Opera doesn’t always prepare you for real-life situations. My education in stagecraft did not include many “practical skills,” unless you include sword-fighting and swooning. I certainly know how to: a) fall in love with a tenor b) go insane c) die of grief or d) slay an enemy. But if there are no tenors or … Read more
One of the things I’ve been learning lately is how to let go. It’s a concept that has pervaded my personal and singing life. For months, my coach has been telling me to ‘have fun’ and to ‘play’ in my performances. I watched myself seize with terror as I feebly attempted to ‘have fun’ with … Read more
My father wisely stated, “one day you will likely have to do something other than music to make money.” Wait, what?! Hold the phone. I didn’t sign up for that! I just want to sing. That’s what God put me on this green earth to do. As it turns out for me, Dad was right. … Read more
Seriously! How many times has that same person been late to rehearsal? How many times have I spent weeks on a score and the person next to me is fumbling around looking at it for the first time? No matter what a great singer they may be, I know I would never recommend them for … Read more
Just like the saying ‘it takes a village to raise a child’, it takes a plethora of teachers and mentors to raise a performer. Today I’m going to focus on just one who was absolutely influential in my development as a musician and artist. He was taller than me when I first joined the orchestra … Read more
Growing up in Los Angeles, I didn’t know much about German Romantic poetry. I did read some Goethe and Heine (because I had excellent high school German teachers) but I didn’t exactly grasp the scope of that literary movement. And I couldn’t have guessed that those poems would change my life. But when I moved … Read more
“Don’t sing until you’d die if you didn’t.” Giovanni Battista Lamperti I’m in seventh grade, a nerdy, clumsy, awkward kid wearing oversized glasses. Music has always been my favorite class, and this year I get to be in orchestra AND choir. I am very excited. During the first week of classes we are asked to … Read more
I had always sung growing up, but it was more of a hobby of mine rather and it didn’t hold the passion that playing instruments held for me. However, curiosity finally got the better of me in high school, and I auditioned for choir where I met Mr. Williams. He was an incredibly tall, goofy … Read more