Meet SJ Hasman | Voice teacher and Choral Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with SJ Hasman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi SJ, how does your business help the community?
I believe in my heart of hearts that humans were designed to participate in music. Where singing is concerned, our culture really has left the singing to those who are “gifted” or “talented.” But really, when I meet folks who are scared to sing and use their voice in musical expressive ways, its so so sad to me! The amount of folks who have refused that part of their being because they believe they don’t have that gift… it’s like folks using a wheel chair when they have capable legs.

Some of my favorite happenings are parents that come in for voice classes, and end up inviting their families to see them in the choir or workshop concerts. It’s incredibly powerful for children to see their parents participate in singing, so they in turn don’t feel likes it’s odd to want to participate themselves. It’s also quite powerful when other adults who had not ever considered that singing was something that they could do too! I get a lot of new students this way. My students are incredibly inspiring to others.

I think that ultimately, more humans roaming the earth, living their lives, with a way to express their body’s natural instinct – to be musical with their voice, can only make the world a more livable place, and our lives a more enjoyable experience. What a sad thing, that so many folks live their lives stiffling this fantastic gift, becoming hard and judgmental. Blech.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Hmmm. I guess I’m really proud of the community of singers that’s formed over the years. I started with an adult choir of 12 people, and a Youth Chorale of 8. Before the shut down, the adult choir had grown to 85, and what is now 2 youth chorals have waiting lists. There are workshops, and sight singing courses, and of course private lessons that choir members end up finding themselves in eventually. I think the popularity is due to that the community is friendly, welcoming, spirited, and most of all, hard working. Also, I think once people start to sing in this program, they realize how good it feels, and perhaps that there sure is a place for them as singers!

Students are always encouraged to participate regardless of their experience or level, but reminded that they will need to work and commit themselves. I think my students would tell you that while we have a whole lot of fun, and have some good laughs along the way, that I take the music we are learning quite seriously. I ALWAYS want to make good music. I want us to feel moved. I want to make intelligent choices that are interesting, beautiful, and attainable for the group. I want my singers to realize that their abilities are not what they bring to the table on the first day of rehearsals – it keeps me on my toes trying to figure out just how far I can ask my singers to stretch without losing them to frustration. I also want to share music that speaks to the times, and to our audience. It’s ever changing, and interesting. I always want to get better not only as an artist, but for my community and program.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I think we’d grab some sammies to go from Wax Paper in Frog town, and head to to coast for a hike, maybe up Solstice Canyon. After, we’d take some blankets down to the beach and hang out, eat our lunches.

Another day we may take it easy in my neighborhood of Highland Park, walk my dog, grab a coffee or croissant. Maybe head to Rosebowl Flea Market if not too hot. Later on we’d have dinner at Otoño in HP.

Downtown would be cool too – sushi in Little Tokyo, before seeing La Phil at Disney Hall. Followed by a beer at Grand Central, and some perusing of books a Last Bookstore.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shout out to my student Raul Paniagua – not my mentor, but a student who has inspired me to up my own game! He has shared a whole wealth of stories with me, concerning his journey and life. He may have started voice lessons late in life, but he’s been singing his whole life. I’v never met someone who has refused for obstacles to get in the way of what he wants form his life.

Website: silverlakeconservatory.org

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMtMkZOoRQE

Image Credits
Photographs by Gary Leonard