"Shellen Lubin really made me understand the most important things I now get about my voice, and about acting and interpreting a role, a song, a monologue. Her care and commitment are unparalleled and I love working with her. When she's not around, I use her techniques and tools all the time. She is also a brilliant writer and director, and I love performing her work (particularly her song 'In Skin Only')."
RASHA ZAMAMIRI
Actor/Singer, recently in AFTERMATH at New York Theatre Workshop
Currently on World Tour
“The great thing about lessons with Shellen Lubin was their multi-faceted nature. We covered vocal techniques, lyric scenarios, art, philosophy, aesthetics, etc. Every discipline was in the the service of finding my own ‘Voice’, of singing without strain and getting out of the way of my own mental adhesions and vocal preconceptions, like thinking that I had to sing loudly to hit a really high note! She taught me the importance of being connected emotionally to every note and word that I sang. Above all, there was always a palpable sense of discovery in each lesson that Shellen not only welcomed but actively sought to encourage. I would literally leave her place buzzing with excitement!”
MARK LAMBERT
Guitarist, Singer, Composer and Arranger
“Shellen has worked with me and I know several students she has worked with over the years. She can teach anyone how to improve their singing and bring fuller expression into their voice. She is good at getting people to relax and release but significantly Shellen can help you find your real voice. The voice that sometimes hides and is afraid to come out. She makes it safe for your real voice to speak or sing your mind and heart. She has been blessing people with this gift for about 30 years. No doctrine. Just you, Shellen and your real voice."
FRANK WILDMAN Ph.D.
Educator, Lecturer, Producer
“I cannot think of anyone whose walk through life embodies the definition of integrity in the way that Shellen Lubin's does. In the 25 years I have known her, she has served as director, voice teacher, acting coach, and career coach. She is a harbinger of truth, generosity, and unquantifiable insight, and my art continues to grow as a result of how easy she makes risk-taking seem. ”
MARY LEGGIO
Actor/Singer and Cabaret Performer
“I have enjoyed and still enjoy working with Shellen. She is a wonderful and gifted acting and singing coach. Her level of knowledge is endless, along with her richly artistic imagination, thus allowing her to access her student's needs with precision. As an actress, I'm versed with many techniques, and I had trained formally at NYU, R.A.D.A. and The Actor's Center. When I had met Shellen, I believe I was under the spell of "formalism"--I stuck vehemently to my techniques. However, through Shellen's coaching, I began the quest for a deeper acting, and I employed the techniques that were of value to me only, as an actress. All in all, I believe, the work I have done with Shellen took me from the student to the actress.”
KELLY HADOUS
Stage and Film Actor
“Shellen is an excellent voice teacher and acting coach. We primarily worked with voice work and expression. Her ability to create a safe space for play and creativity of expression along with her skills as a voice teacher and director are priceless. I miss studying with her very much and whenever I'm visiting NY I make sure to get some voice lessons and participate in one of her workshops.”
VIVIANA DIAZ
Singer and Feldenkrais Practitioner
"Crackling with street—smarts and full of wry advice for the loveworn, SHELLEN LUBIN’s songs have a warmth and vitality that show you a private, and special, corner of New York.”
RHODA KOENIG
Senior Editor of NEW YORK MAGAZINE
“SHELLEN LUBIN is a songwriter of incredible spirit and energy. Her songs have a special vibrancy. She writes from the heart.”
GRETCHEN CRYER
Author/Lyricist/Star of
I’M GETTING MY ACT TOGETHER
“A talent who deserves to be seen . . . MS. LUBIN has a freshness . . . that is immediately transformed into a song that captures the perfect essence of that scene and those characters; it’s her own vision that is original She’s a virtually unknown (but very talented) composer/lyricist who has a penchant for self—analysis, a good ear for melodies, an incredible feel for harmony . .. . and a winning charm.”
TED BANK
SHOW BUSINESS NEWS
“One of that rare breed who is melodically gifted . . . she brings to the writing of a song her wonderful sense of harmony, and her considerable theatrical knowledge and imagination . . . good observation . . . an honest sentimentality . . . such a professional that it’s a bit startling why she hasn’t yet received the recognition she deserves. But surely it’s only a matter of time.”
JOHN ENGSTROM
BOSTON GLOBE
“SHELLEN LUBIN does absolutely beautiful work in a variety of musical styles, with real melodies, real words, and honest, insightful sentiments”
JOYCE WEST
WBAI-FM Arts Magazine.
“Exciting . . . sensitive . . . wonderful!”
TOM WHISKER
WBAI-FM
“SHELLEN LUBIN’s music is as diverse as it is delightful!”
DOUGLAS ALAN BLACK
SHOW BUSINESS NEWS
“SHELLEN LUBIN——remember that name; she is immensely talented, fresh, and real!”
CONNIE GILBERT NEISS
N.O.W. NEWSLETTER
A PIECE OF MY MIND
lyric by Elliot Meyers
I stand before you here
Hoping that somehow I can make it clear
How much I long to draw you near
And not frighten you away
If you will hear me through
You might understand my point of view
Why I do things the way I do
No matter what some people say
What I want to give you is
A piece of my mind
It started as a spark
But as the fire spreads I find
The thought I’ve sown
Has grown
Into a song
It’s soft and then it’s loud
Sometimes it’s bitter and sometimes proud
It’s even humorous if it’s allowed
To be all it can be
It’s dark and then it’s bright
It’s sweet and warm but beware its bite
And don’t say it’s wrong ‘cause I know it’s right
I know it’s right for me
What I want to give you is
A piece of my mind
It started as a spark
But as the fire spreads I find
The thought I’ve sown has grown into a song
And it’s all about living
And it’s all about growing
And it’s all about giving
With everything showing
And it’s all about taking
All the things you are knowing
And feeding the fire
So as it burns higher
You can see
Who you can be
That’s what I want to give you
Just a piece of my mind
To fan the glowing embers
Of the blaze you left behind
A dream you’ve known was grown into a song
You might even find you want to sing along
© 1989 Mayhem Productions
A FEW THINGS TO COMMEMORATE
(amidst the many not worthy these days)-
Of the first, your words come to mind
and your teacher’s passion
an eloquence of lesson
a letting go of habit
a thought to pry assumption
and a smile just to keep some
a coffee and a catch-up
a windfall interaction
a life immersed in doing (and re-doing)
adhesional reduction (additional re-hinging)
Blonde and upper west side
two bright and joyous children
Apollo/Dionysis
and a poetry that’s given
A Sound that springs from bare feet
and climbs up through the backbone
an opening of courage
a song washed pure and hand sewn
A Pen that traces circles
round time’s opaque concerns
a line that follows conflict
to life’s most clear returns
An Ancestry of Joni
and Laura’s cabaret
a slow and graceful turning
a spirit child at play
Re-thinking the new fag hag
and the old man plan
re-linking Cunningham
with a bold new Can-Can
A Friendship deep as oceans
floating each and every boat
flexible affections
and a monday morning quote
A Future full of presence
and a present with no name
a hunger for the real thing
just with no real time-frame
this poem began so freely
then rhyme fell into place
I hope your birthday dancing
was shining through your face
©2003 Mark Lambert
