In the wings

The other day I had the most wonderful moment as I was waiting in the wings just before my entrance on stage in La Boheme. It was a moment of overwhelming gratitude. I get so excited when I finally get to perform for an audience - excited to finally share after so much hard work. There's just nothing that beats sharing a character, great music, and a story with an audience. As I was standing there thinking to myself 'well this is it, it's finally here - performance time!! Yaaaay!!' I couldn't help but thank God at that very moment for providing me with the opportunity to do what I truly love to do. I even got a little choked up thinking about it. There's no other place I'd rather be than on the stage. There's no other place where I feel more like myself. (Weird when I'm usually playing characters who are nothing like me) I suppose I feel that I'm doing what I am designed to do. . . I don't know. But I do know that I wouldn't be doing it if God hadn't provided the opera-tunities. I wonder how many people actually get to do what they truly love to do? I wonder how many people even know what they are made to do? I wonder how many people feel that loved by God? So undeservedly loved by the Creator of the Universe - the God who knows each of us so intimately that He graciously gives us the opportunities, the gifts, the endurance, and the discipline that not only glorify Him, but also provide for us such personal joy and fulfillment. I can do nothing but give thanks for all He has given me.

eyeliner is apparently very important for a singer!

Over the years I've learned that as a performer I simply volunteer myself for all sorts of criticism. As a singer I've heard many honest critiques about my performances, mostly having nothing to do with my singing. Most have to do with things like my wardrobe, that way I stand, or show my teeth or close my eyes. It amazes me, the things that people will notice!! After my performance today I was told by an audience member that I need to underline my bottom lash line with liner. I had just finished singing my heart out and the most important thing that this lady had to say was that I need to put eyeliner under my eye! The hardest part is knowing how to respond to the unwanted makeup tips. I usually just smile and try not to look shocked by the fact that something like that would concern someone so much. I have to say though that those kind of comments really make all the time and money spent pounding notes and refining my vocal technique so worth it!! :)

Another simple piece of paper

(Joy captured the expression on this little girl's face perfectly - just look at her admiring Christy's costume with such awe and dreaming of one day being just like her, so cute!!)

I just found a very special crumpled up American $1 bill in my bag. This dollar bill was given to me by the sweetest little girl after our performance of Traviata the other day. She shyly came to me and told me that she thought I did a really great job and that she wanted to give me a dollar for doing so well. I felt odd taking money from a child but she insisted and looked a little hurt when I told her that I couldn't take it. I ended up graciously taking the dollar and went about introducing her to Denise (Violetta) and Richard (the doctor) who were her other favorite singers and whom she also tipped for doing such a great job. She had to have been about 7 yrs old and was as adorable as ever. She was all dressed up and looked at all of us with such awe. I have to say, that little girl truly made my day!! It made all of the hard work and dramatic rehearsals more than worth it. For me that little girl represented the reason why I sing. Not for the experts, or critics, but for people who appreciate the art for it's genuine beauty and wow factor. When you work at an artistic discipline like singing, it's so easy to lose sight of why we do what we do. So often I worry about what the experts will think rather than the actual audience who is not there to analyze and criticize, but to be entertained, taken on a journey and deeply moved.

I think I'm going to keep this dollar bill, and put it on my piano. It's such a sweet reminder of why I spend so many frustrating hours trying to perfect such a craft. Not for the money(definitely not that:) ,and not for the critics, but for the enjoyment of the real audience.

I have a feeling that in 20 years or so one may just find that little girl from the other night sitting at her very own piano, practicing Ah fors e lui . . . Sempre libera remembering her very first opera experience at the MasterWorks Festival in 2007 :)

Come Let Us Adore Him

Last night we performed our monthly Cpaf outreach concert here in Winona Lake. What an incredible blessing it was for me to be a part of such a unique collaboration of artists. I am so in awe of How God spoke last night. He truly used the offereings of each performer to truly magnify Himself. The story of the birth of Christ was so eloquently and powerfully presented in each performance. It really is an honour for me to be collaborating with artists who not only understand the importance of excellence in art, but who also have a firm understanding of what it means to surrender their performances to the Lord as worship. Last night was not just a concert, it was an incredible worship service, one like I've never experienced before. I just hope that the audience sensed the clear and beautiful presence of His Spirit too. I can't wait till our next 2nd Sunday Concert.

He is painting a beautiful picture

I love the entire creative process of being a performer. There's an excitement that wells up within me when I start working on a new role and new music. There's a unique creativity and sensitivity that is required when one is forced to get to the depth and intimate details of a character via musical interpretation. It's hard to explain, but rehearsing music is always such an exhilarating process for me (as is performing) it's when I feel most like myself, as though I am doing the work that I was made to do.

Over the past few months I've been learning a role for a musical which the worship pastor at my church wrote. He finally completed the musical this summer after almost 15 years of writing bit by bit. The plan is to perform a concert version of the musical on Oct 27 and to hopefully stage it in 2007. What's incredible to me is that Alan managed to finish the musical even though he has been quite ill. The entire process for Alan has been one of faith, and that theme is clearly written in every note of the music. God has used Alan's music and words to paint an incredibly beautiful picture . The words and music are inspiring and encouraging. It's moving and it has such a strong message. I've found myself with tears in my eyes so many times as I've rehearsed through some of the pieces. I can clearly hear God's voice speaking through that music.

We've had a couple of ensemble rehearsals so far and I can't help but feel so excited. Excited is much of an understatement, I feel so much joy about this that I might just explode. It seems as though everyone involved is just as excited. I have no doubt that God is going to do mighty things through this musical, as a matter of fact He already has in the writing and in the bringing together of details. I just can't believe that I get to be a small part of it. How blessed am I! Thanks God :)

Diva 101

I'm exhausted!! My voice is completely worn out and I'm mentally wiped, but happy that I am. It really does require so much focus to put together a self produced recital like Diva 101- it's been a while since I've had to do it all - from programmes to hall bookings, to promo to props etc.. Over the past few years I've had blessing of being able to work in productions where all that was required of me was to show up and perform. I forgot how stressful self produced recitals can be (Losing 3 notes off my top octave a week before the recital because of my medication didn't help with the stress) but it was indeed all worth it!! Divo and I learned a lot and Oh what fun we had!! Our goal for the show was to put together something fun that still showcased the art form for what it is. (Ok there were a few not so artistic moments a.k.a. Time to Say Goodbye, death scenes and Carmen, but that was all to add an even greater comedic factor - anything for a laugh and really who's to say that a man singing Habanera in his falsetto voice isn't artisic? :)

A special thanks to those who came out yesterday, on a summer Sunday evening to support us. It truly is a blessing to be able share our love of singing with others - we hope you had as much fun as we did :) Of course it is also our sincere hope that the lessons learned in Diva 101 will come in handy in your quest to become as great, as wonderful and as near perfect as your expert professors (like that's ever going to happen:)
Diva kisses to one and all. mmmmmwa!!

Her Royal Highness has arrived,

and her little chamber maid naturally looks on with adoration :)

A lesson in "pop-era"

Proof that Divas and Divos can get along when necessary.

How can I keep from singing?

DIVA 101

Do you think you have what it takes to be a diva or divo?
Do you long to find out more about what it takes to be a diva/o?
Do you know that you are wonderful, and beautiful and near perfect but need some guidance on how to assert those qualities? . . .
then this is the class for you.

DIVA 101
The beginner class for the aspiring diva or divo. A lecture in song designed to give the foundational lessons as you begin to master the art of being a diva or divo. ***Please note *** All may not have what it takes to be a diva/o so those who wish to solely bask in the presence and radiance of the expert professors are more than welcome to audit the course. :)

Join
Soprano - Andrea "Diva" McNeil
&
Tenor - Willis "Divo" Bote
with Collaborative Pianist - Jennifer Tung
for a rare recital experience as we celebrate the uniqueness of the Diva and the Divo.
When: Sunday June 4, 2006 @ 7pm
Where: Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton Ave
Yorkville, Toronto
Tickets: $12 at the door

Diva 101 promo photoshoot out-takes

Divo & Diva in the garden
Divo has Diva cracking up
Divo's envy prompts him to take action!!
Diva gets her revenge!!!

Recording Session #1

Last night was so exciting! I finally headed over to Jack's studio to do some recording. I was a little nervous about the process as I've never actually done any studio recording before. All recordings up till now have been done in a live acoustic with a live accompanist. I think I could really get used to this whole studio business though. There are so many perks to recording in a studio, it's like my eyes have been opened to a whole new art form. First there's the ability to completely be comfortable, no gowns or crowns required. (as much as I love the diva accessories it was nice to replace the gown with comfy clothes and the crown with the studio headphones. (I think I've already established that it never hurts to wear a tiara, but I really didn't want to overwhem Jack with too many of my diva quirks last night :) Not having to put on a show, yet still being able to create a performance with excellence can really be a great thing. With recording it's really all about the singing. I had the luxury of being able to pull out all of my technical tricks to enhance the sound and not have to worry about looking like a nutbar, cause there was no one watching. Well except Jack, and I'm sure he's seen it all. He did comment on the way in which I looked when attempting the high F in Der Holle Rache, it was something like "it looked as though I was attempting to "give birth" to my high F " :) Poor Jack having to witness that!!

There’s real beauty in being able to digitally manipulate the balance, acoustic and a few vocal issues in a piece. I am just so amazed at how much can be done in the studio. I'm even more amazed at how much Jack can do. I've always been wowed by what a super talented musician Jack is, but really it's insane how at home he is with all those buttons, cables and computers. You've got to know so much about music in order to edit like that. It really requires such attention to detail. It can be a lot of fun too. I'm really excited about the final product. I was concerned about doing any editing because I didn't want to lose the integrity or natural sound of my voice. The edit decisions that we made really just enhanced what was there, (or not there in a few cases :) Now I know why it's so hard to live up to the standards of some of the recordings that are out there, in the studio perfection can be attained, on stage it's impossible to attain perfection, even for a diva :) That's why I've concluded that they are two very different art forms -same talent- completely different executions.

Jack successfully gives birth to a super F:)

The best part of last night was just being able to spend time with Jack. Jack has always been such a blessing to me. He's always encouraging, last night being no exception. And even though he's never studied opera, he gets the struggles of being a musician which is really special just knowing that someone else gets it, especially another Christian. Jack has some great advice to give and I so value his experience and his complete willingness to help in whatever way he can. Jack is a man who truly models humility. With all his talent and musical knowledge he could just turn around and laugh in my face, but he has never made me feel inferior. He's a man who strives for excellence in all that He does and inspires the rest of us to do the same. Jack is such a blessing to me and to so many others. This week in particular as we've planned the recording session, God has used Jack to remind me of Christ's love. Jack's willingness to help me,to serve me and to encourage me with a joyful heart (even with my diva communication issues:) is just so incredible to me. I've been a little down lately, discouraged and just feeling really spiritually worn out. I praise God for the way in which He has revealed His love to me through Jack. This is why we need our brothers and sisters. God used Jack to make it so clear. I am overwhelmed with thanksgiving and praise, for how my Lord uses others to reveal Christ's unending Love for me. I can truly do nothing but praise God for Jack !

What an uplifting recording session. Soli Deo Gloria!