Pasadena, CA — May 19, 2008 — LA Music Academy (http://www.lamusicacademy.edu) announced today that American jazz singer Tierney Sutton will take over as head of the vocal department, effective immediately. A Milwaukee native, Sutton is an active educator, performer and clinician, and she has traveled the world extensively, thrilling audiences and garnering rave reviews from the New York Times and JazzTimes. Most recently an adjunct professor at USC's Thornton School of Music, Sutton brings her decades of performance and teaching experience, not to mention contagious energy and enthusiasm, to the Academy where she will help refresh the curriculum and recruit top talent to the school.

"We are very excited Sutton is joining our teaching staff and are eager for her to share her knowledge and experience with our diverse student base," says Tom Aylesbury, President of LA Music Academy. Aylesbury adds, "Sutton is at the top of her game and will help prepare vocal students for the professional situations that they will encounter during their time at the school and after graduating." Immersed in real life situations spanning a variety of contemporary genres, students are required to play most every day in ensemble workshops, featuring L.A.'s top professional musicians.

Sutton formed the Tierney Sutton Band (http://www.tierneysutton.com) when she moved to Southern California in the mid-'90s. The band has released seven albums since; the last two were nominated for Grammys in the Best Jazz Vocal Album category. Sutton says, "I've had the good fortune of working with such fantastic instrumentalists and I will strive to prepare my vocal students with the skills they need to work effectively with professional musicians."

Aylesbury explains that, "Educators often find talented singers who lack musicianship, and Sutton is determined to not only teach the ins and outs of using one's voice, but to help students realize the value of musicianship and collaborating effectively with other top caliber musicians."

For more information, contact Iris Alba at LA Music Academy by calling 800-960-4715.