d say, 'Try it, you’ll like it!'. You might even earn something similar to my wife’s gushing praise: 'Oh Ray, I could even recognize that music you’re playing.'"
David Calabrese (Piano)
"Frank Singer is a highly educated and talented musician.
He tailors his lessons to fit each student according to their personal experience and skill level.
Being proficient on guitar, piano, bass and drums, Frank can not only teach a student to play solo guitar or piano, but can also teach that student how interact with other musicians if his/her goal to is to play in a group situation.
I have been taking advanced jazz piano and theory lessons from him for about a year and a half and he has helped me tremendously in my playing, comping and soloing."
John Fowler (Guitar)
"Where are you at in your understanding of music theory, your current skills
with the guitar, and where do you want to go?
These are some of the areas
of inquiry and assessment that Frank Singer explored with me, a new
student, during that critical first meeting.
And depending upon what I wanted to accomplish, Frank created the music instruction road map that was tailored to what I wanted to see, do, hear and experience.
Sure, behind it all is Frank's vast knowledge of music and methodical teaching approach
that he used to help me develop the necessary tools to make the trip, but I
decided the musical places I wanted to visit and the speed I wanted to
travel.
At all times I felt that the instruction that I received was created just for me.
And when there was something I wasn't clear about, Frank always
took the time to help me connect the dots through his patient explanations,
real world examples, and his personal music experiences."
Joseph Frisina (Guitar, Bass Guitar, Vocals, Composition, Theory)
"Your teaching has brought my understanding of music to a level I never thought I could reach.
Your method of teaching has enabled me to play with professionals.
The songs you teach me always provide real time examples of the exercises we practice.
More than just the method, your patience and inherent understanding of people and their individual needs as a student set you apart from any other teacher I have studied with.
I can’t help but think of all the time you spent slowly working through my phrasing on Charlie Parker’s, “Confirmation”.
Apart from learning how to solo more effectively, one of the most valuable skills I have taken from you is rhythmic comping.
Now when I view a chord chart I see it much differently and many of substituted chords that give that hip jazzy sound I have been searching for all these years just come naturally as if it were no more than a simple bar chord I mastered when I first started playing.
In the nearly five years we have worked together you have taught and are continuing to teach me jazz and effective improvisation.
You have prepared me for solo, duet, trio and combo gigs.
You play with me in my rock band and record on my albums bass, keys and guitar and whatever is necessary to make the song complete.
You have given me invaluable tips on recording, signal purity, processing and production.
You pass on nuggets of wisdom that you have accumulated over a lifetime of remarkable achievement; academic, professional, personal and otherwise.
I am lucky to have the privilege to be your student.
However, I feel even luckier to be your friend.
I feel I have made a lifelong friend in you over the years we have studied.
You found a way to simplify all the complexities and intricacies of music and harmony.
You said: “A player has four choices: go up, go down, stay the same or play nothing”; simple yet profound.
Players learning a complex approach to harmony for the first time tend to second guess themselves as they try new techniques at improvisation.
You taught me the best way to overcome that natural players’ anxiety with the only rule in music: “if it sounds good, its right”.
Thank you for everything."
Louise Garrelts (Guitar, Theory)
"It is such a privilege to be able to study the guitar with an artist of
Frank's caliber. He knows ALL the theory and technique, imparting it with wisdom
and humor. He also relays the "tricks of the trade" garnered from over
thirty years of making a living as a professional jazz musician. He's not just a
music teacher, he's a guru."
Adam Hausman (Saxophone)
"Frank Singer is an excelent teacher.
I learned many useful skills from him and was able to apply it while playing.
The lessons tied together very well, and progressed at the right pace."
Alice Hudder (Saxophone, Composition, Theory)
"Frank is an amazing musician, composer and educator.
His teaching style is very natural and humanistic.
Frank can quickly assess a student’s skill level,
understands your goals and aspirations,
and sets up a path to get help you reach them.
I started playing saxophone later in life
with a goal of playing and improvising jazz.
After 3 years of basic instruction at a music shop,
I was really struggling to learn jazz theory.
Frank quickly and efficiently got me on a path to not only learn theory
but apply it directly to my solos.
As I learned more about jazz saxophone,
Frank inspired me to dig deeper into the music
to fully appreciate the structure and harmony.
His incredible knowledge base of the history of music,
music theory, composition, and musicianship
coupled with his natural story-telling style,
weave together to make lessons enjoyable and memorable."
Matt Hudson (Guitar, Theory)
"Frank singer is one of those rare educators that is effective at all
levels. Beginner students as well as professionals seeking development can
benefit from Singer's instruction to make their lives more musical. Frank's
inter-disciplinary knowledge can often put lessons in a greater context that
inspires the student to imagine the infinitude of music. In other words,
Frank is the type of teacher that creates life long learners of many of his
students. Frank is also unique as a teacher because his performance
experience is so vast! Singer has performed as a guitarist, keyboardist,
saxophonist, and percussionist in genres ranging from jazz to high life and
blue grass to reggae. His rigorous performing schedule gives depth to his
instruction that is truly one of a kind. Frank's
solo jazz guitar CD
is all
the testimonial you should need!"
Jim Lynch (Guitar, Theory)
"I've been a performing guitar instrumentalist for forty some years.
I played everything form Renaissance lute pieces to Joplin rags, Mississippi blues to new age jazz.
I've been working weekly with Frank for about one and a half years now.
I find myself somewhat emarrassed by the fact that I used to describe myself as a "musician".
Frank is a true musician and has guided me to levels of competence that I would not have thought possible before I started working with him.
I can honestly say that there is not a musician out there that could not benefit from spending some time with Frank.
On line or face to face, he will make you a better player.
He's a world class player and a top notch teacher.
You can quote me on that."
Leslie McAlister (Piano)
"Frank prepared me for my first year at Berklee College of Music. I was a classically trained piano player with zero jazz and blues background. Frank took me on and began creating a notebook of reference material that I could use during my journey as an emerging musician and songwriter. The notebook consisted of basic jazz and blues theory, chord progessions, jazz and blues scales, and a basic overview of goods that helped immensely as I began the path to music land. Though I don't play as much as I used to, if any, Frank gave me the confidence needed and the open-mindedness to embrace the fabulous complexity of blues and jazz theory! Loved every minute with Frank. He is a wise man, equipped with the patience and knowledge to help students grow and evolve into the next level of a successful musician."
Mike Monroe (Guitar)
"The few years I spent with you taught me more than I ever expected. It
is not only easier for me to pick up new songs but now I understand the
structure and am able to lay down my own solos.
When you told me at the beginning of it all that it is like feeding
the kitten, you were not lying. I picked up my book a few months ago and
am starting to do it all over again. It is like reading a story for the
second time and now I am finding it easier to express myself through my
guitar.
I am now playing very often and even playing out. Our band "Train wreck",
just 2 guitars, have been busy all last summer with a gig almost every
weekend and a few winter gigs. I am trying to do different things during
solos seeing that my band mate does not do solos. Needless to say the
kitten is getting fat."
Tom Pastore (Drums, Piano, Composition, Theory)
"If you want to learn to play fluently and freely with your instrument,
there is no need to look anywhere else.
You put in the effort over time with Frank as your teacher
and he will have you doing things you thought were impossible
six months from now.
For the more advanced musician,
Frank is your personal musical pain point remover.
He tailors his teaching to the individual
and weaves into his instruction an enormous depth of experience and knowledge.
He adds decades of stage and recording experience
to his mastery of several instruments including
guitar, piano, drums, bass, saxophone, voice and more;
Frank knows his craft.
From beginner to advanced professional,
Frank can and will teach you everything you can absorb.
He has the patience of Job and is a good natured and positive instructor
who really cares about you learning and your growth as a musician.
He is an expert technician and he teaches only proper technique
to maximize efficiency while reducing risk of injury."
Patrick Traphagen (Bass Guitar)
"Frank's enthusiasm for music is contagious! I left every lesson excited to
learn. His breadth and depth of music history, knowledge and theory is
amazing--truly a pleasure to learn from."
Pete Slivinski (Guitar)
"Frank's experience as a working musician and his encyclopedic knowledge of music theory make him a great teacher.
His enthusiasm and high energy style shine through in every lesson."
Tim Wickham (Piano)
"If you want to know about playing jazz, call Frank!"
Frank began performing in clubs in 1974, and has played more than 5,000 gigs
over the years.
Music styles have included:
Folk
Freelance
Country
Freelance
Blues
Freelance
JD Blues (Eastern Great Lakes Region)
Rock
Freelance
Estli Avenue (New Jersey)
Jake and Jean (Boston)
Too Big Power (Eastern Great Lakes Region)
Pop, Motown
Music Machine (Northeast Coastal Region)
Night Shift (Eastern Great Lakes Region
Art Groupies (Eastern Great Lakes Region)
Irish
Widershins (Boston, Northeast Coastal Region)
Classical
Generations String Quartet:
Original Composition with Guitar, 2 Violins and Cello
(Erie, Pennsylvania)
Santorini For Solo Guitar: I, II, III (Studio Recording, Fairview PA)
Freelance (Boston, Northeast Coastal Region,
New York, Eastern Great Lakes Region)
as Solo Jazz Guitarist and as Sideman
Music Machine (Boston)
Cat's A Bear (Boston)
Night Shift (Eastern Great Lakes Region)
Atri Duo (Eastern Great Lakes Region)
JD Jazz (Eastern Great Lakes Region)
3bop (Eastern Great Lakes Region)
Frank Singer Group / FSG (Eastern Great Lakes Region)
Latin, World Beat, HipHop
One World Tribe (Eastern Great Lakes Region)
R&B, Funk
One World Tribe (Eastern Great Lakes Region)
Marrakesh (Eastern Great Lakes Region)
Valerie Horton Brown Project (Eastern Great Lakes Region)
Reggae
One World Tribe (Eastern Great Lakes Region)
Chaka (Erie, PA)
Dub
Hands of Theives (Eastern Great Lakes Region)
Original Music
Player's Lounge (Boston)
Jake and Jean (Northeast Coastal Region)
Cat's A Bear (Boston, Eastern Great Lakes Region)
One World Tribe (Eastern Great Lakes Region)
JD and the Sons of Rhythm (Eastern Great Lakes Region)
Ahimsa Beat (Eastern Great Lakes Region)
Hands of Theives (Eastern Great Lakes Region)
Too Big Power (Eastern Great Lakes Region)
Frank has written music in a multitude of styles, both for professional
purpose (advertising, promotion, on-hold music) and artistic performance.
Music Works have included:
Professional Works and Services
Freelance Services (Boston,
Eastern Great Lakes Region),
for Songwriters,
Advertising and
Private Clients
Musical Coordination Services (MCS, Boston),
for Songwriters,
Advertising,
On-Hold Music,
In-House Company Music,
Private Clients
First Art Records (FAR,
Eastern Great Lakes Region),
for Songwriters,
Advertising and
Private Clients
Commissioned as Composer for
"Soul
Saving: Common Threads of Kindness", a film
by Isaac Dostis and Act1 Presentations.
Composed
Soul Saving
(Solo Clarinet or Guitar/Clarinet Duo)
and
The Mouse And The Lion
(Bassoon, Violin and Guitar)
(2007)
Artistic Works
Principle Composer
for
Cat's A Bear,
an Original Contemporary Jazz Band Since 1982
Commissioned as Composer for Erie, PA Bicentennial (1995) by Gannon University.
Composed
Generations
String Quartet for Two Violins, Violin Cello, and Electric Guitar
Contributing Composer for
Ahimsa Beat
(Original Reggae/Dub/Groove)
(2009)
Frank has an extensive recording background as an artist, producer and
hired hand.
Partial Recording List:
AHIMSA BEAT: Live at Nelson's (Original Jazz, 2009)
Out Of Print
Hired Hand/Guest Performer
Commissioned as Composer for
"Soul
Saving: Common Threads of Kindness", a film
by Isaac Dostis and Act1 Presentations.
Composed
Soul Saving
(Solo Clarinet or Guitar/Clarinet Duo)
and
The Mouse And The Lion
(Bassoon, Violin and Guitar)
(2007)
FAR: 1 Grizzly Cat Studios, Erie PA (2012-2018)
In House Productions of Client Works,
Including:
John Kaliszewski (Mr. Fudgie Fudge, Big Woodies)
MCS: Euphoria Sound Studios, Boston MA (1982-1989)
In House Productions of Client Works,
Including:
Ocean Spray
Direct Tire Sales
Titus Furniture
Jake and Jean
Diana Fischer
Sharon DiFronzo
Bob Shea
Barbara Patterson
Tony Tobio
Bands and Performances
Cat's A Bear
has performed Frank's original music
since 1982, and continues to compose, perform and
record with the latest incarnation of the group.
Frank is a Founding Member of
One
World Tribe, which formed in 1994,
has 3 Albums and continues to
perform and create original music.
Frank is one half of
JD
Jazz and Blues Duo with Vocalist/Harmonica player
Joe Dorris. The duo has released three albums, including their
Holiday contribution, And To All...
which includes the Blues version of Auld Lang Syne.
Frank recorded and performed with
JD
and the Sons of Rhythm,
a Collective Improvisation Ensemble that
released 13 Double CDs (Double Album Length)
over the course of five years.
Frank played Guitar, Guitar Synth,
Keyboards and Bass Guitar throughout the
Album Collection.
Frank was the 'House Musician' at the
Anchor In for several years, presenting
Friday Night Jazz
duos and small ensembles.
Local, regional and national artists performed
with Frank
at the In, including
Richie Cole,
Ernie Krivda,
Claire Daly,
Bruce Johnstone,
B.D. Lenz
and
Tony Grey.
Frank has performed with Stephen Trohoske of
Artlore Studio in a number of bands,
including
3Bop (Trio with Brad Amidon),
Ahimsa Beat (Original Music from Multiple Contributors with Multiple Players),
Hands of Theives (Steve's Originals and Dub with Multiple Players),
Attitude Plus Duo (Jazz and Original Music) and
Art Groupies (Covers and Original Music with Multiple Players).
Awards
Recipient of Richard Levy Award in Recognition of
Outstanding Musicianship for Contemporary Composition (1980)
Greg Abate
Dwight Adams
Les Arbuckle
Jay Ashby
Eddie Baccus Jr.
Stan Bialomizy
Michael Boothman
Joshua Breakstone
Bill Burke
Tony Campbell
Richie Cole
Larry Coryell
Claire Daly
Frank DiBussolo
Dwayne Dolphin
Roby "Super Sax" Edwards
Dominick Farinacci
Jeff Gibbons
Valerie Gillespie
Greg Hatza
Chris Hemmingway
Christian Howes
Carmen Intorre
Bruce Johnstone
Ernie Krivda
Ralph Lalama
B.D. Lenz
Pete Levin
Mike Methany
Tony Monaco
Kim Nazarian
John Novello
Cecil Rucker Jr.
Dave Schiavone
Lou Stellute
Cab Calloway
The Crests
Jackie Eagle
Erie Philharmonic
Eddie Fisher
Deborah Gibson (Grease)
Jake and Jean
The Jokermen
Jack Jones
James Ligons
The Marvelettes
Misery Bay Big Band
Plato's Cave
Arturo Sandoval
Dave Stevens Big Band
Floyd Williams
Vanessa Williams (Miss America Show)
Bryan Alison
Brad Amidon
Fred Ardillo
Dan Babo
Barbara Barrett
Frank Billings
Jon Bowerman
Eric Brewer
Ringo Brill
Valerie Horton Brown
Dave Calabrese
Derrick "D.C." Carson
Mike Chin
Bill Clark
Sean Clemments
Mark Collichia
Elizabeth Crews
Barnetta DeBoe
Steve DeConti
Geri DeMarco
Rick Della Ratta
M'Baye Rama Diagne
Bob Dorris
Joe Dorris
George Fiori
Joe Frisina
Norby Gavin
David Goat
George "Tito Schwartz" Graham
Tony Grey
Ed Hallahan
Brian Hannah
Cheryl Hodge
Russ Hoffman
Kenny "Funky Stroke" Hollis
J.D. Hopkins
Jayson Hopkins
Rickie Hopkins
Lauren Hughes
Duane "Rusty" Jackson
Dave Kent
Tom Kent
Mark Ledford
Kristen Lee
David Lindsey
David Lobenstein
Kennedy "Dynamq" Lorya
Enrique Lozada
Jim Madden
Mark Marchant
Larry Maksin
Jim Merkin
John "D.J. Chilly J." Norton
Mike Ohm
Phil Papotnik
Doug Phillips
Vali Phillips
Robert Poole
Allie "Rabbit" Porter
Marsell "Googie" Porter
Basil Ronzitti
Nick "Tito" Ronzitti
Ceco Selinas
Elise Stefanelli
Tony Stefanelli
Vinny Stefanelli
Baba Raymond Sylla
Kennedy Thompson
Steve Trohoske
Jean Verdecchia
Rita Verdecchia
Erik Walker
Matty Walker
Eric Wills
Ron "Preach Freedom" Williams
Irv Ziskind
Additional Interests and Experience:
Conducting:
"I was fortunate to study Conducting
at Berklee College of Music with
George Monseur
during my tenure there, and considered Conducting as a career
because of those studies."
-
Frank
Studio Production:
Frank Produced Advertising and Songwriting Clients
at Euphoria Sound Studios in Revere, MA in the 1980s,
and is Cat's A Bear's
Recording Producer.
Early Electronic Music:
Frank worked with the ARP 2600 Synthesiser
during his tenure at Berklee College of Music,
and has functional knowledge of Synthesis and
Audio and Control Path Logic.
