While I hurt my eye (See back a few posts)- I decided to FINALLY listen to "Tipping Point" on my ipod; a wonderful book by Malcolm Gladwell that my fiance downloaded as he can multitask and listen and work at the same time. I cannot- and I was on my way to DC for the holidays- and I couldn't read- so...here we are back to "Tipping Point"
The book is about why successful people are successful. And it's not only because of hard work, or luck, or a trust fund, or all those reasons one immediately thinks of when people think of success. It's a combination of all of these- luck included (apparently, the decade you were born makes a significant contribution). And- hard work- well, it's all about how many hours you put into your craft and it seems that 10,000 hours is the magic number. So, I did some calculating, and I have approximately 8,500 hours in singing- those 5 years of vocal damage really did do me in. That, and needing to work to eat. In artistic administration? The job I was doing to support my singing career? Exactly 10,000 hours.
Holy f8k# Damn!
Friday, December 30, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
Christmas Things to Do!
Friday, December 16th
Chelsea Opera presents "A Child's Christmas in Wales"- this CHORAL piece will feature 45 singers and an orchestra- $25 advance tickets. One night only.
buy tickets here!
Tuesday, December 20th
My group, Voices of Women, Holiday House Party. Ticket prices offset future engagements (and we have to pay the pianist...)
when: December 20, 6-9 pm
where: 63 West 70th st., #3
cost at the door: $15 per person/$35 per family
cost before December 18: $10 per person/$25 per family
Join us as we usher in the Holidays with some old fashion Christmas Caroling and other fun selections! Wine and other beverages, cookies and of course candy canes included! Everyone welcome-this will be kid friendly! This is an open house, so please come when you can. Pay ahead of time via our donate page
Thursday, December 8, 2011
My Second Act
On Monday, I was asked to participate in a "live lecture" where I sing some arias and then discuss the art of being a singer. The audience are all adults- folks who go to the opera and want to learn more about it- not students. Thank god! Because, if there were students- I would say "run to the hills!" Which, is completely unfair....and kept me silent among my other singers performing that day.
One of whom is a beautifully voiced soprano. She has been auditioning for 3 years with little luck and I can't for the life think of why. And she asks me this same question (and I am sure she asks her teacher, I am sure everyone) and my response was to just throw up my hands. And I thought: Holy Shit! I have now turned the corner...I used to be the one asking those questions and they would respond with throwing up their hands!
It's just such a sad state of affairs. This business is so hard...and the allure is so strong to keep going. And it comes from everywhere- if not society (try hard = success, follow your dream!), guilt (I have 2 degrees in this!), the music itself (I CAN sing this stuff so why should I stop?). And when someone asks you- well, why did you stop and how are you managing not singing as your "dream"... I answer:
I had no choice. I had to eat. It's not fair, but then there comes a time in one's life when it's time to find out what else you are good at so you can eat- and be happy with how you came to eat. And it is possible.
But you can't tell someone in the middle of it...you just throw up your hands-- like all those folks did with me.
One of whom is a beautifully voiced soprano. She has been auditioning for 3 years with little luck and I can't for the life think of why. And she asks me this same question (and I am sure she asks her teacher, I am sure everyone) and my response was to just throw up my hands. And I thought: Holy Shit! I have now turned the corner...I used to be the one asking those questions and they would respond with throwing up their hands!
It's just such a sad state of affairs. This business is so hard...and the allure is so strong to keep going. And it comes from everywhere- if not society (try hard = success, follow your dream!), guilt (I have 2 degrees in this!), the music itself (I CAN sing this stuff so why should I stop?). And when someone asks you- well, why did you stop and how are you managing not singing as your "dream"... I answer:
I had no choice. I had to eat. It's not fair, but then there comes a time in one's life when it's time to find out what else you are good at so you can eat- and be happy with how you came to eat. And it is possible.
But you can't tell someone in the middle of it...you just throw up your hands-- like all those folks did with me.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
top 10 reasons I haven't cracked open La Traviata this month- even with all that hype from my last blog entry
10. I have to write in this blog
9. I got fat from all that turkey I ate and only have time for the gym
8. I hurt my eye and can't see (this is true)
7. I need to figure out ways to make more money to pay off my bills from when I was trying to be a professional singer
6. I got a gig- yeah!- but need to practice that music instead
5. I get home too late and therefore, don't want to annoy my neighbors
4. I was too hyped to do it and have to disappoint myself to feel back to "normal"
3. It's so much music - where do I even start? (I know- at the beginning)
2. I rather look at thesuperficial.com
1. I'm stuck on the NYC subway all the damn time
What are your reasons to procrastinate??!
9. I got fat from all that turkey I ate and only have time for the gym
8. I hurt my eye and can't see (this is true)
7. I need to figure out ways to make more money to pay off my bills from when I was trying to be a professional singer
6. I got a gig- yeah!- but need to practice that music instead
5. I get home too late and therefore, don't want to annoy my neighbors
4. I was too hyped to do it and have to disappoint myself to feel back to "normal"
3. It's so much music - where do I even start? (I know- at the beginning)
2. I rather look at thesuperficial.com
1. I'm stuck on the NYC subway all the damn time
What are your reasons to procrastinate??!
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