I recently encountered this Rumi poem at a concert I attended.
There Is A Field
Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing,
there is a field.  I’ll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass,
the world is too full to talk about.
Ideas, language, even the phrase each other
doesn’t make any sense.
- Rumi
…wow…

Time has a profound effect on music. This seems to be true in many ways, but specifically length of exposure has a profound effect on how I receive music into my psyche.  Take, for example, my current dealings with the Houston Ballet.  I am singing with a male chorus from the orchestra pit while the [...]

I heard this poem on The Writer’s Almanac today and it really made me laugh.  It’s kind of dark comedy, but I TOTALLY relate.  You can also click the link above and listen to Garrison Keillor’s clever reading of the poem.

Bridal Shower
by George Bilgere

Perhaps, in a distant café,
four or five people are talking
with the four [...]

Here’s what’s up for me right now:

I start rehearsals Wednesday for “The Daughter of the Regiment” with Houston Grand Opera’s “Opera to Go!” I’m excited to return to sing with this group.  Still making sure I have my part learned!
Abby and I are approaching 2 months of being married!  It practically seems like yesterday that [...]

Abby put this poem on our refrigerator a couple weeks ago and it has been rolling around in my head ever since I read it.  Such an inspiration!
Love After Love
By Derek Walcott
The time will come
When, with elation
You will greet yourself arriving
At your own door, in your own mirror
And each will smile at the other’s welcome
And [...]

“Your mind is like a stadium with the dome open…you have ZERO judgement when it comes to things that move you.  You have what makes talented people successful for years and years - a brave sense of self and a completely authentic relationship with your tastes.”
- Musician John Mayer, in an interview with Sky Magazine

After my string of summer travels, rehearsals, and performances, I’m back in Houston now in the swing of my fall schedule. This includes a good deal of teaching private lessons and classes, all of which happen in the suburbs. All that driving has put Michele Norris and Robert Siegle back into my life [...]

I really recommend these words from my good friend Jim.  One quote he mentions: “Truth will sooner come out of gross error in attempting than from total inaction.”

Exciting news - I’m getting married!  The beautiful Abby came into my life earlier this year and we just got engaged last week.  We are getting married this January in Houston, Texas! 

I am finally in Austin rehearsing with Conspirare for our upcoming trip to Copenhagen, Denmark.   I am LOVING it.  Everything about it is just so inspiring: the repertoire, the friends, Craig Hella Johnson, charming Austin, etc.
I just love the way CHJ speaks about music.  He has an incredible way of explaining musical concepts and  ideas [...]