Emerging from silence

Wow...I just logged in and realized that I haven't posted since I wrote about Norma's passing. If that doesn't speak volumes, I don't know what does.

(insert reflectory pause)

It is now summer 2009...and what a year it has already been. Although I don't think I realized it at the time, I did go through a period of mourning. I got through my fall/winter auditions (20 to be exact, mostly from crashing everything I could), did a few more in January and then fell hard. All the while, I was still trying to maintain energy for my day job. Honestly, I think I was a little nuts, but Norma wouldn't have wanted me to shut down, I'm sure. And I did, somehow, survive.

Strangely enough, events in the new year started off incredibly well. After months of researching and about 4 separate auditions, I signed with an agent (my first!) In this economy, I'm definitely counting those blessing. Seeing that it was my first go around looking for one, I am pretty darn happy about it. Suddenly, things started rolling in...not directly from my agent yet (that takes a while when one first starts out), but maybe just from the feelers I had been putting out for the last few years. No, my musical life is not yet perfect, nor am I quitting my day job, but it does keep getting better, slowly. And of course, I always want to be one step ahead of where I am now. Does that ever get any easier? I mean, once I get that City Opera audition (and contract, of course), will I just want to be one step ahead of that? I'm guessing I am not alone in this feeling - maybe that's what happens when one has ambition.

Around the middle of March, I finally started looking for a new voice teacher. While I'm still wrestling with the idea of having to think in a different manner about my technique, I do feel strongly that I've found the right person. Someone tough, who won't let me get away with anything. And she's doing just that. I'm trying not to be frustrated in the midst of gigs and learning new repertoire, so I will keep plugging away and trying to have faith that it will all work out. I am sure it will.

As for my current state of being, things are pretty hunky dory. My relationship of about a year is better than ever and getting stronger every day. I'm getting ready to do an apprenticeship program at the Caramoor Festival starting next week (which I am really excited about) and have two opera gigs lined up for fall 2009 and spring 2010. And with my new agent-fangled self, I'm hoping my fall auditions will be full. Don't get me wrong, I still plan to work my booty off...agent, or no agent.

Sounds like I'd better go buy myself a cupcake.