SINGING & SELF
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New Day Dawning
I began today with a feeling of fresh, new beginnings. Or perhaps more aptly, I could say that I have the sense of hope that comes with the realization that I don't need to reinvent myself at all, but in fact could simply fully be what I am. I've been working in...
Take these broken wings
The blackbirds are back. They're one of the real harbingers of spring, their trilling song reminding us of long, lazy summer days ahead. As many of us are, I'm prompted lately to reflect back upon the year that is just past, now just over a year since The Day...
The sounds I want to make
Shine your own light Singing is self-expression in its fullest manifestation. We make complex vocalizations to communicate meaning, emotion and state of being. As a classically trained singer, however, I can sometimes get far too prescriptive about the sounds I am...
I am not an impostor. I. Am.
I heart me. There's been a lot of talk in my circles (both students and faculty) recently about impostor syndrome. It's felt very present and real. The ubiquitousness of curated social media in our lives and the in-your-faceness of what seems to be the perfection of...
Primal Sounds
Painting by Jana Philipp I've been experimenting with primal sounds a lot these past couple of weeks. There seems to be quite a need for it these days; my students are exhibiting a lot of stress and frustration, we're missing the intensity of human connection and...
In living colour
The set for Dialogues des Carmelites: design Holly Meyer-Dymny This week we've been filming for our student opera at Laurier--a totally digital production of Poulenc's Dialogues des Carmelites. I learned the entire role of the Old Prioress (kind of a dream part for a...
Apology to my Artist Child
This week I've spent some time apologizing to the artist within me. I have been saying sorry for being bossy and not letting her speak unhindered. I realize how often I stifle the joyous being inside, assuming that in my infinite professorial wisdom that I must know...
I, too, can be free
The Heart of a Woman (Alice Philipp, 2020) @alicetookmypicture I had an epiphany this week. It happened in the first of two recording sessions for my upcoming concert program for our (currently all-digital) Music at Noon series at Laurier. Normally a situation that...
Swearing a blue streak
Lots of ruminating on the shadow self this past week, as I have discovered the Art of Swearing to access my inner voice. I've been using profanity to tap into aspects of myself that I tend to suppress, and seeing some interesting results. Often my voice seems more...
Finding home
An ice house, seen on my neighbourhood walk last week I feel as though I am finding my home in singing, after more than 40 years of practice. Strange how the journey to one's home can be so circuitous, so laborious, so long-winded. And then you find it, right in your...
Taming my inner tyrant
On a sombre day after an angry mob stormed the US Capitol, I've been pondering tyrants and their tirades. The tyrannical have a tendency to lash out wildly and indiscriminately, leaving chaos in their wake. They are unpredictable, volatile, dangerous. Toddler-like in...
A brave(r) new (y)ear?
With my two darling daughters, Christmas Day, 2020 (photo: Kathryn O'Brien) As I considered the title for this final blog post of 2020 (good riddance, right?) I thought of "Brave New Year" (because, my goodness! Didn't we all have to be braver than ever these past 10...
First light
As we approach the winter solstice (which just so happens to be my birthday!), I'm in a contemplative mood. Last year at this time, I was planning an epic party with many of the most important women in my life to celebrate my first 60 years. I was living large in the...
Thin Ice
I've often felt like I was skating on thin ice these past weeks. So many things are new. Uncharted territory. In environments where I normally would feel sovereign and experienced, I feel like a novice. Now the term has come to a close, my students have completed...
