Monday, March 27th, 2023
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Well, it has been over a year since I last wrote anything here. So much has happened since then! I spent the summer in Ottawa, singing in-person for the first time since March 2020. It was wonderful. 10 weeks of seeing so many beloved faces, and music was everywhere! The 613 Casual Choir did two shows; Fleetwood Mac in June, then Elton John Vol. 1 in August.
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Back in Vancouver in the Fall of 2022,I could feel things shifting. People were ready to bring back in-person singing all year around. We did one final round of VOX Virtual Choir. It has been bittersweet; VOX Virtual Choir saved my sanity for over two years, gave us creative projects, and kept our community together.
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Fast forward to our first Cuba Singing Workshops in 3 years; February 23-March 2nd was the VOX Vocal Harmony workshop in Varadero! 20 singers! We learned two songs, Pegadito (Tommy Torres) and Daydream (Lovin' Spoonful). We also sang a few songs from the 'old' days; Close Your Eyes (James Taylor) and I Think I Love You (Partridge Family). We had a lovely week filled with music, dancing, swimming, beach walks, cocktails under the stars, and wonderful moments catching up with each other.
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Week Two was Party Central with the 613 Casual Choir workshop! Animals, haha! More revelry, more fun, such a great vibe. The fave song of that week was hands down Where Evil Grows, by the Poppy Family. We also had two participants bring instruments, so we had an evening singalong before dinner nearly every night.
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So now I'm just back from 5 days in Ottawa; did the 613 Casual Choir on Thursday (Adele!) and the CHOIR BOMB on Saturday. Got together with folks every night for dinner. Basically had an incredible time, and now I'm coming back to Ottawa once a month. Yay Flair, haha!
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More soon. I'll try to update regularly...
Thursday, December 30th, 2021
As the year comes to a close, and as the 5th wave hits us, I am reflecting on all the changes in my life lately. What remains constant is the music. It is my go-to every day; it gives me purpose and energy. It is what enables me to emerge from the ashes again and again. In VOX, our weekly rehearsals keep us all on track, gives us some much-needed definition in a positive way in a time when it is easy to get caught up in anxiety and despair.
In the new year we are starting off with a glorious version of The Beatles' classic song All My Loving, a version by The Well Pennies. We need this right now. it is such a joyful, powerful rendition!
I wish you all a Happy New Year, Folks.
Friday, October 15th, 2021
Singing through the break; this has been my obsession this past summer!
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I had a very small range when I first began singing in public; maybe an octave and a few more notes, and then my voice would 'break'. Or squeak. Or go flimsy and shaky. I envied and admired anyone who had vocal control, who could hit the high notes with confidence and deliver without wondering what horrifying sound might emerge, especially when singing in public.
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It took many years, many different voice teachers to navigate my way through my break, and to find my power. I finally found a teacher who knew what to do with my fragile voice in the late 80s/early 90s, and this was my springboard into 2+ octaves, more if I am singing classically. But I learned the most from teaching people who just wanted to sing better, not be a pro. It was eye-opening. And it's one of my favourite things to do now; to help someone who thought they couldn't sing well (or even at all) find a way to their voice.
Singing is for everyone!
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Wednesday, September 29/2021
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Today's two cents: I often reflect on my journey as a musician...
I began as a singer/songwriter in the 80s, and pursued that path for many years. I segued into teaching, slowly at first, and then in the early 2000's my teaching snowballed and became my primary career.
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Here's my realization; I am far more connected with people now that I teach. Performing was more solitary; I was reaching people, but from the distance of the stage. It is easy to feel isolated. These days, even with a pandemic, I connect with individuals; I get to know them. We are all creating, and it's an incredible rush to have that collective energy.
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