Clinics

Kathy Kosins offers a variety of clinics and courses. If you’re interested, reach out via the Contact page.

Courses

Improvisation on Canvas

Class Description

Students will participate in an “Improvisation On Canvas” Clinic. This is a painting to Jazz Music via CD’s. The focus will be on the freedom of expression in the abstract, using texture and colors to guide them. We will utilize several jazz artists of the Be Bop era… IE, Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, Dizzy, Miles, etc… Students will paint totally from intuition. Acrylic, Pastel’s and Watercolor can be the medium. Oils are OK as well, but the room needs proper ventilation.

Students are given specific guidelines, such as putting to canvas, what they are hearing.. IE.. Visual Interpretations of Audio recordings by the Jazz Greats.

Students are encouraged to “Hear” in color and “Listen” for shape inspiration.

Modern Abstractions and also realistic works are both acceptable, however, this is a great learning tool for thinking outside the box and at on the spur of the moment. Students will be asked to have no preconceived ideas before they start applying their medium to canvas.

Student Level

It is helpful but not required for a student to have painting experience. This class is an exercise in creativity and is open to all students of all disciplines… in art, theater, dance and music.

Supply List

  • Canvases in assorted sizes… 10×10, 9×12 to large scale… square and/or rectangle
  • Watercolor paper for those wishing to paint with watercolors
  • Pastel Paper
  • Pastels, acrylic paints in a variety of colors
  • Watercolors
  • Palette Knives
  • Foam brushes (from the hardware store) in assorted sizes
  • Paint brushes for canvases ok as well

Class Workshop Structure

A 2 to 2½ hour workshop. Class time can be adjusted depending upon student needs. 20 students max. If more, please schedule additional workshops.

Equipment Required

  • Tables, easels and paper towels
  • A radio or CD player that plays CD’s
  • Students must supply their own art supplies as listed in supply list
  • Students may bring aprons, gloves and rags if desired
  • Maximum class size should be no more than 30 students, and we will need a large space if we have 30 students

Fees flexible depending upon city and/or market

If I am a guest artist in residence at a college, university, or performing arts school, the student fees are waved, as my fee is coming from the institution, unless otherwise directed.

Gainful Employment and Hustling The Gig

A Clinic of Life-Learned Lessons regarding the obtaining of employment more commonly known as: “HUSTLING THE GIG”

  • I introduce the student to the practical reality of turning musical talent into cash
  • Students have spent hundreds of hours perfecting their craft, and little if any time learning how to “hustle the gig”.
  • My clinic blends experience, street smarts and humor along with printed materials to introduce your students to:
    • The Art of Networking to secure gigs on all levels (clubs to corporate)
    • How to identify the client/customer
      • Materials and Tools used to identify the client
      • Methodology of securing the gig
        • The approach-the first contact (working the phones-schmoozing the client)
        • How to create and use materials for submission
        • The follow-up-closing the deal
  • The Use of Contracts – Pros & Cons
  • Contracting Musicians – Pros & Cons
  • How to Pay Your Musicians
  • Booking Taxes
  • The Jazz Singer’s Creed – “My voice is equally useful to me as an instrument for securing employment as it is in successful performance”

Lyrically Speaking—A Jazz Singer’s Clinic

Vocal interpretation on Jazz Standards

This clinic discusses the necessity of using the English language as part of your Art Form.

  • The singer’s artistic obligation to respect and preserve the artistic integrity of the lyricist’s work
  • “They’re writing songs of love – but not for me” I. Gershwin
  • Do I have any idea what I’m singing? Do I Care?
    or
    Is this simply an exercise on hearing my chops?
  • “The real turtle soup or merely the mock?” C. Porter
  • The importance of the lyric being understood by the audience.
  • Who are you singing to?
  • Which came first – the lyric or the melody?
  • The genesis of a song and its value to you – the singer
  • For whom were the songs originally created?
  • Phrasing – telling the story, or leaving them scratching their heads.
  • My larynx – experimentation, investigation, risk taking, and common sense.

Kamikaze Combo Clinic

On-the-Job Survival Skills for the Jobbing Date

  • Band leadership 
  • Head charts
  • Styles of music (latin, swing, ballad, etc.)
  • Soloing
  • Tempo changes
  • Key transposing
  • Accompanying a vocalist and/or a soloist
  • Real life experience in a controlled classroom environment in order to evaluate the individual preparedness and employability in the jobbing date market.

A partial list of colleges and universities where Kathy has been an artist in residence:

  • Albertson College
  • Adrian College
  • Alabama School of Fine Arts
  • Alma College
  • Aquinas College
  • Arkansas State University
  • Baker University
  • Bellevue Community College
  • Butler Community College
  • BYU Utah and Idaho
  • Casper College
  • College of DuPage
  • Colorado Mesa University
  • Community College of Southern Nevada
  • Eastern Illinois University
  • Georgia Southern College
  • Georgia State College
  • Grand Valley State University
  • Hastings College
  • Hinds Community College
  • Hope College
  • Illinois State University
  • Indiana Wesleyan University
  • Indiana State University
  • Indiana University
  • Iowa State University
  • Johnson County Community College
  • Kirkwood Community College
  • Lee College
  • Lincoln Trail College
  • Marshall University
  • Meridian Community College
  • Metro State College of Denver
  • Miami Dade Community College
  • Michigan Technological University
  • Milliken University
  • Missouri Southern State University
  • Murray State University
  • New Mexico State University
  • New Trier High School
  • North Park University
  • Northeastern Illinois University
  • Northern Arizona University
  • Northern Illinois University
  • Ohio State University
  • Oklahoma State University
  • Purdue University
  • Roosevelt University
  • Snow College
  • Sterling College
  • Scottsdale Community College
  • Tiffin University
  • University of Alabama
  • University of Central Arkansas
  • University of Dubuque
  • University of Illinois
  • University of Memphis
  • University of Miami
  • University of Louisville
  • University of Michigan
  • University of Northern Arizona
  • University of Notre Dame
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • University of Tampa
  • University of Texas El Paso
  • Wallace State Community College
  • Wayne State University
  • West Virginia University
  • Weslyan College
  • Western Michigan University
  • West Shore Community College
  • Valdosta State University

Attributions

She delivers natural and sure-pitch with seemingly effortless expression…

Dr. Herb Wong, writing in Jazz Education Journal

As you know, I have had numerous nationally recognized artists here and am honored to say that you are at the top of the list in terms of the total and overall educational opportunity you gave to the students while maintaining the highest professional standards with the music.

Dr. David Champouillon, Bach Artist/Clinician

Thank you for touching so many young musicians. You are refreshing, energetic, and captivating. The students still request your songs for their daily listenings. You are a star in their eyes!

Brenda Mechling, Choral Director, Carl Albert High School

Kathy is an outstanding vocalist and entertainer. The experience our students had working with and accompanying her was exceptional.

Lloyd Jones, Director of Bands, University of North Alabama

She gave everyone a very positive experience that provided both entertainment and jazz education. I highly recommend Kathy as a clinician for future college and high school jazz events.

Brenda Butler, Director of Vocal Music, Snider High School

Kathy Kosins represents the many great things happening in vocal jazz today. She is a stellar interpreter, a great songwriter, and a consummate performer…

Arthur White, director of Jazz Studies, NSU

As the Festival Director, I will tell you it is always a relief to bring an artist to the Festival who not only can perform, but one who is willing to get involved in the educational component as well. Thank you for your clinics and your flexibility to work with us.

Jerry Floor, Festival Director, The Salt Lake City International Jazz Festival

Recently we had the pleasure to present jazz vocal stylist Kathy Kosins as our guest. The Musical arrangements that she sent for her concert were challenging and exciting. …. Kathy received a standing ovation for her performance with the Jazz Arts Big Band. I had many folks come up to me after the concert with the admonition that Kathy was one of the finest guests that Jazz Arts presented.

Bob Anderson, Program Director, Jazz Arts Group of Fargo-Moorhead

I would heartily recommend her as a clinician for your jazz voice students, or for your music students in general, as her knowledge of the music business allows her to provide students with desperately needed information.

Ellen Rowe, Professor of Jazz Studies, University of Michigan School of Music

Anyone who has students who wish to make a living as professional musicians at any level or in any style of music would benefit from Kathy’s research and expertise in this area and her clinic would be of tremendous value to those students. I recommend the clinic highly!

Jennifer Shelton, Director of Vocal Jazz, Chicago College of the Performing Arts, Roosevelt University

Kathy combines her knowledge of the voice and business savvy with internet-based research and real life experiences to present an in depth look at the realities of the music business. I know she is capable of also presenting in depth clinics on jazz and commercial vocal stylings, lyric interpretation and delivery, song writing and producing your own CD.

April Arabian Tini, Director Vocal Jazz, Wayne State University

Kathy has a great sense of style and sings with wonderful time as well. The hint of R&B in her voice is very hip and sets her apart from other female jazz vocalists. She provided excellent charts for our band and faculty sextet to play. The clinic/workshop on Hustling the Gig was right on and our students got some good information to take with them.

Steve Widenhofer, Chair of Music Industry Studies, Milliken University

Her performance was all one would expect from a talented, seasoned professional jazz singer. It was highly artistic and musical, spontaneous and engaging and possessed a wonderful personal element that I found enthralling. It was equally enriching to hear her speak about the music business; how one should prepare for it and how to survive in it. I would highly recommend her to any group or institution that could benefit from what she has to offer.

Larry Lapin, Professor of Jazz Studies, University of Miami

Her materials were up to date, timely and thorough and many who attended asked when we could have her back for another session! This presentation is a must for professional music schools all over the country. In fact, I would encourage everyone to use Ms. Kosins’ services and even consider scheduling private appointments with advanced students who can ask questions tailored to their specific needs.

Diana Spradling, Jazz Studies, Western Michigan University

I have been acquainted with Kathy for three years, and I have found her to be a musician of the highest caliber. Kathy is an outstanding vocalist and entertainer. The experience our students had working with and accompanying her was exceptional.

Lloyd Jones, Director of Bands, University of North Alabama