Counting the hours, watching the funds...

So it's only a few more days (seriously, DAYS) until classes get out... I can't wait. Symphonic is performing Elijah this weekend. It's alright I guess. Slave-o-phonic Scream Fest. But, it is a great opportunity for student soloists (of course, I didn't bother to audition. Stupid me.)

Then one week of classes, Sweeney Todd performances (Drew will be an awesome Sweeney and I'll be backstage for special effects make-up/costume emergencies/emotional break downs), and finally juries and finals. Whew.

BUT after all that is done, I'm home for 10 days to California! Soaking up sun... Eating Mexican food... Boating (hint, hint, Dad...) and loving life.  :)

Of course, it will be short-lived and I will have to come back to work and to do CoOPERAtive... and watch my bank account dwindle (I just sent them $1000... good-bye shopping sprees). [P.S. You can STILL contribute to my Go Fund Me account, visit http://www.gofundme.com/26q2u0] Then three solid weeks of opera coaching, master classes, recitals, private yoga, Alexander Technique sessions, and a recording session! Yes - I will give CDs to friends and family when I get them.


Okay. Almost time to go to Scream-o-phonic *ahem* Symphonic Choir. Ciao!

Less than 10 days to the opera ... Amazing Easter!

Looking forward to the opera yet? I am... Hoffmann goes up next week! ALREADY! I feel like this production swept me up by the seat of my pants, but it should be great. We're getting it all together now, as stressful as those first stagings were.

The Bach St. Matthew Passion was so amazing last weekend. The music, which was written for Good Friday services in the Lutheran tradition, is such an incredible retelling of the death of Christ. Not having been raised in any denomination, I do not consider myself to be a person of faith, however - this incredible performance touched my heart. Not only is the music an incredibly crafted masterpiece, the singers brought in to sing the arias were absolutely amazing. The mezzo-soprano had the richest, most creamy and glorious sound I have ever experienced. The "Buß und Reu" toward the beginning of the piece was heart clenching, and it just got better from there. I was brought to tears by the Bass aria in the second half, mourning the death of Christ. My entire row of sopranos was sniffling by the end. Such amazing musical experiences are the reason I came to Westminster Choir College for graduate school. What a privilege it is to sing with such amazing musicians like the Philadelphia Orchestra, and to have such wonderful colleagues to sing with, whether or not the New York Times says we are to young to understand the experiences in the Passion. I think that the Westminster Symphonic Choir is made up of some of the most tender and caring musicians in the business, and we can't ask for more than that. Yannick is one of the best conductors I've had the chance to see and perform with. I am truly honored to be a part of all this.

This time of year I really do miss Yuba City, the blossoms, the trees, the mustard flowers. Though, I know Joaquina Johnson would be proud of what I am doing here (I heard today would be her birthday, I continue to think of her every day). Without the musicians of that town, I would never be where I am now, and every day I am thankful.

Opportunities, Auditions, Risks and Benefits!

Friday night is just another night on a Westminster Choir College schedule. Normally, I'd be looking forward to a glass of wine and some pizza about now, but with Westminster it seems there's never a weekend break! That's a good thing... I think... Tonight I'm rehearsing Hoffmann again. Last week was the staging rehearsals, a little rougher than I had expected, without opportunities to musically rehearse with anyone else in the cast before staging... BUT the work being done by everyone in the cast is fantastic.

Last Saturday I left the rehearsal a bit early to rush to the Princeton Junction and catch a train into NYC for the audition for the summer program my voice teacher teaches at in Houston, TX. The audition process is always a little jarring, especially when New York is pouring rain. Luckily, the boyfriend came with me and auditioned as well! It makes the task of traipsing around in the rain a little more fun. These New York rehearsal spaces fascinate me! They're always bustling with people of all kinds, from classical singers, dancers, even Broadway stars (Newsies was having a rehearsal right across the hall).

Though I don't know the results of Saturday's audition yet, I feel really great about it (and Drew's too!). It was a great opportunity to sing for conductor/coach Ted Taylor. Nova was happy and that's really what counts! :) The best part was leaving the audition, Nova stops to hug me - then tell me I better not risk taking New Jersey Transit "in that dress!!!!" Haha. I felt like I chose the right outfit! And the heels to match.... little things I've learned from my voice teachers....

AND I was accepted again this year to the CoOPERAtive program here at Westminster - and this time offered a scholarship. I've planned to go ahead and do the program this summer. These types of Young Artist Development programs like Le Chiavi in Houston, and CoOPERAtive, offer young singers (usually between ages 20-30) opportunities to coach with world-renowned conductors, coaches, teachers, and singers from around the world. Many of the coaches who will be working with this year's programs have coached and sang at the Metropolitan Opera House and San Francisco Opera among others.

If it's possible to contribute a little to my tuition, even a few dollars, please visit http://www.gofundme.com/26q2u0


This summer, I feel, will prove to be a very exciting one!!

Spring Semester begins

Third week in and already things are crazy! I have rehearsals beginning this week for Tales of Hoffmann, for which I'll be sining the role of Antonia. The role is a beautiful heroine who, in fact, sings herself to death. I am pretty stoked about it.

Of course, like last semester, we had to postpone our first meeting due to the crazy weather here! We had a good snowstorm. It was absolutely beautiful. Less than 6" of snow, but that's enough to make the town of Princeton into its own little winter wonderland. The colonial style homes, and the quaint streets make for a very picturesque first winter on the East Coast. I do really love it here, and have no regrets about moving to Princeton. I've been so incredibly happy doing what I love. I have so much passion for everything I'm doing here. This is the one career that I truly feel I can embrace who I am. The artistry of performance, the nuance of the texts and languages, the science of the voice and the art of teaching. It's all rolled into one amazing experience that allows me to express not only who I am, but what composers and poets felt should be shared with humanity. The music, though occasionally born of a philosophy I do not subscribe to, still speaks to the humanist that I am and allow me to see humanity and people for the good and the love and the joy that they inspire. The beauty and the depth of the music takes away from the diatribe I so strongly fight against, so it helps me believe in what people can be.

First Semester Finished!

I can't believe I'm already finished with the first semester of grad school. It's been quite an adventure. I had my one written final this morning, and since then I have been working on the Midsummer Night's Dream DVDs. I should have at least a few that I can distribute at the cast party tonight (and in the spirit of Hannukah, it's a Latkes and Vodkas party!)

In a few days I get to return home to California. This was such a productive and fruitful semester. I think I've made a lot of vocal progress with Nova, and she and my coach have given me a lot of guidance on what to do next in my career. I am applying for several summer programs, which should help me network with people in the field as well as get some hands-on training with professionals who have been in my position. Now it's a matter of auditioning and finding out how to pay for them :/

Having Midsummer and opera scenes finished is a big sigh of relief from me. I had a good few days to getr all my final papers in order. I think they all came out pretty good. My mother was impressed (impressing a Literacy Specialist with my words... w00t w00t).

The last choir performance was absolutely spectacular! The Symphonic Choir performed again at Carnegie Hall (how lucky are we!?) and this time with the Simon Bolivar Orchestra and Gustavo Dudamel! He is just so, so amazing to watch and hear. The orchestra is a group of young people (high school and college ages, roughly) and they are so amazingly enthusiastic and brilliant, brilliant performers. It's such a pleasure to work with them and an inspiration! Those of us who have been in education know how hard it is to instill that kind of discipline in young people, and this Venezuelan orchestra was born out of some of the most impoverished neighborhoods in the world. Il Sistema has been such a wonderful program for young people to learn music, and look at them now! I'm humbled.

Now that all has been said and done for Fall 2012, I'm going to go visit with my friends, have a beer, and enjoy the couple of days left in New Jersey before heading home for the holidays.

The Day of the Show!

I can't believe it! All the work and today is my one chance to perform it for people. I'm glad I learned the role of Tytania, I think she's a great study for me. The technical challenges of the piece were extensive, but enjoyable none-the-less.

The rehearsals have been long and a bit tedious... That's not to say it wasn't worth it! The final result is fantastic. I thoroughly enjoyed watching last night's cast perform. Seeing all of the work we've all put in come together is magical.

The Benjamin Britten score is just such an amazing thing to hear with the orchestra and with the staging. The use of motif is so wonderfully characterized. Each group of characters has the most well-planned theme. The interludes of fairy music have now been filled (in our staging) by adorable interactions between the fairies. And the fairies are just so darn cute... Watching them last night was my favorite part of the show, along with watching Francis Flute in the Thisby costume for the "play with a play." He really steals the show in the last act.

I hope to have some pictures to post soon. It looks absolutely amazing. The costumes are edgy and sexy, and though the set has a simple construction, it offers a lot of layer and texture to the scenes. I think audience members will enjoy the aesthetic, despite it straying from the traditional Elizabethan or Greek look, often used for this show.

 Well, I can't wait to put on a show tonight! Better have my breakfast and start my vocalizing!

Falling in Love with Film Scores

I think the first film in which I truly noticed the score was Pearl Harbor. I'm reading an article on Taiko drumming and remembering the Taiko scene, then the immaculate silence used in the film when the battle finally ended. So was it Hans Zimmer I fell in love with all those years ago?
I've seen most films he's scored. Many because of his work, alone (I didn't see the one with Vince Vaughn... does that even really count???).

Epic films are probably only my favorite kind because of these amazing scores. What would Superman be without that pull of the "Up, up and away!" triadic motion? But now I'm asking myself "Do I love epic film scores because the films are epic?" or "Do I love epic films because the scores are epic?"

I'm slowly approaching the end of my musicology paper and getting a little stuck as to how to conclude this discussion. Hans Zimmer, with his whirring electronic instruments captures Heath Ledger's psychotic Joker so well, so mysterious, sad, angry and confused. But there's something about that Carnival theme Danny Elfman uses for Jack Nicholson's Joker. It's so quirky and weird, and Jack Nicholson is so twisted and open about it. I can't choose how to address this! Do I even begin to discuss Prince? Ah, Prince... with the Little Red Corvette... teehee. <3 p="p">
Instead, though, I am listening to Titanic. It's sad and beautiful and a little bit Irish.