mezzo on the move

2009!

2009-02-21T14:29:00.000-08:00

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

2008-07-02T16:57:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-02T16:52:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-31T16:23:00.000-07:00

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 !

2008-01-17T05:39:00.000-08:00

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!

2007-12-24T16:20:00.000-08:00

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...

2007-12-13T10:00:00.000-08:00

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

2007-12-08T04:40:00.000-08:00

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.

Pop concert diva

2007-10-16T10:00:00.000-07:00

Had a surreal experience on sat. Have been ushering for some extra pocket money at college and during one of the jobs was asked by a lecturer to roll up at the Manchester arena (huge stadium) on sat. We were rushing in different directions and so had no time to talk much but was promised a hundred pounds and was told to wear funky black.

Money money money...anyway so dutifully turned up at the arena at noon all ready to do my day of ushering only to be shoved some music and told I was back up singing for the concert. It turned out to be come big pop concert with McFly, Sophie Ellis bextor and other big names in aid of the girl guides. There apparently was a nationwide singing competition among the guides and the winner was singing alongside the stars at this gig. I along with some star-struck and (very pretty leggy) first years were roped in to ohh and ahh in the background.

Was tons of fun as we had all you can drink, all you can eat and a big screen TV to entertain us between shows. There were fourteen thousand screaming people in each show and pyrotechnics shooting out at regular intervals singeing our hair.

Bizarre but fun fun fun.....really felt me age tho... had no clue who was who and happily chatted to folk without knowing who they were. The guys were really nice, women were typically divas cutting in front of food queues etc...how dare they....

figaro, competitions and other stresses of life

2007-10-12T05:43:00.000-07:00

Its been a while since my last post. Busy busy busy. Sang the messiah in the rncm concert hall last week. was my first messiah here in the uk. It went well altho I was too nervous to fully enjoy it. Now I want to sing it again just to relish the experience of the full orchestra and 500 strong choir. Conductor was pleased and audience was lovely. Now its on to Figaro. Need to work on spitting out the ton of recit.

Between the opera, the song competition and the concert back home... quite stressed about learning all the music. A composer has also asked me to sing a composition of his in wales. Its written for a sop and lies quite high but will give it a go.

It just seems so surreal. I've come so far in these three years but still have a way to go. B wants me to stay another year...what to do...what to do...

Good news is that a couple of mags have asked to feature our concert in singapore. Phew... hope ticket sales go well.

Home, concert and other stuff

2007-09-03T18:47:00.000-07:00

Its always nice to be home and catch up with friends and family. Its always such a nice feeling to reconnect with old friends. Its a heart-warming surprise to know how much they care even though we see each other so rarely. It can be lonely in Manchester and coming home always refreshes me. But I was born with the travel bug and I can't stay in one place for too long but touching base at home is important to me. Was nice to see my gran in kl altho she is really finding it difficult to walk around since the fall. Looking forward to Christmas when the whole family including sis descends here. It will be a full full house then and I think 5 people sharing one bathroom after a year of having their own will be interesting.

The concert at home was a learning experience for me. I'd been too used to being cossetted by my teacher and coaches for recitals and concerts and having to prepare something on my own with little time was really revealing in the level of preparation I need to bring to my work. Singing something into the voice and getting off copy is part of the process. I am not one of those singers that can just wing it. At least not yet. I think I did a fair job but was vocally hampered by insecurity with the music and so was not able to let the voice move freely. I understand now what Barbara keeps saying about a new level of singing that propels you from a good performance into something special. Aim for this year and of course the opera and the end of the year concert. The dreaded DVD will be painful but educational. Was somewhat disappointed in myself also A was not very encouraging also.We have been having some issues as well. Not really sure where I stand with her. so complicated.

Quite a heavy workload for the rest of year so need to plug in and get back into some hard work. But thats the way I like it:) Preperation, perperation, perperation and lots of heart. thats the key to success.

poster for dec concert:)

2007-08-25T16:16:00.001-07:00

concert poster for 22nd Dec! Done by me:) Cords for vocal cords, strings for the cello and hammers for the piano. Will be a night of our favourite classical pieces including a piece composed for voice and cello especially for us by a composer from the RNCM.

End of a second year in the UK

2007-08-13T20:41:00.000-07:00

I know its been a while but its been a slower pace since the summer holidays started. Been working on my dissertation which is progressing slightly slower than hoped but should get there in the end and of course the rep for the concert in NTU. The music is challenging but so beautiful....its worth the work.B is not well so kind of sorting it out on my own.

Had a lovely time in oxenfoord and was interesting to meet singers from such diverse backgrounds. Fab singers who never even got accepted into college when they were younger but trained privately and are working in London. The opera scenes were the highlight of the week and was tons of fun. Had a two bar long top A I had to belt out at one point and during the performance when my moment of glory came up, my lovely but overly enthusiastic colleague (soprano of course) clapped me on the arm mid-way through the A resulting in a hilarious hiccup of shock from me. Hmm....at least the audience loved it.
Well its 4am and I'm awake due to a mysterious rattling overhead from one of my lights. Will be leaving for home in a couple of days. Good to be going back but I really left it too late buying tickets. Mind you I went looking in April and all tix from manchester were gone so I had to get one from London. This is my resulting travel plan

00: 50 bus from manchester to heathrow airport
05:45 arrive at heathrow bus station and find my way with my mountain of luggage to t 3
08:00 hopefully check in without incident
10:50 leave on the plane
7 hours later stopover (hopefully shopover if the shops are open) for 5 hours and then a further 8 hours to singapore.

Thats about 30 plus hours of travelling. Sigh.... not looking forward to it. Praying really hard it goes smoothly and hopefully arrive safe and mentally sound in singapore on sun afternoon.

Got the role!

2007-07-01T13:50:00.000-07:00

So excited! I got the role of Marcellina in Marriage of Figaro! Even better is that my parents and sister will be here to see it. Yippee!

end of the second year

2007-06-08T15:44:00.000-07:00

Its been quite a term. Lots of oratorio engagements that went very well. Was so nice to be paid and to be singing in such lovely churches and cathedrals around the north of England. Recital also went well. Teacher was very proud. Still got plenty to do but am happy to be doing it. College came through with a generous bursary of half my fees to allow me to stay another year. The next opera is Figaro and am hoping for Marcellina. but will be away for the auditions so am sending in a CD instead. Had not intended to audit on as it come so soon after the recital but they still had not found what they were looking for and so rescheduled the auditions to when I had paid and planned to go to Barcelona. Sigh...not giving up my hard earned holiday so am sending a CD instead. Even a cover would be nice.

Anyway treated myself to a makeover to celebrate growing older so heres me at *1:)

easter break

2007-04-29T13:49:00.000-07:00

Was a nice 3 week Easter break. went with the international society for some of the tours to the lake district and to York. Nice to see a bit more of the country. Lovely weather too. Meet two lovely girls studying at the man uni and we arranged to go for a few more tours together over the weeks.

We'll its now term again and the exam term neck deep in preparing for my final recital on the 29th May as well as the other gigs along the way. Been trying to get some headway into the transcribing. Done most of the interviews for my masters research but the back breaking work is the transcription. Phew! gotta get it out of the way asap.

Glad I decided to come home for a while in the summer break in aug/sept. Will be nice to be home for a bit and also see my gran in KL. Worried about her after her recent fall and surgery.

Onegin photos

2007-03-25T04:20:00.000-07:00

The opera went so well! was pleased after all that hard work. Here are some of the backstage photos. Its was a great night for the whole cast.Barbara was pleased!

The stabat mater last week also went well.Was my first oratorio and it was nice that I was performing with soloists I knew from the RNCM and the conductor was lovely. Elijah yesterday was harder also because I was so tired from the opera from the night before. Everyone was really nice and lots of compliments but I did feel it a slight struggle to follow the conductor. Its an odd experience to have him conducting on your side and only being able to see him from out of the corner of your eye. Well it will get better with practise and I will certainly have it in the next few months. Its the mozart req and vespers next week end so have to get cracking with the music.

Brussels

2007-03-09T16:06:00.000-08:00

Its so beautiful and the food was fantastic! Here are some shots of the holiday in Brussels.
The main square in Brussels

Mussels in Brussels

The tin tin cartoon museum

Upcoming Performances (as of 1 Mar 2007)

2007-02-28T11:22:00.001-08:00

18th March 2007
Alto soloist in Stabat Mater (Rossini) and Mass in E flat(Schubert) with Burnley Municipal Choir at Burnley

23rd March 2007
Filipyvena in the RNCM's spring opera Eugene Onegin(Tchaikovsky)

24th March 2007
Alto soloist in Elijah (Mendelssohn) with Barnby Choir at St Michael’s Church Macclesfield UK

31st March 2007
Alto soloist in Mozart Requiem and Solemn Vespers at Church of the Good Shepherdn Heswell (Wirral).

end May 2007
Masters Recital at Royal Northern College of Music

2nd June 2007
Alto soloist in Solemn Vespers(Mozart) with Cantores Olicanae at St Margaret’s church Illkley UK

22nd Dec 2007
Recital at Esplanade Recital Studio in Singapore

Good friends

2007-02-20T10:54:00.000-08:00

My computer has been out of action for a while:( There apparently is only one Fujitsu repair centre in the whole of the UK and I was resigned to having not PC for the year, But....a lovely couple who came to Manchester to visit agreed to lug my laptop home to Singapore and even delivered it to my parents. My parents sent it to Fujitsu who fixed it in a day and then another friend brought it back here when she came to visit me. So thanks to the blessings of good friends and of course family I am once again have the privilege of a laptop in my room...yippiee...thanks so much to all involved in operation laptop....

Meanwhile I have a shopping mad friend here visiting with me. We took and weekend to visit Brussels and I hope to post some photos later.. its was lovely! We gorged ourselves on mussels...the thing to eat in brussels along with ....you guessed it....chocolates. sigh....anyway its rehearsals every day and shes happy to fend for herself for the rest of the trip. Feel slightly guilty tho. At the moment and waiting at home for her to return for her foraging at an outlet mall a hour away from the city. Will prob go for curry dinner at the curry mile.

Paris was beautiful

2007-01-30T15:13:00.000-08:00

fruit market outside the hotel.

we took a cruise on the Seine.

We had such a lovely time in Paris! here are some of the photos...its such a lovely city with great walks and the best pastries and bakeries:)

off to paris

2007-01-25T13:53:00.000-08:00

Cendrillon excerpt went well. People laughed at the right places and we certainly enjoyed ourselves. Here are some photos. So its off to Paris tomorrow morning..yippie!

Middle of term

2007-01-21T19:25:00.000-08:00

Phew already a month into the new year. I'm going to Paris! Yup...taking a weekend break with a friend of mine and am finally going to the continent. Can't wait. Will take lots of photos.
Weather here has been quite bad. Was caught in a gale last week and am down with the flu. Excerpts are this thurs with rehearsals all this week so am stuffing myself with lemsip and such. Got some more gigs for oratorios. Great but all in March so have to get an early start. That now makes 4 gigs in the same month including onegin.

Happy New Year!

2006-12-31T19:56:00.000-08:00

Its 2007:) New year resolutions? prob the same as last year. Spent the turning of the year at watchnight service. To be honest was a little tired and not much of the message sank in but was nice to start the year with God and to commit the year and all the challenges and dreams to Him. I'm looking forward to this year. There will be many challenges and opportunities to learn and grow. Resolutions include being more patient and learning to live in the moment and not get too anxious about things beyond my control.
Good news is I got an earlier flight back so will be in Manchester on the 5th and so will have more time to re-adjust and settle in before term starts on the 8th. Hope the flat is ok. Picking up my little baby Fujitsu from the hospital on the 3rd. Hope all is ok. gotta to reload everything tho. Busy packing lots of yummy food stuff to take back.. teee heee... got all the yummy prima taste mixes ...so will be able to feast on mee goreng, chicken rice, curry, mee siam ...etc....:) so yummmmyyyy....great when i get sick of my own cooking or the canteen food.
Well next post from manchester. Blessed new year all!

Christmas is coming:)

2006-12-23T04:17:00.000-08:00

Concert went very well.People had a really good time and my family nearly burst with pride. Was so nice to have my grandma be able to hear me live. Now I can relax and look forward to christmas:) Here is a photo of myself, the soprano Mei,our accompanist Chee Yean and his little student Nigel.

Been catching up with all the local food and have been stuffing myself with the excellent food here in KL. Need to watch it or will not fit into any of my clothes. Can't take too long of a break tho as I've got quite a bit to learn with the upcoming opera exceprts and of course the BYO auditions. Sigh...well its what I wanted...lots of performance oppurtunities so no complaining.

Merry Christmas everyone and my best wishes and prayers for a blessed new year.

Busy month of Christmas music

2006-12-19T14:14:00.000-08:00

Been quite a busy few months choosing and picking up all the christmas music for the concerts. Had one in manchester at a lovely old library in early dec and now am preparing for the hour long charity recital in KL.
Battling jetlag a little. My poor tummy is highly confused about why I'm stuffing it at weird times. Also added to the stress of the upcoming concert, its not a happy camper. So glad thats its on the 22nd before christmas so I can enjoy myself over the festive season without worrying about my voice.
Have tons to learn before going back tho. Got to get the french excerpt music well under my belt as rehearsals start on the 10th Jan and I can only get a flight back on the 9th. Sigh praying that an earlier waitlist will come through. Also have the BYO auditions on the 19th Jan so have to prepare 3 constrasting arias. So its very much a working holiday.
Its so frustrating that I'm still always so stressed before a show. worried about meeting the pianist for the first time tomorrow and getting the whole recital ready in just 2 rehearsals with him. With so many famaily and friends of the family forking over such a lot of money to come hear me sing, the pressure is on.. sigh...looking forward to the day when I can actually look forward to a concert minus all the stress. Hmmm

Been awhile:)

2006-12-07T14:19:00.000-08:00

yes, i know its been quite a while since I last blogged. Been busy but nothing seriously exciting. Basically working on my breathing, breathin breathing...its a uphill task at times. Had a christmas concert tonight. It went well i think. Was not as effortless as I'd like but I used a lot of new technique and it showed vocally. Was pleased about that. Off home in 2 weeks! Yippie! Have the concert in KL and then can relax a bit. Have to learn a fair bit of music but am looking forward to meeting up with family and friends.

got the role!

2006-11-09T01:09:00.000-08:00

I got the role of filipyevna! well actually its the cover. The main role was taken by a phd student. But its great to be involved in a quarter million pound production and of course its Tchaikovsky! Will have a cover showing on the 23rd march. The concert in kl is going ahead. Wanted to have a concert in kl so my gran will get a chance to hear me sing and was planning to rent a hall etc when her church asked if I would sing for a fund raising concert instead. Seemed the right thing to do over the Christmas period and my grandparents had worshiped there for over half a century. A friend put me in touch with a pianist there (Wong chee Yean) and he in turn suggested a soprano that he knows who studied in Italy. So looks like its full steam ahead.

Here's the email poster...

Been a while

2006-10-30T12:26:00.000-08:00

Hi hi...I know its been a while but have been busy preparing for the Eugene Onegin auditions (auditioning for Filipyena) and generally getting my masters research settled. The auditions went well and am now waiting for the results. Trying not to get my hopes up as the competition is fierce. We have a glut of excellent mezzos this year esp as some stayed another year especially for this opera. The power of Tchaikovsky.
Am having a Christmas concert in KL:) Its a fund raising concert for the Methodist church my gran attends. A full hour with a couple of duets with a Malaysian soprano I met. should be good but have been busy organising the pianist and other logistics from half a world away. Also getting music together to send to him. Quite exciting few months. Wish I had a few gigs here but....gotta keep pushing.

Bits and Bobs of news

2006-10-13T01:35:00.000-07:00

The flu bugs going around so lots of folk are sick. Been cramming in the vitamin c. We start vixen rehearsals next week. I had not auditioned as I was planning to concentrate with Barbara but...a colleague left for RSAMD and her cover took over her part as Mrs Pasek and I got roped in to be her cover:) Hmmm 20 SPS points for 4 lines....not too bad. Got to learn them now:) Also have the Onegin(Spring Opera) auditions coming up. So the stress is on.
Had a friend from singapore visiting this week. Hes a bass and is working with Opus one ( a small traveling opera company) in Tosca,Il Travatore and Boheme. Was lovely to see folk from home.We went out for a nice chinese makan.
Also after my pc crashed last week I lost the files to my last website and splurged to get it redesigned by a singaporean web design firm. The draft looks cool...hopefully it will be ready by the end of the week.

On the up

2006-10-04T14:30:00.000-07:00

Computer crashed last week and went to hospital. Apparently the stupid Norman software I was so faithfully paying for was not an antivirus at all and some horrible virus took over my pc. Luckily the IT guys at the RNCM saved the day and reinstalled everything from scratch.

Its been a good few weeks. Singing with Barbara is going well and shes very pleased with me. Am using muscles I never knew I had and boy are they aching from being stretched beyond their comfort zone. People have been telling me to sing into my back for years and I'm now only finding out whats its about. What a diff to the level of support and clarity of voice. I'm finally feeling like I have control and hence options now in my singing.

Have talked to the powers that be and have been promised better funding next year. Looks like I will be staying a third year at the RNCM. Will be good to have the extra time with Barbara to solidify and stabilize. Only down side is that the only course now offered to me is the MPhil which is the start of the Phd course. Really not keen to do another masters after this year.Esp a bigger dissertation. Bah! Well hopefully something will turn up. The long and short of it is that I should have stretched my PGDip to two year instead of rushing it last year and just passing. Well the masters recital in May will be much better. Am already preparing rep. Also need to think of another dissertation title. It has to be linked to my MPhil recital. Maybe something on the effect of Indian poetry on western music? Then I can do a whole recital on Indian inspired music.

Thoughts on the new year

2006-09-21T13:25:00.000-07:00

Looks like I'll be staying another year here if the funding bears out. Its strange starting a new year. No longer new and now more familiar with the ins and outs of the college. Yet am feeling the pressure to be that much better and that much more confident.
Its do or die year in some ways. Its here for me to get ready to be good enough to audition end next year. With a new intake on my heels and a fab set in my year its no picnic competing for gig and roles and even the tutors attention. But thats the life I am choosing, to be always on show. I'm competitive by nature and the thought of being second best is unacceptable. It drives me to succeed but also leaves my in moments of selfdoubt and frustration. Nothing is ever easy.
Someone back home said to me that I must be having the time of my life just singing away all day. Felt like laughing..if only they knew. Read an article today that musicians are in the top five professions most prone to breakdowns. The bitchiness and back biting that goes on among the students , so many seem to have a chip on their shoulder. Everyone is so afraid of everyone else and its shows. I'm thankful to to be old enough to brush it off and also have the blessings of friends here to cushion the blows.

A third year?

2006-09-18T08:50:00.000-07:00

Been a week back and was without internet for a while due to some maintenence work. Good to be back online again. Also set up my skype account so can chat for free with family and friends yippie!
So! My second year starts next week and I already need to decide what to do in my third year. Applications for 200708 close on the 1st Oct. If all goes well will finish my masters this year and there is no opera course here at the RNCM. Am speaking to some of my professors tomorrow.I might be ready for an opera course by the end of this academic year but not in time for the auditions in 2 months! Sheesh! Also have to worry about where to find the finances for a third year. Decisions Decisions

on to a new term

2006-08-30T20:45:00.000-07:00

Its been a good year. Now am looking forward to the next year with a new teacher and new challenges. True to form have already laid some goals. Have begun planning the rep for the next recital and also want that role in our Spring opera. Main aim will be to get as much performance experience as I can. Excited also a bit nervous about the new bumber lot of students coming in. Am quite competitive by nature and really need to push forward this year with the larger nos of students. Going back next Sat and then will meet most of them during orientation. Am helping out to kill off some bursary hours. Hmmm...anyway heres a photo from the recital on the 18th.

Success!

2006-08-18T18:15:00.000-07:00

Yesterdays concert was very well received. There were of course things I would have done differently but overall it went very well and we were thrilled with the response. People enjoyed themselves which was what mattered in the end. I even managed to enjoy myself on stage after the nerves of the first few songs. Largely due my lovely friends and family who turned out in full force to support my first classical recital here in Singapore. Of course people enjoyed the English half better and I still think a full concert of English song would have been more popular but most loved the chausson and Yan was absolutely brilliant on the piano.
So pleased and so grateful to God for this incredible last 2 years. Still have plenty to learn and grow as a singer and each show has seen me grow a little more as a performer. Got to really get as much performance experience in this next acad yr as I can. Nothing make you stretch as having to singing in public. All the practise in the world can't match it in term of what you learn in the preperation and performance.

Good to be home

2006-08-15T08:53:00.000-07:00

Missed the UK airport closure by a day. Phew! Its good to be back home in Singapore. Sang at BRMC on Sunday. Was nice to be singing in God's house and it went quite well. Parents were proud as can be:) Have to stay away from all the yummy spicy food till next week and then will enjoy all the satay, rojak and rambutans I want...muahahahah...will also be going up to KL to see my grandma which will be nice.
Have been spending the last few days in rehearsals with Mel and Yan. So far so good and have got most of the concert things settled.Costs are climbing scarily tho... Just now looking forward to what I hope will be a well attended good show on Fri. A little nervous but if I keep cool and concentrate, all will be well. Leaving it all in God's capable hands...or least trying my best to...Hhewww.....

Hoo Hmm

2006-08-03T14:03:00.000-07:00

Feeling a little out of sorts today probably feeling guilty as I did not practice today:). Had a practice yesterday with a friend sightplaying at the piano. She was doing her best with very difficult pieces and I was trying to sing along in the tempo I wanted and it just did not go very well. Ended up tiring my voice and so we stopped after an hour. Getting a little edgy about the going home and the concert. Really want it to go well and you always want to do best for the audience made up of people you know. No idea how ticket sales are going but hoping for the best for the week leading up to the event. Sistic would have cost a lot more but I think it would have generated more sales, still not sure if we would have got the 50 extra tickets we would have needed to pay sistic. Still praying it will work out in the end. Have enough to worry about with the organization and of course my music. Sigh...is it always going to be like this to worry so much before a show?

Packing up

2006-07-31T13:33:00.000-07:00

Started to pack to go home. Hmm must remember next year not to leave my flight so late. School is closed this week till Aug altho the prac rooms are still open. Phew! Meet a french friend today to go through the french for the chausson.Articulaton and keep the 'a'vowels nice and open. Will try and get it programmed in for the concert. Will be seeing B next Monday and hopefully getting a list of music to look at over the break. Will be nice to get home and get cracking on rehearsing with Yan. Hope I have not left it too late. Also got to go check on the worrying ticket sales...sigh...hate having to plug tickets. Looking forward to catching up with friends and family. Seems like ages since I've seen them.
Need to clear the mess in the room so the cleaners can come in and do a once over while I'm away. No matter how many times I vacuum, I'm always deeply suspicious of the carpet.

Divas have had a gutful

2006-07-22T13:00:00.000-07:00

Fat jokes about opera singers may soon be a thing of the past, writes Anna McAlister from The Age (australian newspaper).
In an old opera industry anecdote, an immense diva is rehearsing her entrance between members of the orchestra. With space at a premium, a musician suggests she walk sideways. "Honey," she replies, "I ain't got no sideways."
Fat opera singers have always inspired jokes among musicians, the public and the media. Especially attractive to bitchy operazzi are those who defend their size on artistic grounds.
A famous anecdote has it that Dame Nellie Melba once convulsed a dinner party by dropping to all fours to impersonate the unfortunate horse destined to carry the hefty soprano (Luisa Tetrazzini) in Les Huguenots. Tetrazzini was not insulted. She firmly believed that a healthy appetite was essential to robust singing.
"Some singers gotta the figure," she famously said once. "But Tetrazzini gotta the voice."
It appears there's nothing to support the claims of outsized opera stars who believe their fat actually helps their voices.
"Obesity only taxes a singer's cardiovascular system and actually impairs their ability to sustain long phrases," says John Nix, of Colorado's National Centre for Voice and Speech in the US.Opera conductor Richard Bonynge, husband and performance partner of Dame Joan Sutherland, agrees.
"The singers I've known who got overly fat, their voices tended to deteriorate rather than get better. Some of them go blue in the face when they're singing and their vocal cords stick out and it's terrifying."
Admittedly, Greek-American soprano Maria Callas' voice suffered irreparably when she shed 30 kilograms in 1954. Bonynge attributes this to her unhealthy rate of slimming. He says Callas lost weight extremely quickly and couldn't stop.
"She was a very big-boned woman and to reduce to the size of Audrey Hepburn was doing physical damage to her body. (Despite ill-health) she was determined to sing with the same sound she'd always had and so she began using muscles which she shouldn't have used, and her career was very short."
In their defence, the fact that so many obese singers have had stellar careers is testament to an extraordinary ability to cope with their weight. Nix puts this down to natural stamina.
So why is obesity an issue among opera singers?
"Ours is a very lonely profession," mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne once said. "Eating is company."
While this may account for a few, for other singers, weight-watching could be the downside of the strong, muscular build that's beneficial in their profession. And the problem can be compounded by travelling and performing lifestyle. Many touring artists complain of frustrated attempts to maintain an exercise routine or a disciplined diet when they're constantly changing locations and time zones.
Postponing dinner until after an evening performance could also contribute to weight-gain for some singers. They may avoid eating beforehand because digestion affects their breathing and makes them sleepy, or because of gut-wrenching performance nerves. But the trouble with regular late-night meals, possibly with alcohol to celebrate, is that they're closely followed by sleep instead of calorie-burning activity.
In 2004, US soprano Deborah Voigt was sacked from a Covent Garden production of Strauss' Ariadne auf Naxos because she was far too fat for Ariadne's little black dress. Her weight has fluctuated over the years, and, at the time, she was by no means at her biggest.
Although outraged that her appearance was given greater importance than her voice, she conceded that she performed better, slimmer. In a recent interview for parterre box, the queer opera zine, she said:
"I want to take off another 50 pounds (22.67 kilos) if I can. But I feel so much better - and I feel like I can give more on stage. I think the weight loss has freed up my air, my breath. I don't get winded any more."
Voigt blames other singers' reports of weight-loss-related vocal deterioration on existing problems.
"Don't you think that when you see singers who've lost weight and then had a vocal crisis, those might be singers who were having vocal problems even before the weight loss and the diet just made it worse?"
In March The Age reported that Voigt had undergone gastric bypass surgery and lost 45 kilograms. Nix believes operatic obesity will soon be history.
"As we develop better and better ways for people to manage their weight and more emphasis in the operatic world on appearance and being able to look halfway convincing as a 25-year-old even though you're 50, the fat opera singer jokes will disappear because (very fat singers) just won't be able to compete unless they have an absolutely magnificent voice."
So far, however, sizeist ridicule is alive and well. In La Scena Musicale, columnist Norman Lebrecht describes a 2004 performance: "Big Lucy galumphed through his farewell run of Tosca at the Met. Shot by firing squad in the finale, Luciano Pavarotti (as Tosca's artist lover Cavaradossi) creaked ponderously to his knees onto what appeared to be a fortuitously positioned pile of beanbags before executing an arm-assisted sideways flop to expire in graceless comfort."
Anna McAlister is a Melbourne musician.

Hot Hot Hot

2006-07-21T15:11:00.000-07:00

Phew! Manchester is having a heat wave and its boiling hot. Like living in a sauna and the worst thing is that they have zero airconditioning anywhere. All fans and coolers in a 20 mile radius have been sold out, thank God I got one weeks ago. Wish I had booked my flight home earlier. Been trying to learn my music but an quite distracted by the heat. Can someone explain to me why I'm never hungry when its cold but the minute the temperature starts heating up I eat like a hoover..bah better watch it or will need new gowns. Its too hot to even contemplate going to the gym. But...will try and go next week...enough of the whining...going to try and sleep.

ticket sales crawling:(

2006-07-13T15:57:00.000-07:00

Ticket sales are crawling...boohooo.....people are not buying tickets.... Its only a month till the concert...getting worried. Folks...pls buy tickets and come support me....Plaintive appeal...sigh
We've settled the programme and sent the music to Yan. Now need to settle the rest of the admin side Just applied for the arts license and need to get organised with COMPASS as well for the Heggie and Coward work which is still copyrighted. Also got tons of forms to fill for the esplanade as well. Mel is in charge of the programme.
Phew...wish I could just do the music and have someone to do the other organisation stuff. Still its a good learning experience. Really love the programme we put togather and think people will be entertained.

masterclass photos

2006-07-11T05:28:00.000-07:00

As usual its mostly of us singers busy eating:)

London masterclasses

2006-07-10T02:19:00.000-07:00

Wow! What a week. Auditioned and got accepted to attend the vocal masterclass with Philip Langraidge. It started last Sunday and ran till this Sunday(yesterday). Came up to London and stayed for a while with a lovely lady in Finchely before moving to my aunts place on wed. Getting up and down from where I was staying to the Royal academy where the masterclasses were held was quite a journey of about an hour each way involving bus and train. Was it all worth it? Yes!
The first Sunday night was a concert where all the teachers of the masterclasses performed to raise funds for the London masterclass bursaries fund. Was incredible of course and we were quite inspired to start the week. Melvin was also attending so we had a fun time trying to spot the singers:) (We actually did quite well) .
The actual master's started on Monday. Was so nervous especially when I started to meet the other singers and found out that most of them had already finished studying and were auditioning and working. Philip was really great and started us off with some exercises and games which really broke the ice and got us laughing and mucking around. The first day was always going to be hard so it was more a getting to know each other session and putting a voice to the names. We all just sang a song and he spent about ten minutes with each of us to get though all twelve.
The rest of the week we got sessions of about twenty minutes each and ended up working through 4 pieces each. I sang le temp des lilias, die manner sind mechant, prince ovlosky's aria and olga's aria ah tanya.
He was very patient and encouraging but what came through was to not to sing too much but to be honest to the content of the songs. To think about each phrase before singing it and meaning it though the the line of the voice rather than putting it on through acting. Was all about less is more and a contained intensity rather than shouting your interpretation of the songs to the audience. He kept saying that the audience is not interested in being told what to think and feel but wants to be inspired and encouraged to be drawn in to your thoughts and emotions.
It takes a lot of courage to just simply be yourself in each song and not hide behind a lot of posturing and the typical singers bright eyed and busy tailed stance.
The singers were all so different and all so talented it was a pleasure to hear everyone sing each day. By then second day we were like a little family and were thrilled with each breakthrough and each step forward. We shared so many of the same problems and worries. They were a lovely bunch from all over the world. Most were from the UK but there were us two singaporean, a soprano from Australia and a soprano from Japan.
Its been such a great experience but also the level of skill and confidence of some of the singers also brings home how much harder I need to work to build my skill and to get as much performing experience that I can get.
It back to Manchester today and I need to get organized with all the paperwork for the concert in Singapore and also working through all the music. Really want to do well.

Falstaff

2006-06-16T15:05:00.000-07:00

What fun... great costumes and its went off without a hitch. Phew.... well here are some photos...of our wonderful backstage area:)

catch up

2006-06-15T16:20:00.000-07:00

Been quite a while since I've gotten round to posting. Been busy preparing for our opera excerpts. The first one is tomorrow...Falstaff...think its going well but is completely ensemble so have to have full concentration or run the risk of missing a line. Its quite funny and the costumes are fabulous! I have been accepted into the London masterclasses at the RAM with Philip Langridge. Quite excited and am busy learning rep to take to him in London. Its the first week of July so its non stop for a while.

Final Recital

2006-06-01T00:09:00.000-07:00

Phew!After weeks of hard work finally did my final recital yesterday. Went ok I think. Was a little bit more nervous then I would like to have been and the first song suffered a bit but settled in after that and the rest of the recital went off if not perfectly as least convincingly. Will have to see what the panel thought. Was great to have my parents there. My friends were so supportive, bless them and comments was that it was good and everyone loved the Heggie second half. Now I've done it once wish I could do it again. Was my first full length recital and am quite proud of myself for doing it when I could have simply done it next year and skipped the stress and anxiety.

Schubert Prize

2006-05-03T02:03:00.000-07:00

Entered the Schubert prize more than anything to road test my recital rep. Was last night. Was really nervous but I think it went quite well. Feedback was that singing was great but German was a little off at times. Am making an appointment to see our German coach to iron it out for the recital. Glad I made myself do it tho. It was my first recital here at the RNCM.

Come to me in my dreams

2006-04-16T09:00:00.000-07:00

"Come to Me in My Dreams" - A Night of Art Song

18 Aug 2006 7:30 pm Esplanade Recital Studio

Tickets at $20 sold at:
Bouquets d'ete Pte Ltd
28 Holland Grove RoadTel: 96368661
&
First.Eyesimage.com Pte Ltd
14 Scotts Road #03-72Far East Plaza

Currently pursuing their art in the UK, Singaporean return to Singapore to share a night of dreams and fairytales including the works of Rachmaninov, Debussy, Chausson, Schubert, Bridge and Jake Heggie's song-cycle 'Songs to the Moon'. They will be accompanied by acclaimed pianist Lim Yan

Some of the Ireland photos

2006-04-16T08:16:00.000-07:00

The scenery was gorgeous! We had a lovely time.
Most of the photos are with a friend so will have to chase her for 'em.
Now have another week of vacation before term starts. Aim to try and memorize at least 1/2 my final recital rep by then. The exam dates are out and mine is on the 31st May. Excerpts start the next week so its gonna be exciting.

Its Easter today and we had a lovely service with the kids putting up a special item. Everywhere is closed till tue but my trusty little minimart next to our hostel was open so went over to do some last minute shopping to feed myself over the next two days. Becoming a bit of a tv addict.Loads of great Easter specials on. Just saw the movie version of Jesus Christ Superstar. Great! although they stopped at the crucifixion...missed out the whole point of the Easter story..Bah!

Ireland

2006-04-05T03:10:00.000-07:00

What a lovely country. The scenery is beautiful and such a rich sense of history. Am travelling with an Irish friend Ann and two other friends from college. We were in Dublin yesterday. A lovely city with a great cafe culture and tons of cool interesting little shops. We spent the night in Birr with Ann's family. Ate far too much :) Such a warm and lovely family. Today we're off to Galway and then onwards to Clare the next day. Its cold but so far we've had lovely sunny weather. Long may it last. So nice to be in the fresh air and sunshine away from the city. Nothing quite like a drive holiday to see a country.

Holiday...

2006-04-02T03:25:00.000-07:00

Looking forward to the trip to Ireland tomorrow:) We'll be flying into Dublin on Monday morning and then going to Clare, Galway over the next four days.

The excerpts listing came out yesterday. I'm singing Dorabella's aria Smanie implacabili in Cosi fan tutte and singing the role of Meg in Act 2 of Verdi's Falstaff.Together with Mrs Lovett in SweeneyyToddd I'm now singing in 3 excerpts all around the time of my recital on the 31st May! Plenty of work ahead now...but its what I wanted so really can't complain.

British Hospitals

2006-03-24T16:12:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine had emergency surgery today and so I spent the day in hospital with her. Must say I was quite impressed with the service and efficiency of the staff. Was a day surgery so we were home by seven. Been quite a stressful week as we now have a 4 week break ahead of us. Quite scary as we come back straight into our final recitals. Dates! Dates! Dying to know when my final recital has been scheduled for. I have been put in to have team teaching with a mezzo next term. Shes very good but quite tough. One week more till the Ireland trip! Can't wait. Getting to be such a grouchy cow...need a good break to refocus.

Its all been a blur

2006-03-18T14:52:00.000-08:00

Been a while since I've blogged but the weeks are flying by. The opera has taken over mostly everything. Think its going well and people are happy and say I'm wonderful but every show is a new show and I want to better my last so the stress is on. Quite run down and so am sleeping in quite a bit. Trying to learn my recital rep in the meantime so I won't panic in April. Aim is to have at least learnt to sing all the songs by end of March with the correct pronunciation and rhythm and then start memorizing over the Easter break. Looking forward to going up to Ireland with friends in the first week of April. Will be a good break.
Photos for the opera are out so have to go and order them after the run.

Free Tickets

2006-03-07T05:51:00.000-08:00

Got free tickets to see La Boheme tonight. Yippie! A friend ushers for them. Throat still sore did a diva and refused to sing for todays rehearsal:) My alternate was kind enough to fill in. Hope tomorrow is better. The shoes from wardrobe were murder so I went out last night and splurged on a gorgeous black pair. I'm telling u the shoes make the show. Can't do a thing if your feet are killing ya. Rehearsals and going well and we are well on the way to opening night on Monday. Have decided to bite the bullet and stay in halls another year despite the price hike. Really hoping to be able to afford another 2 years here so have to watch the budget like a hawk. Everything is so expensive!

Flu bug and Il Trovatore

2006-03-05T16:53:00.000-08:00

Been down with the flu and sore throat. Been really depressing not being able to sing normally esp with all the stuff I have to prepare and the 6 hour rehearsals a day.Although tend to be more conscious of using my technique when my throat is sore so singing tends to be better. Got really good feedback from friends who came to see the rehearsals and they said I was great. Confidence up a bit:) Was a bit silly and strained my voice today when I should have given it a rest. Gargled with salt water and drank some luo han guo. Hope it does the trick for tomorrow. Got a stage and orchestra rehearsal.
Sweeny Todd was fabulous. The cast doubled as the orchestra and all were onstage throughout the whole show. Very impressed. Am going to catch Rigoletto this week and hopefully La Boheme next week. Have the chance to audition for Azucena in Il Trovatore for a touring opera company. But the sing might be a bit too much for me at the moment. Preparing Condotta ell'era in ceppi for Lynn on thurs and see what she says. Its quite a killer and am a bit self conscious of my Bflat.

JD in Sweeny Todd

2006-02-25T03:17:00.000-08:00

Talk about a flash from the past. I remember being crazy about Jason Donovan when I was twelve at school. Turns out his staring in Sweeny Todd in a Manchester production and so am trotting down with a few pals to relieve our childhood crushes. I'm also singing Mrs Lovett from Sweeny Todd for an opera excerpt in June so will be a good chance to hear and see it live.
TP rehearsals are going well but are really tiring. Have to keep the energy level up up up for 6 hours. Am exhausted by the end of it. Three weeks more to showtime...sheesh! where has the time gone.
The photos came back from the photographer. ok lah. Not over the moon about it but think it will do for the Aug concert. We've decided to call it 'Come to me in my Dreams' just need to find the graphics for it and we'll have our press release out soon.

Weekend visit

2006-02-18T03:13:00.000-08:00

Rehearsals are going well. Our director and conductor are terrific and keeps making us push our performance just a little further each time. We finally did a whole scene. Am giving myself vocal rest for these 2 days. Been overusing my voice this week and am a little tired out.I am doing Mrs Lovett from Sweeny Todd for my first opera excerps in June. Hmmm...all these opera musicals...
Melvin is coming over to Manchester for the weekend. Will be nice to catch up and look at rep for the concert. We will be going to the photographer on Sunday to take photos for the programme.
Got my final rep list together, now the task is to learn everything. Stress levels are building up:) Had plenty of news from friends and relatives this week.Both good and bad. Still its nice to hear from them.

Decisions Decisions

2006-02-13T15:29:00.000-08:00

Decided to go ahead and apply for my final year recital. I figured that if I'm not ready I can always pull out but at least it will give me something to work towards. It would also be an excellent form of feedback. Meanwhile its not like I have lots of free time either. The threepenny rehearsals are everyday with plenty to work on from each rehearsal. Did not realize how tiring it can be to be in an opera . Leaves little time and energy for anything else. I also have an opera excerpt to prepare for in June. Hmm don't know if I can pull together a recital in time. Also must be careful not to be too ambitious. Singing for 50 mins is no joke esp with heavy rep.

Weekend News

2006-02-06T05:52:00.000-08:00

Was a lovely weekend. Got a lift up to Leeds on Sat morning with a friend of mine and had a quick run through the song before the concert at the Leeds college of Music. The recital went brilliantly altho as always the recording we did at 3pm before the concert was crap. I officially hate recording...bah!Was really nice as my little composer's parents came up and thanked me after the concert. We also scored free tickets to the national opera studio opera exceprts that was running later that nite at the same venue. Was very good and must say there was one especially good looking tenor..tee hee.. Anyhow got back home late and slept in the next day and was nearly late for church. Met some of the girls for yum cha and then did some practising, laundry, tiding up etc. Quite a productive weekend if I might say so myself. Anyhow rehearsals for the three penny start tomorrow and I also have to look for a nice french song cycle to do for the aug concert.

Nice Dinner

2006-01-29T12:24:00.000-08:00

Went to church today and met a nice lady. We were both wearing the same shirt:) She ended up inviting me over for dinner at her house with her husband and 2 young kids. She even came and picked me up and dropped me off afterwards. Was a really nice thing to do esp as she had only just met me. I had a lovely time. She even put me in touch with a cell group that runs on Thurs at the church which is really near for me. Can't make it this week as Melvin Tan is coming to play at the RNCM and I'd like to try and meet him. But will definately go next week. Really finding the church services excellent and encouraging. Will be good to be back in regular cell group meetings again.

Feeling quite Exclusive

2006-01-27T12:57:00.000-08:00

Was ushering for vocal auditions and heard an interesting titbit. Apparently there about 400 applicants for last years postgrad vocal programme of which there were over 300 women and only the 7 of us women got in. Hmmm...feeling quite special. Don't worry about me getting a swollen head tho. The level of singing here keeps you humble. Everyone is progressing at an alarming rate. Fantastic singing everyday from your collegues really keeps you on your toes. Am currrently working on the lovely alto solo from St Matt passion. Tricky timing and wierd notes and no place to breathe...your typical Bach...bah! But breathtakingly beautiful.

upside of ushering

2006-01-25T14:20:00.000-08:00

Am trying to earn some money by ushering for the college shows. It pays very little but the upside is that I sometimes get to catch some of the shows. We basically take turns to be stationed inside the theatre. I got the watch half a jazz concert tonight.It was absolutely fab! The percussionist was brilliant.He was even playing on drainpipes with flipflops at one point. But generally its a realy boring job with lots of sitting around. Good time to look at scores tho altho I usually need a piano to bash notes on. Looking to get a metronome. Need something to keep time with the more complicated scores I'm looking at. Have decided to wear my purple dress for the recital in Leeds next weekend. Italian friends are warning of impending doom. Appearently purple is bad luck for the italians. Sheeesh...hope not:)

Working with young composers

2006-01-22T11:51:00.000-08:00

Spent the weekend in Leeds, working with the young composer I was assigned to. Was initially quite worried about what she had in store for me. To my surprise and pleasure she has written a truly lovely song for me to sing. Its its well with my voice.In fact all the composers wrote original and lovely works for their singers. We were all impressed. The song is called Are you a stranger to God. Its a dramatic warning to a sinner about His relationship to God. Quite cool but tricky. Gotta practice and make sure I do it justice. I am performing it in the Leeds school of Music on the 4th Feb. Quite excited. Was a lovely weekend. I stayed with friends and was absolutely pampered:)

Mixed bag of a first week

2006-01-14T01:20:00.000-08:00

Good to be back at work here. In some way it hardly seems like I was away. You know how they say that you shoud start the year as you mean to finish it? Beginning to understand that saying a little better. Was a diff week in many ways. People were a bit moody and lots are sick from the holiday partying etc. Also voices are a bit out of shape as least mine is. Its not the same when you are left to practice on your own. Really need a third ear to pull you up on your bad habits.
Feeling a little discouraged about my progress. Rehearsals start in 2 weeks so have devoted today to studying the threepenny.Other events this week also made me think about my social life a bit more. On one hand it would be nice to have more of a life outside college but then it brings with it a another lot of problems and complications. It would be a distraction I can't afford at the moment. Might be turning thirty but where I am in the here and now, I need full commitment and concentration. Still the worries creep in insidiously in the quiet times. No choice but to leave it to the Lord.Will be nice to go to church tomorrow. Am ushering early tomorrow before my own service for a Russian Orthodox service in college. Should be quite cool.

Flying off today

2006-01-07T20:13:00.000-08:00

Chinese new year lights in china town

My parents!!

My family and gran!

Sheesh...where has the holiday gone? We're already into the 2nd week of the new year. Made some new year resolutions. Long may they last...Am flying off back to Manchester tonight.
well its been great being home and I'm glad I got the booking for theAugg 18th recital all sorted out. So for better or for worse, come the 18th ofAugg I will be on that stagestruttingg my stuff. Theres still plenty to do but I think it can be handled from the UK with Mel. Going back into Threepenny rehearsals. Haven't spent as much time as I would have liked on my music but heh..its been my holiday. So gotta get a movealong once I get back. Its going to be quite a term, preparing for the opera and puttingtogetherr rep for the concert as well. To be honest am a littleapprehensivee but I guess nothing is worth doing if there isn't a challenge in it.

Last post of 2005

2005-12-30T22:12:00.000-08:00

Its been a nice time back home. So wonderful to see friends and family altho everyone keeps trying to get me to sing...sigh... feel like a performing monkey.Getting geared up for the new term and the Threepenny. Quite a lot to do this term.

The recital at the esplanade recital studio has been confirmed for the 18th Aug 2006 and both Mel and Yan are on board. Hoping to meet up with the production people at the espl next week before I fly off. Looks like it will be a english song recital with the theme around children. Looking for interesting art songs. Songs to the Moon seems a definate thing but will have to pay Cosmos. Must put up a cost sheet for a rough costing for the concert to give NAC. Hope the grant comes through. Also must look into getting a tote board listing. Sigh so many things to do. Wish I had a manager....any volunteers out there?

Home to Singapore

2005-12-27T14:33:00.000-08:00

Will be heading home to singapore. I'm already halfway through the holidays! Got tons to do before going back. Hmmm heres my todo list as I remember it so far...
1. Apply for a certificate from the singapore police for the UK gov to certify that I have no criminal convictions so I can work with kiddies in the UK.
2. Book the esplanade recital studio for mid Aug
3. Book my return flight in aug back to Singapore and book ticket back to to the UK.
4. Check with NAC for concert funding and reapply for bursay support for 2006
5. See my tailor about getting some things mended..
6. Memorise threepenny score
Phew.....its a working holiday and somehow have to manage to see friends and family in the midst of all that. Wish me luck folks!

Its christmas eve!

2005-12-23T17:48:00.000-08:00

Yes, its the most wonderful time of the year:) I'm in kl with the whole family and we're getting ready for christmas day. Going out soon to pickup the christmas turkey and have lunch in the city. Might even brave the crowds and do a bit of shopping in the city. Its so nice to be home. Looking forward to catching up with friends and all when I get back to singapore. A little odd to be away from college and am missing the folks there a bit. They must be feeling the same cos am getting the odd mushy emails from them. Will be good to have a bit of a break before the new term. Am trying to be a good girl and get some daily practise done.
Well merry christmas all and remember that Jesus is the reason for the season. See you all soon.

End of Term

2005-12-19T14:38:00.000-08:00

Its officially the end of term now. Most of the folk have gone home for the holidays and am now packing to go back to Singapore myself. The few of us left are going for movie tomorrow and then I'll be off on wed morning. Will be nice to catch up with friends and family. Well, its been quite a wonderful few months. Have more confidence in my voice now and the progress I'm making. Spent way too much money and need to budget more next year.2005 was a good year all in all and am looking forward to a nice year end at home. Looking forward to a great 2006.

Photos

2005-12-12T13:55:00.000-08:00

Bits and pieces... This is one of our practise rooms where I try and spend at least an hour a day

Pictures of the christmas food market

The chocolates and sweets were esp yummy as you can see :)
Our yum char session one sat

Rondine pics...the costumes are quite ugly tho...sigh except for our 4 flowers girls we all are in shades of carpet brown and greys. Ugh!

Working hard for a living

2005-12-12T13:33:00.000-08:00

Doing my first few hours of actual paid non bursary work as an usher at college tomorrow. Will be the cloak room cloak collection type person. Yes... all important mink and cashmere coats will be passing through my capable hands.About 5 hours work. Its a free day tomorrow so will be a good way to pass the day. We are going for a Christmas party at the salsa place tomorrow night. Quite a few of us are going so it should be fun.
Hmm got a ton of laundry to do. That is the top of my pet hates about living in the halls...running up and down to do my laundry in the common laundry. Its a two hour affair. Am thinking about moving out next year with friends. But not sure if it'll be a such a great idea for a whole bunch of singers to be living together. Also think I might be a little too set in my ways to be sharing a flat with folk. Will see if they hike up the rental at the halls next year and then decide.Also gotten way too used to living a hop skip and jump away from college.

highs and lows

2005-12-09T13:45:00.000-08:00

Was a good day today although I missed a sps lesson on thurs morning cos I simply forgot after the opera the night before. Unbelievable...I had to track down the lecturer and apologize. Had a friend over for dinner tonight and we made mee siam...ok ..it was from a packet but it came out lovely and we had a nice dinner and chat.
One thing I have to say about these few weeks is that emotions really can go on a rollercoaster. Somedays you feel on top of the world and others you can feel really depressed. Maybe its got to do with the excitement of the opera or the stress of a new course. I also find myself far more hyper than I usually am. Folk keep telling me that I had a super happy nature and never seem to be down. Hmm...I'm bouncing off the walls if I have a minute of free time. I just need to be constantly doing something. Weekend are the worst as most people are away and I have too much time on my hands. Really need to find someway of just calming down and relaxing. Am thinking of some kind of a teaching job to give me some teaching experience and also some balance so that my whole life does not revolve around college.

2006 recital

2005-12-06T14:42:00.000-08:00

Was chatting to Melvin on the phone and we have decided to do a recital in Aug 2006 together. Will have to find out more about NAC funding and if the dates are available at the esp recital when I get home. Looking at the 17-19th Aug for a date. Thinking of songs about children as a theme. Hmm...excited.
I am not doing my postgrad dip recital till 2007. Hope to graduate with a masters so have to look into a dissertation topic. No idea what to submit as a proposal. Sigh...been ages since I've had to write an essay let alone a whole paper.

Last teaching week

2005-12-04T14:40:00.000-08:00

Where has the last few weeks gone? Its the last week of teaching this week. Its been 3 months already. Can hardly believe it. Been feeling worried about my progress thus far. You never seem to think you've gotten anywhere with your voice. But have had good reports from my teachers so hopefully I'm on the right track.Its been a really fantastic experience so far and now I have a better idea what goals to set for myself. Some goals seem much harder than others at the moment. Frustrated esp on days like today when I'm PMSed to boot. Its the singaporean trait of wanting things to work out yesterday!
Looking forward to Christmas with my family and the 2 weeks of R&R before the TP rehearsals begin with the start of term in Jan. Really thank God for good friends here who have been really supportive. We all have our quirks but so far we seem to have bonded nicely.
On another note am getting worried about the number of people who have started reading this blog. Hmmm...all I can say is... take my ramblings for what they are...ramblings...

First Dress Reh

2005-11-30T14:55:00.000-08:00

Our public full dress reh was on today and the feedback was that its a fantastic show. Exhausted and have rehearsals tomorrow as well with opening night on sat. Was supposed to go out for pizza tonight but am too tired to do anything other than veg at home. Have coaching with the Kurt Weil guy tomorrow anyway so better make sure I'm well rested. Met him for a few minutes today to run through the duet with my "hubby". A bit worried as he seems to want a rough edge to the singing. He was quite happy with our progress tho. Looking forward to our session tomorrow. Going to have to work out where that sits in my voice and how to sing it without straining.Am cooking some Sri lankan curry for a few friends on sat lunch. Bit of a potluck just to give us all a little boost for the nights show. XiaoTing ( Taiwanese sop) was our camera woman today. Must make sure I get the photos from her. Will try and post some here.

Its snowing!

2005-11-28T02:24:00.000-08:00

How cool is that! Its snowing this morning. Its not really that cold and the snow looks like someone is having a huge pillow fight. Came in early this morning to do bursary work and then when I got in was told it was cancelled. Bah! Now waiting to get a practice room to work on my music. Got a lesson with Lynne at 1. Opera rehearsals all afternoon and then this evening am gong to watch a masterclass for our sops run by Jane Eaglen. Quite exciting. Having my first coaching for the Threepenny on thurs with a Kurt Weil expert from Opera North. A little nervous and will be running through the songs with Lynne today.

Almost opening night

2005-11-22T06:35:00.000-08:00

Its getting quite tiring now with all the rehearsals and waltzing. The opera is shaping up quite well and looks like it will be a wonderful show.Also been working hard to get the new ways to sing that I 've been told to do. It really helps but have to keep vigilant that I don't fall back into old habits. Looking forward to a break tho esp Christmas. A couple of us went on Sunday for a walk in the country ( Edale). Apparently there is a this lovely hill walk that takes about 3 hours to complete. Thought it would be a good break and so went along with my shiny new reeboks. It turned out to be way harder than a little mountain walk. We were climbing on our hands and knees on rocky slopes and slippery mud at some points. It took four hours for us to get up and down and by then I was quite muddy from getting stuck in the mud and my shoes were a disaster. But I had a fab time and really felt invigorated if utterly exhausted.Had a great sleep that night and surprisingly not too achy in the morning

La di da

2005-11-15T09:46:00.000-08:00

Had a email today from my teenage composer I'm working with for the edu project . She's really enthusiatic and has found some really nice verses to set to music. Looking forward to seeing the finished song. Have an acting class in a bit and am supposed to have prepared a monologue. Found one but haven't memorized it. Should be fun. We are now more or less focused on our opera rehearsals and are busy waltzing for all we're worth. The whole of Act 2 is basically us running around frantically or waltzing while remembering our lines. Its fun but exhausting. Gotta get into shape:) Am working on a great American aria at the moment with words by Gertrude Stein. Quite a feminist piece and loads of fun although the timing is awkward. The girls and I have started belly dancing classes to keep fit. Was lots of fun and then we started to miss the guys are so we're now alternating with salsa classes.Excercise should be fun after all. Also trying to get to a pilates class each week for my breathing and expanding middle..booo hoooo. Its almost Christmas! Where has the time gone? Sheesh...

Edu outreach

2005-11-10T15:03:00.000-08:00

Had a big of a breakthrough in my voice this week. Was told by Lynne to remember to vibrate through every note I sing and when I sang in class today, the gang told me later that I had never sounded so good. Hmmm...gotta work on this.
Have signed in to work with opera north on an educational outreach project. Will be working with some student composers who will listen to my voice and write a song specifically for it. Not sure what I'm getting myself in for, but willing to give it a go. Have to decide what to sing for them on Sat. Have to be in Leeds at 10..phew
Oh! its confirmed that I got the role in next years production. I am working on my voice but also need to get as much performing experience I can to build confidence.

Scotland!

2005-10-31T08:02:00.000-08:00

What a lovely weekend. I went up to Scotland with my Scottish friend to spend the weekend with her family. We spent a day in Glasgow and a day in Edinburgh. Was lots of fun and I saw lovely castles, Scottish tartans and the views were beautiful. The weather was not too bad with a slight drizzle here and there and lovely sunshine on Sunday. Her family were so friendly and made me feel right at home. Ok...pictures.... some of them anyway

Its mostly pics of edinburgh as glasgow is not as touristy...great shopping tho.

Oratorio mixup

2005-10-25T15:33:00.000-07:00

Phew! I got a letter in my box this week asking me to sing the alto part for the messiah for a church in bakewell in nov. It is in 2 weeks and I quickly looked through the score and Lynne was quite anxious for me as its really soon to prepare for. After panicking about what to wear and excitement about my first paid singing engagement in the UK, realized thats its in Nov 2006. Tee Hee. quite embarrassing....
Went down to visit my aunt and family over the weekend. Was a nice visit and I ate far too much food. Going down to Glasgow with a friend from college this weekend. Should be lots of fun and next week if our nonteaching week so will be a nice break.
On a down note my phone card is not working so although I can get calls I cannot make them from my room phone. darn!

My first major role

2005-10-19T13:26:00.000-07:00

The auditions for the ThreePenny went really well and the feedback from the audition panel after the audition was that I did good. The casting is not out yet but the director has told me privately that they have cast me to play Mrs Peachem next March. Phew...its a great character role and with a solo aria to boot. Nice!!!But then until the actual casting sheet comes out anything can happen...
Its into our third week now. The initial novelty has kinda worn off and we are all feeling rather worn down. Was really tired today. Got to get an early night sleep. Have to sing for team teaching tomorrow. The teachers generaaly like my voice but are pushing me hard to bring up my technique esp with the long phrases. Its quite a struggle but for a mezzo those long lines are a must.

First Audition

2005-10-14T15:42:00.000-07:00

Had an audition yesterday for the College opera next year. Kurt Weil's The Threepenny Opera. Tried out for Mrs Peachem but the competition is fierce. We'll see how it goes... Nothing ventured nothing gained. Was nervous but did what I wanted to do so am ok with my performance. Am waiting a few days before cornering out opera director to get feedback on my audition. There is someone from opera north coming down this weekend to run masterclasses for us. I'm on at Sunday at 2. Going to trot out the aria Che Faro Senza Euridice by Gluck. Wanna make a good impression.

Found a church

2005-10-10T13:31:00.000-07:00

I went to visit the King's church yesterday for Sunday service and quite like it. They happened to be running a 4 week series that evening for people who are considering membership. Was a real blessing that I happened to come at a time when they were running the series. Was a great intro to the church and its aims.Its quite similar in beliefs to Hope Singapore and seems like a place that will encourage and challenge me as a christian.Took a pamphlet about small groups and will call them this week to arrange something.

Awesome!

2005-10-08T17:27:00.000-07:00

Beethoven was an awesome experience. A whole choir of opera singers. The entire hall reverberated with the singing and we had a wonderful response from the audience. Left on a high and went to a local pub with some friends. There was a girl there celebrating her 30th birthday and she had a dj playing all the old 80s music. So we sort of crashed the party and joined in the dancing.Was great fun:)
Ok here are some photos of the hostel I'm staying in.Its only one of the 5 blocks...yes...its my block.

Next is photos of RNCM (my music college) which is right next to the Hall I'm staying at.

This is the main entrance

And the all important refectory...fancy name for canteen.

Here the Bridgewater hall where we had the concert. Its beautiful with wonderful acoustics.

Last but not least here are some of the lovely singers whom I'm chummy with. We've hit it off during orientation and formed our own support network. 2 sops and 3 mezzos

Here we are at the dressing rooms waiting to go on.

At the local pub.

Did I mention that people here are really tall.
I am standing in this photo with a bass from our year.
The other two gals are sitting down.

whirlwind teaching

2005-10-07T15:57:00.000-07:00

between the audition, masterclasses and teaching, need to prepare plenty of rep. Could always pull of old ones but won't be as good for me as to tackle some new stuff. In every language both song and opera. Phew! tring to find some song cycles to look at. Generally the problem is still with the way I place my vowels. Got to concentrate that they don't settle on my jaw. Also getting a little lazy and starting to scoop for dramatic effect. Was told today to stretch my endurance more with longer phrases to access my lower abdominal muscles. Apparently pilates is the best form of exercise for singers. We were told not to do weights and situps as can build muscles that tighen up singing.
Beethovan's 9th tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing the B hall.Been a good time of bonding for us singers but must be careful about the finances. Some are quite free about spending 30 pounds on a meal. That about my budget for a week's lunch! the food is not too ex on its own but people here drink a lot with their food and that can double the bill. I hardly drink but the bill invariably gets split at the end. sigh....gotta start limiting the dinners out. Getting a little sick of cooking dinner for myself. But no cooking means no eating. Got a little grill this week so will try grilling something for dinner tomorrow.

Sleepy....

2005-10-04T14:45:00.000-07:00

Its been a long day. We are singing beethovan's 9th on sat. The piece is really demanding. glad I'm singing alto. The soprano part is murder. Conductor keeps going on about singing without vibrato and the sopranos got quite upset as they said what do you expect from opera singers and then half of them walked out. Sheesh...drama.Anyhow got to be careful not to push too much...sleep...may sing for performance class tomorrow.

Harrow on the Hill

2005-10-01T13:25:00.000-07:00

Got up at the unearthly hour of 5 this morning. Prob drove the folk in the room downstairs nuts rushing around getting ready. Got a cab to the bus terminal and got on the 0650 bus to London. Ended up sitting next to this Singaporean girl and her 2 friends who were studying in Manchester and now were on their way for a holiday in Morocco..How cool is that. Was nice having the company and had a nice chat down to London. The bus was quite comfortable and Got there right on the dot at 1115. Met up with Melvin who whisked me at top speed round London stopping for yummy and highly fattening food along the way. Was a lovely day tho it rained later. Arrived in Harrow on the Hill (my aunt's place) in the late afternoon and crashed at her place where she fed me yummy beef curry for dinner. Hmmmm...looks like the gymn membership is next on the expense list. Speaking of which, money seems to be disappearing at an alarming rate. Gotta start watching my expenses or I'll never last 2 years. Also thinking of maybe getting a job a few days in the week to give me some shopping money to buy pretty things...Boo hooo....I'm such a shopaholic.

Curry Mile

2005-09-30T03:12:00.000-07:00

Wow its the end of a really interesting week:) Have been taking it a bit easy this week but now that I know what is expected have to get moving. Need to spend at least an hour a day looking at music. With all the language song classes, I will bring in some old repertoire for now and then start looking at new things esp things to do for the mini recital I'm planning mid 2006. Maybe some American music?

We've been working hard on Beethoven's 9th and after rehearsal last night I joined a couple of the singers for a drink at the uni bar. Some suggested curry for we went down to Rusholme's "curry mile" which has the largest concentration of Indian eateries in the UK . We ate alike pigs and had a great time getting to know each other. Really lovely folk. Went back home and crashed at another scottish girl friend's room for some hot chocolate and a chat. Hmmm gotta watch those calories....I know I know....will try and post some photos next week.

Have got a cheap bus ticket to London for seven pounds return so will be going up this weekend to visit my aunt and family. After that must concentrate on building repertoire....

Parlez Vous Francais?

2005-09-28T01:42:00.000-07:00

Nearly through my first week of lessons. Its really intense. Now I know why the course is so expensive. Its really full of lessons and chances to sing for different teachers. We have our normal lessons once a week and I meet my teacher for the first time yesterday. She seems really nice and also picked up quickly on some of my bad habits. Also we have song classes in French , German, English and Italian so we have a chance to sing something.Plenty of opportunity to get help but must be brave enough to stand up and sing in front of your coursemates.Most of whom are really very good. I sang my habanera at one of the team voice classes and the teacher had a lot to say about my French. I guess I've been going by what I hear rather than studying the actual phonetic sounds of the language. Think its going to be my biggest challenge learning to pronounce the words in the diff languages correctly. Will concentrate on Italian and French this year and hopefully German and maybe Russian next year. The long and short of it is plenty of hard work and daily practice.

Beginning to feel at home

2005-09-24T08:46:00.000-07:00

Singing for the board went ok. Was a little nervous and so voice could have been more projected but they were very encouraging and said there was good potential to be developed. Felt better after hearing that. Must work hard this year to get good enough to try for some of the opera roles in the college productions next term.

After a week of lugging heavy bags and hunting all over the city for things I needed , my apartment finally feels like a home. Ready now to face the first week of term. Already getting a stream of emails about practice schedules and music to prepare for upcoming classes. Went gallivanting around the city with a coursemate today which was nice. Home now and am about to start cooking..yes..I know...quite proud of my survival skills. Most of what I've drummed up on the stove has been quite tasty if I may say so myself. Am starting to work off my bursary tomorrow from 10-6 manning the desk and taking down names for the string auditions:) Which means I will miss church.

I went to the main cathedral in the city for service last Sunday. It was beautiful church (with no heating so it was really cold inside.There was a lovely boys choir tho. Was very traditional and the sermon was good but ....just did not feel like fit. Asked the pastor if he knew of any charasmatic churches and got a blank look. Generally not many people here go to church at all. sigh....also before service, a scruffy couple came and asked me for money in the church itself. claimed it was to feed the poor...hmmm...not a good sign. Gave them 2 pounds and committed it to God. Otherwise not a single person came up to say hello.

Praying for a good church.Theres a new church I want to visit that not far from our college...they were handing out leaflets on the main oxford road...guess it'll have to wait till next weekend. Also need to find a weekend to go down to London and visit my aunt

Orientation week

2005-09-21T11:37:00.000-07:00

Wow! its a lot like uni in some ways but way more presurizing in others. We were all a little lost at first so we got to meet each other quickly trying to share info and get around. Its really people of all shapes and sizes from all over the world. And since we are all musicians, its generally a mix of quite outgoing characters. Folks also dress up a lot more at the conservartory. Esp the singers. No tshirts and jeans!The staff are quite friendly and are ready to talk to us about what we need to do. Which by the way is quite a lot.
Got my timetable today and its full. Am singing for the vocal and opera staff on fri and am quite nervous. I booked a practice room today and tried out the arias. Keep telling myself to just do my best and that's all I can do for now. This week has been quite demanding. Aside from setting up house, I have to select all my academic modules, register, set up my bank account. On top of everything else, I found out that I need to send in my registration for the masters course by the 1st of Oct to be considered. Phew, but I like hectic and am excited about the courses I picked and can't wait to start next week. Meeting my voice teacher next week for the first time too.
Been oo busy to attend the orientation parties but doubt many of the postgrads will have to time to go too. The weather has been really nice and cool not too cold...long may it last...

phew! I'm back on line

2005-09-21T11:16:00.000-07:00

I'm back and in manchester. Took a while to get my internet sorted out in my room. Its a nice room took quite a few trips to the shops to get all the stuff i need. Pots pans, toiletries etc but I'm finally all settled into my room:) still finding places for odds and ends so its a little messy but here it is....

3,2,1, take off

2005-09-15T03:48:00.000-07:00

Well, it finally here. I'm leaving for RNCM and my postgrad dip in 2 hours. Kinda tied up with the final packing and good bye phone calls. not freaking out yet. Hope the boxes get there ok and that the room is fine. Have to rush out and buy a quilt and pillow... and hairdryer. Have the weekend to sort the rest of the unpacking out. Term starts on Monday. Looks like it will take a week or two to organise my internet connection so will have to go cold turkey from my email etc...how will I last:)

Lots of hugs to judes for the help with the DHL. Saved 75% . The NJ girls also out together the sweetest collage for me to take with me. Lots of people also coming down to the airport to send me off. So touched. Must do them proud.

Nearly on TV

2005-09-10T07:51:00.000-07:00

Got a call that we would be on tv tonight as aca fest would be featured on channel news asia. So rushed home to catch the half hour show. Sat through golf tournament results and male pole dancers at a shopping centre. Then the show ended. Sheesh...they must have cut our segment... how dare they...hmmm...maybe its tomorrow???

Aca Fest 2005

2005-09-07T09:09:00.000-07:00

Upbeat is singing for A Capella Fest 2005. 3 songs from our prev concert. Am doing the show and then rushing to a classical concert at NAFA featuring SY and NY. Will I make it there in time? Let you know later. On a brighter note, get a chance to wear me pretty new black dress. Had it made for the Beethoven's 9th in Manchester. What can I say... one of my fav parts of performing is the pretty outfits.

Bye bye car

2005-09-05T23:59:00.000-07:00

Boo Hoo sold off my darling lime green Renault today. Will miss her dearly...Handing over the keys on Monday so have a few days left with my girl. Finished stuffing everything into the 6 dhl boxes..phew..No gotta send them off and hopefully get them on the fri I get there as planned. Its just next week....wow! so far so good. anyhow gotta sort out some orientation mail for freshies week. good grief...feel like a teenager.

News on my Teacher

2005-09-02T19:07:00.000-07:00

Finally got a letter about who my new teacher will be. Shes a british soprano called Lynne Dawson. So exciting. Have decided to sing the
(1)Habanera) Bizet - From the Opera Carmen
(2)Chacun A Son Gout (Prince Orlofsky's Song) J. Strauss - From the Opera Die Fledermaus
for the board at the RNCM when I go. Hope it goes well.

Met up with old friends from my NJ choir days for seafood yesterday. Always great to meet up and catch up. They've been so supportive. Coming for all my concerts and shows. So blessed:)

Lunch 'n a Show

2005-08-30T23:37:00.000-07:00

Had a nice lunch at crystal jade with the makan karkee from NIE. Was nice to see everyone again and hear the news. Aeree is having her recital tonight so am going to watch with Mari and Les. Should be fun. Having the flu...hope my cough doesn't act up.bah! Ting asked if I want to go for belly dancing party at Chijmes tomorrow. Its ladies night, sounds like fun. But better see how I feel tomorrow. Could use the exercise tho:)

Back from Malaysia

2005-08-29T04:52:00.000-07:00

Was a nice long weekend with my grandma in KL. Its true that noone spoils you like your grandma:) Must have put on weight with all the yummy food and goodies she kept offering me. Was nice to have some quality time with her before going to the UK. Shes worried about me going, nice to know shes praying for me.