Singing at Church

Today I sang a solo at church. I love my church and have lots of friends there but singing at church in front of my friends is one of the hardest things to do. I get more nervous there because I don't want to mess up in front of my friends. I did everything I could today to make sure my voice with my asthma did OK. I started the morning with a breathing treatment, used nose spray and wash, and took a decongetant. I'm glad to say my voice did not crack and I was glad to worship in song today.

Recording CD

Today, I spent part of the afternoon recording a Christmas CD to give as gifts. It's always awesome working with Tan Troung at West Side Recording Studio. He knows how to get the best out of my singing and has tons of patience when I have to fix things. I love that about recording a CD because if you mess up, you can just fix in on the spot. No worries. Today was neat because my sister and her friend got to sing back up on one of the songs. If you need any recording work done check out West Side Recording Studio. His blog is on my page.

An Off Week

This week I've been sick with asthma which has really messed things up. I was going to record a Christmas CD Tuesday but got to studio and just couldn't get my voice to cooperate so I had to quit. At the Alley I had hard time being loud enough without coughing. Wednesday night I was suppose to rehearse my solo for Sunday morning at our church and also had a rough time with my voice even though doing breathing treatments. Tonight I did not get a solo at the audition at the opera but a cover instead. I don't know that I can blame that on the asthma but it's disappointing any way. I'm hoping I'm recoverd for Saturday Christmas Carol and my Sunday solo.

Opera - it’s not what you expect

I just finished my 4th opera with Houston Grand Opera. All have been so much fun. The first was Hansel & Gretel where the witch was a giant man operated puppet with singer inside. We staged this opera twice once indoor and the other outdoor with numerous peformances. At the outdoor performances, in addition to singing I also got to be a puppeteer, which was harder than it looked to keep your arm up working the puppet during the song. The second was Cunning Little Vixen where in addition to being a fox cub singing with the children's chorus, I also got to be a fly playing football. In Billy Budd, my 3rd opera, I was with all men/boys and liked my costume as an officer in training and the singing the best. While in Billy Budd, NPR radio came to the opera and I was interviewed on stage by Christopher O'Riley. It was neat to be in a radio recording process. In the 2 operas I just finished last night - Pagliacci & Cavaleria Rusticana- I got to sing Italian for the first time and also got to be a bad kid smoking. The cigarette had powder instead of nicotine. Everything is first class at the opera from the directors, musicians, costumes, sets, props, and most definitely the singers. I am treated so professionally and look forward now to starting rehearsals for MidSummer Night's Dream next week. If you haven't tried the opera you should experience it. We've had sets that were platforms or turntables moving, clowns juggling, and puppets bigger than life. Give it a try, I think you'll be surprised.