You have talent and desire. You can sing or play an instrument--or both! Maybe you dream of being a celebrity. Could you take a stage and hold the audience's attention for 30 minutes? Could you learn to command audience response? How do you take the next step in a supportive, safe environment?

South Bay Kids is now accepting new members for the new season. We are looking for vocalists, guitarists, bass players, keyboard players and brass/woodwind players for both the Variety Show Singers and the Studio Band Project. Prior stage or performing experience is not required.

Ages accepted are 9 to 18.

You do not need to be a student at South Bay School of Music Arts (SBSMA) to be a part of South Bay Kids, however SBSMA students get priority. For more information please email South Bay Kids Director Joe Santoro or call 408-957-0427

South Bay Kids perform all over California. We perform at several county fairs each summer, including Alameda, Monterey, San Mateo, Solano, Ventura and Orange. We also perform at the State Fair in Sacramento. In between the Fair shows, we perform at several Church, School and City Festivals including the Dragon Boat Festival in Oakland and our own Milpitas Art and Wine Festival. Our vocal troupe also does a series of special Holiday Shows between the Thanksgiving Day weekend and Christmas. This summer our touring show is booked to play Disneyland and Ventura County Fair in late July.

There are two main sections of South Bay Kids. The first one is for vocalists. The main performing troupe is called the Variety Show Singers. The singers learn several different styles of music and perform using background tracks. Stage presence, as well as microphone technique, is taught, so prior performance experience is not required.

There is a training class that all new singers must attend before being placed in the main troupe. The class is called VS2. In VS2 each singer will be evaluated. There are certain exercises and things that each singer must learn before being moved up. A singer can be in this class for as little as 3 or 4 weeks, depending on his or her skills. Others may be in longer until they are ready. Once a vocalist is ready, they will be moved to either Variety Show Singers or one of the bands. VS2 is not designed as a performing group, so there is no pressure to perform right away. The class is a transition for those singers who display stage potential and need some training.

Each band has its own style. Most new bands start by playing rock, alternative, punk and other modern styles of music. This music tends to be easier to learn and a wonderful way to introduce students to the skills needed to play in a band. We have bands that play punk, classic rock, oldies, swing, funk, soul, disco, etc. It is important that we have bands that play different styles of music, especially with all of the different venues where we perform.

There is a training class for instrumentalists too. This is called Farm Team. Depending on the number of new players and their skills, Farm Team is sometimes a necessity before placing students in a band. One can audition for a band without being in Farm Team. It all depends on the ability of the player. /span>

Tuition/h3>

Tuition for Variety Show Singers is $400 per year, due in quarterly payments of $100, plus $75 per year to help pay for purchase of background tracks, show and practice CDs, tapes, etc.

Tuition for each member is $400 per year, due in quarterly payments of $100.

Contact us today to take the next step on your walk to fame!

FFor more information please email South Bay Kids Director Joe Santoro or call 408-957-0427