To every thing, there is a season

Dreams of June (taken June 2020) One of my friends loves to quote that passage from Ecclesiastes, and it feels appropriate right now. The season is spring–that beautiful time when life begins to burst forth again (less fun for the pollen sufferers, of which I am...

The Miracle of Spring

Cherry tree in full bloom, Grand River Trail, Kitchener, ON, May 13, 2021 This year spring feels more like a miracle than I ever remember. This long year of on-and-off lockdowns, of missing people, performances, community and connection is giving way to an inkling of...

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...

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?...