Specialty Coaches
Lorraine Lawson - Founder/CEO
SPECIALTIES: Contemporary Vocal & Performance Coaching, Artist Development, Vocal and Stage production
As one of the most successful coaches in North America, Lorraine is privileged to be the Vocal Coach for CTV’s ‘The Launch' and Season 5 of the hit show ‘Schitt’s Creek’. Other clients include Grammy nominee Kai, dance sensation; Blake McGrath, Canadian superstars Roy Woods (OVO), Kira Isabella, Scott Helman (Warner). She also works with Musical Theatre and TV Actors such as Ian Lake, Brenton Thwaites and Emily Hampshire.
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Deemed “Canada’s Mariah Carey” by the National Post, Lorraine has released three critically-acclaimed jazz and pop albums, countless dance singles, radio jingles, and has performed all over the world.
Lorraine is the proud founder of Lawson Vocal Studios where she is able combine her years of experience coaching, recording and performing. She is committed to providing singers with innovative programming and achieving exceptional results.
KIMYA
SPECIALTIES: Pop Performance
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KIMYA (pronounced “kee-MY-ah”) is an Emerging Pop-R&B Artist born and raised in Toronto, Canada, with Caribbean heritage. A powerhouse performer – her soulful vocals, honest delivery, and electrifying energy make KIMYA a standout artist and storyteller. She has performed at such venues as Roy Thomson Hall, Nathan Phillips Square, and the Royal Ontario Museum and aspires to perform on the biggest stages in the world. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music from Humber College, and after working in the Toronto Wedding/Corporate music scene she shifted gears to focus on individual artistry. Her talents extend to Songwriting, Performance Coaching, Vocal Production, Vocal Arranging and Dance.
Jennifer Walls
SPECIALTIES: Musical Theatre, Voice Over Acting, Audition Preparation
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Jennifer Walls is a critically acclaimed stage performer, producer, director and voiceover actor. She has performed on stages across North America and Europe alongside such prestigious performers as Andrew Lloyd Webber, Ben Vereen, Rebecca Cain and Colm Wilkinson. She is currently the voice of the Family Jr. network and has featured on the cover of NOW magazine and in the Globe and Mail for her work throughout the city, including the Toronto Fringe Festival. She is a graduate of the Sheridan Institute's prestigious Musical Theatre Performance Program.
Carlos Morgan
SPECIALTIES: R&B/Soul performance
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Carlos Morgan is a talented singer, songwriter, and producer. He is the recipient of a Juno Award, MuchMusic Video Award, 2x Canadian Urban Music Awards, Global Music Award, John Lennon Songwriting Award and other numerous accolades. Morgan was also the 2nd ever recipient of the SOCAN Urban Music Award for his pioneering efforts to bring notoriety to the many gifted urban artists in Canada.
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Another of Morgan's passions is to teach upcoming singers the art of live performance and contemporary vocalization. If you’re a singer/performer looking to learn more about the art of performing live and understanding techniques of contemporary vocalization, Carlos would love to coach you.
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Carlosmorganmusic.com
Valerie Borghesi
SPECIALTIES: Pop Performance
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Valerie Borghesi is a Singer-Songwriter who got her start in classical singing and musical theatre, graduating from Randolph Academy Triple Threat Program. She is now focusing on her own solo artist career - she recently opened for Walk of the Earth and Bryan Adams at the Niagara New Years 2020. Valerie recently coached in LVS Spotlight and Artist Development workshops as well as being a featured singer at Talent Nation.
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Mary-Lu Zahalan
SPECIALTIES: Contemporary Pop Performance
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Mary-Lu is a Juno-nominated recording artist with three albums to her credit. She was signed to a publishing deal with Sony Music and worked with such renowned producers as David Foster and Humberto Gatica. Mary-Lu has her Masters in Popular Music and is the creator and head of the Commercial Vocal Department in the Music Theatre program at Oakville’s Sheridan Institute of Advanced Learning and Technology.
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Mary-Lu holds the distinction of being a professor of Popular Music Theory and Performance after completing her Masters (cum laude) in The Beatles, Popular Music and Society at Liverpool Hope University in the UK. Her dissertation, "Cultural Capital: The Beatles in Canada" was published in 2011 by The Beatle Works (Chicago, IL).
Mary-Lu continues to teach Commercial Performance master classes all over North America. She is a special guest teacher for our LVS workshops/masterclasses, including the Power of Performance Masterclass.
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Associate Coaches
Shaneice Anthony
Shaneice has been flaunting her vocal prowess on stage for over 15 years. She is a vocal powerhouse
with the ability to captivate an audience from the inception of her performance due to the sheer intensity
of an opening note. She went on to pursue her musical studies at regional arts school, St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary
School, where she was introduced to various musical and performance styles including Musical Theatre.
Through Aquinas she was casted as a supporting character in the World Vision musical production of,
The Other Side of The River. When she is not teaching, Shaneice can be found
performing, writing and recording original music.
Irina Bobrow
Irina is a singer/songwriter, actress, and dancer who made her professional debut at the age of 8 years old with the National Tap Dance Company of Canada. She has lived and worked in LA where she studied acting at The Lee Strasberg Institute as well as with Emmy Award winning actor, Jeffrey Tambor. Her passionate journey then led her to Nashville for 6 years where she collaborated with other songwriters. She has performed at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and brought excitement and joy as she sang and helped the kids write their own songs. Irina understands how important it is to follow your dreams and your heart!
Garrett Dearing
Garrett is a Singer-Songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose journey began in playing local bars and diners, then on to travelling with a band. Garrett loves encouraging aspiring musicians! Residing in Nashville, Tennessee he occupies his time by recording guitar tracks for other artists and travelling performing his own music!
Sarah O'Brecht
Sarah is a stage and screen actress who has performed across Canada. She recently appeared in Anne of Green Gables and Mamma Mia! at the Charlottetown Festival. On screen, you can see her on Warehouse 13, So You Think You Can Dance Canada, and Good Witch, among others. Sarah holds a BEd. from the University of New Brunswick and has taught and choreographed for many organizations and institutions throughout the GTA and the East Coast.
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