Well it has been a productive year indeed! Auditions, Performances, Church duties and getting through my first year of my Masters degree in New York. I think I know what the Eagles were singing about in "Life in the fast lane."

I've been presented with many opportunities this year to hone my skill as an artist and performer.

October was Audition month. And what a month it was. I was introduced to the "cattle call," audition. I only auditioned for two summer programs live, but am gearing up for next year's audition season as they are all, mostly here! Hundreds of singers trying out for various programs and possible jobs, all in one or two tiny hallways pooling into their various studios. One almost has to block out this scene- as it could be pretty distracting.

In November, I did a mini reprisal of my Mimi, for a La Boheme highlights night at my school. Niel Rosenshein (a voice teacher/coach/director extrodinare) had a tenor who is going to premier his first professional Rodolfo this next year in Japan. They needed a practice Mimi, so of course I jumped for the opportunity. I ended up being the fourth in line (typical- too many sopranos ;) ) but the first two girls weren't suited vocally and the third while very suited was too tall. So I was the most suited as well as the shortest Mimi they had to pick from. I didn't mind at all. Rehearsing, staging and performing that beautiful piece was like coming home. It brought back so many cherished memories of when I performed as Mimi at Portland State University in 2008 with Tito Capobianco.

December was busy at work. As a working Lutheran, there were many extra services and events to help plan and to sing for. I left Christmas Day to go and see my family and loved ones. It was a catastrophe! The Newark airlines opened over 2 hours late and there were dozens of people who missed their flights because of it. I battled all day long to get another plane ticket and didn't get home until the wee hours of the morning but at that point it didn't matter. I was able to recharge my batteries, enjoy Portland, my family, my friends and even get a massage at the Bonneville Hot Springs. I was a little sad to leave, but there was more work to do. This Month I found out that I was Cast as La Contessa in Le Nozze di Figaro at MSM! There was much work to do.

January, February and March went by in a flash it seems. I've been very busy indeed with Contessa. We are nearly done staging now and I am proud to say that I did end up getting a performance date! (They don't guarantee you one at the beginning yipes!) I will be singing April 30th in Borden Auditorium at 7:30pm. There is some wonderful chemistry in my cast and I am very happy with the results we are making together.

In March, I was able to take a little over a week in Vancouver on my Spring Vacation to spend some much needed down time with les Boyfriend. Jeremy and I are currently planning a duel recital in Portland on May 29th. Highlights from Figaro, Die Zauberflote, Cendrillon, La Boheme, Schumann, Debussy and more. It is a lot of work but it is a labor of love. We're hoping to possibly raise some funds for our various Summer programs. I'll be attending Voice Experience in Tampa as well as a language intensive coaching program in Novalfeltria Italy. These are some costly programs but pivotal in my progress as an artist and also in my preparation for audition season this year. I'll be graduating MSM and I haven't yet decided what's next. I am considering many different jobs in New York as well as the North West. I may want to stay in the bosom of academia for a little while longer while I bake. I think my next step will become apparent to me this Summer.

I look forward to coming home most of all in May! I will be leaving my Church home with a recital on May 16th in the afternoon. There is still so much to be done- but no time like the present right??

Best to all!! I'll let you know what happens!

Anna V :)

P.S. Oh I almost forgot to mention. I just said yes to another fill-in soprano gig. The Orchestra needs a Soprano to practice snippits of Gounod's Faust. They need a Marguerite for the Jewel song! Any chance to perform with orchestra is a huge opportunity for young singers...well for any singer really!

News from the Jungle!

When I began my search for Graduate programs back at Ole PSU, I never would have dreamed that I would end up on the East Coast and I never thought that I would have Manhattan School of Music to my name. The process of even applying to these schools was an event in itself. As hard as I was working to earn my bachelor degree, I didn't realize just how much planning really needs to go into taking the next step for Grad school. By the time I was in my senior year, I was working part time for the Student Opera Association in Arts Administration, Singing for the Portland Vocal Consort with Brilliant conductor and friend Ryan Heller, as well as singing away at my Church Job of the past 4 years at First United Methodist Chancel Choir. Combine that with 22+ credits, an on and off again part time job in child care and preparing roles for Portland State, and you've got one busy kitty!

As a side note I have to advise all of those young singers out there against childcare as a part time job. On one hand it gives you great experience with children and usually pays a bit more than minimum wage- but on the other hand it exposes you to all of those cute babies and their germs. For the first three months in that job I was sick! When considering a job with children you have to weigh the advantages versus the incredible disadvantage of being ill and not being able to have full access of your healthy voice to further your studies and career.

But back to the matter at hand. There is no how to guide when it comes to choosing your next move. For many singers just graduating with a bachelor, the idea of going out in the world and working right away seems vague and un-attainable. Some however are completely ready and my best wishes go to them- but for the rest of us youngins, graduate school is a smart move. You're still in a formal setting to learn more (because there always is more to learn believe me.) and you still have important resources that you can only get in academia. The catch is that you have to get yourself there.

Pre screening materials are highly varied. Every college has similar requests for song repertoire for your recording, but they are never exactly the same. Having Art songs in every language is definitely important- Have an Oratorio piece ready- Have Arias from before the 17th c and after. Look at the college websites to see what you need. It's all there at your fingertips. Isn't The Internets great?

I cannot stress enough that the early bird gets the worm. The sooner you start investigating, the sooner you realize the materials you are going to need. When you know that, you can start budgeting for a new recording and saving up for those pesky application fees. You can start planning for airplane tickets for those oh so far away auditions. This is an important step in your life and shouldn't be taken lightly. It's easy to put it off and not think about it, especially if you've got a heavy class load. Earning a bachelor's degree was not easy for me so naturally it was difficult to pull my mind out of the present and really put a lot of energy and effort into the future. Don't fall into that trap! Some prescreening materials are due very early. It's valuable to start researching this stuff the summer before your last year in your undergrad.

So in a nutshell, Always be prepared! Those boy scouts really know what they're talking about!

While if I could do it all over again, I would take my own advice in spades; I couldn't be happier about where I ended up. After (at the last minute- ugh BAD Soprano!) sending in my pre screening materials to Sanfransisco Conservatory, Manhattan School of Music, Mannes and University of British Columbia, I played the waiting game until I got two bites. I had auditions for MSM and UBC. I was accepted to UBC and was all geared to head north and was very happy about it. The program there is stellar and there is much room for a young singer to grow and be nurtured into a fantastic young artist. I was flabbergasted however when I heard back from an East Coast school. To be honest I wasn't expecting anything back from them, as it is a highly competitive place. I still wanted to try though, because. Well it's New York! You don't plan to be a professional Singer in America with out factoring in some time spent in the Big Apple. You just don't!

My audition at MSM was actually just like any other audition. There were no burning hoops to back flip through or anything of the like. The vocal staff was present and I sang what I had prepared from their audition repertoire list. I was fortunate to know the pianist and renowned coach who played for me. I met Chris Cano at the VOICE experience the previous summer. It's amazing how people remember you when you've sung for them before. I'm hoping to coach with him now on a regular basis.

Needless to say, just when I thought I'd be packing my bags for Canada, I received the call of the Jungle. I didn't hesitate. Out of nearly a couple of thousand applicants 350 students end up attending. The resources and connections I've made in the month I've been here are amazing. I won't lie- it is a high-energy place and yes it is competitive. At PSU there were maybe 20 people in Opera workshop. Here there are over 60. At PSU you could count the number of Grad students on your hands and maybe a few toes if it's a busy year. There are hundreds here- mostly singers. And I'm a Soprano. I hate to say it girls- but we grow on trees. Now all of that intimidation aside, when you are surrounded by talented colleges of this caliber, you have to realize the incredible positives. By just existing with these people, it causes you to always step up your game. Looking your best, Studying hard, singing well starts to become second nature. One develops a very professional attitude in this atmosphere. And the resources! The people at MSM want to see you succeed. The first few weeks for first year Grad students are filled with how to lectures for gaining your professional materials. On top of a stellar music program, we are being groomed.

Now it all seems like a lot of pressure but you already knew and expected that going into this field right? With the good and joy of singing comes the necessary toil and hard work to start your career. It's all about how many hours you can log into this every day. At least that's what they tell me. :)

More to come in November! Happy Hunting!