The theme of the week seems to be “don’t panic, but do prepare”. And with one of the weirdest and newsy flu seasons in recent memory, there’s plenty of chatter. However, the CDC and other reliable sources offer some pretty simple advice, which is nicely summed up by this article from NPR and the video … Read more
The world rarely arrives in sonata form… we could all use a good recap. New releases With Christmas listening and gift-giving so close at hand, this is the perfect time to pick up some new manifestations of holiday favorites. Don’t depend on radio and Spotify to fill your ears this season. Local entities have put … Read more
This adorable little guy has the right idea… Once we get into November, the fall schedule for most performers gets increasingly hectic. And of course, we’re heading into cold and flu season, to boot. While you may have already had a flu shot and stocked up on Robitussin, this is the time to double down … Read more
The week rarely arrives in sonata form… but we could still use a good recap. Bravos! You never know where your voice may take you, and longtime Lister / singer-songwriter Amy Engelhardt can testify to that better than most. The sopralto was picked to lead a loquacious group of nuns to promote the Amazon adaptation … Read more
While Halloween itself isn’t necessarily a huge working holiday for vocal types, the days after Halloween are actually quite busy for local churches. Watch out for carefully rehearsed requiems of all sorts — even the Franken-kind! See one of the CCMN selections below… There are quite a few events in this arena on our calendar, and more in … Read more
It’s sometimes surprising how many performers are actually fearful about diving too deeply into activities that require keen self-awareness. Is it possible to be an effective communicator without some sense of what drives and motivates you, what you’re terrified of, and what you love more than anything else? It’s too late at night to tackle … Read more
With Rosh Hashanah starting Sunday night and the High Holidays well underway, the change to autumn is apparent, even in weather-wonky Southern California. We’ve had a little rain this week, and many of us relish the idea of sweaters and boots and cooler weather. It’s also the time of year to get serious about cold … Read more
This little item could have been designed for singers, especially in desert-y areas, as it can help alleviate problems associated with dry air, is extremely portable, and can be used with a variety of different containers. Drop it into a water bottle in your car, and voilà! Moisture on tap. Put it into a glass, … Read more
We see a lot of entitlement in the arts: people who have been told, probably many, many times, that their talent is exceptional, and that their career is at hand. Support is a good thing, but when it is not combined with a person’s own hard work and humility, it can become a toxic force that … Read more
Most of my private clients know how much affirmations have helped me and so many of the artists I’ve worked with. While this practice, for some, smacks of Pollyanna thinking or crystal-fueled hokeyism, it is simply a practice that can retrain thinking and increase focus. And for those who practice affirmations regularly, it works, not … Read more
