Sometimes you need a good “kick in the pants” – Thanks honey!!

Posted 1 year, 1 month ago at 9:24 pm. 4 comments

I love my husband.  I’m here at the Classical Singer Convention in Chicago and he’s home with the girls (thank God he’s also got lots of family support).  I sang on a Master Class with Stage Director James Marvel

this morning and did REALLY well (got lots of positive comments after & throughout the afternoon!).  He helped me by suggesting that I play the aria (“Smanie implacabili” from Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte) as a silent film – I HAD to communicate without actually making sound.  Then, in the late afternoon, I went to a session led by artist managers Robert Mirshak (President of Mirshak Artists Management) & Kristin Cowdin (Artist Manager at Guy Barzilay Artists).  I got back to the hotel room at the Westin O’Hare and was somewhat depressed about the realities of the situation – especially financial commitments that I will need to make.

Yes, I sing the most beautiful music in the world (thank you Mark Stoddard for that quote!).  Yes, I am a very good singer who is ready to be out there working and performing.  The reality of it all is that I DON’T live in New York City.  I am lucky enough to have friends I can stay with whenever I need a place, but getting the plane ticket from Phoenix to NYC is not easy.  If I DO get management (my current goal), I need to be able to get to New York or other places relatively quickly.  But, I don’t have money saved in the bank for that.  So, what can I do?

First, I called my husband.  He said “If you want to feel sorry for yourself, come home now.  Otherwise, just get up and do what you can.”  That, of course (as he well knew), kicked in my contrarian side and I got off my duff & went & practiced.  As for the travel situation, I am asking everyone I know if they have any frequent flyer miles they are willing to use to purchase me a ticket.

THAT’S the secret – you don’t ask someone to donate their miles to you (that now costs about the same as a ticket!).  They can purchase the ticket in your name for a very low amount (my friend Marilyn bought my ticket here to Chicago & it was only $7.50!).  So, it’s possible.  I just need to poll all my friends/colleagues/associates to see if anyone is willing to help me.

I’ve got to keep going because I DO want to do this – I had great success in New York last week at the Giulio Gari competition (I made the age cut-off by 3 weeks).  I was one of THREE mezzo’s who made the finals (from 185 applicants to 32 finalists).  I didn’t win money (none of the mezzo’s did!), but Mrs. Gloria Gari has asked me to come back and attend the Winner’s Gala in October as her guest, and she would like to arrange for me to sing for a couple of agents when I’m there.  I’m also invited back in August to work with a coach from the Met.   There is a competition my voice teacher wants me to compete in – again, I make the age cut-off by scant months.

It seems the universe is giving me the opportunities, I just need to figure out HOW to take advantage of them!  So, if anyone would like a concert/recital in their home – I’m available (and please tell your friends).  If anyone would like to purchase me an airline ticket – I would GLADLY accept.  If anyone would like to donate towards my creating a CD (I already have an audio engineering team lined up) – Thank you!!  I have the family support behind me.  Now, all I need is to ask for the help that will allow me to reach for my dreams.

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