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5 Essential Steps to Ace a Voice Audition
FEBRUARY 18, 2019 ADRIA FIRESTONE Do you think I’m going to tell you about a magic elixir? No, but I am going to give you a few valuable suggestions I know can make a huge difference in your audition experience. STEP 1: YOUR FIRM FOUNDATION Make sure your foundation – your rhythm – is part of…
THE BALANCED HUMAN WHO SINGS, Part 2
In 2004, I was a speaker at the Classical Singers convention. CJ, the editor of this fabulous magazine, asked me to write an article. This was the 1st article I ever wrote for Classical Singer. [edited] When I use the phrase ‘trained monkey’ in Part 1 of this article, I say it with enormous love.…
THE BALANCED HUMAN WHO SINGS Part 1
In 2004, I was a speaker at the Classical Singers convention. CJ, the editor of this fabulous magazine, asked me to write an article. This was the 1st article I ever wrote for Classical Singer. [edited] I’m not a trained monkey. That’s the working title of a book I am writing. What do I mean?…
You Are Not Your Talent
No one asked you to get on stage. You want to “show” your business to the world. You want the adulation, you want the praise. Who gave you the idea that all the attention you want so desperately will be positive? Don’t you know that if you put yourself out there, people will make fun…
8 Tips for a Dynamite Head Shot
Do you realize that your headshot is like the logo of a business? You already know corporations spend from thousands to millions of dollars on a logo, right? So, given the importance of a headshot – were you thinking of snapping a selfie? Don’t. What makes a good headshot different from a beautiful picture? You…
What I Did for Love
Over 30 years ago I stepped onstage as a dazzled ten year old, eager for my first sprinkling of stardust. Years later I was teary eyed and choking on the glitter that rained to beautiful visual effect on Act IV of Carmen in the Canary Islands. How remarkable that although I know full well that…
The Effect of a University Education on the Joy of Singing
In my seven years as a university professor, I have seen singers come in filled with so much joy in performance. Their first auditions for us were out there and happy, joyful and absolutely natural. Yes, most of them were extremely nervous, but still the joy in what they did came through. What strikes me…
How to Create a Character, part 2
Continuing to use Carmen as an example, we now ask what does the music say about your character. Who is this character in their music? Now, look at the rhythm of each character and realize that every character has their unique rhythmic tattoo. Even with Carmen, at her very first entrance before she sings the…
How to Create a Character, Part 1
The other day I was teaching a class I loved at the University exploring the roles of the well-known opera Carmen. What do we as actors have to do with a character from the late 19th century? Actually, a lot. Other than the occasional alien I’ve met, most of us are human, dealing with the…
The Singer’s Addiction Part 6: It’s All About You
As published in Classical Singer Magazine, Feb 2009 This series of articles has addressed the imbalance of defining yourself by the elusive chimera of operatic stardom. I hope I have offered different points of view, glimpses of other paths, and tools for insight and healing. We can incorporate the singing we love into our lives…