2009!

I know its been a while but a lots happened over the last few months. I went on the Asian tour which went very well and had good reviews. I then went home to get my post grad work visa sorted out. It ended up taking a lot longer than
I thought and so only got back into the UK a few weeks ago. Good news is that the time in singapore resulted in some work later in the year (opera, recital and concert
) and of course it was great spending time with friends and family.

But its great to be back here in the UK and have some exciting projects lined up not the least of which is singing the role of Delilah in May!

I must say its quite strange being out of college. I had gotten used to the structure of college and of course weekly lessons. Its harder now as I have to arrange times with my very busy teacher and I miss seeing her once a week and talking about whats been going on.

I'm staying in a lovey house with a little garden at the back and nice big room to practise in. As I'm practising at home, I also find I don't get out as much or see as many people as I did in halls. I can see how this profession can be quite lonely.

But its good to be busy. Have started advertising for students. Did a fair amount of teaching in singapore with good results and I found I love working with people and sharing my love for music. No students yet but its early days:)

northern horizons

Upcoming Concerts in Manchester:

6th July 3pm St Anne's Church
10th August 12pm Whitworth Art Gallery

Upcoming Concerts in Portugal:

15th July - 8pm - Palácio Foz in Lisbon
18th July - 9:30pm - Covilhã

Upcoming Concerts in Singapore:

7 Sept 2008 The Chamber, The Arts House, 7:30 pm
Tel: (65) 6332 6900

End of one journey and the start of another

Its finally here, the first concert in manchester of the music we are taking on tour. We leave for portugal in a week and then off to asia in seot. It been immensely stressful arranging this tour and the trying to raise the money. Most of it will end up being selffunded which is a great source of stress for the group. We are entirey dependent on ticket sales.
Meanwhile I am in the last week of my time here at the RNCM. What a incredible three years. Yet I have lots more to learn and grow as a singer and am now looking forward to some work. Will be here in the UK for another year at least and will then reevaluate the situation.

the northern horizons asian tour 2008

Updated my webpage . Lots of gigs coming up which is great. Hope it lasts through the rest of year. Looking forward to the tour of asia we are planning. Will need to add in the programme, clean up bios etc but the website is on its way:) http://www.northernhorizons2008.com.
We took a professional photo but need to wait another two weeks for it so using our DIY version for now. Doing a couple of test concerts here in the uk and also in Portugal in July.

Grad photos !

What a great year 2007 was! It ended with a very successful Marriage of Figaro as Marcellina and a well received recital in Singapore that got a lovely review in the Straits Times on christmas day. Of course one of the biggest highlights was getting my Masters! Was so pleased my family could be there to share the day with me.

success!

Concert went well. Was in a great place vocally although was a little tired and jetlagged. Few minor boo boos and gave my fellow trio members a heart attack by coming in early on the encore piece but other then that went well. Ticket sales picked up considerably on the final few days. We are still slightly in the red but won't have to rob a bank to meet costs. Folk loved it so I'm pleased. I learnt a lot from working with an ensemble. Its more important than ever to listen to the other members and be sensitive to speeds and uptakes. Have somethings to take away from this concert and take into the next. But that's always the way.

Now onwards to Debussy excepts and the Ravel opera. Its gonna be a term of french music.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Its gonna be 2008!

lesson learnt...the hard way...

I have now graduated with a masters of music with distinction (such a clever girl) and will be auditioning next year for work! Excited to be going out into the big wide world.

Had a nasty surprise recently as a result of the concert I did in Aug. After the concert, I agreed to let them podcast it and then completely forgot about it. A week ago a friend of mine told me about a very strange recording of me she heard on the web. It turns out that the recording they did was terrible. The mike did not pick up my full voice resulting in a strange high pitched sound and made me so upset I cried. I called them and they said that they knew that their recording equipment was not very good but they posted it on the web anyway. I cringe when I think about how many people might have heard it and thougt thats how I sing. Lesson learnt. Don't let anyone release a recording without hearing it first. Thank God its off. I'm worried the damage has already been done. Ticket sales for the concert are going so badly, I will need to fork out quite a bit of my own money to meet costs. Sigh.....

Homeward bound

Half through the figaro run. People are loving it so good.. good. Trying to keep my game up and make each performance better than the one before. Its takes a ton of energy and concenatration. I love it tho! The stepping out for the first time on stage is nerve wrecking but once I'm on its a real rush.

Ticket sales for the concert are very very worrying. Praying hard that folk come on the day or we will be well and truly in the red. I think we really choose the wrong time of the year and lots of folk are away for the christmas holidays. Bah! Still looking forward to my graduation next week and of course my family coming for that and watching the opera as well. I got a distinction for my masters dissertation! So pleased...Singing Debussy for the exceprts in Jan. Its odd and tricky...looks like I'll be working over christmas.