No Filter

5/30/2017

The world we live in at the moment is one that, I feel, is contradicting itself. On one hand we are the first generation to face mental illness head on. We talk about our feelings. We say it is ok not to be ok. Then we are also the first generation to literally filter the dark parts of our lives out so that the world sees our seemingly 'perfect' lives on social media.
The more I thought about this, the more I thought about the topic in relation to the Arts. As artists we are supposed to be proud that we bare our souls and hearts to the world through our creations and our self expression. While we do expose ourselves and our insecurities on a daily basis, we also dread that someone will see our flaws. I know that I personally worry I might step onto a stage where the audience doesn’t like what I do. A stage where I will stumble over a word or my voice might crack. But then I ask myself, is that not all part of a live performance? I do things like mindfulness to calm those nagging worries, but are those little insecurities not actually all part of what it is to be human?
I ask my fellow artists, would you let the world see your broken creations? Should we have an art exhibition of 'The Lost Paintings'? Should we have a concert where we air 'The Forgotten Music'? Would we dare expose our failings to the world? Should we just turn the filter off?

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The Job

5/21/2017

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'What made you decide to have a career as a singer?'. This is a question that I am asked very frequently and it's understandable given the unusual nature of what I do for a living. This question is normally followed by, 'But what do you do for a day job?'. I'm always amazed at how people seem to finally understand and accept my life's choices when I tell them that I also teach singing. Teaching is widely accepted as a proper job whereas a career in performance or in the Arts generally isn't.
I suppose I can see that, from the outside, it can look like a very 'airy-fairy' kind of lifestyle but it is, in fact, the very opposite. Most people who work in the Arts have years of training and practice under their belts. Much like in other areas of work, we had to learn our craft and work very hard to become as skilled as possible. I think there are some obvious differences between a more regular job and a job like mine. My job is not a 9 to 5, Monday to Friday type of job. One week can be crazy, the next week can be so quite I wonder if the phone will ever ring again! A job like mine involves a lot of alone time and of course there are days I find that very difficult. I think that if you are content with your career, most of the time, then you should be happy with your choice. If it feels like it fits and you feel like 'you', then stick with it.
In answer to the question 'What made you decide to have a career as a singer?'; I didn't decide. I have a huge love and passion within me for music and I cannot do anything else. Believe me, I have tried!

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What Colour Is Your Soul?

5/15/2017

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'Can you paint with all the colours of the wind?'. That is a line from one of the first songs I ever sang and it is a song that I now love to teach my singing students. The reason I ask this question is because I have been thinking a great deal about the seasons and the colours they bring with them.
As a young singer I competed in many singing competitions and my Dad was always fascinated at how the adjudicators would describe the 'colour' of a singer's voice. My own voice was often described as being 'gold', 'chocolate', 'bronze' and 'dark'. These types of colours are used to describe a warm, often low, voice in singing. Words like 'bright', 'yellow' and 'light' are then used when we talk about a higher voice. I am wondering if there might be a connection between the colour of our souls and the colours that we are drawn to.
I always say that I love the Autumn and Winter. I love the colours and the cosyness of these seasons. Most people can't understand why I don’t love the Summer but maybe it is because I don’t relate to that season's colours.
I wonder if other types of artists feel this way. Does your brush often hold a certain colour? Do you base a lot of the stories you write during a specific season? What is your favourite colour? What colour is your soul?

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Musical Divisions

5/8/2017

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Many of you may know that my background is in classical singing. Sometimes the mere mention of the word 'classical' in relation to singing can send people running for the hills! There is a common notion that this type of performance is very high brow and not all that accessible. While I was knee deep in my music studies I found myself constantly defending my idiom to those who, in my eyes, didn't understand the world of music I lived in. Since having some distance from that world I have had many mixed emotions and opinions on the classical world and where it fits in our society now.
People like Katherine Jenkins and Andre Rieu may have a classical background but they are often shunned by those in the classical circle as they can be seen as having 'dumbed down' their performances to make them more commonly appreciated. Now that I am standing back from the topic I ask, what is so wrong with making the classical style of music more accessible and loved by more of the general population? I am proud to call myself a classical-crossover singer because I have finally come to the realisation that this is where I am most comfortable and where I can express myself best.
I think if performers of all styles, be it classical, pop, jazz, trad, or crossover, could find a deep appreciation for each other's art we wouldn't have so many divisions between 'us and them'. We are all doing the same job. We are all trying to evoke emotion and connect with our audience. I think we can all learn a great deal from each other. Music is a universal language and while we all have our opinions on what is the 'best' type of music, we must respect all disciplines. Classical music is my background and I will always be an advocate for it and for all music.

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Music Reaching Out

5/1/2017

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I always say that it is a great thing when a group of strangers come together to make music. This could be in a choir or an orchestra or a folk group. When people make music together it creates an unspoken bond between them. They feel as though they share one voice, even if just for one song.
I have recently realised that it can be even more powerful when a group of people, with something very important in common, come together in one voice. In the first episode of this year's Britain's Got Talent something very special happened. A choir walked on stage with one thing in common and one very important goal. The vast majority of the choir's members have loved ones who are missing and the others work for the organisation who helps people in this awful situation. Their objective was to get the names and faces of these missing people out to the world on a large screen behind them as they sang. This just shows how powerful music can be. I was moved to tears as I heard the voices and saw the faces of these people who are so so desperate to see the people they love again. To sing beautifully, in my eyes, is to sing from the heart and these people's hearts are broken in the same places. The unity in their sound is there because they are singing from the deepest part of themselves and they are quite literally calling out for help. I hope with all my heart that something good can come from this incredible display of love and hope and courage.
Music truly is healing. It is magic. It can save you in your darkest hour.

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No Filter

The Job

What Colour Is Your Soul?

Musical Divisions

Music Reaching Out

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