My little Bumble Bee!

Ah, bello Mendocino!

Waking up in Mendocino, CA at 7am everyday was not that bad...especially when this was the view from the Bay View Cafe at 8am every morning. Such a sight for sore, tired eyes in the morning! I have a lot of photos to share with all of you this post, so bare with me, it is going to be a visual reading experience :)

Waiting for the plane to take off, I was full of nervous energy. Score in hand, I frantically drilled the awkward English translation of Cosi Fan Tutte by Mozart into my brain. Thinking about it now, this was the first time I was flying alone! Weird, but I was 21 and scared to fly alone. I felt like a real adult...don't tell anyone. I finally arrived in Oakland, after a long afternoon of flying and it was now time for another long 4 hours of driving. Don't get me wrong, the drive is breathtaking, but very curvy!

As more and more people arrived at the Oakland Airport, we naturally sized up the competition in our head, and smiled. I, of course, had my trusty buddy with me, so I was in a comfort I wasn't expecting. We gathered up the troops and began the trek up to beautiful Mendocino!

The mile markers got smaller, I got more and more excited! Finally, we arrived and it was everything I expected and MORE! I couldn't believe I was chosen to train at the Redwoods Opera Workshop 2010 with the legendary Elizabeth Vrenios and Adriana Hardy. I was ready to sing and learn everything I could from these brilliant people.

After a wonderful sing-in at Elizabeth's gorgeous house, I was introduced to my incredibly generous host couple. Since it was pretty late when we got home, I wasn't able to see the house very much the first night. The next morning, I was not surprised when I walked out the front door and saw this...

Isn't this the cutest thing in the entire world! I swang every morning waiting for the great Sara Salas to pick me up for breakfast. It was pure bliss. And when you see a swing like this, it definitely makes you think of "senior portraits". I decided to recreate some pretty magical moments that turned out...well...

...this was absolutely candid if you couldn't tell. Our photographer...aka Sara...was saying, "Ok, look at each other and fake laughing..." how could we resist from cracking up!

Now, you are probably thinking, this is an Opera Workshop, so when did the singing happen? Trust me, we had long hours of singing, but how can we not have this much fun doing what we love? There was plenty of singing being done. Thanks to our fabulous directors, we were able to have a wonderful experience of high quality training.

Don't they just look so happy to be doing what they love? That energy was definitely contagious up in the high mountains of Mendocino! I can't tell you all enough how much I learned, because I am still learning. I am definitely considering going back!

I'm done writing for now, but here are some more photos of the alluring Mendocino, CA!

I hope you enjoyed them, and until next time...

The innocence is breathtaking!

The end of a great semester...in Opera Scenes that is!

 Shh!! Performance in progress!

Last night was a success. After being sick for more than two weeks, I somehow managed to get on stage and perform. And I mean, perform. I did my best and thankfully, my voice worked with me and not against. I was so happy and relieved at 7:55pm when my scene was OVER and I could take a nice deep breath, with the satisfaction that I didn't let my scene partners down nor my teacher!

The entire night was indeed one for the books, and I took tons of pictures with my "Sandra" (which is what I named my camera). I was so proud of the whole cast of not just my scene. We all came to entertain last night, and boy did we do just that!

But alas, I cannot thank the one woman who made it all possible...

This is Dr. Kristin Dauphinais, my infamous voice teacher! I love her dearly, and thank her for her patience, kind heart, and strong hand! I owe more than she will ever know and can't thank her enough.

(Just some of...) My studio mates and I got to sneak some pictures with the great miracle worker we call our lovely teacher :) and here is just one of them...

It was a magnificent evening and I thank everyone for their hard work and dedication throughout this semester. Thank you for making the end of the semester a success for me!

Ciao!

This is just what a Monday needs...some great laughter.

Why I love what I do...

Now, that is awesome!

Ecstasy: 'To stand outside your ordinary self'.

I always tell myself, one should always have an "Ah ha" moment sometime in every performance. You should get that excited, nervous (wet your pants) sort of feeling, right before you walk on stage.

Let me paint you a picture: On stage, the nerves take over, so you attempt at breathing deeply as the music begins to an incredibly difficult aria that you have been working on for quite some time. Your pianist is setting you up for success as they approach your entrance. As you sing, your heart opens for the audience to feel your every emotion. The audience applauds you in appreciation for the beautiful art you just painted across the auditorium. Walking backstage, you are praising your pianist as they are praising you for a wonderful performance. The nerves are gone, and all that is left is a feeling of excitement. It's just like riding a rollar coaster. You are fearful at the beginning, then you ride it and have so much fun. All you want to do is get in line to ride it again!

I hope that was a clear enough picture for you. That's what I'm talking about. If a singer doesn't experience that every single time they step out on that stage...something is wrong. Now I'm not saying that you have to be superhuman. I am human too. I know that everyone has their bad vocal nights, or their nerves get the best of them, or they are just going through a very rough time. I am saying, when those odds are not against you, those are the normal feelings you should be having when you are on stage. It is just not worth it if you don't.

Speaking of fabulous times on stage...this past weekend, I was in Phoenix, Arizona for a competition (my second in two weeks). This was my 6th year participating in the National Association of Teacher of Singing competition. Over the years, I have worked my way up the ladder of rankings, and last year I placed first in my division of sophomore college women. Much to my surprise, this year I placed first again, this time in the junior college women division. To say that I was completely shocked that I won, would be a huge understatement. My friend and collegue, Angeline, who happens to be a magnificent mezzo-soprano sang her butt off. I was absolutely convinced that she would be taking my title (of course, I wouldn't mind losing to her). But no, alas, it is I who witheld my title. The thing that I loved most about this weekend was the fact that I had three very important people in the audience supporting me. My parents made the two hour trip from Tucson, Arizona to come and see if I won. They didn't even know if I would be performing, and they still came to support their daughter. Now that is cool. And last but not least, Dr. Kristin Dauphinais, my lovely, supportive, wonderful teacher! I am so happy that I got to show her what I am made of. I was singing for them. They are the ones (and myself, of course) that I do this for. So, I am left with the feeling of ecstasy. The feeling of standing outside myself. What a fabulous place to be.

Now back to work, work, work. :)

So precious!

I love you Amelia Rieman!

Spring 2010 semester, how I love you so!

I just need to say that my semester has been the best start of school I have ever had...all things considered. I mean, yes, I have had some pretty intense drama in the recent months. But, it seems as if, the drama, is fueling my success. It is lighting a fire underneath me to really focus on what I want out my life. It is about time, don't you think? Something must be going differently for me in the world! I mean, the stars must be aligning for me :)

Last night was a great night of music, triumph, and friendship. The singers at the University of Arizona competed in the Amelia Rieman Opera Competition last night. Amelia Rieman is a wonderful woman who has decided to give aspiring opera singers money to encourage them to keep going to go after their dreams and achieve them! I happened to get a bit of courage days before the competition and decided to register for it, strictly for the experience. As usual, all my colleagues sang so beautifully. I am so incredibly blessed to be studying in a department where the talent is so abundant! After the last singer sang their last note, the judges deliberated and announced which singers were 2010 recipients of the Amelia Rieman awards. My category (the youngsters) was first. And to my surprise, I placed 3rd! Wow. I am so incredibly blessed that the judges liked me enough to award me with such an honor! I do have to admit, I worked my butt off for this competition. And look how it has paid off :) Congratulations to my fellow singers who sang yesterday. You truly inspire me to become better than I am everyday.

I am now presented with a new challenge of completely new repertoire. I am so incredibly excited to dive into new music, new characters, and new opportunities! 

Now, on to my next competition...which is in 3 days! Bring. It. On. I am going to kick this competition in the butt too! I am ready for this semester, it better be ready for me! I am coming!

First (few) days of Spring semester 2010 (and Day 9)...

The first day of the Spring semester has commenced! (And it is now almost the 3rd, because I am late in posting, as usual) It was a long, but inspiring day of academics, friends, and teachers that hate going over syllabus after syllabus (I can't really blame them, that is tiring)! Overall, I thought it was a very good day!

I think my semester is going to be as successful as I want to make it. Which, I not only HAVE to do, but WANT to do :) I have to stay focused, which is not always easy to do, considering the temptation to hang out with friends until all hours of the night, and do anything but what I should be doing. So, it is my goal this semester, to stick to my guns, buckle down, and get 'er done! I have a lot in mind for me this semester, and it is all positive, no negative in my life. I can't have that this semester, and I won't. I am focused, baby!

Wish me luck! Here I go! Yay!

Day 2

I don't know about you, but every time I look at this picture and remember back to what it was like when I took it, I feel complete. I have a sense of profoundness come upon me and I immediately go to a serene, happy, non-judging, loving place within myself.

I am starting day 2 and I am thinking to myself, I hope this gets easier, because day 1 wasn't pretty. Does drinking the occasional alcoholic beverage go against my diet??? Well, last night was delightful. I welcomed my dear friend, Jenny, back to the beautiful, 73 degree desert, away from the 2 degree, freezing Massachusetts. Accompanying her was her lovely mom, Sally. She is just great and takes me under my wing as if I was her own. We went to Chili's for a drink and some hot wings (of which I ate NONE! I ate celery!) and the conversation was full of future planning, therapy (which is a savior!), and lots of laughter. I am grateful I have friends I can visit and just laugh with. After all, they say, laughter is the best medicine :).

Day 2 will not defeat me! I am strong and will not concede! (I think I need more luck...)

And here is where it shall begin!

Good morning! It is day #1 of my South Beach Diet! Let the excursion begin! It is 6:45 (AM!) and I am beginning my future. I am going on the South Beach Diet. I have HEARD that it can make a person lose another person in weight! Where do I sign up??? :) I am saying it is time. Time to lose weight. Time to get healthy. Time. No more fat, high fructose corn syrup, aspartame, artificial sweetener, etc. I am going to get healthy if it kills me (wait...)! I plan on doing some sort of activity each day, that can include, going on a walk, run (oh goodness), gym, yoga, pilates, etc. I have been saying that I will do whatever it takes to make my dreams come true. This is where it starts. (Oh, and that thing that I do...sing). Whatever it takes!

If anyone has any suggestions, ways they can help me out, boost me up, etc. I will take it all! I need all the help I can get :).

Well, I better get back to work, (and by work, I mean reading my book, because work is DEAD!). Wish me luck!

Happy New Year!

 Happy New Year everyone! Although I am extremely late in this greeting, I still wanted to do it sometime within this new year and decade :)

A new decade is upon us, and I sit in awe of my year (2009), decade (2000's), and life (21 years). As I was asked by my friends and family what my "new years resolution" was going to be, I allowed myself to really dig deep within the depths of my soul [dramatic, huh] and see what I was going to stand by this new year :).
I hope that my 2010 is filled with love, laughter, joy, triumph, bliss, MUSIC, and life! I hope this for everyone in the world, really. Because, if everyone was full of love, laughter, joy, triumph, and bliss, the world would be a pretty peaceful place. There would be no fighting, no war, no hating. Everyone would be on their own journey to get to their own destination...not judging everyone else in theirs. I am promising myself to be pure in everything I do. I want to focus on MY journey, and appreciate the ride. I want to see the world through different eyes. It's all about perspective...there is always some other way at looking at something.

So, now that I have ranted along about my goals, I want to share with you the experience I had on my extremely short trip out to San Diego, CA. I was anticipating it being sunny California, but I was in for something completely different. The day we arrived, we needed kill time before our hotel room was ready. Come to find out our hotel was right on the BEACH [shut up!]! I couldn't help but snap a few pictures to share with you all the beauty that was [not so sunny] San Diego, California.

My family and I took a lovely quick trip up to Cali, to support our University of Arizona Wildcats in the Holiday Bowl, on Thursday December 31st play against the Nebraska Huskers! Although it was a disappointing game [we lost :( ] I was so impressed and proud of all the support there was shown for each team by the amount of fans that came out! I was so proud of our marching band [YAY Pride of Arizona!] because they are the first alternative marching band in the United States! They played their butts off and it was greatly shown. The halftime show was the best one I have seen in a REALLY long time. The theme was LOVE <3! Aw.

My new years was such a nice time spent with family and friends. A nice dinner at a wonderful restaurant and a few pictures later, it was 2010!

Here is the family after a wonderful dinner...

And here are two wonderful girls, I get to call my friends!

I wish each and everyone a wonderful Happy New Year!