In my large and surprisingly diverse family, being opinionated is the norm. I don’t think any of my relatives will quibble with this — in fact, many of them are proud of it, and see it as a sign of strength. So I grew up talking a lot, trying to be truthful and saying exactly … Read more
I’d like to offer up a simple concept that has helped many, and may help you if you’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or out of control. (First off, you’re not alone, or this post wouldn’t seem necessary!) It comes from the Japanese Mizu no Kokoro, commonly translated as “Mind like water”. This concept is rooted in … Read more
Yesterday was Patriot Day, and of course the Jewish High Holidays are coming up later this month. While most of this month’s big holidays are not necessarily intended as fun-loving days off, they are moments to acknowledge what’s meaningful and profound in our lives. I hope you’ll get to take advantage (or at least take … Read more
Planning is absolutely essential. But you can’t stop there. If you’re spending too much time making and organizing your lists and notes rather than taking action to check those things off, here’s a way to reset on a regular basis: It’s an ACTION-FOCUSED DAY. The technique is simple, and you’d do well to make room … Read more
This month’s download tackles embarrassment head-on, inspiring performers to get in the habit of moving on when things go awry.
It’s been an incredibly long day, but I couldn’t let Valentine’s Day slip away without a few words. Beloved or maligned, this holiday stirs up big emotions. Do something this whole week that reminds you how valuable you are, and how much you value the people in your life. Valentine’s Day has become about more … Read more
[Editor’s note: Kirk Averitt is a conductor, vocalist and educator and is relatively new to the Listerhood. He has brought us some intriguing ideas and different ways to think about singing. Here, Kirk shares some of his recent experiences with yoga and chakra theory. We encourage you to join in the conversation by commenting below. … Read more
This is you, although it might not feel like it right now. The trick is, if you stop believing, you’ll stop flapping. You’ll forget how to glide. And flying will seem further and further out of reach. Believe. Be ready to glide when you feel the air shift. We’ll be flying again soon enough.
Prepping for our upcoming unSUNg concert, a very multicultural affair, Ariel and I have been exploring a number of ways that people celebrate different parts of December. It’s also led to no small bit of nostalgia. When I was growing up, my mother bought two gorgeous cross stitch Advent calendars as kits in Solvang, each … Read more
It’s been a very rough week, and with Governor Gavin Newsom’s Wednesday night mandate that all gatherings of 250 people or more be canceled, at least through March 31st, most arts events across the state are on lockdown. We’ve posted today’s announcement from LA’s Music Center, closing all of the DTLA hub’s performing arts venues, … Read more
