SHE HAS BEEN CALLED ONE OF NEW YORKS MOST BELOVED SINGING INSTRUCTORS AND ONE OF THOSE RARE FIGURES WHO SEEMINGLY BRIDGES ALL BRANCHES OF NEW YORKS HIGHLY DIVERSE SHOW BIZ COMMUNITY. Barbara Maier Gustern grew up in Boonville, the daughter of the Maier family who owned and operated Maiers Hardware & Gifts up on the public square. She attended Boonville High School , where she excelled at most anything she put her mind to , and, at one point, she took her talents to the Big City. To my knowledge, she started out as an opera singer. At one point, she married another opera singer. Her first downtown client for voice lessons was Avante-garde superstar, Diamanda Galas, who came to her in the 1980s, asking if she would work with her. And soon, others followed. Rave reviews say that Her showcases are both outstanding and joyous. One article says A show ought to be regarded as an opportunity to expose people to new things. In Barbaras case, thats just how it works out! Everybody loves her, so everybody wants to take her classes, and when she produces a showcase, we get a glimpse of every conceivable human pattern. It is true that her ability to communicate with her students and her peers covers all kinds of music: downtown, uptown, cabaret, musical theater, pop, rock, avante-garde, & even drag. During her very long and impressive career, she has taught a significant number of entertainers. She lists Debbie Harry, Justin Bond, Taylor Mac as just some of those who she worked with in voice. It was Taylor Mac who suggested to her that she produce an evening with all of her students. She did just that, and, in addition to raising money for good causes, the event was a big success and the perfect showcase. Another review that I found on the internet says Just where does the diminutive 70-something year old Barbara Maier Gustern from Boonville, Indiana fit into all of this ? And better, still, Why would she want to? What this reporter was referring to was her long-standing and devoted involvement in such causes as Joes Pub Artist Community in New York and also the Ali Forney Center. The Ali Forney Center alone sees over 1,000 homeless youth each year, and offers them the essentials: food, sustenance, extensive physical & emotional mental health services, and career and educational opportunities. As well as counseling, and mentoring and teaching life skills. At the present time, 99% of the youth in the center are in transitional housing programs and 77% are gainfully employed or enrolled in higher education. During an interview a few years back, Barbara Maier Gustern had this to say Joes Pub has always been a significant presence in the development of a diverse group of talent in this area. And, in time, we have taken that and expanded on it. Today, we work at supporting and encouraging young people to be who they really are, to be the best that they can be! And to nurture each other, if need be. So many youth that we meet are struggling with their identity and they need role models. In March of this year, a dizzying array of downtown New York celebrities took the stage to put on a Tribute to their beloved friend & vocal coach, Barbara Maier Gustern. Performers included Penny Arcade, Danny Backer, Louise Bradshaw, Miss Guy, Heather Greene, Benjamin Ickies, John Kelly, Taylor Mac, Nancy Magarill, June Atlas Muz, Sofia Rei, Rob Roth, David Sloade, Sofia Tosello, Viacia Tomova and her Bulgarian Trio , Host were Tammy Faye Starlite & ERic Schmalenberger. All proceeds from this Gala Event went to the Ali Forney Center. As they say in your world, Barbara, BRAVO!!
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 14:32:31 +0000
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