And the verdict is....

It went well!  What a relief to have such a great experience in the masterclass tonight.  Margo really liked our work, and had really only positive things to say.  I didn't make any stupid mistakes, and I think I was open and appreciative of all comments.  My friends tell me I did well, so let's go with that!  There is a recording of Barber playing and Leontyne Price singing "Nuvoletta," and I listened to it incessantly last night and today only to find out that there were things about it that Barber didn't like (breaths, vowels, etc.) Ah well.  But, I'm happy with how I did and I think a few people sat up and took notice.

Much of my day revolved around readying myself for the masterclass tonight.  I had my two performances on the first two days of the program (I'm at SongFest by the way: check it out and the daily schedule is posted there as well--
http://www.songfest.us/SongFest/SongFest_2012.html  )   so it has been a bit harried, but now I can be a bit more relaxed.  Woke up this morning early and listened, listened, listened to Leontyne and then got ready and then took a nap.  Warmed up and met Robert for our rehearsal which went MUCH better--I really was a walking talking zombie last night--with a few spots I really need to concentrate on. Attended a Margo Garrett masterclass on Italian art song.  Margo pointed out that for most of us, the Italian repertoire is what we know least.  I know that is correct for me for sure, and I learned a LOT about style in her class today.  She is truly a MASTER teacher, and I told her that tonight.  Had a mentor class in the afternoon with Frances Young and we did some movement and improvisation exercises (We had to improvise a commercial for something we had with us.  I sold my shoes while I danced and sang to ragtime!  My shoes aren't blue, and you can have some too!!!).  Then, she had me speak the text to Nuvoletta and we worked with the words.  I told them that I was really nervous and the other mentors were SO supportive, gave me good ideas, and basically reassured me that I wasn't going to be a big dork on stage.  And they were right!

Dinner outside (SO lovely) with four other people in my program.  I had a nummy chicken sandwich and a salad.  The salad bars here are amazing- I'm clearly not in WI anymore!  Went and changed into my black audition dress, and did the masterclass.  Whew!!!  Here is a terrible picture of what I wore:

Oh yes, JAKE HEGGIE told me that the Broadway production of "Follies" sans Bernadette is playing in LA.  I bought myself a ticket for tomorrow night---my birthday!--and found out the theatre is less than 3 blocks away.  And, WAR HORSE is going to be there next.  I saw it in NY and thought it an incredible piece of theatre and I am definitely going again while I'm here.  What a wonderful birthday treat for myself.  Breakfast in the AM at the beignet place, and a nice dinner somewhere with dessert and drinks after the show.  Divine!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good advice for all singers...