I wanted to take a moment out to mark what would have been my grandfather's 93 birthday. We all miss him very much. I've been struggling with his passing, but singing has become very theraputic for me. My grandparents all believed in my talent very much, and that support remains with me to this day, and I'm confident that support will continue. I made a "remembrance" cake and my aunt got dinner for us - we ordered out our favorite gourmet pizza: tomato slices, basil, and pinenuts over a blended cheese topping on a thin crust. Very yummy. The Christmas preparation goes on, of course, and those no longer with us are greatly missed. Back to the baking and present wrapping - may you be surrounded by warm memories of those you love who are no longer with you.

Merry Christmas.

Yay! I got the call - I'll be at Fireside Dinner Theater in Wisconsin from February through May in their production of Music Man. It makes for a full beginning to the year:

Corinthian Club concert for Syracuse Opera (Ensemble) - Sondheim
FUUS Concert (also Syracuse Opera) - Operatic Favorites
The Three Little Pigs (Syracuse Opera Ensemble - school shows!) - a John Davies/Mozart

and then

Road Trip!

Wow - two new gigs for the local company. One, a Sondheim concert in January, and then the brand new outreach program in Februrary with John Davies directing his Three Little Pigs with 3 of my favorite local performers: Ivy Gaibel, Jimi James, and Tom Anzalone. I'm flattered that I was thought of. That's in addition to the January concert where I hope to have the chance to try one of two new arias out. It would be great to do both pieces, but one can't be greedy on a shared concert.

I also really hope this Music Man gig comes through. It's a show I love, I'm right for and know inside and out. It's also vocally friendly and I already know the choral music. They said by Christmas, but you can't help getting antsy when you have that great an experience at callbacks. It's no guarantee, I realize, but I can still hope.