Summer Jam West returns to inspire aspiring entertainers
Instead of leaving Utah on a quest for fame, local musicians will have the chance to gain information about how to further their careers at a three-day seminar right here in South Jordan. .
Summer Jam West is scheduled for Thursday, Aug.12 through Saturday, Aug.14 at Bingham High School, 2160 West 10400 South. The event will be 9 a.m. through 6 p.m. with a closing concert afterwards on Saturday evening.
The seminar will include many different workshops, taught by professionals, aimed at providing the tools necessary to make it in the industry today.
"The workshops are to help anybody who comes, ages 14 and up suggested, trying to help them focus on how to further pump up their careers," said Barbara "Bobbi" Hansen, Summer Jam West founder. "We focus on all areas of music from management to performing. In today's world, if you don't have this information, you won't be able to do a lot."
Some of the areas of focus are: how to prepare for a Broadway audition, how to get your mega fan base, contacts for the entertainer, and learning the ins and outs of guitar.
Hansen and her husband Barry of South Jordan have a lot of experience in the music industry including touring as the opening act for KC and the Sunshine Band and taking their music and performing act around the country for close to 30 years.
Throughout their careers, they have built up contacts with professionals who they have invited to the seminar to teach the workshops and even offer one-on-one advice.
Some of the experts attending include Dean Kaelin, a Utah vocal coach who has worked with stars including David Archuleta, Recording Academy member Claytoven Richardson and Larry Batiste, the director of the Grammys pre-telecast.
"The experts are not getting paid, we are only covering their expenses," Hansen said. "They are so impressed with the talent in Utah. Parents pay so much for their child's talents and then as their children get older and out of high school, they quit. These classes show them where to go from there. They give you the next step. You don't need to go to New York or Los Angeles; we've got it in our own backyard."
The cost for the three-day seminar is $55 to pre-register at www.summerjamwest.com and $75 at the door. "This is just a fraction of what a lot of workshops cost," Hansen said.Summer Jam West 2010 sponsors include South Jordan City, The Valley Journals, and Daisy Rock guitars. There will also be drawings for prizes.
At last year's event, musician Dan Petersen won a trip to the Grammys. He and his twin brother, David, are a local duo in a band called Half Cowboy.
"Last year gave me a really good perspective on taking my career forward," Petersen said. "It gave me so much information on what the current industry is like. David was out of state last year and we will be attending together this year."
