RockStars Music Studios is proud to have some of the most talented and in-demand voice instructors in Southern California. Each one of our instructors has years of experience both as an educator but more importantly, as a performer. The skills they have mastered from their years of experience combined with their passion for helping others achieve their musical goals while having fun are what set them high above the rest. This unique combination is not easy to find but is vital to our success.
Courtney Lemmon - VoiceA native of Santa Monica, California, Courtney has been active musically since elementary school. Her early performances include fundraisers with such acclaimed artists as Natalie Cole and Robert Winter, as well as her solo Jazz debut at 15 with Sheila Jordan and Jay Clayton. Ella Fitzgerald, Janis Joplin, Eva Cassidy, Fiona Apple and Billy Holliday all inspired her to investigate a wide range of genres. This appreciation for a wide pallet of musical styles led her to the Jazz and Contemporary Program at Manhattan’s prestigious New School University, of which she is a recent graduate with a high respect for the blues due to her studies with the incredible pianist Junior Mance.
Now back in Santa Monica, she recently recorded her debut CD “Stay With Me” teaming her with Grammy winner Mike Acosta as a co-writer, Producer and Saxophonist. Mr. Acosta is known as the creative genius behind the original Brian Setzer Orchestra, for which her served as Musical Director, Arranger and featured soloist. For her first full-length recording he surrounded her with Grammy nominees and LA session players to add experience to her youthful sound. This combination of youth and experience propels her music on a journey through several of her favorite styles yet still sounds unique. The title cut “Stay With Me” garnered Courtney an Honorable Mention in the 2006 John Lennon Song Writing Competition.
Courtney’s Santa Monica roots also extend out from her time at Santa Monica Community College where she was introduced to George Kahn. She appears on Kahn’s 2006 release “Compared To What?” which charted in the top ten for the year in Europe. Courtney appears around LA with Kahn from time to time at venues such as The Jazz Bakery, Catalina Bar and Grill and other familiar Jazz haunts in the city. She has also performed with the Hollywood Symphony Choir honoring great composers of our time in beautiful Royce Hall of UCLA.
Gina Saputo - RockStars Glee & ProSingersA native of Eugene, Oregon, Gina began training at the age of 8, singing with the Oregon Children’s Choir. By the age of 16 she was putting together her own groups and singing in jazz clubs, often waiting outside during breaks because she was underage.
From there, Gina attended USC’s prestigious Thornton School of Music, and was awarded the Barry Manilow Scholarship for all four years of her education. Gina studied at Jazz Aspen Snowmass in Aspen, Colorado under Christian McBride. She was interviewed by Dee Dee Bridgewater for her show JazzSet on National Public Radio.
Gina was among seven musicians chosen by Herbie Hancock, Terence Blanchard, and Wayne Shorter to study at the Thelonius Monk Institute. During her time with the institute, she performed for the State Department in Washington, D.C., and toured Viet Nam with Herbie Hancock and Nnenna Freelon.
Her first CD, “Gina Saputo” was recorded with vocal sessions produced by Grammy award nominated vocalist Tierney Sutton, who said, “Gina has the talent as well as the passion to stretch and think outside the box.” After two successful tours of Japan, her CD has climbed to #3 on the prestigious Swing Journal charts, and has received rave reviews. She was a guest professor at Gwangju University in South Korea, and toured Japan a second time with Grammy nominated pianist Bill Cunliffe.
Last year was a great year for Gina. She appeared at the Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival. She won First Place at the Big Stage Vocal Competition, and was the vocalist for the Orange County Music Awards winning band for Best Jazz in Orange County. She recently recorded two ringtones which will be default rings on upcoming Samsung phones, and is headlining Club Nokia at LA Live!
