SINGING & SELF
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Treading Water
Photo by Alice Philipp @AliceTookMyPicture Quite honestly, this past week (and the next few days) is about treading water. I’m trying not to expend excess energy fighting the current, and now and then surrendering to the power of the waves that might otherwise engulf...
The earth beneath our feet
As this academic year draws to a close--a year like no other, it must be stated--I'm contemplating what grounds and connects us as humans and as singers. My students are preparing their final projects, demonstrating the incredible growth they have all experienced...
Opening new doors
One of the things I love about teaching singing is the joy of a sudden inspiration that leads to insight. Today I taught a lesson in which my student and I just explored the taste of vowels. This journey began with a simple question: What are you curious about today?...
It’s all about community
Artistic process is messy and creatives need community to thrive. Like these bluebells just emerging from the leaf mulch, pushing their way through the newly thawed earth, artists thrive in community, drawing their energy from one another. One thing my students have...
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...
