Bang On Records Studios Announces 2011 Voice Lesson Scholarship Award Winner

Online, April 18, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Bang On Records Studios announces the selection of Dawne Sorensen as its recipient of the 1st annual Bang On Records Studios Voice Lesson Scholarship. Ms. Sorensen's application was selected from among all the submissions received over a four month period from candidates throughout the NY metro area. The award provides Ms. Sorensen with one year of professional track voice lessons through Bang On Records Studios at no cost.

The mission of the scholarship is to assist one talented, deserving and hard working individual by providing the professional vocal training they could not otherwise afford, permitting them to pursue their passion of becoming a professional vocalist. Candidates were considered on the basis of artistic ability, demonstrated financial need, drive and determination. "We regret that we are only able to accept one candidate for this award. This was a difficult decision. There were a great number of excellent and deserving candidates." says Bang On Records partner Paul Biondi. "In the end our final decision was based on the applicant who exhibited the greatest need and who stood to gain the greatest all-around benefit." Ms. Sorensen's application included a personal statement explaining how this scholarship would have a meaningful and life altering impact on her future.

Never having had a family, Dawne was born into the foster care system and lived in various foster and group homes for the first 14 years of her life. In her statement she said, "I love to sing because it helps me escape from everything. When I was in foster care growing up, singing would help me to calm down whenever I felt upset. I would escape in my mind and it would help me feel better". Dawne, now 18, was adopted by her Social Worker three and a half years ago. "I will never forget the first time I saw her", says her adopted mom Angela Sorensen, a single mother. "She was sitting on the couch in the foster home and despite all she has been through she had a smile on her face. Her big brown eyes seemed to know I was there to help her."

Since her adoption, the love and support of her family has helped Dawne to excel in school and begin to have dreams for her future. "Before learning about this scholarship opportunity I was literally praying that God would give me some direction on where to go next with Dawne.", says her adopted mom. "This is a life long dream for Dawne that I would never have been able to afford. This opportunity would fulfill all of her greatest dreams and fantasies."

The scholarship will provide free weekly voice lessons at Bang On Records Studios with Master Vocal Coach and Voice Teacher Dominique Gizelle for one year, a value of more than $3,000. "We anticipate an exciting and fulfilling year working with Dawne. She is a delightful young woman whose lack of privilege hasn't altered her sparkling cheeriness, diminished her focus or deterred her determination to excel." says Ms. Gizelle.

Ms. Gizelle's vocal program specializes in modern genres of music - Pop/ Rock/ and Musical Theater. Her current students include the 2010 Reach for the Stars winner and 2011 Got Talent winner Crystalyn Wynter, 2009 Got Talent winner Christopher Borger (Broadway's Finian's Rainbow, Lion King) and professional vocalists including Broadway performers and recording artists.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

contact Dominique Gizelle (516) 221-3095 [email protected]

Bang On Records Studios is a music production studio and lesson facility owned and operated by partners Dominique Gizelle and Paul Biondi, who compose and produce music for film, television and media, and provide professional track voice lessons and guitar lessons. Their expertise is also available for film, television and media production companies. For more information, please visit www.bangonrecords.com

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