I’m a plus-sized opera singer on a journey…I began my education in the front seat of my grandmother’s car singing show tunes (Cabaret was my FAVE!) and Blue Bayou. Grandma was a lounge singer, one of my aunts sings with the Baltimore Symphony Chorus, my mother sings and plays the guitar. Music is in my veins!
Through high school I was primarily an instrumentalist (piano, violin as a secondary), but loved to sing. I was made fun of regularly because my voice has always been different. I never made it past Regionals in choirs, I never had a lead in a musical, I never had a solo with the choir.
Then life changed.
Dr Norman Spivey and Dr. Lynn Drafall of Penn State voice and choral faculty came to visit my high school and the ground shifted underneath me. Before I knew it (it’s a crazy story!) I was traveling 2 hours to go to an hour voice lesson each week. Bless my father for his loving support ~ he drove me! I didn’t have my license yet, as a senior!! Dr. Spivey talked to me as though there was no debate as to my attending Penn State. Prior to this, much to the chagrin of my parents, I had no intention of pursuing any post-high school education. I had an offer to be a church Music Director and I was going to take it! Besides, I was failing high school.
But bless Dr. Spivey and PSU – they picked me up and I have been singing ever since.
Favorite roles include Dido (Dido and Aeneas), Carmen (Carmen), and the Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors. Favorite oratorios include the Durufle Requiem and Verdi’s Requiem (which I am contracted to sing April 2011 in State College, PA). Favorite art songs are too many to even begin!
Since the barren days of my high school years, some of the groups I have soloed with include the Altoona Symphony, the Pennsylvania Chamber Choir, the Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra, PSU’s Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Penn State Baroque Ensemble, the State College Choral Society, and Essence 2.
I have a deep and abiding love for music, and believe it should be experienced – not just observed. Perfection is over-rated; I’d rather be moved!
Hobbies include word games, ethnomusicology, sampling different cuisines (is that a hobby?) and finding ways to make things work. I also love the woods, love to read, love the fruit of a garden, love any warm-blooded animal you can think of (but respect the cold-blood-eds!), and think life in general is pretty cool.
Oh oh oh you are so talented! I am so proud to be, I hope, a friend.
Of course you’re a friend!!!!!! Don’t be silly!!!! One of my best. Quantity doesn’t equal quality!
♥
Good beginning for your blog, Amanda! It’s nice to know more of your history! Looking forward to more…Sara
Hello darling Amanda….greetings from the central coast of California! I’m so glad I found your blog so I can follow your opera journey. I’m enjoying my new life on the west coast! I’m interning/volunteering at Cal Poly’s (the university) library and thoroughly enjoying it. I figure if I work for free long enough, they’ll have to hire me! I’m also delving into my yoga practice more seriously, running and biking regularly in the beautiful canyons and trails. The nature here is so very beautiful. Overall, I’m nicely settling into a new life with my new love! Say hi to all the Accidentals for me…I miss singing with all of you very much! In fact, I miss making music and plan to figure out a way to get back to piano. Well, enough of me – I hope all goes well for you in Europe – I wish you much luck and success in your pursuit of professional opera singing! Take care, be well and keep in touch…hugs and kisses to you and Melissa….much love, eileen