Getting it together

I know I haven't written in a while. Truth be told...I've actually been BUSY! Who knew? B

Spring has sprung in Mississippi (which means summer is about 2 days away as far as temperature and humidity are concerned!), and this is what's going on with the Soprano on the Loose...


I have about 15 students in private instruction for voice and piano. They range in age from 5 to 28. Definitely keeping me on my toes. One 10-yr-old boy is a future composer/nanotechnologist(?), and yes, that is what he told me. I have a marine biologist that just began taking piano again after being out on a boat for a while. Must be nice! Then there's the smattering of teens and pre-teens who are positively excited to be taking lessons and enhancing their lives with music! I only have a couple of kids who watch the clock while we're in the studio; most of them actually tell me how much fun they have. I'm grateful for this new element of teaching in my life. It's providing the little bit of stability I've needed to feel normal...well, mostly normal. :0

Back in March, I performed a very successful run of the play Lend Me A Tenor (now being revived on Broadway with Stanley Tucci directing) at Center Stage in Biloxi. Being able to do the show multiple times was a new experience for me. With opera, usually you get 2 or 3 performances, maybe 4 depending on size of the company and if it's double cast or not.

But, I got to be Maggie Saunders 9 whole times and enjoyed every minute of it! There were the usual things that stress you out during the run of a show, but all in all, it went smoothly. Although, I had the dress from hell for Act II. It was beautiful, yes, but it gave the costumer such problems. The zipper had to be replaced twice, once right before opening night and again on the evening before our final performance.

Of course, it could have been because I had to disrobe and redress onstage every night! If you didn't see it...sorry you missed out! Hey, maybe they'll need somebody to step in on Broadway. I'll just keep waiting for Guffman, I guess.

After the play was over, I had a couple of weeks to prepare for a concert of Vivaldi's Gloria. I was so glad to have something else to focus on right away. There's always a certain depression that comes with the wrap of a show. In general, it's always helpful to have something scheduled on the calendar to look forward to, preferably in close proximity.

The concert went over really well, with a standing room only audience. We had a mixed community/high school choir with a combined high school orchestra with some pros thrown in for the really hard stuff (that's me!). I hope to be able to post some video from it soon. Check back in the next few days.


So...coming up...

This week I rehearse and perform with the Gulf Coast Opera Theatre at Beauvoir in Biloxi, the historic home of Jefferson Davis. We will be singing Confederate era songs on the front steps of the home.


I promise I'll be back sooner this time. I know you missed hearing about my life ;)!