LAST SEMESTER! GO!

Tomorrow is the first day of classes in my LAST SEMESTER of school!!!!!!!
WOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a semester of Wagner (urgh) and 'Business of Being an Opera Singer (*squeal of delight*) to look forward to.

Also, possibly a remediation of 20th C. ear training (boooooooo!)

So *looks determined* here we go!
Into the fray!
And then.....I will be out of school.
Which sounds both liberating and absolutely terrifying!
It'll be a big change, and I'm sure a HUGE learning curve.....but I'm sort of looking forward to it. Eep!

Also, 'Maria Stuarda' for MinnOp is coming along really well.
Everyone sounds fantastic, and I just can't wait to get on that big stage at the Ordway in our poofy shiny costumes! (that's right. my enjoyment is based solely around the shiny poofy-ness of my attire. deal.)

Going to bed now.

Gotta get rested up to learn about Wagner..........(*through teeth* who I'm sure I will come to love.......) lol.

Cheers everyone!

Woops!

Ooooooooooh I'm a baaaaad blogger.
A bad, bad, bad blogger.

Sorry it's been so long guys!
I've been caught up with an awful lot of stuff, and anything that I actually felt compelled to write about were things which made me angry, and you guys don't need to hear that. =D

Let's see.........catch up!

Thanksgiving was good.

Christmas was great but FAR too short.
I recieved a Flip camcorder (which makes me sooooo happy!), and can now record my performances for future use in a website.
I also recieved season 5 of Doctor Who!

Music rehearsals for 'Maria Stuarda' have started at MinnOp and I'm havin' fun getting in there and trying to meet people. =D
My costume is gorgeous, puffy, and satin. I tried hard not to geek out in front of the costume ladies, but it was reaaaaally difficult. Haha.

Scheduling difficulties abound for my last semester at the U of M. But, what University doesn't try to mess you up with last minute changes?

The audition season is winding down (slowly), and as per usual, rejections abound.
Ooftah.
What a life we singers lead.

I live in constant dread of the looming 'next year'.
Jobs look few and far between and I'm more than a little concerned with how I will
A) find a place to live
B) pay rent on said place
C) Find a job
     C1) a job that can support me...
D) Still manage to be able to travel for auditions and have the summer off for programs.
E) Retain some measure of happiness while attempting measures A thru D

Oooooooooh it's an old, old story.
Growing up.
Not fun.

In other news, enjoy your 2011.
Be prosperous.
Be happy.
Dance.
=D

Cheers mates.

The Legend of 1900

'The Legend of 1900' is this super cool period film that I found on my netflix instant play because I was looking for some Tim Roth movies.

Aaaaaaaaaand.....it was beautiful.
The kind of beautiful that makes you cry, not because it was so sad, but because it was so beautiful.

And it's about music.

It was gorgeous.

Do yourself a favour and watch it. It's on instant play, so it's not like it's difficult to get to.

Here's a small taste of this fabulous movie....

Artists

I know this song is about a painter, but the lyrics really apply to all artists.
Stephen Sondheim? The older I get the more I am sure that you are the lyricist of my soul.

'Finishing the Hat' from Sunday in the Park with George

Yes, she looks for me-good.

Let her look for me to tell me why she left me-

As I always knew she would.

I had thought she understood.

They have never understood,

And no reason that they should.

But if anybody could...

Finishing the hat,

How you have to finish the hat.

How you watch the rest of the world

From a window

While you finish the hat.

Mapping out a sky.

What you feel like, planning a sky.

What you feel when voices that come

Through the window

Go

Until they distance and die,

Until there's nothing but sky

And how you're always turning back too late

From the grass or the stick

Or the dog or the light,

How the kind of woman willing to wait's

Not the kind that you want to find waiting

To return you to the night,

Dizzy from the height,

Coming from the hat,

Studying the hat,

Entering the world of the hat,

Reaching through the world of the hat

Like a window,

Back to this one from that.

Studying a face,

Stepping back to look at a face

Leaves a little space in the way like a window,

But to see-

It's the only way to see.

And when the woman that you wanted goes,

You can say to yourself, "Well, I give what I give."

But the women who won't wait for you knows

That, however you live,

There's a part of you always standing by,

Mapping out the sky,

Finishing a hat...

Starting on a hat..

Finishing a hat...

Look, I made a hat...

Where there never was a hat

'Finishing the Hat' performed by Tony Nominee Daniel Evans

Cuttin' the hairs

Iiiiiii'm gettin' my hair cut today.

No, not an "actual" hair cut, just a trim, but I'm going to a salon in the mall that I've never been to, so.......that'll be interesting.

I really don't like going to the mall by myself.
I feel really conspicuous, exposed, and vulnerable.
BOO!
But, that's what I'm going to do.
I MAY even spend some money on something FUN!
*gasp*
I know, it's been a while.
I haz no money.
Ridin' the bus and trying not to buy groceries.
Living in an apartment with no lights on.
lol.

Whatevs.

So, in any case, that is your tiny update. =D

Cheers

An update

Hi all!
Long time, no update. =D

So here it is.

My first chorus job at Minnesota Opera is over, and it was wonderful.
The other chorus members were fabulous and I think I've made some new friends! (woot!)
Also, the production staff was fabulous and a joy to work with.
Check out all the tabs on the webpage.
There are some pictures and things of our amazing production!
http://www.mnopera.org/season/performances?module=performances&showid=1946

In other news, I have been completely consumed by preparation for Young Artist Program auditions.
The application process is costly and time consuming (in that each program requires about a $20 to $35 application fee, and then you have to mail headshots, resumes, cds [cost of making recordings!] and fill out pages of applications).

But, I'm applying for about 10 programs for this summer and am really excited about the possibilities.
I'm working incredibly hard on preparing my 5 Arias and making sure that the pronunciation and execution are perfect.
Everything has to be perfect for me to get into one of these programs.
I'm trying for things that are a little harder this year....Programs that pay me, instead of me paying them, so it's a challenge.

In any case, the preparation continues!

Cheers!

Renn Festival with Sarah!!

Finally, here are some pictures detailing the adventures of Sarah and I when she came to visit last weekend!

Here we are together with Pippin!! 

Sarah makin' da pizza dough. Hard work, but yummm.....

The Rennaissance Festival! It was HUGE! Like a THEME PARK! I had no idea. It was amAZing.

Sarah's beautiful tiara, and my fantastical pirate hat!! 

This picture speaks for itself......

That's all for the weekend! It was great! 

Cheers!

Reality is creeping into my carefully constructed world view

During the month of August I incurred more expenses than I am used to.

I was paying for two voice lessons a week, taking care of extra installation things which my roomie will pay me for when she comes, and renewing subscriptions to singer magazines which provide me with audition info....

All told I incurred about $400 in extra expenses.
.......All on top of the carefully nickeled and dimed budget which I normally live upon.

The result?

I am LOW right now.

I literally have about $20 to my name.

Also, my parents who usually provide substantial monentary sustenance in times like these......are not goin' for it with their usual gusto. And who can blame them since they already paid my car payment for the month (another sum $233 I did not include in the total extra expenses listed above), which I was not able to pay.

They are weaning me from their checking teat. (yes, I did just make that analogy. Live with it.)

So, the only word I can really use to describe this situation is...

Uh, shit.

Next year the parental assistance stops altogether, and after this month....I am completely scared shitless about this eventuality.

How will I EVER be able to pay my way through the world?
*shakes head in abject despair*

I'm probably going to stay in Minneapolis for another year and study.
The plan is to get a job to support myself....
How?
Everyone is being fired.
Everyone.
No one is hiring.
I. Am. Screwed.

Shit.
Shitshitshitshitshit.



On another note, does anyone else think that Mayor Michael Bloomberg is secretly Broadway legend Joel Grey?

....Cheers.

The NOTHING!

So....

Sort of the theme of this summer, and what will probably be the theme of the coming year is, "What am I going to do next year!?"

There are several options and I just honestly don't know what to do with myself.

1) Audition for resident artist programs.
- The problem with this option is that I'm too young. I'm probably not going to get into anything at this level. Bag says to wait and see where the voice is at the end of the year, but unfortunately I think she is forgetting that Res. Art. programs hold auditions in NOVEMBER and it will be just a feeeeewwww months too late before we know if I'm ready for them. I will do a summer program however.

2) Get a Doctorate
- Everyone has told me not too. Performers are telling me it's not worth it unless you want to teach voice at a college level (which is not my goal), and the people who hire performers are telling me that it's considered a parking lot for vocalists. Soo....I guess that's a no.

3) Go back to Iowa and take the classes needed to be a certified teacher there
- Not so that I can teach right now, but so that I can teach someday. Knowing me, at some point I am going to want to settle down. I like having a home and a routine. Teaching drama at a high school would be a real possibility in the future. But....Bag says no. I need to keep studying and working towards my career.

4) Get a regular job in a shop or something in Minneapolis and study with Bag for another year
- I feel like I should keep studying.....But I just hate the idea of working a monotonous job in a store and making little to no money. Not to mention those darn student loans which are going to bite me in the bum as soon as I graduate. However, this is looking like the most likely option at this point. Oy.

5) Go somewhere to finish my bachelors in theatre
- As much as I would love to, this is pretty much a non-option. I don't have the money to keep going to school. My parents aren't going to pay for me to keep going to school. I would love to have the degree, I think in the future when the time comes to teach, I will wish I had the degree; I just don't see how it's possible. The money just isn't there.

So..........................
This is the giant question looming before me.
The proverbial Neverending Story 'Nothing' is awaiting me in May, waiting to rip trees out by their roots and exterminate Rock Biters before my eyes.
*drops head on desk*
*incoherent noise*

Cheers

the delicate balance

The whole grains are back, and all is right with the world.

Just thought I'd let you know.

Cheers.

*crazy eyes*

Argh.

Ok.

I don't know if I'm gonna make it this week.

I really don't know if I can stand another week of broccoli, meat, fruit, and cheese.

It's been one day.
One day into week 3 and I am goin' nuts.
I did my running (which I hate) at my chicken for dinner and....
I basically had to force it down.
And it was GOOD chicken.

I just can't eat this much meat.
I'm getting sick of it.
Ack.
It's gonna be like that time in middle school when I ate nothing but yogurt and baby carrots for several months and haven't really been able to eat yogurt since.

I'm gonna keep trying.
But.....I just don't know how long I'm gonna last.
It's gonna be one HUGE weight off my shoulders when I'm finally done with this crap.

The balloon is getting bigger and soon it's gonna pop.

*crazy eyes*

I.
NEED.
STARCH!

*runs with muppet arms flailing*

CAKE BOSS

I thought I would share with all of you my obsession of about a year now; an obsession which has reached epic proportions.

'Cake Boss' on TLC.

This show is seriously addicting.

It's this huge incredibly Italian family in New Jersey who own a bakery.
The bakery is owned by Buddy.
He's 'da boss'.

Every episode they make these gigantic and fantastical cakes for all sorts of occasions.
Buddy's crazily Italian sisters run the upstairs and generally take a few minutes out of their day to run down and harass Buddy about something.
The guys in the downstairs baking/decorating area play a prank or two and have some laughs.
And some FANTASTIC cakes get made.

It's the personalities that make the show.
They're just so......ITALIAN!
It's hilarious.
I cannot explain my obsession, except to say that you should watch.
And learn.
And love.

=D

In conclusion, my interest in 'Cake Boss', 'Challenge', and 'Cupcake Wars' have got me thinking about cake and cupcake decorating.
This is going to be a thing.
I've already got some materials together and my first experiment takes place this coming weekend.

Be prepared.

Cheers!

Work it out.

It has been two weeks since my last carbohydrate.
Normally that's how one gets 'back on the carb-less' wagon; two weeks of no carbs at all to jump start the system, then back to tiny bits of low carb stuff, then introduce the whole grains so that one may live like a vaguely normal person.

I've decided to go another week.

That's three weeks.
No carbs.

Every night I do ab exercises on the exercise ball, and then use my weights.

Today I started running again.

....I really hate running.

.............and I really hate having no carbs.

But I'm doing it.

So THERE universe!
You do not control me!
Didn't see THIS comin' did ya?
Week 3!

Let's do this thing.

Goodbye Dolly, well goodbye Dolly!

I have a new car!!

So, it's goodbye to my old 94 Taurus Dolly and HELLO to my 2010 Honda Fit, Victoria.

HUZZAH!

Saying goodbye to Dolly!

And HELLO to Victoria!

Cheers!

More Ozarks

Hi ya'll!

I'm back home in Iowa right now, and ever so happy to be so.
I LOVE IOWA!!!!

Here are a few last pictures from my time at OIO.

Me as Sally in the Act II Die Fledermaus performance at the 60th Anniversary Gala!

 

Me, Lauren, and Willy. AKA Fersquita, Dancairo, and Mercedes.
Lookin' all hot after the closing night of Carmen!

Everyone at OIO who ALSO happened to have a 1994 Ford Taurus as their first car!

During the Card Trio in a performance of 'Carmen'

That's all for now folks! More later!

Cheers.

Carmen stuff

Here are a few pics of the June 30 cast of 'Carmen'.

There will be more pics of the closing cast when that comes around.

Enjoy!

The Ragazzi. Little Sopranos playing little boys.

One of the many highlights of the show! =D

Smugglers!
Do we look dangerous or what?

My Act IV costume. *love*

That's all for now! I've got rehearsal at 9am tomorrow and I've got to get some sleep!

Cheers.

A few pictures

So, I don't have any 'Carmen' pics yet...but here are some other pictures of my adventures in Arkansas thus far.

Here are some very wierd clouds floating above our lovely cafeteria.

The Mountain lake which is terrifying to drive to (offroading anyone?), but SO much fun! We spend much time jumping off the cliffs, leaping from the roap swing, and sliding down the waterfall.

Arkansas? Right here is where you got it right.

Me and my roomie Julia in our Tosca get -ups

Perry as Spoletta, and Chris O'Rear as Scarpia in between 'Tosca' acts.

Lookin' all threatening and what - not.

Oh....and there's Julia again. lol.

Me and my buddy Meghan

*cringes*

.......I'm sure I just spelled her name wrong.

Don't kill me!

Aaaaaaand here I am in my Tosca costume.

That's right, you guessed it. My townsperson character is entitled 'Pregnant sister'.

I have a spinster sister and a young sister who go with me (we're a set, see?).

Well, that's pretty much all I've got for you right now.

More to come when I get some 'Carmen' pics.

THOSE are gonna be hot.

=D

Cheers!

Opening Night!

Opening night for 'Carmen' is now officially over!

The show went great with the exception of a few orchestra/singer syncronization issues due to the thunderstorm during the first act.

However, the thunderstorm stopped thunderstorming and also managed to cool off the area so that it was quite pleasant in our little outdoor theatre for the remainder of the show.

Also...the bat that was flying around during the Act III finale. lol. He was just chillin' around the stage while we were singing. Good times.

I'm quite proud of us. =D

GO TEAM CARMEN!

My next peformance is on the 30th of June.
when my PARENTS will be here!!! Huzzah!

Eventually I will get some pictures of me in costume and will (should internet allow) post them here.

I also perform closing night in Carmen, so if you're thinking about driving down to the big AR anytime soon, check out the Opera in the Ozarks website for tickets. There are about a million hotels in Eureka Springs and nearby Rogers so lodging is easy to find. =D

Cheers!

hmmmm....

It's opening night for me in Carmen, and I know I should be excited and hyped and all that but.....

Mostly I'm just chillin'.
and pretty sad that I'm not going to be at my Grandma T's 80th Birthday party today.
=(

I slept in.

I'm going to go warm up soon.

....yeah.

That's about it.

I should probably wash my hair so it gets all puffy and gypsy-ee.

........um.
yep.
Hopefully I'll find some energy in the next five hours.

Cheers.

Addicted to Templates...

This new template designer is ADDICTING!!!!

..must...stop.....messing with templates............

*argh*

Especially since the only time I can do it is at 1am when there is no one else awake and the internet is working.

*slaps hand*

BAD RACHEL!!

I have to sleep!
I have Carmen dress rehearsal tomorrow!!

Argh!

so...

Sorry about that.

Cheers!