My body knows how to sing. I have studied vocal technique for fifteen years, and I’ve studied with some legendary voice teachers. I feel so privileged to have worked with each one of them. And yet, almost every voice teacher I’ve known has given me the same rotten piece of advice: “Forget what you learned … Read more
I think the worst career advice I have received was the advice to get a masters degree in vocal performance. Let me be clear, I’m not opposed to getting advanced degrees in the arts. If that is the path you’re destined for, God bless you! I will say this, though. Applying for and auditioning for … Read more
“You will always be a good reader and a good choral singer, but you won’t ever be a soloist,” my mom said to me only a few years ago when I was home for Christmas, as matter of factly as if it was a truth written in an encyclopedia. This had been closely followed by … Read more
“There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium; and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not … Read more
It started when I was 19 years old. I was a college student, studying medieval literature, but I had a secret habit. Late at night, I would sneak into the basement of my dormitory to sing opera. Singing gave me energy. Whenever I had to pull an all-nighter to study for a test or write … Read more
One of my earliest memories in college was sitting in a circle with my freshman classmates discussing why we were there. What training had led us to this place. (Because let’s face it, not many youngsters are saying, “Gee, I want to perform music that’s 400 years old!”) I found that even among this elite … Read more
Ok, I admit it. I am completely guilty of taking on too many gigs, trying to make everyone happy all of the time, and usually overwhelming and exhausting myself in the process. It is very difficult for me, a type-A personality who has been trying to scrape together a living as a professional singer in … Read more
Life doesn’t always go according to plan. When I graduated from the Mozarteum in Salzburg, I did not expect to create an opera festival in Nepal. That was not part of my “five-year plan” for launching my career. But in the summer of 2009, due to a very unusual chain of events, I found myself … Read more