Briefly...

Good morning!

Am behind on blogging already- ah well.  

First full day of the program was yesterday- 8:00 a.m. class with Audrey Luna on incorporating body work (Alexander Technique) into the voice studio.  A very good session with practical ideas about how to practice Alexander with students without being certified myself (at least not certified in Alexander!!!).

I watched part of masterclass with Margo Garrett on Poulenc (she had worked directly with Bernac, who constantly was on her about tempo!) and then went to my first short rehearsal for the "Goethe's Women" masterclass with Audrey Luna that I sang on later in the day. Great pianist, short but effective rehearsal.  Quick lunch in the onsite cafe, changed into my new Eileen Fisher wrap dress (awesome), met my second pianist for a quick rehearsal on Barber's "Nuvoletta" that we are performing tonight on a masterclass with Margo Garrett (gulp!), and then headed off to sing Schubert's "Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt."  I remember singing that song in a masterclass with Graham Johnson the last month I was at IU...so long ago and so much history between now and then.  

The masterclass was wonderful!  Audrey called me on all my bad habits in the first five minutes, I said yes you're right, and we worked on all of them to great effect.  Friends in the audience told me it had much impact on my sound and presentation and I was excited about the work.  Spoke further with Audrey afterwards and she has a new fan!  Such a balanced, calm, intuitive woman.

Adventured downtown with Christine to find Walgreens to buy soap and other odds and ends that I had forgotten and found a delicious gourmet market that had incredible beignets (mine had hazelnut filling!) and macarons!  I had a chocolate ganache macaron and Christine had pistachio--she was squealing with joy they were so good (and I might have been dancing a little).  Heading back there for sure.  In fact, we are supposed to breakfast there this morning, but I need to prepare for tonight's masterclass.  "Nuvoletta" is a beast and I haven't sung it for years and it is Margo Garrett after all. (gulp)

Class with the incomparable D'Anna Fortunato on extended vocal techniques.  I even volunteered to do improvisation on "Many a New Day"--it wasn't very good, but I was the one brave enough to try!

Dinner with the girls (yummy quesadilla!!!!!) with outside seating--weather in the 70s by that time with no humidity and no bugs.  Heaven.  Observed masterclass with Margo Garrett on Barber and got some ideas for my performance tonight--rehearsed with Robert afterwards but was so tired that we ended up just speaking it, which actually uncovered some interesting word play and a great conversation about just what the heck it means (Barber himself said he didn't understand it!).  Up to dorm room- I had mailed myself a package with pillow, comforter, large towel, etc., and it got here (yay!) so I slept more comfortably last night (yay!).  No 2 foot towel for me this morning!  Here is the view from our apartment.

Yes, this is the Walt Disney Concert Hall, and yes that is Gustavo Dudamel plastered on the front of it!

 This is the Colburn School entrance at night.  Very LA!

I am in a four bedroom suite- there have been only two of us here but last night our third, very accomplished pianist, roommate arrived though I have yet to meet her.  Robert and I talked until quite late about Barber and collaborative piano programs (he is getting his masters at CCM) and teaching so she was already in bed by the time I got back.  Should be fun!  Pianist roommates are much quieter than singer roommates!  Nice!

Today is my big masterclass (gulp) and then I can relax, sit back, and really start soaking it all in.

How could I forget?!?!??!?!?  Last night as we were standing in the lobby, we saw......JAKE HEGGIE!  He was with his friend talking and about to leave, and I just decided it was time we meet.  I introduced myself and my two friends, and we had a wonderful conversation about politics (he said WHAT IS GOING ON IN WISCONSIN????) and I said (I DON'T KNOW!!!!!) I told him how the students back home were fascinated that I was going to get to meet him and he was amused by that :)   I asked if we could take pictures later and post them and he was all about it.  He also said we could have lunch together during the program and I can't wait to talk with him more.  Jordyn, I told him you did "Animal Passion" and he asked if you enjoyed it.  I said I was the one that was blushing but that you and Alejandro really got into it!  He loved it!

OK, back to Nuvoletta and a then a low water pressure shower but with soap and a large towel that smells like home.  Until later....

Japanese hot pot!  Oh yeah!