You are my inspiration... Opera

Hopefully someone will find the allusion to "Pillow Talk" for the title of this blog entry amusing...but at least I know that I amuse myself! :-)

Yesterday was a fabulous day, and I continue to be inspired to pursue a better life for myself.  I led a few choirs as a part of a job interview, then I traveled to Indianola to have a vocal lesson with the ever-talented Bruce Brown.  Voice lessons are like therapy for me.  I love to sing, feel reconnected to my voice, and remember that I am more than just someone's mom or someone's teacher...I'm a big, ol' diva soprano. :-)

Driving always clears my head, and sometimes I come up with my best ideas while I make the two and a half hour drive to or home from Indianola.  I have decided that since I am 28 years old, and not getting younger, it is time to throw some talent at the wall and see if it sticks.  I'm going to put together my audition package (5 arias) and audition for the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in the fall.  A singer is only allowed to audition until the year she turns 30, and I will turn 29 in this audition year.  I have come to the realization that regardless of my current location or life circumstances, I still have a tremendous desire to perform, to better myself as a performer, and to know that I did not pass up an opportunity to pursue a career in what I truly love.  I feel alive when I sing.  I want to be the kind of parent who shows her children that, regardless of what the circumstances may be, it always pays to pursue your dreams.  It maybe incredibly challenging, and it may not all work out, but I will know I truly tried.

With all of that in mind, I am on a mission.  I need new head shots, new repertoire, an accompanist, a vocal coach that is located closer to me, and many other things.  I will conquer each part of that, one step at a time, and by this time next year, you may be looking at the winner of the Met auditions...who knows?! :-)

Comes a train of little ladies...

This weekend marks the opening and closing of The Mikado at Opera Omaha.  Again, I have been fortunate enough to be hired for the chorus, and I take every opportunity I'm given in stride. During times like these, I reflect on my life and think about the "what if's" and "could have been's," and I see that every action has an equal and opposite reaction.  Had I not made some of the distinct choices I have made in my life, some of the most wonderful things that have ever happened to me (namely my children) would not be in existence.

As always happens when I'm in an opera, I have felt a new sense of life and a desire to work on my music.  Although I am currently pursuing a career in teaching, I still get inspired to work on new music and perform.  I hope to be working for a school district in the fall, and then perhaps I could put together a faculty recital.  Regardless, I have picked several new pieces to work up and put together a new audition package, which at least gives me something to work toward.

Whenever I am working on new music, it always makes me miss my dear friend (and amazing accompanist) Becky.  It was devastating, not only to me, but to our entire community, when she lost her battle to cancer, and I miss her terribly, especially when I'm working on new music.

Overall, I'm fairly inspired, glad that it is finally spring, and hoping that good things will continue to come my way.