Running on Empty

I'm going to start a new chapter of my blog. :)

I'm ready to start making fitness a priority in my life and I think if I start writing about my journey, it'll not only make me more accountable, but it may help others who are looking for help.
So.. here it goes.

Here's my plan.

I'm going to start with a walk.  Just a 15 minute walk twice a week. Then, I will make it a jog/walk.  Then, I will run.  Then, i will do a 5K.  My first 5K was a couple years ago and though I never run the whole thing, it was a great experience.  I remember being so happy, I cried a little bit.  I never thought it'd ever be something I would want to do. I'm ready to feel that gratification again.

I will also start my new "whole30" inspired diet plan on Sunday.  Every time I've done a whole30, whether or not i've made it to the 30 day mark, my health has dramatically been better.  My blood pressure is better, my weight is down, and I feel great.  I think it's the 'rules' that keep me accountable. I think the strictness is what keeps me questioning why I'm doing what I'm doing.  (I mean, who would ever willingly put themselves through 30 days of no added sugar?) I think this will-power makes me feel strong.  If only I could use that will-power to help me exercise more regularly.

Wish me luck.  I'll try checking in through the week over the next month to report on my progress.

Quickie Update

Hi everyone,

Well, as an update to WW, I have lost a total of 23 lbs. Yea! Pretty rad.
I have been busy preparing for another year of auditions and I'm looking forward to the annual trip to NYC. It's pretty funny, I think the most difficult aspect of being a working singer is the distraction aspect of having another job and trying to stay focused on the career.
I'm sure many singers have faced the same issue, your job pays for your career. It's not a difficult distinction to make, just an a typical one.

Anyways, until next time...

Tiff :)

New Challenges

Hi folks,

So this doesn't have a lot to do with music .. but I have joined weight watchers. Finally trying to take control of my eating habits and learn about myself a little more. I've been doing it a month so far and I've lost 11.6 lbs. Evidentally, it's a product that works for me. :)
I've started going to the gym on a more frequent basis and I'm striving to be more active on a day to day basis. 3 days at the gym just doesn't cut it anymore.
And you know what? It's actually kind of fun to have this new exciting goal ahead of me. I'm not looking to change my entire appearance or look like Victoria Beckham... just feel healthy.
I've already started noticing things about myself that I was unaware of. For example, I had always been told that there is not a "controlling" or "type A" bone in my body. But that's just not accurate. I'm usually so co-dependent that I haven't noticed that deep down, I WANT and NEED a sense of control over some aspects of my life. Food has become one of those things. And surprisingly enough, it's kind of fun to learn how to take RESPONSIBILITY for my eating habits.

I'll keep you guys posted on my progress month to month and I will try to focus on more blogging as well. Stay tuned!

until next time,
Take Care!!

I want to go to there

I want to see THIS! Pretty psyched!

Audition weekend

Hello pups,

So this past weekend, December 4-7 I went to NYC to audition for some YAPs and got to spend some wonderful quality time with an old friend, Ms. Nora Graham-Smith. Nora and I are like peas in a pod; the type of friends who after not seeing each other for years, can pick things right back up from where they stopped and it's as if I had just said goodbye yesterday.
She's quite lovely and it was the highlight of my weekend. Not to sound cliche, but I really believe that we need our friends like we need air to breathe. I have seen too many people become absolutely miserable because they are alone with no one to share life with.

I arrived in NYC on Thursday night and slept over at Nora's apartment. The next morning, I was due at NOLA studio in NYC at around 10:20am. Luckily, due to my work schedule I'm used to getting up around 6am, so as much as I tried, I really couldn't sleep past 7am before I had to be up and moving around. I arrived at NOLA and to my surprise, I saw an old friend, who I took to a high school dance, Ted Federle. Now married, Ted is doing well and is still the same passionate, talented guy I remember from back in the day at May Festival Youth Chorus in Cincinnati. While chatting with Ted, another singer friend from CCM, Liz Bouk arrived and I haven't seen her since 2005 at least! She looked exactly the same, her lovely blonde hair reflecting the color of her blue dress, but she's PREGNANT! WOW! And due in FEB!
It was so bittersweet! I just love seeing how happy and accomplished my friends are becoming and I realize that there is hope for all of us! The world is indeed big enough for all of us to make of it what we can! I felt so inspired!

My audition itself felt a little tired, and my feet were shaking (Whatever THAT's about?!) and after singing, Liz and I grabbed some coffee and caught up on our lives.
I met up with Nora and that evening ended up back at NOLA where I crashed my first audition and it was the best I have ever sang in my life!! I think it has to do with the fact that I was wearing Yoga pants and flats. Note to self: wear more comfortable clothes to sing in. It made a WORLD of difference in the sound quality, breath support, confidence, ..the list goes on.

After doing some shopping on Saturday, Nora and I got tickets courtesy of a friend of mine to see "White Christmas" at the Marriott Marquee in Times Square. It was DIVINE! So fun!

Overall, it was a FANTASTIC trip and I hope to visit Nora in NYC again very soon.
Until later, puppies.... :)

Beaker + Carmen = Hilarious!

This will never get old. Thank you, Jim Henson for being fabulous! :)

Enjoy!

Living in a recycled culture

I just read something quite interesting...

"You have two kinds of shows on Broadway -- revivals and the same kind of musicals over and over again, all spectacles," says Sondheim. "You get your tickets for 'The Lion King' a year in advance, and essentially a family comes as if to a picnic, and they pass on to their children the idea that that's what the theater is -- a spectacular musical you see once a year, a stage version of a movie. It has nothing to do with theater at all. It has to do with seeing what is familiar. We live in a recycled culture." - Stephen Sondheim from Frank Rich's New York Times article.

I can't help but competely agree and I feel like this is exactly the reason why I don't go to Broadway shows. It's pretty sad when I hear these wonderful stories about a time long lost, where Rodgers and Hammerstein's works were considered brand new. Can you imagine what it would have been like to be in the premier of Guys and Dolls? Or West Side Story?

At the same time, I feel that there are new musicals being produced, like In the Heights that are worth seeing, however, with the cost of the trip and the ticket combined, I fear I might be dissapointed, so I end up talking myself out of it.
Now speaking of movies, I hear that there will be Spiderman: The Musical. Even if it's directed by Julie Taymor, and is sure to have some brilliant headliners, it's kind of sad that there are no original ideas for theatre anymore. I'm sure it all comes down to money, but can't SOMEBODY just come up with a good story and instead of making a movie first, make it into a musical??
I'm just sayin...

I'll just submit my idea... box office, the musical. It'll be a hit! :) Now I just need Stephen to write the music and I'm gold! ;)

New Hampshire Opera Idol Competition

Hi everyone!
I had a very productive and exciting weekend.
On Friday, I was able to leave work early and take a bus to Concord, NH to audition for Lakes Region Opera's New Hampshire Opera Idol Competition. It was a long bus ride and I almost fell asleep twice, but it was worth it. When i arrived, my audition was at 4:25pm and the judges chose what I was to sing (usually, the singer chooses first, then if the judges wish to hear anything else, they choose an additional piece). They wanted to hear "Come Scoglio" from Mozart's Cosi fan tutte. I sang it well and then quickly left to make it back for the 5pm bus. I arrived back in Norwood at 8:30pm. It was a long day. I got a call pretty much as soon as I got home that I had qualified for the Semi-Final round on Saturday morning at 11am. Same location.

Luckily, my boyfriend, Rich said he would be more than happy to drive me to the audition. :) He was so great. Kept me talking and chatty so I didn't feel too tired and didn't have to warm up much.
I sang at 11am and was interviewed for a documentary they were filming of the competition, then headed to his brother's house in Manchester, NH. I had met his brother, Norm a while back when Rich was moving into his apartment, so it was great to see him again. I got to meet his wife, Carol and their daughter, Nikki, who just turned 15 and for her present, they decided to let her get her lip pierced. She's a very mature and sweet 15 year old, so don't judge! They're very loving and awesome parents.
While chatting with Carol, I got a call that I was accepted into the Finals of the competition the next day. I was expected to arrive at 2pm and the competition would begin at 3pm at Concord's "Audi" Concert Hall. When I asked for the specific address, I was told to google it. HAH..... mmmkay.
When I got the address, Rich kept asking, "ARE YOU SURE?!" and I was like, "well, ....no... but according to Google, it's right!" Thanks, Google. :) You were on the money, this time!
We arrived at the hall around 1:30pm on Sunday and I was led to my dressing room while Rich sat in the hall. I came out to find him and he was gone. Apparently, the hall wasn't open until 2:30pm so they asked him to leave! :( He ended up taking a walk and listened to the Pats game in the car until the hall was open.
Poor guy. He puts up with so much of my crap sometimes. That's why I love him. (well, that and because he makes me laugh at myself when I would usually kick.)
Anyways, I got to watch the entire competition since I was second to last to sing of about 15 other singers. Everyone is just so damn talented. Some beautiful singing! My personal favorite was a beautiful soprano, named Lesley Friend, who sang one of the most beautiful versions of "Ebben? Ne andro lontana" I have EVER heard. She's really going somewhere! Just watch!
It was really great to get out there and sing again. The judges picked my selection, "Come Scoglio" ...again.. and I think since it's been a while since I have performed in public, it was a big step for me to get into the 'game' again. I think I did Mozart real proud.
I didn't win anything official, no contract, no money, but my reward was greater than anything I could imagine. I was sharing my gift again for the first time in 2 years. (Not to mention something to show on my resume!)
They said that the performance was being recorded live, but apparently, it wasn't, but eventually, they said it will appear on their website.
I'lll keep you posted once it's up, but in the meantime, check out my tweets from the trip!
The next competition will be in Janurary for the Metroplitan Opera National Council Auditions in Boston. I've sung for this competition while in grad school and it was a good experience, so I'm looking forward to it!

Thanks to everyone for their support and their encouragment. That's what we're here for! Share the love, people! :)

Happy Halloween!

Super Foam Chair!

Making of SuperFoam Chair from Rich Gilbert on Vimeo.

Lindsay thought this was awesome, so I decided to share! Who wants to help me make one?!

I think I know what sooooooomebody wants for X-mas!

Poor Kitty

Poor kitty.

Someone ripped up his thesis. :(

Stephen Sondheim and Frank Rich

I found this wonderful interview of Frank Rich, who is scheduled to interview Stephen Sondheim on 11/14/09 at Sanders Theatre. (Buy Tickets) It's sure to be an awesome night!
An email went out asking if anyone had any questions for this Q & A, so of course, my box office colleague and myself came up with a few and sent them on to Jack.

1. In regards to “Legit” American Musical Theatre. Who are some other composers of today’s genre that you appreciate and/or admire?
2. With the popularity of Disney on Broadway and the more pop/rock style of music, what direction do you think American Musical Theatre is moving toward and why?
3. How do you feel about shows not being “tried out” in Boston before going to Broadway anymore? Why are we being left out?!
4. Did you see the movie, “Sweeney Todd”? What are your thoughts about traditional American Musical Theatre being remade/translated into Hollywood films? Have you considered ever composing for more movies aside from the ones you have done already (Reds, The Birdcage, Dick Tracey, etc..)?
5. Out of all your wonderful compositions, which one would you consider your favorite and why?


What do you think about my questions? Do you have anything to add? I will be blogging about the night after the event, so stay tuned.

What would you ask Stephen Sondheim?

.... What would you ask Stephen Sondheim?

I think I would ask him what his favorite curse word is?
Or what he thought of the film version of "Sweeney Todd"?

oh, and if he's in need of a good healthy soprano to just hang out with.

Kind of awesome, the job I have, isn't it?

Choices, Choices...

So nowadays everyone seems to be going through some sort of financial hardship. Most people have either lost a job themselves, or know at least one person who has been recently laid off. (For me, I know a few). In these hard times, we try to remain optimistic, but we are slapped with a mortgage or rent payment that doesn't give up and often try to find new alternatives to our current budget.
Remember Tony from "Who's the Boss?" He had it so easy. He didn't pay rent, I don't think he had a full time job, and he got to stay at home and simply hang out with the kids while watching the game in his sweats.
Call me lazy, but that sounds like heaven right about now.
I saw an ad on a popular job site exchanging free rent for occasional assisting of a mentally handicapped individual who lives in a mansion! The pictures of this place were spotless, granite counter tops, white linoleum floors, and potted plants.
I entertained the idea, sure, but my previous experiences with mentally disabled individuals reminded me of the old adage, 'if it's too good to be true, it probably is'.
I am curious dear readers, if the situation presented itself, would you take this offer. Consider that you haven't met the handicapped person and you don't know what to expect.

So here I am. I am dining on hot dogs and balogne sandwiches this week, stretching my dollar like Stretch Armstrong, as I sit in my comfortable Brookline apartment with the freedom to come and go as I please. I think I made the right choice.

Inspiration strikes again

As I was working hard selling tickets at my desk and waiting for the bell to ring for my habitual coffee break, in walks a man who changed everything.
His name was Joe and he was 88 years old. Often times, many patrons come to our office to buy their tickets in order to save money on the handling fees, but this man really wanted to know where he was sitting and what he was about to enjoy. He bought the remaining dance performances in our season and we talked shop about Mark Morris and the power of dance and music in our lives. Eventually, he writhed out of me that I am a singer and after asking more questions, could see that I was struggling with how to effectively use the painful emotions from my personal life to persuade my musical expression. Mom having cancer. Falling helplessly in love. Family and Friend Betrayal. Homelessness and Abandonment. I shouldn't be singing an opera, I should be writing one.
Joe was a very carismatic man. He looked no older than 58, but told me his true age and how he makes sure to take care of himself everyday and that he was the former movement teacher at BU before my teacher, Judith Chafee arrived, waaaaay back in the day. He spoke of the true importance of alignment of the spine and more importantly how important it is to align the soul. The body reflects the condition of the soul and the mind. He says he now works with lead conductors and leads workshops to help with these issues that surprisingly, many successful musicians are challenged with everyday.
I felt relieved and inspired. I have been carrying around so much anger and saddness from the recent events over the past two years and every attempt to sing and hone an emotion had ended in tears before the first note was even sung. I had felt so defeated and rejected that it had crossed my mind that I might never sing opera again.
I told Joe about the vision of my discontent. A steam engine train rushing full throttle to a brick wall. Every time I sing. An aria begins with the piano tremolo and within seconds, I begin to sob uncontrollably. I might not even be thinking about anything in particular, but the mere sound of the piano triggers a place I didn't know existed and therefore, don't know how to control.
Joe, in saintly attentiveness, seemed to know exactly what I was talking about and a smile crossed his face. A sparkle from his eye revealed itself that he was a true teacher. He told me that there was a great book, "The New Earth" by Tolle and that its a book that will probably change my life. He said that there are many talented musicians who never get past the point I am at right now and it costs them their careers as well as their happiness. He also told me that I was ready. It was such a comfort to meet Joe. I found a used copy of the book and have already obsorbed myself in its message. I ran into my voice teacher, Penny on the train and told her this story and she actually knows of Joe. She agreed that he is a great man and works with practically every well respected conductor in the city. She said his inspiration was no accident and agreed with his message.
Christmas came early for me this year, and his name was Joe.

Holiday Cheer..

One of the most lucrative moments of the yearfor the singer is the holiday season. Rather than stay home and watch Charlie Brown pout over his lame tree, everyone and their mother would rather go to a Handel and Hayden performance while imagining snow covered houses from 19th century England.

Damn you, Thomas Kincade and your cozy paint-by-numbers gifts.

This is the time of year we've been waiting for. Good ol' Jesus money. And not a moment too soon, because no one loves giving and receiving presents more than singers!
So for those of us who do not have chruch gigs, or were never called back for Handel and Hayden, we are left to our own devices to help pay the bills. Though picking up an extra shift at Starbucks might seem like the easiest option, who in their right mind wants to arrive at an empty store 7am on Christmas Day to serve hot coffee to the few customers who show up only to get a brief escape from the family traffic or are dying for an apple fritter.
No, this will not do.
For those of us who do not have church gigs, and simply have to carefully budget this holiday, I ask, What better way to enjoy the holidays than inspire and donate our gift of music to those in need? One event crosses my mind. A fire in Cambridge just made 20 people homeless a mere 2 days before Thanksgiving. One of the residents was a founder of a dance company here in Boston, and a great friend of the arts. She is now living in BU housing and has nothing. Our job as singers is not to make a living to support ourselves, but to support others. Simple acts of presenting a concert with a small admission fee and donating proceeds to these families displaced can bring the hardest of hearts to melt. So I ask of all of us, lets do something different this season. Inspire those around us by our talents and provide inspiration and hope for the Tiny Tim that you know.
Thomas Kincade can still kiss my ass.

Following your muse...

I have decided after much deliberation that there are hardly any resources available to the unemployed musician. The majority of people I know, mostly middle class, white americans were raised to go to college, and as the countless Saturday morning cartoons endorsed, "Do what makes you happy". Sadly, this optimism begins to turn sour once college or post-grad education comes to an end, and this philosophy becomes "Do what you can to support yourself."
This blog is intended to bring together the masses of musicians and artists who cannot find their way back to their love of their art. I dub thee, Followyourmuse.com