Maryland Community Newspapers Online
Most days, you can find Chris Vadala at the University of Maryland. As the Director of Jazz Studies, he guides young musicians and helps emerging woodwind players learn the finer elements of their instruments.
"I try to share information and experience that will be helpful to younger players," says the Poughkeepsie, N.Y., native. "I think the variety of what I do is very satisfying. Not only do I direct three jazz bands and run the whole jazz program, but I still teach saxophone, flute and clarinet in my studio."
"I still travel a lot," Vadala says. "I basically have a very good balance between my teaching schedule, which I really enjoy, but I have not laid down my instruments."
Vadala doesn't just teach; he also works as a mentor with the Strathmore Artist in Residence program. The brainchild of artistic director Shelley Brown, the institution began in 2005 under the direction of retired elementary vocal music teacher Betty Scott.
Focusing on guidance more than education, the program aims to help musicians make a final push into becoming full-time professionals. Six local performers are divided up among three mentors. Over the course of a few months, they receive help with marketing and publicity. Each artist then gives two public concerts, an educational program and a private recital for Strathmore members and staff. Scott says the goal is to start the lucky few down the right path, not manage their careers.
"We want to do as much as we can, but people have to step up to the plate," she remarks. "They have to accept responsibility for moving things forward as well. That's part of the game."
The program has kick-started the careers of several alums, including harmonica player Fred Yonnet, who recently toured with Prince. He now serves as a mentor.
"It was really cool," Scott says. "I guess it was last spring or so, I got to see Fred on the Jay Leno show playing with Prince."
The season ends with a party and jam session. Originally, only current young artists were honored. Now Scott invites alumni to drop in and share stories. The event often reflects the diversity of the program.
"One of the things I love about it is we intentionally choose different genres," Scott explains. "It's sort of all over the place, but it certainly makes the networking more interesting."
The two artists Vadala is guiding are as different as they are talented. Lena Seikaly is a jazz vocalist and Ari Allal is a classical bassoon player. Both graduated from Maryland, but didn't study directly with Vadala. Seikaly, a 23-year-old from Falls Church, began singing in clubs at age 16. Although she studied opera at Maryland, she kept a foot in the jazz world throughout college.
"It was kind of an interesting dual life I was leading," Seikaly says. "Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, I would perform jazz gigs around D.C. And then I did my classical studies during the day."
Allal switched from saxophone to bassoon in sixth grade and never looked back.
"I've always loved the sound that it makes," the 27-year-old says. "It's such a versatile instrument in terms of the orchestral setting and colors it creates — anything from mellow and sad to silly and aggressive."
Today, he is a music teacher at Bowie High School and conducts private lessons on the side.
"I enjoy teaching my private bassoon students very much," Allal says. "I do hour-long lessons and the time just flies by."
Both Allal and Seikaly want to learn the ins and outs of promoting themselves through the Artist in Residence program. Not only do they both get the opportunity to perform for important people in the classical and jazz worlds, but also they learn how to reach out to the press.
"I'm really encouraged to learn how to publicize myself," Allal says. "They taught us in a seminar how to contact The Gazette, Bethesda Magazine and The [Washington] Post."
Seikaly has high ambitions. She released an album, "Written in the Stars," in February, and wants to become a full-blown touring songstress within the next year. She is already travelling to New York a couple of times a month.
"Since I didn't get a degree in jazz, I never really had a mentor or some sort of jazz teacher," she notes. "So, I hope Chris Vadala can kind of embody that for me."
As part of the program, mentors are required to perform a public concert. Next Wednesday, Vadala will exhibit his love for two styles of music on various saxophones and the flute. The first half will focus on classical pieces including Paul Pierne's "Le Vol de la Mouche." His wife Kathleen will accompany him on piano.
"We don't get the chance to work together very often," Vadala says. "She runs in one circle, and I run in another. It's the first time we've actually gotten to play together in quite some time. It's a nice collaboration."
Vadala will join guitarist Rick Whitehead and bassist John Preziti for a few jazz numbers. The concert is just one piece in a program that may make Allal or Seikaly into marquee names. He doesn't view the show as a contractual obligation.
"It's one of the perks," Vadala says. "They want to hear each one of us [mentors] perform not only for the people we're working with, but certainly the community."
Chris Vadala performs next Wednesday, Dec. 2, at the Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda. The concert begins at 7: 30 p.m. Tickets are $17. Call 301-581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.
