Brené Brown did two segments on the topic of “armored vs. daring leadership” last April, which I came across a few weeks ago. It wasn’t the first time I’d heard the term “putting on armor” in regards to relationship issues. I had previously heard the term in one of my therapy sessions last fall. MyContinue reading “Armored vs. Daring Performing (and Teaching)”
Author Archives: Mezzoid Voice Studio
Color Me Vivid
When I was a little girl, Barbra Streisand did a musical special on TV called “Color me Barbra.” It was filmed at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and was a celebration of art and music. Of course I didn’t watch it at that time, because my parents hated Barbra Streisand and wouldn’t let me –Continue reading “Color Me Vivid”
Why Community Matters to Me
We think of community in terms that may or may not be positive. Community theater is often thought of as less than in quality and value than professional theater (NOT TRUE) Community college is where you go when you can’t afford a “real” college (NOT TRUE) A community choir implies that there were no auditionsContinue reading “Why Community Matters to Me”
Memorization Techniques and Tips
Memorizing music and lyrics always came easily to me. Whether it was classical or musical theater, English or a foreign language, I could learn music and have it ready to perform just like that <snaps fingers.> Not so much anymore. Maybe it’s aging. Maybe it’s lack of practice – before I moved back to MilwaukeeContinue reading “Memorization Techniques and Tips”
Grit and Creating a Practice
In the last year or so, I’ve heard a lot about the term GRIT, which is part of the title of a book by psychologist Angela Duckworth. I was reminded of the term in listening to a not-so-recent podcast, Dare to Lead, by Brené Brown, in which she interviewed Dr. Duckworth. I haven’t read theContinue reading “Grit and Creating a Practice”
When the light hit them
“I came from nothing. I came from the most isolated place in the United States: Hawaii. And I spent most of my time reading books in libraries. And I had a mediocre education. But somehow or another I was mesmerized by the idea that someone would get up in a pool of light and beContinue reading “When the light hit them”
So How DO I Actually Focus?
I’ve picked my Word for the Year, and it’s FOCUS And that’s all well and good, but exactly what steps am I taking to facilitate this? It’s not enough to say, “This year, I’m going to focus,” or even to establish on what you’re focusing, but what am I doing to ensure that this actuallyContinue reading “So How DO I Actually Focus?”
2021 In Review
Well, THIS was a year. Let’s review it, shall we? (Buckle up, there’s a lot – although it’s still shorter than Dave Barry’s annual year in review) January:Sang for a televised Mass in honor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton at Mount St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg (masked) Started taking Peter Jacobson’s Alexander Technique Teacher Training programContinue reading “2021 In Review”
What’s My 2022 Word?
For the last few years, I’ve chosen a specific word to be the focus of my upcoming year. So now it’s time to figure out my 2022 word. Last year, my word was SYSTEMS. That worked pretty well, overall. I’m still working on the email marketing part, which I kinda hate. For 2020, it was RECREATE,Continue reading “What’s My 2022 Word?”
Creating Your Own Holiday Traditions
I have written before that I grew up without any real holiday traditions. My dad was Slovenian (or at least that’s what I was told – in recent years, I’ve been told secondhand that he was born in Slovenia to Croatian parents) and my mother was Estonian. You would think that my childhood Christmases wouldContinue reading “Creating Your Own Holiday Traditions”