You may want to keep an eye on this next ‘Colbie Caillat’
Amanda Jordan knows what she wants to do in life – make music and help others who share the same passion.
That’s a pretty lofty, and highly attainable, goal for the 15-year-old.
Amanda is just one of six local students who earned a $1,500 grant from the Summer Company to help with set-up costs for her new business – Valley Heart Vocal. She is now offering summer singing lessons to children, ages four to 13.
“It’s pretty exciting,” said the articulate teen from the living room of her parents’ home where she has carved out a make-shift studio that overlooks Big Rideau Lake at Rideau Ferry.
“I want to be able to help kids who love to sing… help them to enjoy the experience. It’s nice to watch them grow in what they like to do. It’s good for kids to get into it at a young age,” she said.
She will teach her students about good posture, projection, stage presence, warm-ups, lip rolls, solfege (sight singing), and will sing harmony. She will also help her students if they wish to make a CD – maybe even one that shows the student’s improvement over the course of a period of weeks of taking lessons.
Amanda has been singing since she was six years old and has competed in a variety of musical competitions, including last year’s Rideau Idol which she won. She has made appearances at coffeehouses, and on television, singing for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario during fundraising events. Relay for Life this year was another coup for the talented teen, as she was the opening act.
She attends Canterbury High School in Ottawa – a school that specializes in the arts where prospective students are required to audition for acceptance. She will be entering Grade 10 in the fall.
“It’s a great school… we are taught so much. It’s tough to balance academics and music,” she said. “But I have met a lot of people who like the same things that I do.”
Amanda also takes private music lessons; studies the guitar with Mike McPherson; vocal and piano from Val Levett of Perth and has been mentored by Morna Douglas in vocals and piano as well. She teams up with her twin brother Thomas who plays bass guitar for some performances.
When asked how she battles stage fright, she said she is getting used to it.
“The more I do it, the easier it is. I don’t think about the audience much anymore… I focus on the back wall or something,” she said with a grin. “It’s getting easier.”
With the help of Tim Greencorn and Little Chicago Studios in Montague Township, she has recently cut a track called Don’t Turn Me Away. “I hope to get some air play with that,” she said.
Her style is a little like that of Colbie Caillat, the pop star whose hits include Bubbly and Realize.
“I really like her,” Amanda says, who also has a striking resemblance to the blond-haired, blue-eyed, California singer/songwriter.
Amanda says she is also inspired by the sounds of the Beatles and is tuned into Hot 89.9.
For information or to book a lesson, Amanda is available any time – call her at 613-283-0693. Lessons are $15 for 45 minutes. She will also offer reduced rates for multiple bookings. Amanda also has a Facebook page. Search for Singing Lessons – Valley Heart Vocal – Amanda Jordan, or email her at amandajordan676@gmail.com
SUMMER COMPANY PROGRAM
The Summer Company Program is one offered by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and is aimed at students between 15 and 29, who are returning to school in the fall.
Successful students receive awards up to $1,500 to help with business startup costs and a $1,500 reward in the fall for returning to school in September. They also receive about 12 hours of business training and an opportunity to meet with local community mentoring groups for support and advice on operating their summer businesses. The program is in its 11th year promoting entrepreneurship to young enterprising students. For more information on the Summer Company program, call Cindy James or Shannon Derbyshire at the Lanark-North Leeds Small Business Enterprise Centre at 613-283-7002, ext. 108 or 109; email smallbusiness@LNLEC.ca or visit www.LNLEC.ca or join the Facebook page.
