Serendipity

It is time to write again. I toyed with the idea of writing a different entry for each topic I want to write about, or to write one long epic post covering everything that’s happened over the past few weeks. Decided to go with, "mini-epic."

So I had been scrambling around looking for a  voice teacher.  I gathered some recommendations and finally ended up going to this guy someone recommended. It turns out he actually knew my teacher, although he hadn’t known that she had passed away. So I had 2 lessons with him. He was very nice, but there was something about the entire situation that didn’t click for me.  Part of it was, it was in a nearby town that has metered street parking. So I sort of stressed over having enough quarters for the meters, and finding a spot near his house. It threw off my timing because I had no idea if I’d end up with a 1 or 10 minute walk to his house. Also, he did want me to commit to a regular lesson, which of course I understand, but I’m not comfortable doing that at this point. So I felt a little pressure from him there, although he was flexible for the 2 lessons we did have. I was sort of willing to deal with those factors, but then he made a comment about me having to unlearn everything my last teacher taught me so he can teach me his way. My stress over the parking situation, the pressure to commit and that one comment led to my decision not to study with him. He was super nice, but the situation just wasn’t for me.

 Meanwhile, I needed to prepare for the October 19^th memorial concert. I went to a rehearsal for it, coincidentally on the same day as a 30 Seconds to Mars show. The last time 30 Seconds to Mars played that same venue, I had an Opera Project rehearsal. So anyway I went to the rehearsal, then arranged to meet one of the teachers/directors for a lesson. That was fun, it went well. But generally he teaches only male students, so it was a one-time thing. He gave me great advice and also recommended that I hook up with a vocal coach. Bottom line, though, was that I need to take regular, weekly lessons in order to maintain and improve.

Then, the concert. I did pretty well, I thought.



Turns out it wasn’t broadcast live on the radio station. However they did record it, so who knows, maybe it’ll turn up online one day.

 After that, I sort of despaired about finding a teacher. How was I going to find a local teacher who I liked, who was as flexible as my last voice teacher was? It was impossible. About 2 weeks ago I finally gave in and realized that it just wasn’t going to happen. I actually said out loud to my husband that unless a situation like I had before just fell into my lap, I’d be giving up studying voice for a while. I knew I was giving in but I didn’t know what else to do.

That very same afternoon, I received a call from a woman, a singer and teacher, who had been very good friends (and was a former student, 40 years ago) with my voice teacher. Before my teacher died, they had discussed this woman taking on my teacher’s students. Because she was so close with my teacher’s family for so many years, they insisted that she give lessons in the house, in the same room even. It’s what my teacher wanted. So that’s what she’s doing. She told me that she’s still figuring out the scheduling, so is it ok with me if we schedule from week to week? And she’ll charge the same amount but will go 15-30 minutes longer. I seriously couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I almost started crying. This was the very same day I had the conversation with my husband. And BOOM something fell into my lap. 

So I did go for a lesson last week. I thought it would be weird to go into the house but have a lesson with someone else, but it wasn’t. It was actually comforting. It was great. It was natural. It was exciting. I kept giggling during vocalizations, I was so happy to be there. She was a great teacher too. So… I have a new voice teacher.

 

Next time we'll go over what aspects of singing I need to work on, what songs I've done, what I'd like to do, what she thinks I should do and just make a general plan or goal.

Sad News

I haven’t written for a while. I’ve thought about writing, but kept putting it off. You see, my voice teacher was very ill. She had to stop teaching in March. She had some surgeries in April. I visited her in May a few times. At my last visit, as I was leaving I told her, “I love you,” and she said she loved me too and, “I believe in you.” That was the last time I saw her. She passed away 3 days ago. I’m totally devastated and distraught. The comment I left on the obituary page doesn't convey how strongly I feel the things I wrote. I know I'll eventually find a new teacher, somehow, and will continue to study and sing. But for now, I'm just feeling lost.

Moving Right Along

I must admit I'm pleased with the comments I received for my voice evaluation. I didn't hear any criticism that I didn't expect; relax the tension, watch certain vowels, raise the palate, etc. I was surprised by the nice comments and had a moment of, "Did they mean me or are they all deluded?" but the truth is I've been practicing, practicing, practicing. And what do you know, it helps to practice.

I had a lesson with my new teacher today. She asked for the results so I read them to her. Then we continued to work on keep the soft palate raised for every phrase in the songs we worked on. She had me hold a 5 lb weight out in front of me at one point. Besides Nel Cor, last week we worked on Se tu m'ami and O Cessate di Piagarme. Then today we went over something by Handel. I don't recall the name. We are doing pieces I've never done before because she says she doesn't want me bringing any habits along. I can see where that could be confusing or challenging. I like these songs and I'm amazed at how I'm able to maintain that full sound as we go over them phrase by phrase. She reads the measure in rhythm, I repeat it, she sings it, I repeat, through each song. Then I listen to the lesson and practice. And of course I find it on YouTube to hear how it sounds all put together.

I'm really enjoying the lessons, the location and the general atmosphere. It's so much more... something... than having a lesson in an elementary school classroom with the chairs stacked up on the desks and so on. The space is just so much more relaxing all around. She lives on this quaint street. There is a beautiful flower garden in front of her house. She has a great front porch with plants and a beautiful view of the river. Inside is lovely too. I'm very happy with the way things have worked out.

Endings and Beginnings of Another Sort

That vocal evaluation that I've fretted over the past two years has arrived again. In fact, my time to sing is about 90 minutes from when I'm typing this. I'm nervous of course but I have a different attitude this time. Why?

Ok here's the skinny. (do people say that anymore?) I can't really type more until I tell.

My current voice teacher and I have decided that I've come as far as I can with her and it's time for me to move to someone new. It's more complicated than that, because everything always is, but anyway this is where we are. I have already found a new teacher - I'm fast like that. I was seeing the O.P. person I've seen before and I asked her for a recommendation. Lo and behold... she's now my new teacher.

I've been to a couple of lessons with her so far. It's interesting to hear the same sort of stuff from someone else, taught in a totally different way. They're both good teachers but they are very different. I'm pleased with the decision. Now I just have to get used to the "studio" stuff. She teaches out of her home and I never know, do I ring the doorbell or just go into the sitting area and wait? I'll figure all that stuff out. The other stuff, which I do like, is that we make the appointment for the next lesson at each lesson, so it's very flexible, and I pay as I go. Very different from my set time slot and annual tuition with the music school. I think I'm going to like the flexibility. And I definitely like her style of teaching. I think it's a good fit.

So to wrap stuff up at the school with my current (old?) teacher, I have the eval tonight, then I'll go Saturday to my regular lesson time to get the results. And that's it. I've decided I'll write my teacher a nice note, etc, and maybe give her a pair of earrings. And as for that recital of her students next month, I unfortunately cannot participate because I can't make the mandatory run-through with the accompanist. It's scheduled for Alex's birthday, and we're having a party here. And Alex's teacher is holding a recital of her students on the same day as the other recital. All he'll do is bow in time to three chords, but it's a big deal for him. So THAT is the skinny!!