Wednesday, June 25, 2014

LAU LAPIDES DEVELOPING HER ENTERPRENEURALSPIRIT


By: Nick Christophers 


NOTE: Nick Christophers is a returning BMCiReporter. To submit your own music-related article, please send it to bmcireporter@BostonMusicCoalition.com 

          



We have seen through the past two decades how women have taken center stage in various industries, one of them being the music industry. Women like Neeta Ragoowansi, President of Women In Music, Roe Gallo, Product Manager, ADA Distribution/Warner Music Group and Christina Kotsamanidis Press Relations for Atlantic Records. Then there are women who serve the independent and up and coming artists hungry for success.

Lau Lapides happens to be an inspiration for women in the industry. She was always involved in  performing either dancing, acting in musicals then as an adult in Regional, Repertory, Stock Theatre and TV commercials on camera and voice over’s. Lau her 20’s was accepted into the nation’s top MFA acting program at the University of California. In turn, she was offered a full tuition scholarship. Along with the scholarship came a Teacher Assitantanship for her three year residency. She completed a BA in Acting from Bridgewater State University and MFA from UC, Irvine.

“There I really honed my acting craft and was exposed to the top level of teaching acting to undergraduates and directing projects for colleagues. I also was awarded an ArtsBridge Scholarship to go out into the community and teach high school Improvisation and Acting. It was boot camp for my soul and really solidified that I was making the perfect choice to have a career in the industry.”

 

Lau took the stage and realized how challenging acting is. She would then follow the same drive into spreading the knowledge of acting to others attempting to go into the industry. Lau became a teacher and held faculty positions at prestigious institutions like Boston University. As she progressed on this road she saw the need to offer her services on a larger scale. Lau would soon open her own company in 2009 based solely on coaching individuals entering the field of acting and singing.

 

The struggles and obstacles in the business are daily. As a matter of fact as of this writing they are celebrating their 5th year in business. Even though at this time of difficult economic climate the company still manages to get the word out about their top notch services. As a woman in a male dominated business she has come across the worry of being taken seriously or not. She has at times the need to be extra strong to deal with confrontation or negotiation. At the same time according to Lau it the best time to start a unique boutique studio. Her clients are chasing their dreams and she wants to see them achieve their goals.

 

Every day is a challenge to show up, put the key in the door and unlock it and walk through. It is the same challenge our clients face, it is a good challenge it helps us understand and empathize.

 

Lau has always had an entrepreneurs spirit since she was a child. She was surrounded by family of entrepreneurs her father had a thriving business for 50 years and taught her much of what she knows and utilizes today. Her mother was a bit of rebel in her time. She was a rarity as she decided to attendCollege in the 1950’s.  Her mother had a huge career as a social worker and family therapist guiding the lost and fixing the broken. Lau carries much of her spirit into the workplace.

 

The idea to start the company was actually 40 years in the making. The idea to start the company was born overnight. Lau even admits that her technical director, Mike Jablon often says to “out clients " Did you know we are an overnight success? Ittrue; we are a 40 year overnight success". 

“Our visions are vast and we are not afraid to dream. We think big and bold or we go home. We see ourselves continually growing as a global entity working with an international client base; we want to continue with to partner with top agents and casting directors in the industry, expand and detail our services in the training/coaching areas as well as production areas. We are slowly moving in the direction aiding more and more in casting projects helping talent manage their careers and developing high level astounding events. 

The company has produced some exceptional students who have moved into doing voice over’s on radio and TV to actors leading Broadway roles. They recently hosted a NY Actor/Voice Over Showcase and at least fourteen of them have been called for agent meetings or immediate auditions.

There are so many success stories that came out of lau lapides company it is too long to list. Examples are people like voice over artist Mike Pollack who has amassed a great track record. Mike could be heard on everything from commercials to popular cartoons.  His accomplishments include Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesas Garbageman, Sonic the Hedgehog video games and Sonic X, as Dr. Eggman and Ella, andYu-Gi-Oh! GX as Bonaparte. Besides that he has also narrated shows like Pokémon and Marvel Motion comic adaptation of Astonishing X-Men.

Lau is always looking to build on her past success by developing new ideas for her clients. As she embarks on another stellar year she is far from accomplishing all she dreams of. The lau lapidescompany along with its leader are due for bigger and even brighter things.


by Nick Christophers



 

 

 

 









Sunday, June 22, 2014

A BBQ with Salt n Pepper

                               A BBQ with Salt-n-Pepa

               This is a Boston Music Coalition LIVE MUSIC REVIEW


By Doug Ruffin

      President,

      Boston Music Coalition 


The Phantom Gourmet BBQ is a summer highlight for many of us who live in Boston and look for great BBQ cookin' with even better Music. On Friday, June 20th; The three day food and music extravaganza at City Hall Plaza began with a concert featuring hip hop dual, "Salt-n-Pepa". 

The large crowd was there to have great BBQ served up with music. All ages and races assembled to have a great time in Boston on a Friday night. It seemed pretty natural to add Salt-n-Pepa to the mix with all that world wide BBQ flavor.  

Salt-n-Pepa could have just spit out some hip hop classics and be done with it. But Spindarella, the crew, the dancers as well as Salt n Pepper ain't goin' out like that. They were here to entertain and they delivered more. This was a show with a beginning, middle and end. Like a good play or movie; Salt-n-Pepa was here and opened the show by setting the scene. introducing hip hop as an art form and then asking the audience what they knew about classic RnB and Hip Hop from decades starting from the 60s til now. Once the scene for classic hip hop was set, Salt-n-Pepa rapped about a few crazy charactors. Guys who challenge women in relationships. It was presented in good fun and then moved forward to the next scene of woman empowerment. all without missing a single beat. Keepin' it real without one single four letter word. 

With all the fun at the expense of bad guys and the empowerment of women, Salt-n-Pepa moved the show in to a new chapter and admitted their weakness, "Men!" Performing huge hip hop hits like, "Shoop", "Push it" and many more. Salt-n-Papa invited not just one guy but two guys from the audience to dance on stage with Salt -n-Pepa. The guys had fun. The two gentlemen were cheered by the entire audience.

How do you end a show with so much empowerment for women, poking fun at the bad guys and the recognition of good men? Salt-n-Pepa  closed the show with inspiration for everyone. Rappin' to contemporary Gospel without being preachy. Salt-n-Pepa thanked their fans for keeping classic hip hop alive and Salt-n-Pepa music continuing for over twenty five years.