“Life is Beautiful”

Co-written by Nik Day, Jeffrey Bartholomew, and Ellee Duke.

Proceeds go to benefit the Utah Foundation for the Blind.

Thanks to all who will download this episode’s song.  Be sure to come back for next week’s winning song.

Aaron Edson

Aaron is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He started writing songs when he was 8 years old, and is now one of the most sought-after music producers in Utah. Aaron has written over 100 original songs for the Liken the Scriptures series. He has worked as a writer or producer with Grammy winners All-4-One, American Idols David Archuleta and Brooke White, and David Osmond.

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Ephraim Vega

Ephraim Vega is known in the industry for artist development and launching music careers, specifically Ashlee Simpson.  He’s spent the last ten years coaching and songwriting for artists ranging from solo acts to rock bands, drumlines to jazz ensembles.  As the owner of Vega-Clark Productions, Vega has coached, produced, tracked, and edited in many recording studios.  His classical training ranges from piano to guitar to extensive studies in percussion, including drumline.  He has not only managed the sound for live events and tours, but has toured the country and appeared on various talk shows, like Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Ellen, and TRL, as a keyboardist for Ashlee Simpson.  He studied jazz piano, as well as Commercial Media Music, in college.  Other noteworthy credits include Fergi of the Black Eyed Peas, Tak from Fort Minor, R5, the German Idol winner Ben Bledsoe, Grammy Award Wining artists Mauli B. and Ray Brady, High School Musical producers Eddie Galan and Drew Lane, and many more. 

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Kendra Lowe

Kendra Lowe began her music odysee at age six, when she performed with the Utah Symphony. Her rigorous musical education continued through high school where she performed as orchestra concertmaster, jazz band pianist, and as an a cappella vocalist. As a student at Brigham Young University, Kendra continued to develop her copious talents on an organ performance scholarship while playing 5-string banjo in the BYU Folk Ensemble and the plectrum (4-string banjo) in the BYU Dixieland Jazz Band.

As a member of the phenomenally talented Lowe Family, Kendra performed throughout the United States and around the world, and appeared on several international television productions seen in 30 million homes world-wide. For five years, Kendra performed six nights a week with The Lowe Family in Branson, Missouri, writing and arranging music for the show.

Kendra has worked as a musical director and pianist for the Provo Theatre Company, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, BYU Youth Summer Theatre Workshops, the Scera Shell, Tuachan, Lagoon, and the MTNA National Piano Competition. As a professional performer/arranger/composer she has performed and toured with David Archuleta, David Osmond, Lowe Family, Wayne Newton, Tony Orlando, Donny Osmond (“Summer Nights Tour” in England and Scotland in 2004), The Osmond Brothers, The Hughes Brothers of Branson, Alabama, Mindy Gledhill, William Joseph, Diamond Rio, and more.

Upon returning to Brigham Young University from Branson, Kendra enrolled in BYU’s Media Music program and continues to compose, perform, arrange, accompany, and teach privately.  She has written music for commercials, television shows, and films. She is in constant demand as a studio musician, private instructor, and accompanist for competitions, university students, choral, civic and church groups.

In May of 2007, Kendra signed a recording contract with Interscope Records. Recently, Kendra worked with David Osmond, as well as toured with David Archuleta, of American Idol fame, as his pianist and violinist. She is enjoying every minute of her musical career and hopes to continue playing and performing and influencing young musicians for years to come

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We are still accepting applications for the following positions:

Production Assistant PAs work with the production manager, director,  and others. They will need to be flexible and willing to work in various departments. Duties may include working with talent, assisting on set, making phone calls, doing paperwork, and generally assisting staff members with whatever needs to be done at any given time on and off the set.

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This is a great opportunity to become part of a television production and interact with industry professionals, and a potential connection to contacts and future job opportunities. We are looking for team players who are self-motivated, organized, good at following direction, and do not mind long hours on film days. The ability to get along well with others and multitask is important. Crew members should have cars in good working order, auto insurance, and a cell phone.

To set up an interview, please email josh@starbiz.com with your resume, the position you’d be interested in, and why you’d be great for this production. Questions? Call Josh at (801) 999-8366.

(Original Audition Information Below)

StarBiz, a new reality format TV show to be shot in Provo, Utah, is seeking singer-songwriters to attend workshops this summer on building their careers. Twelve participants will be chosen for each episode.

StarBiz Auditions Video

Comments from singer/songwriter contestants from the first season of StarBiz:

“I had a wonderful experience on StarBiz!  Not only did I learn a lot about my songwriting from some awesome industry professionals but I got to meet some incredible fellow singer/songwriters who will be life long friends!  We also had the amazing opportunity to participate in raising money for the charity “Now I Can”.  Thank you for the wonderful experience! – Brandon Albright (Contestant, Episode 1)  

Contestants selected will have their workshop fees waived for their participation in the TV show.  Meals will be provided, but transportation and lodging will not.

Minors are eligible to participate, but must have permission of a parent or legal guardian, who must accompany them during the taping. Contestants must be at least 13 years old.

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Submission: To be considered for a spot in StarBiz, shoot a video of you performing an original song written by you, upload it to YouTube (you do not need to make it public), and send a link to the video to  josh@starbiz.com. Be sure to include your name, age, name of your parent or guardian if a minor, contact information (be sure to include your email address, as well as physical address and phone numbers), and the name of your song, which must be written by you alone. Feel free to let us know a little bit about yourself in the video. What makes you “you”? The video does not need to be professionally produced, nor does the song need to be arranged. As long as we can clearly see and hear you singing your song (you are welcome to accompany yourself with a guitar or piano), that is all we need. All genres acceptable. No profanity.

We will contact you for more information and make our final selections by as each episode draws closer.  

If you have any questions, please contact Josh at josh@starbiz.com or call (801) 999-8366.

Aaron is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He started writing songs when he was 8 years old, and is now one of the most sought-after music producers in Utah.   Aaron has written over 100 original songs for the Liken the Scriptures series.  He has worked as a writer or producer with Grammy winners All-4-One, American Idols David Archuleta and Brooke White, and David Osmond.

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David Osmond (Co-Producer/Host)

David Osmond has music running through his veins, literally. He’s the 4th son of Alan Osmond, oldest of the performing Osmond Brothers, and began performing as the lead singer with his own brothers when he was only four years old.

They were known as The Osmond Boys and were discovered by the late Bob Hope, appearing on his 1986 Christmas show for their national television debut. By the 1980s, they evolved into The Osmonds 2nd Generation, signed with both Curb Records in the U.S. and Epic/Sony in Europe, had four songs in the Top 40 in the U.K., and played to sold-out stadiums and arenas in the U.S., Europe and Asia., making appearances on MTV, Good Morning America, Live with Regis and Kathy Lee, CBS This Morning, CNN and Entertainment Tonight, as well as other major shows and networks. Eventually as a group they settled in Branson, Missouri, as featured performers at the Osmond Family Theater.

David became his Uncle Donny’s understudy in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, actually taking over the lead role and continuing as JOSEPH in regional and national touring companies of the musical for many years.

He was forced to put music on hold for several years however, due to a physical battle with Multiple Sclerosis. He has passionately dedicated himself to raising awareness and resources for the MS community through speaking and performing nationwide with a hopeful and positive message of overcoming adversity. David was the 2010 recipient of The National MS Society’s Spirit Of Life Award.

Recent improvements in his health have allowed him to place his focus back on music. David was featured on the FOX hit TV show American Idol in 2009, he reprised the role of JOSEPH at the CLO theater in Pittsburgh, and also had the chance to recently perform alongside artists such as David Archuleta, Take 6, The Jonas Bros, Michelle Branch, and The Eagles.

David has had some incredible highlights in his career as an entertainer, from performing onstage at Wembley Arena to singing at Harpo Studios for Oprah. But all of that has been leading him up to this point in his career, with so much more determination and appreciation. He just completed his debut solo album, REFLECTED, as well as his debut inspirational album, ROAD LESS TRAVELED.

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Dennis Agle Jr. (Director)

After graduating from in mass communications from the University of Utah, Dennis became a writer for a public relations agency in Southern California while writing screenplays at night. He later went on to write and direct dozens of industrial films for banks and school districts. Dennis has also written and directed 9 films in the Liken the Scriptures series.

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Rod Santiano (Director of Photography)

Roderick A. Santiano found his love for cinematography at the age of 14 when an innate sense of lighting, camera work and editing inspired him to seek a career in film. He was awarded a scholarship to Art Center College of Design’s Film Department in Pasadena based on quality and merit of his submission film reel. Since graduating from Art Center in 1996 he has worked on countless shorts, commercials, feature films and documentaries. Many of Roderick’s projects over the past twenty years have won several awards in film festivals, have gone on to gain national television exposure and have also won Clio and AICP awards. His documentary projects include NEW YORK DOLL—an Official Selection for the Sundance Film Festival in 2005—and the Billy Joel documentary feature, THE LAST PLAY AT SHEA.

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Josh Tenney (Production Manager)

Josh started working in show business at age 8, appearing in dozens of commercials and films as a child and several films as an adult.  Behind the camera, he has experience in many different roles on the production team of Lightstone Pictures.

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Kenneth Agle (Production Accountant)

Ken is an owner of Lightstone Pictures, and has been producer for all nine movies the company has produced. He studied at universities abroad and in the United States, before graduating with a business degree from United States International University. As the producer for a small, independent production company, Ken’s responsibilities have ranged from securing funding to filling in as props manager or whatever it takes to get the day’s shots done.

StarBiz is both a workshop and a TV show that improves and showcases a singer-songwriter’s skills.  The 3-day workshop is an invaluable opportunity for both new and seasoned singer-songwriters.  First-time songwriters in high school and seasoned performers alike will grow while experiencing things like:

• Exposure on international television (BYUtv)
• Intimate workshops focusing on topics such as:
  • Songwriting
  • Vocal Performance
  • Stage Performance 
  • The Business Side of the Business
• Performing before a panel of industry professionals and getting feedback.
• Writing a brand-new song with a group – in one night.
• Networking with other singer/songwriters and  industry professionals
• Competing for a spot in the StarBiz Top 24
• Competing to earn the Starbiz Grand Prize (A recording contract valued at $50,000)
• And MUCH More.

What are you waiting for? Head over to our Auditions Page and send in your submission!

“When you get in a StarBiz Workshop, you’ll get in the industry.”
—Co-founder Aaron Edson

A: StarBiz is two things:  First, it’s a mentoring-style entertainment-industry performance academy that provides high-intensity personalized workshops to aspiring industry professionals, taught exclusively by working industry professionals.  It’s also a new reality-format television program featuring songwriters attending the workshop and showcasing their songs in competition.

Q: What station will be airing the show?

A: The pilot is being filmed for BYUtv, and is scheduled to premiere on September 27, 2011.

Q: How much does the workshop cost?

A: The standard cost would normally be nearly $1000, but the workshop fee is waived for your participation in the television production during the workshop.

Q: What if I’m not really a singer? (I’m a songwriter or actor)

A: While there are certainly parts of the workshop that are usually thought of as pertaining to singing, this is a true performance workshop.  If you perform in front of a crowd or a camera, you will learn from this workshop.

Q: What if I’m not really a songwriter? (I’m a performer, musical theatre actor, etc.)

A: All it takes to audition for the workshop is one song.  We’re looking for beginning and advanced songwriters, so even if it’s your first song, we’d love to hear it!

Q: Is it for kids or grown-ups?

A: Both young and adult performers benefit greatly from the workshops.  We accept performers ages 14 and up.

Q: I’m a… (Manager, Professional Peformer, etc.) Can I come network with you and your students?

A: Yes and no.  We are very protective of our students because we want them to avoid many of the pitfalls of working with dishonest people.  But feel free to contact us and if we feel you could offer a valuable education to our students and would not take advantage of them in any inappropriate way, we would be happy to help make a connection.

Q: Can I attend with my minor child for free?

A: Yes.  One parent or legal guardian of a minor child must accompany any participants under the age of 18.   Additional family members/friends are not able to attend the full three day workshop, though a select few may be invited for certain performance parts of the workshop.

Q: Can I use a song I’ve co-written?

A:  All songs must be written solely by the person auditioning.

Q: Who’s the host of the TV show?

A: David Osmond

Q: How long are the workshops?

A:  The total workshop will take two and a half days.  Actual workshop classes will take place on day 2, and days 1 and 3 will involve performing, preparing, and competing. We’re currently looking to film a half day on Mondays (6 hours), and full days (over 8 hours) on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Q: Do I need to bring lunch?

A: No, meals will be provided.

StarBiz is a new reality format television show, featuring singer-songwriters on a journey of growth and competetion.

StarBiz is both a workshop and a TV show that improves and showcases a singer-songwriter’s skills.  The first four episodes will highlight a 3-day workshop  for both new and seasoned singer-songwriters.  First-time songwriters in high school and seasoned performers alike will grow while experiencing things like:

• Exposure on international television (BYUtv)
• Intimate workshops focusing on topics such as:
  • Songwriting
  • Style and Image
  • Stage Performance & Studio Recording Technique Workshop
• Performing before a panel of industry professionals and getting feedback.
• Writing a brand-new song with a group – in one night.
• Networking with other singer/songwriters and  industry professionals
• Competing for a spot in the StarBiz Top 24
• Competing to earn the Starbiz Grand Prize (details to come)
• And MUCH More.