Happy Belated New Year

Alas, I cannot believe that I didn't post during the entire month of December. Then again, I guess I can believe it. December was, needless to say, a busy month. Work, work, work, then gig, gig, gig and on top of it all, add memorizing Peter Grimes AND learning the music for my recital. PHEW! It seems I have survived.

I feel proud that I survived December vocally intact and still healthy (touch wood!) I've learned to manage my "vocal issues" (i.e. reflux) and am singing better than ever. So, enough of patting myself on the back, I've got more work to do. This coming Tuesday is my recital of new music. Although I am way less prepared than I like to be, I am jazzed about it and for more new music recitals to come. As a result of this one, I have decided to make it a point to do one every year that focuses solely on new works and hopefully, premieres. Championing new works has always been a passion of mine and although I have lost my way in past years, I am making a renewed commitment to making this happen.

Peter Grimes rehearsals have been great! Although it got off to a little bit of a rocky start for me personally, I feel stronger and more confident and ready to give this the best performance I've got. I have also learned much about how my attitude affects my performance and other people's view of me. Positivity is my new mantra and so far, it's working out quite nicely. My family has always been fairly cynical - not in a bad way, but to the point that it gets a little negative sometimes. An aunt of mine very astutely pointed that out to me recently and I've really taken it to heart. It makes an enormous difference in the way I present myself and I'm sure it makes a difference in how I am perceived.

This year, I feel, holds great promise. It's getting off to a great start and I once again, feel like I'm doing what I came to New York for - to sing. The elation of being part of a great music collaboration like this one for Peter Grimes is like an elixir! And I can't wait for more!

...and I promise to be better about posting in 2008.