The great Kelli O’Hara went to the same school as Kristin Chenoweth, and studied with same voice teacher, force of nature Florence Birdwell. Obviously, Ms. Birdwell knew her stuff (she was still alive last I heard, so I should say, “knows” her stuff), since both of them are Tony-award winning artists. Kristin Chenoweth is knownContinue reading “When you hear no…”
Tag Archives: curiously strong singing
Breaking Down The I Want Song
The late Bob Fosse said that there were three kinds of songs that mattered to the director of a musical: The “I am” song – defining who the singer is The “I want” song – defining what the singer wants The “New” song – doesn’t fit the other two categories; could take things into aContinue reading “Breaking Down The I Want Song”
The Performer’s Identity
For those of us who have identified as performers for most of our lives, 2020 has made us question our very identities. For those of us who have dreamt of a life on the stage and have done everything in service of that goal, 2020 has made us question our goals. For those of usContinue reading “The Performer’s Identity”
Creativity + Intelligence
I like creative people. I like smart people. So I like creative, smart people. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with many in my life, both as a performer and as a teacher, and to be friends with quite a few as well. I saw this quote by Albert Einstein, and I couldn’t agree more:Continue reading “Creativity + Intelligence”
Your voice is a [fill in the blank]
I like analogies. I don’t teach solely by analogy, though, because they’re so personal and sometimes they don’t mean anything to people. I use them to illustrate concepts that I’ve explained technically. And I use them judiciously. For example, when we sing, we are singing on the exhalation. It’s important for that exhalation to beContinue reading “Your voice is a [fill in the blank]”
Expectations
I read a lot of political books. If you know me, you know which way I tend to swing, politically. I generally don’t talk about them in my business, because not everyone agrees on the subject, especially in this very divided condition we’re in right now. One of the books I read recently was JamesContinue reading “Expectations”
Work SMARTer, not harder
At the beginning of this year, I downloaded a SMART worksheet to kick my year off as far as goal-setting. It’s almost November, and that’s as far as it got. I downloaded it. But while I didn’t actually fill out the form, I like to think that I do set SMART goals, whether they beContinue reading “Work SMARTer, not harder”
In the Service of Clarity
You may know that my favorite composer is Stephen Sondheim. My husband even gave me an autographed picture of him for my birthday (thanks to the family of Gary Lorenz, who apparently didn’t appreciate what their family member had and sold it on eBay). Sondheim has written two books on his lyrics (he meant toContinue reading “In the Service of Clarity”
International Stuttering Awareness Day and Singing
Today is International Stuttering Awareness Day. Famous stutterers include: Marilyn Monroe, actor James Earl Jones, actor Mel Tillis, country singer Samuel L. Jackson, actor Bruce Willis, actor Nicole Kidman, actor Emily Blunt, actor Chris Martin, singer Carly Simon, singer Lazaro Arbos, singer/American Idol finalist Joe Biden, presidential candidate (interesting that, as of this writing, thereContinue reading “International Stuttering Awareness Day and Singing”
Say Yes to Music
A few months ago, I watched a series of videos by Elly Ameling on art song, and jotted down my notes on them. Here they are (and I’ve added a few notes today, in italics): LEARN YOUR MUSIC “BY HEART” – so much more than just memorizing it. By heart. By heart – not onlyContinue reading “Say Yes to Music”