Sometimes I am in awe of what a feat it is to make a beautiful sound come out of one's mouth as an opera singer. It takes coordination, physical work and mental focus. Not to mention a lot of chutzpah. And a little bit of crazy.
I say this because I had one of those "aha" moments in my voice lesson yesterday with a great piece of early Verdi (and a lot of vocalises). I feel as if I am just now learning how to breathe, even though I thought I knew before. I think I probably always knew how, but never really felt the physical work that it takes. Or maybe I'm just learning it in a completely different way.
I am on a roll with singing right now: practicing 6 out of 7 days, attempting to focus on characters when I'm riding the subway, listening to works in progress on my Ipod, and diligently listening to the recordings of my lessons any chance I can. There is a readiness in my body and mind that I haven't felt before. I hope that this is a good sign. For the fall, I will have a good package together, I will put together a professional recording to send out, and hit the auditions in the fall with gusto. I am in my prime and people would be crazy not to hire me, right? I'm still a little afraid sometimes, but I can't let that rule me. Although a little late, I came to New York for a reason. And I have to keep on focusing until I get what I came for.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Sunday, June 10, 2007
The great lobster roll comparison, part deux
So, the great lobster roll comparison is finished. We went to Pearl last week, which was much better than Mary's, but still left me wanting more. Incidentally, we also drank an entire bottle of Cote de Brouilly between the two of us. If you don't know what Cote de Brouilly is, it is one of the Crus of Beaujolais and it's made from the Gamay grape. The more Beaujolais I have, the more I think I'm turning into what my friend EK calls herself: "a Beaujolais slut." When the bartender asked us if we wanted it room temp or chilled, I just about squealed with joy and rapture. She was my new best friend and it is definitely a reason I will go back to Pearl (not to mention the food was good). Yes, I geek out on wine and food, if you can't already tell, but trust me - try a Beaujolais Cru - you won't be sorry. Chilled, it's the perfect summer red.
But I digress. Although Pearl was good, Ed's was the hands down winner. Even TB agreed with me, even though he was trying to convert me to Pearl before he had Ed's. The lobster is not over-mayo'd, the fries (while not traditional) are delectable and perfectly salted, the bun is buttered, yet crispy and it comes with a small side of Ed's yummy, spicy pickles. Pair that with a nice Chablis, a Cote de Provence Rose, or even better, the Cremant de Loire Rose they have as a special right now and you're set for the rest of the afternoon. I think I'm hooked!!
But I digress. Although Pearl was good, Ed's was the hands down winner. Even TB agreed with me, even though he was trying to convert me to Pearl before he had Ed's. The lobster is not over-mayo'd, the fries (while not traditional) are delectable and perfectly salted, the bun is buttered, yet crispy and it comes with a small side of Ed's yummy, spicy pickles. Pair that with a nice Chablis, a Cote de Provence Rose, or even better, the Cremant de Loire Rose they have as a special right now and you're set for the rest of the afternoon. I think I'm hooked!!
Friday, June 1, 2007
On my mind
There are many things on my mind as I enter into a new month: finances, music, relationships, career, etc. I am trying not to let it all bog me down this morning. Today, I will focus a little on music/career and leave it at that. I am in that place where everything is fairly consistent, the kudos is coming in drips and drabs and yet I am a little bit afraid. Afraid that I'm not doing enough work, afraid that the only kudos I'll ever get is from people who will only ever hire me as a choral singer (which is not so bad - at least I'm getting work).
Someone last week told me that I had the best & most interesting voice they'd heard in a long time. He's someone a greatly respect as a musician and I hope to get to work with him in a solo capacity someday soon. For now, it's in a choral capacity, which suits me just fine. As long as I get to work with him. But it still makes me wonder: will these people who tell me these things ever use me as a soloist? Will I forever be stuck as a choral singer? I don't want that yet, although it is something I would consider when I've finished making the stab at being on my own on stage.
I look at people who are my age and working singers (soloists) and think, that's where I want to be. What is it going to take to get me there? I always feel as if I need to work harder. I always know that if I had more money, I could afford more lessons and more coachings. But those things are not existent, at least not right now. They will come, I know. I have to know. I also know that my time off has hurt me a little, so I have to work even harder, even with a daytime job. Sometimes, it all seems just a bit overwhelming, but I know I have to persevere.
I've had a theory for a long time that female singers who are single and come from not so well-to-do families have it even tougher. I survey working singers on occasion and find that most are married and/or come from families with money. And yet I know there must be another way. There must be a way of survival for those of us who have not found that perfect person or have that perfect family. (financially-speaking, of course). My friends and I joke occasionally about finding a sugar daddy, but in all honesty, I've always known that I can't base my criteria for finding a relationship on money.
Which brings me to another topic: relationships. I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about how I allow situations to happen in dating that make me less than happy. Although I've not cracked the code completely, I have decided this: I no longer want to expend my energy on seeing people that don't want to at least explore a more serious avenue. I would finally like to date someone who wants to see what the endless possibilities might be and until then, I need to use that energy on more useful things: like singing and selling wine. The fact is, I sing better when I'm not tied up in someone's drama and that's the honest truth.
Well, that was all a little scattered today, but it was on my mind.
Someone last week told me that I had the best & most interesting voice they'd heard in a long time. He's someone a greatly respect as a musician and I hope to get to work with him in a solo capacity someday soon. For now, it's in a choral capacity, which suits me just fine. As long as I get to work with him. But it still makes me wonder: will these people who tell me these things ever use me as a soloist? Will I forever be stuck as a choral singer? I don't want that yet, although it is something I would consider when I've finished making the stab at being on my own on stage.
I look at people who are my age and working singers (soloists) and think, that's where I want to be. What is it going to take to get me there? I always feel as if I need to work harder. I always know that if I had more money, I could afford more lessons and more coachings. But those things are not existent, at least not right now. They will come, I know. I have to know. I also know that my time off has hurt me a little, so I have to work even harder, even with a daytime job. Sometimes, it all seems just a bit overwhelming, but I know I have to persevere.
I've had a theory for a long time that female singers who are single and come from not so well-to-do families have it even tougher. I survey working singers on occasion and find that most are married and/or come from families with money. And yet I know there must be another way. There must be a way of survival for those of us who have not found that perfect person or have that perfect family. (financially-speaking, of course). My friends and I joke occasionally about finding a sugar daddy, but in all honesty, I've always known that I can't base my criteria for finding a relationship on money.
Which brings me to another topic: relationships. I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about how I allow situations to happen in dating that make me less than happy. Although I've not cracked the code completely, I have decided this: I no longer want to expend my energy on seeing people that don't want to at least explore a more serious avenue. I would finally like to date someone who wants to see what the endless possibilities might be and until then, I need to use that energy on more useful things: like singing and selling wine. The fact is, I sing better when I'm not tied up in someone's drama and that's the honest truth.
Well, that was all a little scattered today, but it was on my mind.
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