We recently connected with Suzanna Griffith and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Suzanna, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
The most meaningful project I worked on was producing and singing in an annual Cabaret show to benefit HARK (Healing Arts Reaching Kids), a charity affiliated with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. I produced four shows in Los Angeles, and we raised significant money for these sick children. I had celebrity guests, artists, and great music – jazz and blues for a great cause!
Suzanna, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am known as the “Southern Belle-ter” because of my powerful belting voice. I am a classically trained soprano from North Carolina, but I teach and perform primarily CCM. (Contemporary Commerical Music). I earned a B.A. in Theatre and Communications from the prestigious Wake Forest University. I am a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Inc., the world’s largest professional organization of singing teachers. My teaching focus is on contemporary music clients, including a wide range of students – signed artists, celebrities, and people of all ages passionate about singing. I teach online and in my studio in Los Angeles.
As a performer, I just returned from singing this past summer in a series of Cabaret shows in Paris, France with the Cabaret Connexion. I have graced many stages in famous musical theatre roles, such as Guenevere, Adelaide, Hodel, Rosie, and Iolanthe. I also have had the distinction of performing with various bands, on the Sunset Strip at The Whiskey and The Roxy to the Catalina Jazz Club. I am a vocalist for a jazz and blues band with prestigious musicians, including Chris Wilson and his colleagues who have played for Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, and Bette Midler, to name a few.
As a philanthropist, I was the creator, producer, and headliner for special events benefiting Healing Arts Reaching Kids (HARK), a charitable organization at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles that provides music and art therapy classes to critically ill children. I serve as an Honorary Board Member and enjoy giving back to my charity of choice.
I studied with the acclaimed Elisabeth Howard, founder of Vocal Power Academy, for 15 years, allowing me to bring my students a wealth of experience and training. As an accomplished singer and vocal coach, I earned my certification in 2013 and proudly sit as an active Vocal Power Academy faculty member.
Through my students’ voices, they learn to sing, find confidence in themselves, discover their niche as an artist, and experience the joy of music.” I am a proud member of SAG/AFTRA and ASCAP. I also studied with the Broadway Legend Betty Buckley.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I am a cancer survivor. Through it all, I continued to create and learned that being an artist was the core part of my being. When I came out the other side as a healthy individual, I appreciated the gifts I had more than I ever had in the past. I was inspired to raise money through music for terminally ill children.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Yes! I wish I had started classes and lessons at the earliest possible age and immersed myself in singing and acting. Now, there are so many opportunities online for classes and workshops. It’s endless what is out there. Immersion and social media presence is essential for any upcoming artist today. Hire good people to help you stay current!
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