I can't believe how long it has been since I've blogged--not that I've been particularly religious about it this year, but so much has happened in the past five months that I don't even know where to begin! I'm going to be back-tracking for the next few weeks, now that I have time to write.
First things first: my two-year project has come to an end. I am going to grad school to get my Masters in Voice Performance. I need to thank everyone for their prayers, support, and...er...donations. It was a grueling decision to make. I finally got into my dream-school, Mannes Conservatory in NYC. I have been working with Amy Burton (a successful soprano and incredible teacher at Mannes) this past year, and to top things off, they even offered me a considerable scholarship. When I got my acceptance packet, I felt like Rudy getting his acceptance letter to Notre Dame. I had applied to this school twice previously, and now I had finally made it! I ran to meet Matt (who was in town) with watery eyes, thanking God for this opportunity.
Ordinarily, this would have been a no-brainer. I would have loved to simply sign the paperwork and start shopping for a new apartment closer to school. Ironically, the next day while Matt and I were sitting in the St. Agnes branch library (81st and Amsterdam), I got an email from Florida State University, telling me that I had received a Graduate Assistantship--meaning that my tuition was basically paid for, on top of a housing stipend, and I would assist professors or teach voice lessons while at FSU. Another incredible opportunity.
My reaction was somewhat less enthusiastic than what it had been when receiving the acceptance letter from Mannes. In fact, I think my exact words were "Oh, shit", not because I was ungrateful, but because I knew I had a big decision ahead of me. The truth was that I hadn't expected any scholarship from FSU, and so I hadn't been seriously considering it.
To cut a two-week story somewhat short: I labored over this decision for 18 days--two novenas. On the last day of my second novena, my godson and nephew, Louis Ignatius, was born. This seemed to clear everything up. My brother Mario (father of Louis and Francis) and his wife Theresa live in Naples, FL (a good seven hours from Tallahassee) and my other brother Quincy and his wife Kimberly live in Tampa. So on April 13th, 4am, EST (about an hour after Louis was born), I made my decision: God had presented me with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities--1. to study at a world-class, New York City conservatory, 2. stay out of debt and hopefully gain incredible performing experience at FSU, and 3. be within driving distance of my two brothers (and their families) for the first time since I was 13 years old.
I couldn't have made a wrong decision, but I chose 2 and 3. And hopefully I'll be able to make several trips to NYC for auditions and lessons with Amy. All my life, it seems I've never been exactly where I wanted to be, whether I was far from home, from family, transferring schools and missing friends, or stuck in a sketchy apartment building in NYC, plus all of the above. And yet, my entire life, I know with the utmost certainty that I have always been (and will hopefully always be) exactly where I need to be. FSU is an unknown--I have no idea what's coming in the next two years. But because I can trust in God, I know that it's going to be great, and that I will thrive.
Despite the uncertainty of leaving the hub of showbiz and an incredible teacher, I know that I made a good decision. Matt is currently enroute to Tallahassee with his yellow Penske moving truck, and I'm moving July 5th. (I'm sharing a side of a duplex with an intern at the Catholic Student Union.) Plus, I know that if I ever have a long weekend with nothing to do, my brothers, the beach, and Harry Potter Land are only a (relatively) short ways away. Soli Deo Gloria.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
The Beginnings of Perseverance
I am happy to share that I have received live auditions at all the of schools I applied to this year. This is an improvement from last year and I think that the hard work and fantastic voice lessons is paying off!
I am now at the critical, nail biting stage of pre-audition. Most people may think it's between the audition and the results, but there is not a thing I can do once my audition is over--it's already been decided for me. The task ahead is to master the parts of the audition that are in my control.
The good news is that there is life outside of academia, and I am determined to be successful whether or not I have a master's degree behind me. This being said, there are certainly valuable experiences to be gained attending a master's program, and that is my goal for next year.
Another nice thing--I'm covering Giulietta with New York Lyric Opera Theater. This works out well for me, as the performance is in three weeks and I'm in the middle of traveling for grad school and preparing auditions. I get to learn the role without having to sing it for five hours a day, and I will perform a few arias in a concert at Symphony Space on W 96th Street, the morning after my audition at New England Conservatory.
These past few months are proof--or least evidence--that perseverance pays off! (I'll say "proof" when or if I actually get into grad school.) This is my third time applying for grad school! I am determined to go to one of the best schools in the country, and hopefully I'll start next September in such a school. It has been emotional, difficult, and expensive, to say the least, but it is all worth it. I can't wait to sing!
One piece of proof of the results of perseverance: one of the conductors for NYLOT came into rehearsal as we were finishing up. I recognized him from my auditions, but seeing as they hear hundreds of people each year, I didn't think he would recognize me. "Hello! Oh, Miss Bird! So good to see you!" (I thought I was in trouble, but asked if he remembered me.) "Of course I do! You auditioned for us twice and I played for both of them! I see you're covering Giulietta. That's fantastic. Let's talk soon."
Yes, I auditioned for them twice, even when they told me I didn't have to, but I know it was the second audition that made the difference. It was definitely worth two audition fees.
Perhaps I'm not at the stage where I can succeed on the first try, but who ever is? I'm willing to pay my dues.
I am now at the critical, nail biting stage of pre-audition. Most people may think it's between the audition and the results, but there is not a thing I can do once my audition is over--it's already been decided for me. The task ahead is to master the parts of the audition that are in my control.
The good news is that there is life outside of academia, and I am determined to be successful whether or not I have a master's degree behind me. This being said, there are certainly valuable experiences to be gained attending a master's program, and that is my goal for next year.
Another nice thing--I'm covering Giulietta with New York Lyric Opera Theater. This works out well for me, as the performance is in three weeks and I'm in the middle of traveling for grad school and preparing auditions. I get to learn the role without having to sing it for five hours a day, and I will perform a few arias in a concert at Symphony Space on W 96th Street, the morning after my audition at New England Conservatory.
These past few months are proof--or least evidence--that perseverance pays off! (I'll say "proof" when or if I actually get into grad school.) This is my third time applying for grad school! I am determined to go to one of the best schools in the country, and hopefully I'll start next September in such a school. It has been emotional, difficult, and expensive, to say the least, but it is all worth it. I can't wait to sing!
One piece of proof of the results of perseverance: one of the conductors for NYLOT came into rehearsal as we were finishing up. I recognized him from my auditions, but seeing as they hear hundreds of people each year, I didn't think he would recognize me. "Hello! Oh, Miss Bird! So good to see you!" (I thought I was in trouble, but asked if he remembered me.) "Of course I do! You auditioned for us twice and I played for both of them! I see you're covering Giulietta. That's fantastic. Let's talk soon."
Yes, I auditioned for them twice, even when they told me I didn't have to, but I know it was the second audition that made the difference. It was definitely worth two audition fees.
Perhaps I'm not at the stage where I can succeed on the first try, but who ever is? I'm willing to pay my dues.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
New York as a Paradox
New York is becoming mundane. Of course, I realize that this is mostly because Matt is in Colorado, snow is in Colorado, cold weather is in Colorado, and none of these things are in New York City. Anyway, on Monday I realized that every week is the same for me. Every Tuesday is hell, despite being lesson day (traditionally my favorite day of the week) due to getting home at 11pm, every Wednesday is wonderful (especially tonight--will explain later) and every weekend I walk down the Upper West Side with Emily and go out to dinner with friends. (Weekends are a blast actually, there's nothing wrong with them! Oh, and SO excited for Harry Potter this weekend!
Still, even though I don't work 40 hours a week, I have fallen into a routine. Routine can be great, but I guess I'm a little surprised by how consistent it is for me, being in New York City and all. This place is like a whole other country, but I never go anywhere except home and work and the frequently attended audition sites.
Up until two weeks ago, I hadn't been outside of the city for three months. I finally took the train to Pleasantville to get some head shots and hang out with some great new friends, Courtney and Tyler LeCompte. Courtney has a great website for her handmade, one-of-a-kind jewelry found at this link: courtneyorillion.com She is a wonderful artist and did a great job with the photography and helping me look good! It was so fun to model her jewelry as a part of the head shots. Courtney and Tyler are great friends and I'm so glad to have found them in the Big Apple!
Back to the mundane (what a horrible way to start a paragraph...my apologies...it gets better...): tonight I decided to get down to business with grad school applications. So I did what every Bohemian starving young artist does: I bought an expensive bottle of German Riesling and a $1.29 wine glass from the dollar store (one thing I love about NYC!) and got quietly bombed while chipping away at essays, fees, bio info, and getting letters of recommendation in order. It definitely worked, because I'm satisfied enough with my progress to be able to blog tonight! I wrote a cracker-jack essay in 20 minutes and celebrated by walking down to the corner bakery for a piece of chocolate cake. And ice cream. And cookies. (Again--it is my goal and duty, as an opera singer, to eat as much sugar and become as fat as possible.)
The catch: I just remembered I have a meeting downtown at 10:30am tomorrow for my church job (not a big deal) and (whoops) I do have to sing tomorrow--Morgana and Zdenka in opera scenes. I may be making a temporary appearance as a mezzo-soprano thanks to the vino.
I am looking forward to next weekend in Tampa for Thanksgiving. It's going to be great getting out of The City, not to mention seeing Matt and family. No singing engagements for two weeks! That usually means less stress and more wine, but then I can't wait to get back in the swing of things! What a great life! I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Still, even though I don't work 40 hours a week, I have fallen into a routine. Routine can be great, but I guess I'm a little surprised by how consistent it is for me, being in New York City and all. This place is like a whole other country, but I never go anywhere except home and work and the frequently attended audition sites.
Up until two weeks ago, I hadn't been outside of the city for three months. I finally took the train to Pleasantville to get some head shots and hang out with some great new friends, Courtney and Tyler LeCompte. Courtney has a great website for her handmade, one-of-a-kind jewelry found at this link: courtneyorillion.com She is a wonderful artist and did a great job with the photography and helping me look good! It was so fun to model her jewelry as a part of the head shots. Courtney and Tyler are great friends and I'm so glad to have found them in the Big Apple!
Back to the mundane (what a horrible way to start a paragraph...my apologies...it gets better...): tonight I decided to get down to business with grad school applications. So I did what every Bohemian starving young artist does: I bought an expensive bottle of German Riesling and a $1.29 wine glass from the dollar store (one thing I love about NYC!) and got quietly bombed while chipping away at essays, fees, bio info, and getting letters of recommendation in order. It definitely worked, because I'm satisfied enough with my progress to be able to blog tonight! I wrote a cracker-jack essay in 20 minutes and celebrated by walking down to the corner bakery for a piece of chocolate cake. And ice cream. And cookies. (Again--it is my goal and duty, as an opera singer, to eat as much sugar and become as fat as possible.)
The catch: I just remembered I have a meeting downtown at 10:30am tomorrow for my church job (not a big deal) and (whoops) I do have to sing tomorrow--Morgana and Zdenka in opera scenes. I may be making a temporary appearance as a mezzo-soprano thanks to the vino.
I am looking forward to next weekend in Tampa for Thanksgiving. It's going to be great getting out of The City, not to mention seeing Matt and family. No singing engagements for two weeks! That usually means less stress and more wine, but then I can't wait to get back in the swing of things! What a great life! I wouldn't trade it for anything.
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