I have been inspired by those of you who have asked me what I've been doing or what I'm doing next.  Recently, my common response has been slack-jawed silence...guess it's time to write it all down so I'll know what to say!

UPCOMING IN A NUTSHELL:

(more details later in the newsletter if you get that far)

August 8, 9, 11:  Encore!  A Musical Revue at Central City Opera

August 18, 19:  A Peek Behind the Curtain, Cottonwood Center for the Arts

August 24:  Motif Jazz Cafe

August 26:  Summer at the Castle, Chamber Orchestra of the Springs

September 7:  First Friday Art Walk Shuttle

September 23rd:  "Notes from a Trebled Mind" with Annamarie Zmolek

February 8-10, 15-17:  Guinevere in Camelot , Intermountain Opera Bozeman

March 30, 2019:  Pikes Peak Opera League Anniversary Celebration

April 20, 2019:  Mozart Mass in C minor, Denver Philharmonic

WHERE HAVE I BEEN?

Short answer:  Singing and teaching

Longer answer:

Singing  

Since my last My-Fair-Lady-focused newsletter, I have:

~sung at Afternoon Tea with a Diva for Opera Fort Collins

 ~played a non-singing male role in a play all about music in Amadeus

~stepped outside...I mean, EXPANDED my comfort zone by singing some jazz 

~helped bring great music to tiny people with Tiny Tots Inside the Orchestra

~serenaded Molly Brown at her house for her 151st birthday

Teaching

My students have had the honor of participating in:

~Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center Youth Rep Ensemble

~Vocal Arts Festival

~Pikes Peak Opera League Young Voice Competition

~Various high school productions

~Professional theater productions at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center

~4th Infantry Division Army band

~Royal Conservatory of Music

~Various auditions

Beginning this coming school year, I will be the principal voice instructor for Colorado College.

WHERE AM I GOING?

This is always a very difficult yet very valid question.  Below are details for the events listed at the very beginning of the newsletter.  If you have seen enough, read no further.  But, following is at least a beginning of an answer to, "Where am I going?"

It is an absolute understatement to say that I am honored to be singing on the historic Central City Opera stage for Encore! A Musical Revue at 2:30pm on August 8th and 9th and at 8pm on August 11th with Curt Olds (who also brilliantly created this concert), Will Liverman, and seven of the current ridiculously talented Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Artists.  During our rehearsal the other night I realized I was hearing this music sung better than I'd ever heard it before.  I want all of you to experience the awe I did sitting in that room last night.  

LeAnna Tuff has created works of visual art inspired by love and passion for the performing arts.  Can a painting draw the viewer into the emotion of the moment? Come attend one of the companion concerts for “A Peek Behind the Curtain” on August 18 or 19, when LeAnna's husband, baritone Peter Tuff, and his fabulous performing artist friends (including yours truly) share highlights from opera and musical theater in the NSR Gallery. Information and tickets are available at artistrystudioscos.com.

This past month, Steve Langemo, an amazing guitarist, encouraged me to expand my comfort zone by singing some jazz.  It was exciting and challenging and just a little bit scary.  But, I'm doing it again!  If you want to hear an amazing jazz trio with the occasional tune from me, come to Motif on August 24th any time between 8pm and 11pm.  

I have had some magical music-making experiences with Chamber Orchestra of the Springs.  I have a feeling this is going to be another one.  I mean, it's in a castle!!  There are two performances on August 26th, one at 4pm and one at 7pm, and an optional dinner at 5:15pm. 

I am the new principal voice instructor at Colorado College!!!  Crazy!  The folks at Colorado College are entrusting me with teaching voice to some of their students.  And, they are encouraging me to continue performing.  The best of both worlds!!

I will be hosting the Free First Friday Shuttle bus on September 7th.  You can catch the bus at various locations in Colorado Springs, Old Colorado City, and Manitou and hop from gallery to gallery without having to worry about parking...or a designated driver (except if you have to drive home afterward).  Beautiful art by local artists, no parking worries, and you get to hang out with me in between galleries!  There could be worse ways to spend your First Friday.

Notes from a Trebled Mind

No, this is not an announcement of my impending memoir.  Rather, it is the title of an operatic concert I will be singing with the astounding Annamarie Zmolek, soprano, and Dan Brink, piano, on behalf of Opera Theatre of the Rockies.  September 23, 2018, 3pm, Packard Hall on the Colorado College campus.  Even if you have had enough of me for 2018, you will want to hear Annamarie.  Her singing is nothing short of glorious.  

Every now and then a person comes into your life who believes in you enough to recommend you for a dream role at a company for which you've never worked.  Curt Olds, you are a brilliant performer,  program mastermind, colleague, and recommender :)  And now, another dream role comes true as I play Guinevere at Intermountain Opera on February 8,9,10 and 15,16,17 in Bozeman, Montana!

Pikes Peak Opera League is celebrating their 40th anniversary in 2019.  And, guess who gets to sing at the event?  We will be rejoicing and reminiscing on March 30th, 2019 at the El Paso Club - I'll send more details as I get them so you don't miss the party!

I love the bold and inclusive approach of this orchestra - with the Denver Philharmonic you can attend "more than music" events just before the concert (wine! coffee! food! fun!), save your seat with no guilt, Tweet during the concert, meet the musicians, and, of course, listen to some beautiful music.  On April 20, 2019 at 7:30pm, I will be the mezzo soloist in Mozart's "Great" Mass in C Minor with this barrier-breaking organization. 

Enough.  For now.  I'll look forward to seeing you soon!