Wednesday, May 11, 2011
I'm Going to Audition
I got a call on Monday from Mary Saunders, the head of the Music Theatre Vocal Pedagogy Department at Penn State. She invited me to come and audition for them. So I will be heading out to PA on June 1st and auditioning on June 2nd. I am really excited that they liked my application, but really nervous about the audition. Well, I just have a lot of practicing to do still. So, I will stop blogging and get at it!
Monday, May 2, 2011
My Graduate School Application is Done!
About 5 weeks ago when I desperately needed some guidance on what to do with my life, I opened my email in box and found what normally would have spam from the NATS organization (National Association of Teachers of Singing). However, the title of this spam email was heaven-sent: "New Music Theatre Voice Pedagogy MFA." Aaaaaaahhh! (you must sing that in your head, it's a high angel sounding note). I have been waiting for years for some university to create a program like this. It is new this year and the only one in the nation. If you want to study vocal pedagogy there are plenty of graduate programs out there but they are all classically based. All those times that I have applied for graduate school and not gone is largely because they weren't really the programs that I wanted. What's even more miraculous about this all is that the deadline for Fall 2011 was May 1st. I still had time to apply and get in for this fall! I had a really strong impression that I should try to get into this program this year. So I turned down a very sensible job that I think I would have enjoyed because I didn't feel like I could get this application done in 5 weeks if I was working full time. And I was right. It has been a crazy race to the finish. It has been more than just writing a 2 page Statement of Purpose, creating a CV, a Repertoire List, and a DVD of some samples of my singing. It has been jumping back into the saddle after being out for almost 4 years which has required a lot of practicing, choosing repertoire and trying to figure out what my teaching philosophy is. I didn't think I had one, but after I thought about it for a while and paid more attention to my teaching at BYU this semester I was able to start verbalizing my approach as a teacher.
Whew! I am so grateful that I found this program. Even if I am not accepted, I am grateful for the process of the last 5 weeks. I feel like I have awakened and enlarged a part of my soul that has been dormant for a long time. I am really excited about teaching and about singing. I have been taking voice lessons and want to talk all the time about what I am learning and discovering. That past six months have been rough and it feels good to be excited about life again.
Once they receive my application they will decide if they want me to come out to PA for an audition where I will do some singing, and some observed teaching. But for now, I am glad to be done with the paperwork and to be able to spend my time practicing and preparing for the hoped for audition.
Here is the link to the DVD that I sent in with my application.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Cancun Movie Trailer
My new hobby. I am addicted to making these little movie trailers. I have made three of them in less than a month. Here is the one I made from my Cancun footage. Enjoy.
Snorkeling was the part of the trip that brought a small lump to my throat. I don't really like water and I don't like getting my head wet. But I really wanted to overcome this and go snorkeling. We went on two different occasions and about half way through the second excursion I finally relaxed and opened my eyes and trusted that snorkeling tube. It was awesome! I loved it! It was my favorite part of the trip. I would love to go again tomorrow!
Incidentally, I came away from this trip thinking, "What don't I like swimming? I think I kind of like swimming..." Maybe it was the clear blue water and the fact that it was in Mexico. I don't know but I am definitely looking forward to my next swimming excursion.
Hey Everyone!
Welcome to my blog. I'm not sure how good at blogging I will be. And by good I mean dedicated. But I wanted to share some pictures and video footage from my recent excursion to Cancun. It was amazing! I don't know why I have waited 35 years to take a vacation like that. Oh wait, I do know.... because I have spent all of my adult life as an artist. This trip was the fruits of my full time "day job" and the free airline ticket I got on the streets of NYC.
For those who have been out of touch for a while: I moved back to Utah in January. I am still single. Blah, I hate saying that - still single. Let me try that again. I am single. I am living with some friends in Midvale. I am teaching a few students at BYU this semester and trying to figure out what I want to do for the next 30 years. I have a few ideas, most of them involve going back to school in some capacity. When there is actual news I will let you know. Right now it is all still in the day dreaming phase.
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