Sam I Am at Houston Symphony

Yesterday, I had the awesome experience of performing Dr. Seuss' Green Eggs & Ham at the Houston Symphony. I was Sam, dressed in a red costume complete with red fuzzy hat. There is nothing like singing with a full symphony behind you! Jones Hall is a great place. I even had my own dressing room complete with bathroom and a piano to help with my warmups. There were about 2,000 at each of the 2 shows. Since the first show was at 10 am and I had gotten home around 12 am from opera rehearsal, I had to work to get going. I showered, ate breakfast, then made the 45 minute drive, warming my voice up all the way. The conductor, Robert Franz and my co-star, Alicia Gianni, were so fun to work with and made it a great show. We rhearsed about 4 times (only once with the symphony other times with pianist) for this show and then did a run through with our mikes on Saturday morning. Thanks also to Roger Dailey for hiring me and providing so much help and support. I even got to go back to Jones Hall last night and see Wayne Brady in concert and learn from watching him perform. As far as my road to success, I got great experience and training and exposure to a new audience. My mom will spend time updating my resume. Now my question for you is, "Do you like green eggs and ham?"

Full Schedule

This week and last week crazy schedule. I'll start with last week. I agreed to fill in for the part of Schroeder in You're a Good Man Charlie Brown at a community theater as it was opening and their Schroeder had a family emergency. I was familiar with the show since I'd been Charlie Brown but still it was a lot to learn in a week.

Monday I had guitar lesson & play rehearsal, Tuesday play rehearsal, Wednesday piano and play rehearsal, Thursday voice lesson to work on my Aeros music and play rehearsal, Friday symphony rehearsal and opera rehearsal. Saturday was acting class, opening of the play, and then ran tech that night for other cast. Sunday was church and homework, homework, homework. I'm in 7th grade so I actually had school work all the days I listed. I usually take a dance lesson at my house each week but had to miss this week. Also, this week I had an interview with a Chronicle reporter for an upcoming article.

This week I had to cancel guitar. This week is even busier than last week. Today after school I had rehearsal at the symphony, costume fitting at the opera, and then opera rehearsal until 9:45. Tuesday I have symphony rehearsal. Wednesday is piano and opera rehearsal until 11:30. Thursday voice to work more on upcoming Aeros performance and to begin selecting Christmas music for December fundraiser, then opera rehearsal until 11:30. Friday costume fitting at the Alley Theatre for A Christmas Carol, rehearsal at Symphony and then rehearsal at Opera until 11:30. Saturday morning 2 performances at Symphony so I'll miss my acting class. I'll relax some Saturday night at a swim party and then back to opera after church on Sunday for more rehearsal. I'll be doing a lot of homework in the car this week but it is all worth it. I have a lot of fun around the other kids at the opera and there is nothing like being on the "big stage", or the sound of applause.