CHANGE OF SELF. Hagen Exercise 3, Pt. 2 

Hagen Exercise Three: Changes of Self

 

Earlier his Fall, my husband and I went to Nashville!  For the flight, I wore a pair of flare-cut jeans, a henley, denim jacket, cowboy hat and Frye boots.  As we were waiting around the airport, I was just browsing some magazines and Bill took these pictures of me, telling me how he could see I was in my “Country Western” mode.  You bet I was!  I was feeling very laid back and completely comfortable, and if I may say, pretty cool. :-).  It took me back to the days I…

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ANIMATED LISTENING 

Actively listening in real life is a desired skill, even an art, in and of itself.  In this age of “SQUIRREL!!!”: multi tasking, reading and watching little snippets on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, streaming shows, etc., I think many of us find ourselves realizing we miss some real content in our listening.  It’s actually something we can practice for better personal and professional relationships. 

The same thing can be said for our work onstage as performers.  We all know it’s imperative to translate…

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REST IN PEACE, DENNIS CAHILL  

 

A week ago today, June 20th, 2022, a musical virtuoso left this world.  A musical genius, one of the most “musical” musicians I know, one of the most talented, most musically-giving, and a lover of the worst musical jokes there are…. And who loved to laugh at this own stupid jokes as he watched the recipient’s face for their reaction, still laughing.   Bill and I lost a dear friend and I lost a mentor. 

His music hasn’t left this world, nor will it ever.  It will never leave the souls of those whom he…

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OPERA'S UNSUNG HEROES? TAKE A PEEK BACKSTAGE 

 

 

 

Opera Fan: “You work at the Met?! How COOL! What do you do?” 

Stagehand: “I make the magic happen!” 

I ask that people will take the time to read the recent article from METOPERANEWS.COM on the labor disputes happening at the Metropolitan Opera that I shared on my Facebook page. Not just opera fans, but anyone interested in labor rights, decent and safe working conditions and fair wages. Anyone who has ever been moved by any kind of music, theatre, dance, painting, photography or sculpture…

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Acting 4 Opera Singers 

ACTING THOUGHTS (Sort of like SNL's "Deep Thoughts" LOL)

I've taken to rewriting smaller sections of some of my blog on my professional FB page, groups that I'm in and my LinkedIn.  Let's face it, the one on acting the audition was just too long.  So...  I'm doing smaller bits :-). 

When it comes to "props" start thinking of them and using them more as objects in your life!  "Your" - your character - the "new you".  Spend time with them to really give them a history and connection to "yourself".  Think…

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Acting the Audition 

 

The opera audition season is in full swing! I hope it’s going really well for you and you feel good about your auditions. 

Singers are so often unsure about how little or how much to “act” their arias in auditions. Auditions are their own crazy animal and can seem to unrealistic. I remember hearing that quite a bit - “auditions are so unnatural.... so awkward...”. Let’s try to think differently. If you think they are unnatural and awkward, you will come off as such. It is up to you to make them feel as…

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Toi Toi Toi: Here's to a Wonderful New Season  

Well here goes....!  My first blog.  I've been thinking of doing a blog for quite some time and I've known what the general idea would be, but I have so many ideas, I just didn't really know what I'd write about first.  With September being the "opening of the season" in general and tonight being the opening night at the Met , I thought this would be a good time to start!  I don't know how often I'll post but I do want to write.  

This particular blog entry will be geared toward young artists.  I find…

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