Singing from the heart
Photo provided by Marci K.
Marci K spent her summer perfecting her singing and songwriting techniques at Fresno State. |
By Donna Taketa
The Collegian
Parched and dry during a Fresno heat wave, a person’s natural response is to reach for the closest frosty beverage.
Marci K opts for lukewarm water.
“I never drink ice-cold beverages,” K, a singer and songwriter, confessed. “They tighten my vocals.”
Such ironclad discipline is manifest in all of K’s ambitions, from the recording studio to the classroom. A graduate student at CSU Los Angeles, K is working on her second album. At the same time she juggles performances in venues ranging from coffeehouses to cruise boats.
“My motto is, and has always been, if something is important to you, no matter how little time you have, you make time for it,” K said. “In this case, music is both my love and my life.”
Extending her passion for music, the 24-year-old spent the summer at Fresno State enrolled in the Summer Arts Program, an interdisciplinary program for talented writers, musicians and artists. Only 400 students worldwide are accepted annually.
“Fresno State’s campus and music facilities are absolutely beautiful and I was impressed by both,” K said. “Performing for students on campus was a wonderful experience and I definitely found a great audience among peers, faculty and students.”
“I was really impressed by her,” recalled Vincent Keenan, technical director for the music department at Fresno State. “What I got from her was her passion. She takes emotions from her experiences and puts that into her lyrics in a powerful way.”
During her four weeks in Fresno, K studied music technology and songwriting, often staying at the studio well into the evening.
“I worked just as hard as I ever have,” K said. “It was exhausting, emotionally wearying and even frustrating... I loved every minute.”
A classically trained pianist, K was four years old when she began playing. At eight, she was composing music, writing songs and singing, eventually expanding into pop and jazz.
“I was so taken by the piano all I wanted to do was play,” K said.
A fan of all styles of music, K describes her personal style as, “melody-driven, piano-based adult contemporary pop.” However she stresses she isn’t limited by any genre.
Since releasing her first album, “From the Heart,” in 1999, K has made over 200 appearances from as far as Greenwich Village, NY to Jerusalem, Israel. She has also won a number of awards.
Although her music isn’t directed at a specific demographic, K said college students are one of her main audiences. This is partly because they can relate to her experiences.
“She just needs to be found,” Keenan said. “She’s unique, I can’t think of anyone she particularly reminds me of. She pulls from many different artists, but she’s not trying to copy anybody.”
In addition to recording songs with Keenan’s assistance, K also collaborated with other students during her enrollment in Summer Arts.
Acceptance into the program is very selective according to Joanne Bartok, assistant director of Summer Arts. An extensive portfolio is required.
“We only turn down about 100 people,” Bartok said. “We actually don’t get a lot of applicants because they understand our threshold is very high.”
The Summer Arts program has been held at Fresno State since 1999.
“Fresno State is an awesome home for summer arts,” Bartok said. “The campus is totally hospitable and the community really comes out to support it.”
“I loved how friendly, supportive and real all the people I met were, and how relaxed and comfortable I felt just being there,” K said of Fresno State.
She said she doesn’t seek fame just “making a living doing what I love.”
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