Surprise...You're probably jaded!

Why is it that just when you think you've seen it all, you learn actually, no you've only seen a part of something much grander. At a certain point in life, there aren't many things that might surprise a person. After all the years of defending our guard, perhaps becoming just a touch jaded, and somewhat emotionally desensitized we stick to our views, our habits, and our routines. The world is the way the world is going to be now and forever damn it!

But out of the blue something happens, something that teaches us the most inspiring moments in life often occur when we don't see them coming or want for them so desperately. A stranger holds the door, a loved one leaves you a kind note, your child takes her first step, or your teenager takes out the trash before you wake up.... and suddenly, whaa blamm! There goes our stodgy attitude, right out the window. These moments can't be planned. They simply happen without method or precursor. Next, you find yourself asking, "what planet is this?" Actually it's been Earth all along and you're not in any crazy orbit, except maybe your own.

Perhaps, it's the attitudes we adopt through stress, depression, or being closed-minded that break apart when things in the world pan out differently than we expect. Suddenly our guard is lowered, we shake away just a touch of that narrow thinking, and emotionally, we're feeling all fuzzy and warm. We realize, hmm things aren't so bad; life is sort of nice; actually, I am happy.

Future, Faith and Grenade Launchers

Some people believe the future is a place where we arrive, or, circumstances that one day will be. When we ponder the future, we envision the gamut of possibilities we want in life: family, marriage, health, career, a vintage hatch-back Maserati with chrome plated wheels, satellite parking, Siberian leopard interior, and a street legal grenade launcher for crazy SOBs during rush hour? All in all, this is natural and a rational way to consider what the "future" might mean. But can one argue that the future is also made up of moments, efforts, and beliefs of now here in the present? That somehow the two are intertwined; and that right now we are living, partly, in our own individual futures? 

Present and future, now and next, today and tomorrow; all are ideas that live side-by-side but never actually touch, unfortunately for us. So what is the invisible connection between where we stand and where we'd like to go, what's the magic pill swallowed to unlock the mystery of present and future? I came across an image this morning and thought, hmm, maybe this is part of the answer:

Happy New Year: 2013

We have arrived! Time to close the door on events of the passing year and open another, inviting new hope and promises for the year ahead. It is the time of year when we resolve to make better choices, cast away habit, and create new goals. It is the time of year for a fresh start and another chance.

But what is so special about this time of year?  It is a routine we know and know well. So, what guiding force rouses the spirit, offers hope, and suggests that what we want, what we believe...we can have. What proof conveys a promising tomorrow?

It is our individual potential, the most resonate trumpet in our mind and the beautiful creature untamed, alive, and abiding in our heart. 

At each new year we look ahead aroused by potential; it suggests just how much better, stronger, happier, or healthier we can be. Potential is without limit and reminds us exactly where we have tread and wonderfully reveals how much farther we can go.

Happy Anniversary, Year 2

Happy two-year anniversary to the Voice Within Community Blog, TravisWhitlock.com, and the Voice Within newsletter! It's super hard work managing a website, blog, and newsletter-- or the Holy Trinity, as I like to think of it-- but it has been such a rewarding endeavor. Please continue to check out the blog for the latest rants, gossip, and craziness that result in my life as a musician and die-hard lover of opera and performance.

Thank you guys for all your comments and participation. Without you guys....these things are impossible!  Happy two-year anniversary!

Opera savants to punch your face

A common misconception is that opera is enjoyed by a small segment of people or that people don't really know much about the vocal art form, other than lessons taught by Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd. The consensus is that most people just don't enjoy it, can't appreciate it, or don't care to understand it. Hmm, where's the fork and spoon? I'd like to eat those words.

Actually MOST people know a little something about opera beyond the fat lady with the shield and horns. And these same people have really great opinions about the performance practice, singers, and the art as a whole. So, despite its boogie beginnings, knowledge of opera has spread vastly into society and into the daily lives of people of all ages, races, and backgrounds. Granted, the art form will never be as popular as Lady Gaga, the TMZ gossip column, or products from Apple but it's out there and people know about it....more than ya might think!

I'm always singing or humming in the most awkward or inappropriate places. I can't help it. It's usually during these moments I encounter the unassuming-everyday-opera-savant:

Setting-- Locker room, My gym
Humming-- Una Furtiva Lagrima
Savant-- middle-aged man, scantily clad, short, smelled like Brut
Savant moment-- "I love that aria! Are you a countertenor or tenor....I always confuse the two. Please tell me you've seen Rinaldo at Lyric. I thought the production was fantastic. I saw it several years ago with my wife in London....we aren't opera people but I like Haidell...Hadell, Handedell...who is the composer again?"
Moral-- Secure your towel before your next audition. 

Setting-- Northbound bus, headed home
Humming-- Intricate cadenzas
Savant-- Older man in Bob Marley tank, dreads down to his knees, vagabond-ish
Savant moment-- "Man is that some opera stuff you're singin'? That's good man. Man, that Maria Callas was off the chain man. Did you ever hear her sing that Norma? Man she was off the chain...blew me away man."
Moral-- Is Maria Callas the Devil? Regardless, that smelly guy in the corner knows opera rep. 

Setting--Elevator in downtown
Humming-- Un Aura Amorosa
Savant-- Teenaged kid, with skateboard, listening to something kinda loud
Savant moment-- "Mozart is pretty cool, " as he walked out of the elevator
Moral-- People in elevators can hear you, no matter what. And they are ghostly smart.

Setting-- El train, headed north
Humming-- An unpopular Rossini aria, score in hand
Savant-- young women, holding some groceries
Savant moment-- "Excuse me, are you a singer of some kind? I think that's incredible what you guys do with your voices. Rossini? Wasn't he a bel canto conductor?"
Moral-- Stouffers is not all they sell at your local grocery mart.

Something old, new, borrowed, blue?

Remember the old bridal checklist... something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue? Who says these gals are the only people concerned about these requirements? After all, preparing for an audition is much like checking off these very points-- five arias, one musical theater, a monologue, contrasting styles, at least one song. Get the picture? Sometimes preparing for an audition is just as hectic and hair-pulling as arranging a wedding. At least one ends with cake and an open bar!

Commonly we all ask, what should I take, what's ready, and what's appropriate? So aside from keeping good records with the help of magic life-saving tools like Velvet Singer, YAP Tracker, or a simple Excel spreadsheet, ask someone! Preferably another singer or colleague is a great starting place. They are simple and easy enough to be the type of resource we overlook because we're scurrying to learn something new, find a pianist to rehearse, memorize the text, translate, yadda yadda yadda. All along our musical theater piece, art song, or 5th aria is that quick easy little number we sang in a performance class, in an impromptu rehearsal in the hallway, or casually at someone's birthday party. Most of what we need, we already have...so make it work!

Remember adjudicators know, on some level, singers are going to present what they have. Rarely would any singer show up having learned five brand new arias and three musical theater songs the week before. It's probably happened and it's probably happened with some degree of success; but let's not play odds. Instead, pull from the vault of music that's ready, in decent shape, and available!   

Thanks and Sayonara

So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye! What a magical and fun 8 weeks of letting loose, getting wild and learning how to build real in-your-face characters. This is a small photo tribute to the whacky class of SPACE summer session one. Thanks for not dropping like all the other flies!

Joey's Poison-- Antoine, Edwin, Me, Steve

Me & Antoine McKay

The Emily and Jonell after party

Umm hair and makeup ladies?

With scene partner Craig Conover

Our small dysfunctional but FULL of life family!