Masters and Magicians... I mean Musicians

As we come to the close of this program, I am overwhelmed by the emotions of leaving. It's been a whirlwind, crazy adventure- filled with experiences that I will never forget. Yet, I am ready to get home, kiss my husband, cuddle my children and sleep in my own bed. 

As a penultimate post, I thought I would share my favorite highlights from our master classes. (Music majors, you'll appreciate these more than anyone else.)

Each professional brought something different to the program and it will take me weeks of studying all my notes, voice memos and videos to really process all the information gathered here. But once I've got it, watch out! Because I will be a sensation! 😉

"Find a moment in every piece you do to be transcendent... Be the projection screen for the will of the people." 

-Julia Faulkner. 

"Flare your nostrils on the top notes to gain access to the ping... It's NOT cheating!!" 

-John DeHaan

🌟Personal Discovery: this works on the low notes, too!

"The orchestra is another entity in the scene portraying your feelings- you are simply layering your text over the top."

-Francois Loupe

"Breath has pitch! Especially at the beginning of a phrase or line."

-Kathryn Hearden

"If you are going to sing "ai" as in the word sarai, sing on the "ah" -avoid closing to the "i"... Don't turn it into something from a terrible cowboy and Indian movie. Aye, aye, aye!" 

-Maestro Joseph Resicgno

"Sometimes we wonder to do with these awkward interludes before we enter again. Don't be afraid to give yourself to the music as you think about your next line."

-Mary Anne Scott

"You must ground yourself through every note. Otherwise you will put your "me" in the basement." 

-Brygida Bziukiewicz

"Listen to great recordings, sure, but make sure you're working to release that "thing" that's in you- that's yours only."

-Robert Breault 

Down Time

With a program like this, it's always good to take a break... Or two. :) The following are pictures of our favorite free time activities: meeting new people, eating yummy food, babysitting  and participating in the local festivities. 

Who doesn't love the sister missionaries?? 

We will never forget our experiences going to church in this faithful branch!

Yep, those are sardines on a skewer. (Little known fact, Pavarotti was a dedicated eater of sardines before a performance. Apparently it made him sing better... I wouldn't know. I didn't touch the stuff!)

Our adorable waiter showing us how to get it done with style! 

Clara showing us her "happy" tummy. :) Seriously, the food at this restaurant was amazing!!

Don't forget our most favorite little fan! ⤵

The following pictures are a celebration to fitness and movement. Besides the few pictures below there was basketball, volleyball, soccer goal kicking, Brazilian Capoeira, Kung Fu Demonstrations and all kinds of dancers. It was pretty cool. 

Pictures above is the cutest attempts at Zumba I have ever seen!

And, of course, no feste would be complete without a stop for gelato. 

The little princess wondering how she got through her yummy dessert so quickly???

Yep, she convinced me to give her some of mine. 😄

By the time all the playing and babysitting  was done, I was very tired and ready for a long night of sleep!

Workin it in a habit

Oh. My. Goodness. I didn't realize I could get so sick of being on buses. The ride was incredible to Cesena for my debut as the Maestra, but I made myself quite sick. Especially since we took the faster (but more winding) route to our destination. 

I was pretty happy to start seeing freeway and concrete again.  :) ... And that I had a couple hours to regain my composure before getting on stage. 

Me teaching the Novices how good nuns should behave. 

I sang well enough, but I still think I look like a penguin! Lol

First Opera Experience

Words can't describe how much relief and joy there is that we have arrived at this moment. Lengthy rehearsals and endless coachings have many of us wondering if we can pull off Italian operas in front of native Italians. I feel confident that I understand the diction required to speak/sing Italian well... though perhaps it will take many more years to master. We'll know better after these first few shows. 

The posters plastered around the provinces outlining our performances. 

Here's one on the castle in San Marino. 

A view of the cloister tower at our first location in Rimini. It was an interesting feeling to be playing nuns, surrounded by real nuns. Lol

A view from the street. 

Prepping with the string quartet. 

Loved the orange outdoor chairs. 

"Our" Madonna

In the 1990's, they were remodeling the church when they discovered old tombs paved over with cobblestone. To preserve the history, the church simply built glass displays over sections for people to appreciate? I won't lie, it creeped me out. 

This is darker and harder to see, but if you look toward the top of the picture you can see the crypt entrance. 

These ladies did an amazing job! My turn in a few days. :-/