There’s an aphorism somewhere about how you make God laugh: Tell Her Your Plans. I was gradually warming myself to the idea of moving beyond my university voice-opera-and-other-things teaching life, living into the question of “what’s next”, when I very unexpectedly was faced with a big decision as to where my path would next lead. Fully on track to head into a six-month sabbatical followed by retirement, I was asked if I would consider upending and postponing these plans and taking on the role of Interim Dean in the Faculty of Music at Laurier, guiding and stewarding our programs and curriculum during a time of exciting transformation and growth. The impact of this decision weighed heavily upon me. Here I was on the cusp of what I thought was a move away from the place I had called my musical and career home for the last almost-24 years, and I was being asked to circle back and serve in a new capacity. I had felt strongly that it was important for me to step out, step forward, and allow new voices and ideas shape the place that I had loved so well. And now it appeared that perhaps this journey was not done, that I was being called to finish in a different way.
This blog has been about voice and identity, singing and selfhood, since the beginning. Although I think I have sometimes circled quite widely around these themes over the last (now almost 7!) years, the intersection between how we identify as human beings and what this elicits in our voice (whether literal or metaphorical) is what has propelled this narrative.
Quite simply, I found my voice in teaching. I found my calling at Laurier. It was a place where I was encouraged to explore my curiosity, to develop my craft, to nurture the next generations of singing actors (and noise-makers!) and in turn help them to discover their unique instruments and ways of being in the world. And so though I struggled with making this decision to stay where I am for one more year, as I reflected and ruminated, the path became clear: I needed to say yes. I feel like everything I have done up to this point–my work with voice, with identity, with becoming, with bridge-building, with community, with leadership–has led me to this place and I feel ready. I feel a great sense of responsibility and gratitude. My voice led me here. And I am happy to answer the call.