Lots to talk about

Many, many things have happened since my last post over a month ago. Perhaps that is a good enough excuse to explain why I haven't updated on here in a while? 

To begin, I made another trip out to NYC in early August to work with my NY coach Patsy again. It is always a wonderful experience, and I feel as though I come away more in tune with my "voice box," body, and energy than I do when I begin. That is always a good feeling. After one busy day in Columbus, I shipped out to Washington for 2 weeks to spend time with family. I met Baby Michelle for the first time as well as spent time with Grandpa and Grandma who were in town visiting their new great-granddaughter. It was a pretty special time. Aside from family experiences, I was able to see Wagner's "Ring Cycle" for the first time, at Seattle Opera. As it turns out, Patsy works with two of the singers that were in Seattle for these performances, and I met with both of them over coffee at Starbucks on a BEAUTIFUL day in Seattle (sans rain, sun a-shining). I received some great career advice, and feel as though I am now prepared to take a step in the right direction following this year and my completion of graduate school (YAY!!!). 

I returned to Columbus to wrap up summer school, turn in a portfolio, move into a new apartment, paint, clean, and get settled all over again, all in the midst of beginning rehearsals for La Bohème with Opera Columbus, performance on 9/19/09. (Check out the listing on Columbus Art's website: http://columbusarts.com/details.php?id=65776&type=e.) Rehearsals have been wonderful, and after being lucky enough to step away for a week, I return on 9/10/09 for another round of rehearsals. Did I also mention that I auditioned for 2 choirs in this time - and they both loved me! Unfortunately, I had too many commitments with Opera Columbus for one director, but my time with the other choir culminates in a performance of Carmina Burana this fall. I am so very excited to wail on that high soprano part. : ) Check out this choir at: http://www.capricciovocalensemble.org/

In the midst of all of this, I was offered another solo contract with Opera Columbus. On October 11th and 18th I will be singing excerpts from I Pagliacci, Opera Columbus' fall opera, at a sort of introductory class for the Opera that will be presented the following weekend. It is set up as a lecture with musical examples (this is where I come in), so that the attendee will not be completely surprised by the music at the first performance. This way, it will be like entering a large social event by yourself and recognizing someone across the room. What a great feeling! 

As a result, however, I have MUCH music to learn - La Bohème is learned, but I have the chorus part as well as my solo part for I Pagliacci, and my recital repertoire. All in the next month. Time to get cracking now that I'm all settled and my piano is set up. I hope the neighbors don't mind! 

I promise to update again sooner rather than later, and as a result, the next post will hopefully be more brief!