ImproVox
Deb Hensley, Kathy Slack, Fred White, Martin Swinger
Contact: Martin Swinger (207) 626-0165 or MrtinSwngr@aol.com OR Deb Hensley (207) 382-6317 mershon@uninets.net.
Dr. Fred White is a clinical psychologist who advocates singing as a healing activity.
Deb Hensley is an early childhood consultant promoting the value of music and play in literacy development.
Kathy Slack is a vocalist, humorist, and teacher of communication, public speaking, and voice, seeking to develop community with fellow musical souls.
Martin Swinger is a music educator teaching songwriting to elementary and middle school students. They bring their collective professional performing and recording talents into play as they create on-the-spot 'songs' inspired by literature, art, and social or political events.
ImproVox explores vocal sound and harmony like a dancer explores space and rhythm, like a painter explores color and form, like a songbird explores the sunrise -- with joyful anticipation of something WONDERFUL on the horizon.
Expanded Bio's:
Kathy Slack
Debuting in childhood as a comic and singer from the back of her elementary school classroom, she continued her theatrical and musical passions at Ithaca College (BA Theater/Speech). After college and a short stint doing drama and musicals in Baltimore theater, she ventured to NYC where she studied classical voice for 7 years with German opera singer, Jutta Rose, and Acting with actor, Jo Bellomo (Irene Daly protege). Principal roles in NY Off-Off Broadway productions included Dark Lady of the Sonnets, Frankenstein, and The Beggar. Began Master's program in Drama Therapy at NYU, transferred into U of Maine's Speech Dept. (MA Communication Studies) and has taught Communication courses for the U. of Maine system for almost 20 years. Presently teaches for USM and coaches Voice at the Yarmouth Community Music Center. Continues vocal study (vocal improvisation and vocal technique) with Rhiannon (Bobby McFerrin Voicestra member) Past member of Little Debbie and the Snack Cakes and present member of Improvox and Actor's Equity.
Contact: kwitslack@maine.edu
Fred White
Doc "Safety Man" White earned Ph.D. and M.Ed. degrees in psychology at Penn State University, and B.A. and M.A. degrees in speech communication at the University of Maryland, specializing in interpersonal relationships, group/team processes, leadership, and public speaking. He taught at the University of Maryland and North Carolina State University, maintained status as a Clinical Associate in Psychology at the University of Maine, and worked at Togus VA Medical Center as a psychologist and Director of Psychology Training. He now provides clinical, coaching, consulting, and training services from his independent practice based in Augusta, Maine. He is currently president of the Maine Psychological Association (MePA), and treasurer of the Maine AIDS Alliance.
Fred's musical debut occurred on the floor of his parents' kitchen, surrounded by pots and pans, long before he ever heard of Ginger Baker or Gene Krupa, and progressed through the available range of public school music programs (marching band, stage band, orchestra, chorus) and garage bands. For the most recent 30 years, Fred has been performing and recording oldtime, stringband, hillbilly, rockabilly, blues, bluegrass, jazz, swing, minstrels, ragtime, and americana music in the U.S. and western Europe. His primary assignments include guitar, bass, percussion, and vocals. His trio, Waxlips, made some award winning waves in NC in the mid-80's, and he was a founding member the popular PA-based contradance band Dr. Twamley's Audio Snakes. He presently works with conflagrations including: Frigate, Catharsis, Hay 44, Bondeaux Redux, and, oh yeah, Improvox. His ride: '02 Heritage Classic.
Martin Swinger (Master Task-it)
Martin has been songwriting and performing since childhood and has been professionally supporting himself through music for the past 13 years. He is a nationally awarded songwriter who shares his love of the craft by teaching songwriting in schools to K-6 students and by offering Continuing Education classes for teachers on Songwriting in the Classroom and Early Music Education Activities (for the Non-Musician). He has taught at Childrens Music Network National Gatherings and will be teaching Songwriting for Teachers at Kerrville Folk Festival in Spring of '07. Martin has 4 CD's to his credit and is currently recording a 5th. You can visit his Children and Family Music web site www.swingersongwriter.com or his grown-up site www.martinswinger.com