1980's
Cheryl's passion for music began when her parents formally introduced to her the instrument that would unlock the gates of her creative future at the tender age of 6 - piano lessons began and she excelled. By the age of 13 Cheryl was already teaching piano, voice, and directing shows. During high school she spent weekends studying in NYC with various musicians including Rita Gardner, the original lead from The Fantasticks .
Much of these early years time were spent putting together shows with her students, elaborate presentations with original music, costumes, sets, and choreography. In 1982 Patchogue-Medford High School's Film Department filmed a documentary on Ms. Saks, her music and burgeoning songwriting career. She also auditioned the children from other elementary schools who performed in her musical vignettes as well as the documentary. It was not uncommon for local schools to set up assemblies where Cheryl would showcase her students performing her material and others.
Under the wing of Neil Wolfe, former accompanist for Barbara Streisand, Ms. Saks performed showcases in the New York Cabaret scene during the early and mid 1980's. In those days her writing was in the Broadway Style considering the influence of her coaches and mentors. However, over the years the creative process, which was initially so instinctive, became more refined, evolving into a truly professional expression. This was due in part to studying at Hartt Conservatory of Music, in Hartford, CT. but more importantly continuing to stage performances and interactions with other working musicians.
Cheryl acquired musical seasoning by working actively; she learned that the music business is about progressing from one project to the next. Each record cut, a college degree; each performance logged, an enlightened step. That experience and growth cannot be duplicated or truly experienced in the sterile planned-out classroom but must be actively encountered: conception, collaboration, exhibition, and triumph. In 1983 she joined Step By Step , a professional cover band that performed at clubs, weddings and showcases, featuring a wide scope of musical genres. Constant writing, performing, recording, rehearsing, teaching and collaborating marks the early part of Cheryl's career throughout the 1980's, striving towards her dream.
1990's
The 90's were so different. Although she continued her successful teaching and performing endeavors, the caliber of musician she began to work with, and the notoriety of her achievements, took a step into the high-profile sector of the industry. Ms. Saks took First Prize honors in the Long Island Annual Songwriting Contest in 1990, and in 1992 she won it for a second time. The year after that she began vocal training with Patricia Carey, of the New York City Opera and mother of pop sensation Mariah Carey. Working with Patricia was a key factor for preparing her both vocally and mentally for her CD debut.
It was during this time Cheryl also met industry legend Ann Ruckert who became her mentor and advisor. She also started jingle singing for Radio DJ Kelly Nash on WBLI and performance of a rally song for Kmart Corporation event in 1996. In 1998 Cheryl released her first CD entitled " It's Who You Love," and was subsequently interviewed by several radio stations around the United States. Many of the stations added the title cut to their playlists.
Just as Cheryl's dreams were being realized, tragedy struck. Her mother - her biggest fan - was killed by a drunk driver. The devastation proved insurmountable. The drive to promote and tour this project was lost within this event, and for a while everything stopped. She needed to figure out how to pick up the pieces and move on pursuing her career. Cheryl spent time soul searching. What really mattered in her life? How did she want to spend time today ?
Instead of pursuing a self absorbed solo artist's career she felt more joy and fulfillment with the next collaborative project. During her time of healing Cheryl worked with Grammy nominated pianist/composer David Lahm. Together they created a very intriguing show presented at many Border's Books & Music stores, which included songs from her first CD and a variety of arrangements from other artists such as Billy Joel, Gloria Estefan, Joni Mitchell and Dorothy Fields. She and her troupe also performed at the legendary Red Lion club on Bleeker Street in Manhattan, for the Songwriter's Guild of America to an audience full of the industries top performers,
2000's
In Christmas 2000 her song Rejoice was featured, and promoted, a popular holiday CD Home for the Holidays: A Multi-Cultural Celebration of Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah , The song, considered to be the strong point of the disc, was also released separately as a promotional vehicle. The album was distributed to all the Officers and Governors of National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), who organize the Grammy Awards .
The CD has spawned interest from both the NYC Board of Education, and various gift and catalogue companies, to promote multi-culturalism. The song Rejoice was considered for the Radio City Music Hall's Christmas Show, and the vocal group Inner Voices considered adding it to their repertoire as well. Though the infectious melody has become a holiday favorite and continues to grow in popularity, in the end both groups felt the song was too religious for their needs.
After this Cheryl took time off to start a family. In the Winter of 2005 Ms. Cheryl Saks became Mrs. Cheryl Fried.
All the years of teaching, all the information processed and her approach to teaching piano have coalesced to form The Gamut of Scales & Chords (and the soon to follow Piano Methodology, both penned under the name Cheryl Saks. This finally set in stone the highly successful system(s) Mrs. Fried has used with her students. It homo-genizes all her teachings and lays down the musical foundation that helps her students thrive with her as well as countless other musicians. Currently, she continues to produce lavish recitals every three months; her students routinely occupy top seats in orchestras, bands, garner lead roles in school productions, and receive top honors and awards for musical achievements.
She does more than teach them just music however. They learn all about the competitive cutting-edge nature of the music industry, and what it takes to be a real working performer; as a result they don't just survive in the business, they thrive. She also instills Lessons of Life in her tutorials. These lessons promote self-esteem, teach personal structure, self-discipline and provide the motivation to achieve their goals. The true hallmark of Cheryl's teaching is the instilling of love and spirit in music and her students.
Cheryl is completing her next book, teaching, planning and rehearsing the latest recital(s), raising a family and talks of releasing a new CD.
Cheryl Saks is a member The National Association for Music Education [MENC], New York State School Music Association [NYSSMA], National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences [NARAS], Songwriters Guild of America [SGA], BMI, and C.E.O. of Saks Music and Cheryl Ann Publishing.
