Sunday, July 15, 2012
Lesley Ann Warren/Celeste Holm - In My Own Little Corner (Reprise) & Imp...
RIP Celeste Holm. For my students: Celeste is the original Ado Annie in Oklahoma! (1943) - considered the first "modern" musical theater work that has influenced much of what has come after it. Go find the original cast recording of Oklahoma! to enjoy her performance, and check out her film work. What makes her great? What can you learn from her performances that you can carry with you to influence your work?
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Actor Andy Griffith dead at 86 - CNN.com
Actor Andy Griffith dead at 86 - CNN.com
I love The Andy Griffith Show and am grateful we have the semi-permanacy of film with which to remember great stars of the past. What stands out for me in his journey through this life is that he stood by what he believed in, and that reflected in his life's work.
How does what you believe - your morals, driving forces, passions, etc - affect your work? Does it? Should it? How does all of this inform the roles that you choose, the gigs that you take, the activities you participate in while on the road? Each of you will have your own answers to these questions (and others that will arise). It is part of your journey. Allow it to make your path unique, rich and amazing. Socrates said: "The unexamined life is not worth living for a human being."
What does this mean for you and your career?
I love The Andy Griffith Show and am grateful we have the semi-permanacy of film with which to remember great stars of the past. What stands out for me in his journey through this life is that he stood by what he believed in, and that reflected in his life's work.
How does what you believe - your morals, driving forces, passions, etc - affect your work? Does it? Should it? How does all of this inform the roles that you choose, the gigs that you take, the activities you participate in while on the road? Each of you will have your own answers to these questions (and others that will arise). It is part of your journey. Allow it to make your path unique, rich and amazing. Socrates said: "The unexamined life is not worth living for a human being."
What does this mean for you and your career?
RIP Evelyn Lear, American soprano
Evelyn Lear, premier American soprano of contemporary opera, dies at 86 - The Washington Post
We lost another diva of the 20th century on July 1st, 2012. The linked obituary says quite a bit about her, but what stands out most is that she considered herself a singing actress - equally skilled in both vocalism and acting technique. Here's Mimi's aria "Donde lieta uscì" from Puccini's La boheme (sung in German).
Lessons to take away from Ms. Lear? How is your technique progressing this summer? What are you doing to further your growth in this industry we call entertainment? How do singers of the past inform what you are doing in the future? Take some time to explore a singer new to you from the past of either opera or musical theater and share your experiences either in your private lesson or (for SUNY students) your first studio back in the fall.
We lost another diva of the 20th century on July 1st, 2012. The linked obituary says quite a bit about her, but what stands out most is that she considered herself a singing actress - equally skilled in both vocalism and acting technique. Here's Mimi's aria "Donde lieta uscì" from Puccini's La boheme (sung in German).
Lessons to take away from Ms. Lear? How is your technique progressing this summer? What are you doing to further your growth in this industry we call entertainment? How do singers of the past inform what you are doing in the future? Take some time to explore a singer new to you from the past of either opera or musical theater and share your experiences either in your private lesson or (for SUNY students) your first studio back in the fall.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Endangered Languages Project
Endangered Languages Project.
Check out Google's Endangered Languages Project. Which ones captured your attention the most? Why? Did you check out the songs in several of the languages? How can studying the videos and sound files enhance our work?
What captured me: realizing that we have several languages in New York State that could disappear: Onondaga and Oneida for starters.
In classical voice study, we primarily deal with English, Italian, French and German, usually with Latin and Spanish thrown in to the mix. Is there any language outside of the standards that interests you? Talk to me in your lesson and let's see what we can do to let that part of your light shine!
Check out Google's Endangered Languages Project. Which ones captured your attention the most? Why? Did you check out the songs in several of the languages? How can studying the videos and sound files enhance our work?
What captured me: realizing that we have several languages in New York State that could disappear: Onondaga and Oneida for starters.
In classical voice study, we primarily deal with English, Italian, French and German, usually with Latin and Spanish thrown in to the mix. Is there any language outside of the standards that interests you? Talk to me in your lesson and let's see what we can do to let that part of your light shine!
Endangered Languages ... SOAS
Endangered Languages ... SOAS.
Amazing project to preserve the world's languages. Which languages interest you the most? Can you put your research skills to the test to see what music you might find? If so, did you find any music we could work on together in lessons? Consider it your way of contributing to the project!
Check out the post on the Google project Endangered Languages as well!
Amazing project to preserve the world's languages. Which languages interest you the most? Can you put your research skills to the test to see what music you might find? If so, did you find any music we could work on together in lessons? Consider it your way of contributing to the project!
Check out the post on the Google project Endangered Languages as well!
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