June, 2012 Norma!

I’ve been spending the last several months preparing to do the epic title role in Bellini’s “Norma” with Pocket Opera.  Donald Pippin will be conducting the small orchestra from the piano, and we’ll be singing his English version.  He has a marvelous knack for creating them to fit well in the voice and be understandable.  I’m joined by a wonderfully talented cast of excellent singers, and the director is the accomplished Andrew Morgan.

Here’s the link for tickets:

Pocket Opera

June 24, 2pm, in San Francisco, CA
July 8, 2pm, in Berkeley, CA

For those who can’t make it, I’ll be posted video excerpts here! Meanwhile, here’s an aria from “The Marauders” that I performed for their gala.

January, 2012 – Some New Projects for the New Year!

There’s one “old” project: Glee! It’s now in its third season, and you can still hear me in all of the off-camera vocals.

If you come to Hollywood any time in the next 10 or so years, don’t miss the new Cirque du Soleil show, IRIS, a surreal, innovative, acrobatically thrilling depiction of the early years of film. Danny Elfman wrote an incredible masterpiece as the score, and honored me by writing several solos for me to sing. I’m intertwined throughout, but most notably in “The Twins,” Pellicule,” “Flying Scarlett,” and the heart-tugging finale “Scarlett Balancing.”

The score is available on CD and on Live Streaming.

The creators talk about their experience:

A preview of some scenes and the finale music:

“Beethoven’s Wig” has a brand new CD out – “Sing Along Piano Classics”
It’s on Amazon.
This is one of the new pieces, performed live last year at the Ford Theater in Hollywood:

Later this year, I’ll be tackling the monumental role of Norma in Bellini’s opera of the same name. Donald Pippin asked me to join him once more in Pocket Opera to portray this ultimate diva.
June 24 and July 1 at the Marines’ Memorial Theater, 609 Sutter St., San Francisco
July 8 at The Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St., Berkeley
I’d love to see you in my audience!

July – Heating Up… a Little Bit

Beethoven’s Wig is performing on Saturday, July 23, 2011, at 10am at the Ford Theater in Hollywood. Tickets are only $5!!
We’ll be performing with live musicians (a pianist and a string quartet) and will have copies of our brand new CD on hand.

Tickets and Information

Otherwise, I’m still on the “Glee” score vocals, and in the choir for various movie soundtracks. Listen for us on the new 100-year anniversary Universal movie logo.

December – Wrapping It Up!

I don’t have any new performances on the horizon, but I’ve learned to enjoy the quiet times. Meanwhile, I happily can look back at the fun I’ve had in 2010: Glee!, Beethoven’s Wig, Honda Opera, several film and TV choirs… much to be thankful for.
Have a Peaceful Christmas and Prosperous 2011!

September – A Sloooow Start to the Fall Season

Nothing new to report (!), but you can hear me on all of the new episodes of “Glee!”
😀

August – The Hazy, Lazy Days

I don’t have any live performances coming up any time soon, but you can see my Honda opera commercial on You Tube:

I’m even on the Wiki Answer site about it!

My next show is with Beethoven’s Wig on November 13 in Los Angeles at the Geffen Theater.

July – It’s a Cool Summer

Coming up in a week: Beethoven’s Wig at The Huntington Library in Pasadena
7/17
5:30pm

Listen for me and the Beethoven’s Wig tenor, Jonathan Mack, on Honda commercials this summer. It’s a mini-opera, replete with subtitles! I’m not the blonde actress, but it IS me singing!

June – Just a Couple of Wigs

Coming up this weekend:

Beethoven’s Wig at Kidspace Children’s Museum in Pasadena
6/11
11am

and at McCabe’s Guitar Shop in Santa Monica
6/13
11am

Next month at The Huntington Library in Pasadena
7/17
5:30pm

That’s all that’s on the performance horizon for now!

May – a Month of Renewal

Since my only active performing group now is Beethoven’s Wig, these reports might be a bit on the brief side. I’m hoping those shows will increase, though. Our next one is June 12 at Kidspace in Pasadena, followed by a morning show at McCabe’s Guitar Shop in Santa Monica the following day, June 13. We are at the Huntington Library in Pasadena on July 17.

Listen for me and the Beethoven’s Wig tenor, Jonathan Mack, on Honda commercials this summer. It’s a mini-opera, replete with subtitles!

My off-camera vocals continue to decorate “Glee!”, too.

April – A New Beginning

This month, I did my last full-length performance with Sixth Wave.
We did two shows at the Coffee Gallery and had SO much fun! The group presented me with flowers, balloons, champagne, and a cake, and many dear friends and fans were in attendance.

I started the a cappella group about 14 years ago with my good friend Gary Rosen, and over the years we evolved and grew, winning the National Harmony Sweepstakes and recording 3 CDs. What a treat it’s been to have sung with so many of the best singers in Los Angeles in the various formations of the group! The decision to make room for new opportunities in my career was not easy, but it’s time.

I look forward to what comes next for me and what comes next for the group as they find a new lead soprano and move in new and exciting directions.

My next live performance is with Beethoven’s Wig on June 12 at Kidspace in Pasadena – details to follow!