I have to sing

These past two weeks have provided me with a profound set of experiences regarding my singing and the way I approach learning music.  My voice professor is currently out of town performing in Lucia di Lammermoor at the Austin Lyric Opera.  Teaching in his place is a wonderful soprano colleague of his who shares in some of his methods and beliefs regarding singing. 

Being that last Monday began a brand new semester, I was very eager to start working on the opera and warming up my voice to my role.  Thanks to our guest instructor I have a renewed sense of awe in my own voice.  We have experimented with many types of sounds and exercises to find what works for me (instead of trying to put a square peg in a round hole) which made me realize that there IS something that works for every individual, you just have to find it.

Regardless of the stress and hard work that I will endure in this next semester, I just keep telling myself that these discoveries are why I sing.  I love learning and making new discoveries and today's studio really proved to me that I can achieve my goals.  I love to sing, so I will continue to sing regardless of where I am in my life. 

Recital Etiquette

As we all know, when one attends a recital or show of any sort the common practice is usually to turn off or at least silence electronic devices.  This isn't done to censor your creativity, but to show respect to the performer(s).  This video is an AMAZING example of how one performer decided to handle an unwelcome interruption. :)

Thanks to Eric Whitacre for posting this on Twitter (which is how I came across it)!

New Year, New Me

At the start of the new year I decided to just make a list of things (some small, some bigger changes) that I want to do every day to keep myself in check.  Posting this list in my apartment (or even just keeping it in my planner) helps to remind me of the commitment that I have decided to make to myself.  Making myself happy in the long run is what matters to me right now, and hopefully it will have a positive influence on others as well.  Here is my list:

*Make an effort to eat two healthy meals each day (and whatever for the third- baby steps!)
*Drink at least eight cups of water each day
*Exercise every day (even if only for twenty minutes)
*Make a conscious effort to look at least semi-professional every day even if I only have one class
*Use my planner!
*Complete assignments when they are assigned- anti-procrastination!
*Practice (voice) every day
*Choose a choral piece to learn each week (accompaniment and voice parts) to keep up on skills before student teaching
*Take at least fifteen minutes each day to read a book, paint, or otherwise relax

Instead of being "bad" if I don't do these things (which is how a lot of people treat resolutions) I just remember that I will be a better person for doing them.  Even if days are missed, as long as I don't give up I know I'm still on the right track!.  :)

Way to Represent!

As I'm sure you're aware, this year's Miss America winner was one of our (Wisconsin's) very own: Laura Kaeppeler.  I'm posting today not just to repeat news that everyone knows, but because this one hits close to home.  Not only is she a Kenosha native (I grew up in that area!) but she also represents the musical community: she graduated with a BA degree in Music and Vocal performance from a liberal arts college in WI (I believe it was Carthage College.  If so, even more coincidence since I almost went there!).  How awesome is that??  Represent, girl!  Here's some more information on Miss America:
USA Today summarized the pageant and crowning
Singing the National Anthem at Carthage College

Mozart on The Brain

I'm currently working on preparing the role of the Countess in Mozart's Marriage of Figaro for my university's Spring opera production, and I thought I would share this clip.  This is No. 13, Susanna, or via, sortite!  It is honestly one of my favorite parts to sing.  If you aren't familiar with this opera I urge you to read up on it, as it is a really great work.

 Wikipedia's Article on "Le nozze di Figaro" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Enjoy! :)

Thanks for the memories, Etta

Etta James, Singer, Dies at 73- NY Times Article

Thank you for the emotion, power, and soul that you brought to your music and listeners.  You are a legend and will be greatly missed!

Education. What was I thinking?

As a Music Education major, I have dedicated myself to advancing and preserving the field of Music Education and sharing my love and passion for music with students and fellow musicians.  I think everyone questions their career choice at one point or another, and after six years of college I was bound to have my moments as well.

Observing in the public schools can both be enlightening and scary.  There is a lot to learn from watching other teachers teach.  There is also a lot to learn from observing the students themselves, and frankly it can scare the daylights out of a future educator.  These days some children have so little respect for teachers that it really made me question why anyone in their right mind would want to teach.  If nobody respects you and you aren't even getting paid that much, what motivation would you have to teach in the first place?  Let me tell you about the moment that this question was answered for me.

I began teaching voice lessons when I took Vocal Pedagogy a couple years ago and my first student was a young lady who participated in the university's Women's Choir.  Though she was unclear of her goals in taking voice lessons I was entirely dedicated to making her the best singer she could be.  Even after the semester ended I continued giving her lessons free of charge to aid her in preparing to audition for the voice program.  Let me tell you: getting results as a voice teacher is almost addicting.  It brought me so much joy to watch her blossom and discover things about her instrument, and to hear her talk about her experiences in her own practice.

One week in particular I was feeling like a hopeless cause, and sucked it up to go meet with my student.  We discussed her audition and how she thought it went, the course of her vocal work in general, and some future goals and aspirations.  Even though she didn't get into the program and was still a bit unclear on where her future would take her, we had a good talk.  Before we parted she gave me a card and a hug, and boy am I glad that I waited for her to leave before I opened it ( I may or may not have been a complete mess :) ).

Long story short, it was a very nice thank you which ended "I know you are going to make a great choir teacher someday.  Thank you so much."  and enclosed was a little bracelet which read "Believe in yourself" on one side and "Anything is possible" on the other.  I was so moved by just how much I affected this student, and realized just how much she had affected my own life.  That was the moment I knew that I had chosen the right path.  If you ever have any doubt in your teaching skills, go to your students.  Not only do they like being involved, but they can give you very useful feedback (and possibly even a morale boost).  Teachers may affect students' lives in positive ways, but we must not forget that there is much to be learned from students as well.

Music as a major... that seems like a GREAT idea.

Believe it or not, when I started college I actually came in as an "Undecided" major.  Don't get me wrong, I had a ton of interests.  I just didn't think that the ones I was good at could actually help me earn a career.  I was the girl who loved to draw, felt freed by singing, danced since she was six, and was the captain of her high school color guard.  None of these things could actually make me happy as a career... or so I thought.

I didn't pursue music at the outset of my college career because of two things.  First, I thought that my parents would disapprove of my choosing a career that could potentially be pretty unstable.  Second, I was scared.  Yes, I admit it.  I found a deep love of singing in high school through both musical theatre and choir, but I couldn't fathom that I may possibly pass an audition and actually get into the voice program at the university level.  DO NOT let yourself fall into this trap.  Talk to your parents- most of the time they will be more supportive of your plans than you realize.  And NEVER tell yourself that you aren't good enough.  In reality it is always better to try and fail than to not try at all.

If you learn anything from my story, learn this:  regardless of how much you hate the path you're currently on, do not let your current situation (academics, job) fall by the wayside.  I admit that I wasn't happy with what I was doing (pursuing a French major when I clearly was nowhere as interested in the culture as the rest of my classmates) but that was no excuse for me to put in less effort.  I was consoled by reminding myself that I was taking time to prepare for my voice audition (studying up on music theory, choosing and learning repertoire) but in hindsight I had plenty of time to be successful doing both to the best of my ability.

All in all, I don't regret my decision to pursue music as a career one bit.  I chose to study what I loved, and I love myself more for it.  Yes, the life of a performer can be hectic and difficult, and sometimes stress will get the better of you.  Even so, if you have the passion and the drive in the end it will be worth it.