I ran across this quote in a book about painter Jackson Pollock I was reading this morning:
“One day, curious about his wife’s opinion of a picture, he did not ask whether she thought it was a good painting or a bad one.  He simply asked, ‘Is this a painting?’”
My voice teacher Kathy Kaun used to [...]

I was SO happy to discover this newly-posted TED talk today from Scottish conductor Charles Hazlewood.  So many wonderful ideas, beautiful ways of describing the music-making process, and the power that music has in our lives.  A couple thoughts that come to mind for me:
*Having been to South Africa, I can relate so much to [...]

I’ve got a few “Craig-isms’ to share from rehearsals this week with Craig Hella Johnson and the Victoria Bach Festival musicians. I love the way these great images come up in rehearsal.
“Burn all of your undergarments and just let it soar.”
“Just dots on a chalkboard.”
“Just like popcorn.”
“Get it out of your system, all that [...]

Special thanks to Marie for bringing this article to my attention.  It’s not a big surprise, but doctors are continuing to discover the myriad health benefits of singing.
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You Docs: Singing the praises of the curative powers of song
Published: Thursday, April 21, 2011, 9:28 AM     Updated: Friday, April 22, 2011, 6:58 AM
By [...]

I am starting to see the finish line.
The past 2 months have been the most intense and grueling season of performing I have ever experienced.  It started right after the New Year with a week of rehearsals and performances with Cappella Romana.
Then I began full-time rehearsals for “The Elixir of Love” while simultaneously commencing work [...]

I heard someone say today, “You can’t learn to sing!  You can either do it or you can’t.”
That’s baloney, and I have dozens and dozens of students to prove it!

I’ve recently come to realize just how alive and well the art of singing really is.  There are times (although they seem to be less often these days) when I wonder if what I do really matters.  It feels like there are so many serious problems in the world, and so many basic needs that [...]

Some words I am considering this morning, via Jim:
“There is nothing to prove and nothing to protect.  I am who I am, and that’s enough.  Relax into Me, for I made you.” - Richard Rohr

Two really great videos with awesome, insightful content.  And just to keep your attention, they have been animated!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3oIiH7BLmg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6XAPnuFjJc&

:: This is a post I wrote for the Portland Opera blog about my experience so far in the Portland Opera To Go (POGO) tour.  You can see the original post here. ::
Music affects each person in a different way. It has the ability to comfort, to enliven, to console, and to energize. There is [...]