I was stumbling around Facebook late one night (ok, tonight... and it's currently 4:00 AM...) when I came across this article:
http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/social.media/06/08/twitter.school/
The headline reads: "Twitter Finds a Place in the Classroom."
The article basically follows a middle-school teacher who, instead of shunning the use of technology, allows his students to be on the internet, "as long as they're using Twitter." As he lectures in class, he poses questions to the students. Now, whereas before only a select group of students would consistenly speak up, he now finds that he is getting a more well-balanced response from the class via Twitter.
This article really got me thinking... Although I'm so much of a social media whore nowadays (I've got Facebook, Twitter, Blogspot, Tumblr, LinkedIn, and Youtube AS WELL AS three emails) that any article related to this kind of medium will get me "thinking."
ANYWAY, I got this off of a friend who at first shot down the idea outright, speaking of getting the children AWAY from their "extreme dependency on technology." However as soon as I read this article I thought to myself, "huh..."
Sure, on one hand the internet can be a very sketchy place, and many people will argue that it has no place in the classroom, BUT:
WHAT IF we were to create an environment on the internet, a sort of safe haven forum that allows everyone to participate in an intelligent manner? What if we then took this idea of a "safe zone" and applied it to people who are just coming to realize the internet's potential?
By starting in middle school, we would be able to "get them" while they are still young, and uncolored by the distractions that are facebook and youtube and what have you. This would teach the students that the internet is more than just a cheap dick joke or meme-source; it's a place of discussion and intelligence.
Also, as stated at the beginning of the post, the teacher in question noticed that he got a wider base of response from his class, not just the kids that always tend to "dominate classroom discussions." The slight anonymity that the internet (and in this case, Twitter) has given his class allows a lot of his shyer students the opportunity to speak where they may not have felt comfortable before.
And maybe, just maybe, by reaching out to the students in this way, we can see a change in how the internet is run, where facebook and intelligent conversation can run side-by-side.
Now, I realize that this is EXTREMELY and utterly optimistic and idealistic, but I think that by starting young, and by fostering an environment that is both safe and intelligent, these children might be able to change the way the internet is perceived (at least by a lot of America, at any rate).
Jun 9, 2011
Jun 1, 2011
Reflections on the Mainland
It has always been interesting to me - why I chose to go to school in the midwest.
When I tell people that I am from Hawaii, the first thing they say to me is normally something along the lines of "You live in HAWAII? Why on God's Almighty Green-And-Brown-And-Blue Earth would you choose to come to the Midwest???"
And you know, on paper the arguments seem to stack against this decision. The school I'm at now was the only place in the Midwest that I applied to, and the only school that I auditioned at live. They didn't give me very much scholarship money, and I could have easily gone to school at home for about $5,000 a year...
So why this school? Why would I choose to put myself in debt for a majority of my life for a school that is a twelve-hour plane ride away from a place that I can even remotely call home?
I have always told myself that I was a fairly independent person. I have told myself for the last few years or so that I wanted to "get off the rock," as people say at home, and explore the vast world out there. And on some level it's true.
HOWEVER. I think on some level, perhaps subconsciously, perhaps Flying-Spaghetti-Monster-induced, I knew that I wasn't very happy at home. I was an awkward duck. And I mean SCHMAWKWARD (disclaimer! This doesn't mean that I'm not awkward now - I have my moments... Ok, a lot of moments). I knew that a change of pace would really do me good. It would get me away from my parents, who I love to death, but will talk about maybe in another blog post, as well as take me out of the "Hawaiian-style" mindset.
Now, this is not saying anything against local people. This is one of those "It's not you, it's me" type of situations. I simply do not think that I have a "local kine" mindset. Everything seemed so contrived, and so, like, falsely chill (if I can coin a term); at least at my high school. It was likke no one was there to learn anything, and I think I picked it up at a fairly early age... I did not try in school, I hated doing homework, I still pulled slightly-above-average grades... People were just stupid.
*Now I realize that this is probably a similar situation to a lot of people out there, but let me have my say! :P*
I think actually the addition of pidgin helped it, if I'm being completely honest. At least the pidgin that I was exposed to. And no, not this kind:
Hawaiian pidgin originally started when the immigrants from all different countries started coming to work in the pineapple fields and the like. In order to understand each other, they mixed and mingled their languages to form what is know as pidgin today.
Now, some pidgin can be intelligent, when people actually do mix the languages. That is of no problem for me... The problem lies within these (VERY) often white-boys that simply think "Ho bah, we go beech o' wat" is pidgin.
These are the people that get confused by words such as 'intelligent,' and it kind of drives me nuts.
These are just some things I think about.
And I'm not saying that by moving to the mainland everything is fixed and everyone is happy. No, there are still gripes I have, but on the whole, being in this academic (and social... very social... VERY social) enviornment has really changed me for the better.
Well I've had dinner and the writing mood has worn off, so I think I'll end it here.
Thanks, and bye!
When I tell people that I am from Hawaii, the first thing they say to me is normally something along the lines of "You live in HAWAII? Why on God's Almighty Green-And-Brown-And-Blue Earth would you choose to come to the Midwest???"
And you know, on paper the arguments seem to stack against this decision. The school I'm at now was the only place in the Midwest that I applied to, and the only school that I auditioned at live. They didn't give me very much scholarship money, and I could have easily gone to school at home for about $5,000 a year...
So why this school? Why would I choose to put myself in debt for a majority of my life for a school that is a twelve-hour plane ride away from a place that I can even remotely call home?
I have always told myself that I was a fairly independent person. I have told myself for the last few years or so that I wanted to "get off the rock," as people say at home, and explore the vast world out there. And on some level it's true.
HOWEVER. I think on some level, perhaps subconsciously, perhaps Flying-Spaghetti-Monster-induced, I knew that I wasn't very happy at home. I was an awkward duck. And I mean SCHMAWKWARD (disclaimer! This doesn't mean that I'm not awkward now - I have my moments... Ok, a lot of moments). I knew that a change of pace would really do me good. It would get me away from my parents, who I love to death, but will talk about maybe in another blog post, as well as take me out of the "Hawaiian-style" mindset.
Now, this is not saying anything against local people. This is one of those "It's not you, it's me" type of situations. I simply do not think that I have a "local kine" mindset. Everything seemed so contrived, and so, like, falsely chill (if I can coin a term); at least at my high school. It was likke no one was there to learn anything, and I think I picked it up at a fairly early age... I did not try in school, I hated doing homework, I still pulled slightly-above-average grades... People were just stupid.
*Now I realize that this is probably a similar situation to a lot of people out there, but let me have my say! :P*
I think actually the addition of pidgin helped it, if I'm being completely honest. At least the pidgin that I was exposed to. And no, not this kind:
Hawaiian pidgin originally started when the immigrants from all different countries started coming to work in the pineapple fields and the like. In order to understand each other, they mixed and mingled their languages to form what is know as pidgin today.
Now, some pidgin can be intelligent, when people actually do mix the languages. That is of no problem for me... The problem lies within these (VERY) often white-boys that simply think "Ho bah, we go beech o' wat" is pidgin.
These are the people that get confused by words such as 'intelligent,' and it kind of drives me nuts.
These are just some things I think about.
And I'm not saying that by moving to the mainland everything is fixed and everyone is happy. No, there are still gripes I have, but on the whole, being in this academic (and social... very social... VERY social) enviornment has really changed me for the better.
Well I've had dinner and the writing mood has worn off, so I think I'll end it here.
Thanks, and bye!
May 29, 2011
Ramblings on Musical Elitism
I had meant to write this earlier in the semester, but life and everything got in the way.
I was in the music library one day making some copies, when I overheard a certain music professor "chatting" with one of the student workers.
On this day, the school newspaper released its new edition, and one of the editorials was titled something like "Don't Overlook Student Musicians." It was a referring to the time that a certain performer (whose name rhymes with Bike Bosner) came to perform, and though one of our more prominent student bands was very connected to the artist, the University student board neglected to choose them as one of the opening acts to the concert (of which he had like 8, but that's besides the point).
As this professor was waiting for the library staff to retrieve something for her, she started perusing said newspaper. I was making copies, and half eaves-dropping (don't judge me, it's the music school. Everybody eaves-drops) when I heard the professor say something along the lines of "you know, they really shouldn't publish things like this - it confuses people and detracts from what music students REALLY do."
This statement got me thinking about the role that we play in the whole music world. This professor is known for her... pedestalistic (is that even a word? I don't even know) view of music. And by that I mean that in her mind (and a lot of classically trained minds), there is a clear dichotomy between "good music" and "crap music," with classical music being at the top of that pedestal (pyramid, whatever you want).
This begs the question: What are we music students really trying to accomplish, in all of our educational endeavors? It is no secret that classical music is a slowly dying art, associated mainly with old people and those who are perhaps not as apt socially. And Asians. Are we to continue this trend of slowly emptying concert halls and bankrupt symphonies forever?
The whole point of music is to ENJOY oneself. Just as there is a time and place for Shostakovich's 6th Symphony, so too is there room for Justin Bieber's "Baby." Art is art, expression is expression. It is just that people who are along the vein of J-biebs is simply a bit EASIER to "appreciate," so to speak.
This is starting to sound like an entire (boring) dissertation, so I'll stop soon... I only want to point out that while there are people who like to stay soundly in their own worlds, such as this professor or Sir Bieber, there are a great amount of people looking to bridge the gap betweenclassical and "mainstream" music. Youtube musicians Paul Dateh and Jason Yang are both classically trained violinists, yet they are branching out and exploring the worlds of hip hop and pop, while still keeping the integrity of their instruments, and especially with Mr. Dateh, adds little "hints" and easter eggs of classical riffs into his music.
So I guess what I'm saying is, instead of perpetuating the dichotomy, and resisting change, to try to incorporate different aspects into one's work. Being one-dimensional is so boring. I can appreciate just about anything from Lady Gaga to Samuel Barber, and I feel that I am better off because of it.
Gosh this became so rambly... Apologies, but please let me know what you think. These are just things that I've experienced and are my opinons on the matter.
I was in the music library one day making some copies, when I overheard a certain music professor "chatting" with one of the student workers.
On this day, the school newspaper released its new edition, and one of the editorials was titled something like "Don't Overlook Student Musicians." It was a referring to the time that a certain performer (whose name rhymes with Bike Bosner) came to perform, and though one of our more prominent student bands was very connected to the artist, the University student board neglected to choose them as one of the opening acts to the concert (of which he had like 8, but that's besides the point).
As this professor was waiting for the library staff to retrieve something for her, she started perusing said newspaper. I was making copies, and half eaves-dropping (don't judge me, it's the music school. Everybody eaves-drops) when I heard the professor say something along the lines of "you know, they really shouldn't publish things like this - it confuses people and detracts from what music students REALLY do."
This statement got me thinking about the role that we play in the whole music world. This professor is known for her... pedestalistic (is that even a word? I don't even know) view of music. And by that I mean that in her mind (and a lot of classically trained minds), there is a clear dichotomy between "good music" and "crap music," with classical music being at the top of that pedestal (pyramid, whatever you want).
This begs the question: What are we music students really trying to accomplish, in all of our educational endeavors? It is no secret that classical music is a slowly dying art, associated mainly with old people and those who are perhaps not as apt socially. And Asians. Are we to continue this trend of slowly emptying concert halls and bankrupt symphonies forever?
The whole point of music is to ENJOY oneself. Just as there is a time and place for Shostakovich's 6th Symphony, so too is there room for Justin Bieber's "Baby." Art is art, expression is expression. It is just that people who are along the vein of J-biebs is simply a bit EASIER to "appreciate," so to speak.
This is starting to sound like an entire (boring) dissertation, so I'll stop soon... I only want to point out that while there are people who like to stay soundly in their own worlds, such as this professor or Sir Bieber, there are a great amount of people looking to bridge the gap betweenclassical and "mainstream" music. Youtube musicians Paul Dateh and Jason Yang are both classically trained violinists, yet they are branching out and exploring the worlds of hip hop and pop, while still keeping the integrity of their instruments, and especially with Mr. Dateh, adds little "hints" and easter eggs of classical riffs into his music.
So I guess what I'm saying is, instead of perpetuating the dichotomy, and resisting change, to try to incorporate different aspects into one's work. Being one-dimensional is so boring. I can appreciate just about anything from Lady Gaga to Samuel Barber, and I feel that I am better off because of it.
Gosh this became so rambly... Apologies, but please let me know what you think. These are just things that I've experienced and are my opinons on the matter.
May 21, 2011
Oh hey....
Oh hi there. Long time no see. I've missed you. Or something.
Though I'm very tempted to say that that picture has been indicative of my past semester, in reality I've been fortunate to be surrounded by a bunch of wonderful people that I can safely call my friends. It's due to you guys that I have been able to get through the semeseter. Even though some of those nights were spent procrastinating through various means, such as baking brownies and dinner dates, to making homemade whipped cream and bitching about life, to mad rushes to Burger King and those orgasmic fries, to laughing my ass off because of a voice immodulation...
The semester has been so good to me. I had my first whole recital ever, I started a choir that put together a very successful concert, and I think I've figured out the rest of my life. At least in college. Maybe.
Also, apologies to the lack of posting toward the end of the semester. I do this thing where I'm all like "oh yeah, I'm gonna be so proactive about everything FOREVER," when in reality I'll try half-heartedly to do something, and then procrastinate like it's my job, then throw everything to the wayside while I desperately try to catch up on essential things like schoolwork and sleep.
Did I tell you I found my first white hair this semester?
I can't believe it. Although I've figured out that it's pretty much stress induced... But seriously, I already have such little hair as it is... Can a brotha get a break?
Will I go to hell for saying that?
Maybe, if I am unable to get my stress under control, I'll at least look hot, like this:
However, knowing me, I'll probably just look like this:
That is an actual artist's rendering (not really...)
But anyway, now that it's summer, I will have more time to update and such (to the nine of you that read this, I don't even know why I bother plugging this and such...). It promises to be a pretty good one, and busy at that. I'm staying with a couple of friends until an internship mid-June, and immediately after that one is done, I'm flying to Colorado to help out at a children's choral festival. After that I fly home, where I'm preparing yet another recital with a couple of my friends, and then I'm flying out to Oregon in August to participate in another conducting workshop. After that I'll be bumming around with friends in Oregon and Chicago until school starts back up in the fall.
All in all, I have no idea how I'm going to sleep ever.
I'm also hoping to slowly get more active. I know I've said this multiple times (perhaps just to myself and not necessarily on here), but I am really going to make a concentrated effort! Besides me being a shallow bitch and being hyper-critical of everything, my back problems have had a tendency to flare up...
That plus the discovery of the two white hairs has led me to believe that I'm actually about 68 years old.
I even had a dream about discovering another white hair that was like right in front of my face! It was so vivid, and I remember it even being pretty painful when I went to yank it out...
Wait, was that even a dream, or did that just happen last week?
I really can't remember.
I think I've lost my mind.
Also, apologies to the lack of posting toward the end of the semester. I do this thing where I'm all like "oh yeah, I'm gonna be so proactive about everything FOREVER," when in reality I'll try half-heartedly to do something, and then procrastinate like it's my job, then throw everything to the wayside while I desperately try to catch up on essential things like schoolwork and sleep.
Did I tell you I found my first white hair this semester?
I can't believe it. Although I've figured out that it's pretty much stress induced... But seriously, I already have such little hair as it is... Can a brotha get a break?
Will I go to hell for saying that?
Maybe, if I am unable to get my stress under control, I'll at least look hot, like this:
But anyway, now that it's summer, I will have more time to update and such (to the nine of you that read this, I don't even know why I bother plugging this and such...). It promises to be a pretty good one, and busy at that. I'm staying with a couple of friends until an internship mid-June, and immediately after that one is done, I'm flying to Colorado to help out at a children's choral festival. After that I fly home, where I'm preparing yet another recital with a couple of my friends, and then I'm flying out to Oregon in August to participate in another conducting workshop. After that I'll be bumming around with friends in Oregon and Chicago until school starts back up in the fall.
All in all, I have no idea how I'm going to sleep ever.
I'm also hoping to slowly get more active. I know I've said this multiple times (perhaps just to myself and not necessarily on here), but I am really going to make a concentrated effort! Besides me being a shallow bitch and being hyper-critical of everything, my back problems have had a tendency to flare up...
That plus the discovery of the two white hairs has led me to believe that I'm actually about 68 years old.
I even had a dream about discovering another white hair that was like right in front of my face! It was so vivid, and I remember it even being pretty painful when I went to yank it out...
Wait, was that even a dream, or did that just happen last week?
I really can't remember.
I think I've lost my mind.
Apr 2, 2011
I am Psychotic
Caution: I don't know how entertaining this will be for you all - This will be a bit of a rant/stream of consciousness type of deals. Sooooo if you don't want to hear me bitchin', then don't read on! Ya dig? :)
I have often wondered at times if I was at all even the slightest bit autistic. I have a brother with autism, and while I love him to death, it has been tough at times, even though he is VERY high functioning (I shudder to think of what would have happened if he was even the slightest bit worse...). I was a very awkward kid, and looking back now, a lot of those bouts of awkwardness can be explained by some of the symptoms of at least asperger's syndrome (having a brother with autism and a high school interest in psychology has made me fairly critical of social situations).
It's probably not, and it's more likely that I'm just some kind of REE-cluse (not rehcluse, as everyone else says) that will end up as a hermit in the woods. Maybe then I can grow out a long Asian goatee and change the lives of anyone brave enough to seek me out... That would be the life.........
One of the things that I notice about my social interactions is that I can only handle eye-contact for a limited amount of time, especially if I'm meeting someone new, and ESPECIALLY during a handshake. I know, I know, it's supposed to be "manlier" if you have a firm grip WHILST maintaining eye contact, but a small part of me is always going to be all like "oh my god what if I miss I would look so embarrassed... Ok, ok, you can do this... grab the hand, good! Now shake it firmly, NOT TOO FIRMLY! Ok, that's over wi- crap...
And no eye contact.
Now, normally that would be it. Normally I can control my want to look away from someone and have a normal conversation and carry on a fairly successful social life (I think). I can be myself (or at least, a filtered version of myself) and have real friends and be perfectly comfortable around people!
*side note* I just had a freudian slip right then when I was typing the word "comfortable." I subconsciously put an "un" prefix to the word. Awkward...........
Anyway, normally I can carry on some decent conversations. Unless one of a couple things happens.
1) I run into someone I dislike
2) I run into someone I find attractive
3) I run into someone I have a crush on
After that, ALL bets are off, and I am reduced to a bumbling idiot. Not only do I go into a hermit shell that I craft from pure aura, I seal it off by constantly looking away from the person and only giving one word answers.
It's a problem.
I also do this thing where if I'm in a one on one situation with someone, I NEVER know how to start conversations. Especially if the people I am with are naturally quiet.
I am a good listener.
I am NOT a good talker.
Guess which one I am?
ANYWAY
It's not so much that I'm shy, it's the fact that when I perceive of something awkward, I feel the need to try to think of things to fill said silence...
EXCEPT I NEVER SETTLE ON ONE THING
My mind will just be a flurry of motion while I try to think of things to say, and then it gets even more awkward because the other person can TELL that I'm thinking of something to say and obviously failing.
Honestly, I'd try to provide you with a little example of my inner dialogue, but everything is just so scattered that I just can't. I can't even remember half the sheiss that I think.
Yikes.
Well, this is getting a little long, and I've since lost track of what I was going to type, which is frustrating, because I think there was more I was going to say (gag me with a spoon).
So yeah.
BYE!
I have often wondered at times if I was at all even the slightest bit autistic. I have a brother with autism, and while I love him to death, it has been tough at times, even though he is VERY high functioning (I shudder to think of what would have happened if he was even the slightest bit worse...). I was a very awkward kid, and looking back now, a lot of those bouts of awkwardness can be explained by some of the symptoms of at least asperger's syndrome (having a brother with autism and a high school interest in psychology has made me fairly critical of social situations).
It's probably not, and it's more likely that I'm just some kind of REE-cluse (not rehcluse, as everyone else says) that will end up as a hermit in the woods. Maybe then I can grow out a long Asian goatee and change the lives of anyone brave enough to seek me out... That would be the life.........
One of the things that I notice about my social interactions is that I can only handle eye-contact for a limited amount of time, especially if I'm meeting someone new, and ESPECIALLY during a handshake. I know, I know, it's supposed to be "manlier" if you have a firm grip WHILST maintaining eye contact, but a small part of me is always going to be all like "oh my god what if I miss I would look so embarrassed... Ok, ok, you can do this... grab the hand, good! Now shake it firmly, NOT TOO FIRMLY! Ok, that's over wi- crap...
And no eye contact.
Now, normally that would be it. Normally I can control my want to look away from someone and have a normal conversation and carry on a fairly successful social life (I think). I can be myself (or at least, a filtered version of myself) and have real friends and be perfectly comfortable around people!
*side note* I just had a freudian slip right then when I was typing the word "comfortable." I subconsciously put an "un" prefix to the word. Awkward...........
Anyway, normally I can carry on some decent conversations. Unless one of a couple things happens.
1) I run into someone I dislike
2) I run into someone I find attractive
3) I run into someone I have a crush on
After that, ALL bets are off, and I am reduced to a bumbling idiot. Not only do I go into a hermit shell that I craft from pure aura, I seal it off by constantly looking away from the person and only giving one word answers.
It's a problem.
I also do this thing where if I'm in a one on one situation with someone, I NEVER know how to start conversations. Especially if the people I am with are naturally quiet.
I am a good listener.
ANYWAY
It's not so much that I'm shy, it's the fact that when I perceive of something awkward, I feel the need to try to think of things to fill said silence...
EXCEPT I NEVER SETTLE ON ONE THING
My mind will just be a flurry of motion while I try to think of things to say, and then it gets even more awkward because the other person can TELL that I'm thinking of something to say and obviously failing.
Honestly, I'd try to provide you with a little example of my inner dialogue, but everything is just so scattered that I just can't. I can't even remember half the sheiss that I think.
Yikes.
Well, this is getting a little long, and I've since lost track of what I was going to type, which is frustrating, because I think there was more I was going to say (gag me with a spoon).
So yeah.
BYE!
Mar 15, 2011
I'm Gonna Be Selfish For A Change!
Tonight I had my junior recital.
It went ok.
Just kidding.
I had a BLAST doing it!
Although there were a few moments while I was performing that I was literally going "ohshitohshitIreallyhopethesearetherightwordspleaseohpleaseletthembetherightwords...." over and over and over in my head. Luckily they were.
And Oh My God you guys I was able to do musical theatre without looking like an emotionless brick out there! :0
But seriously... This whole process has been amazing, and it was so fulfilling to be able to stand up there and present everything that I had learned. This really has been a sort of culmination of my college career, and I'm glad to be able to do it in such a place where people not only want to come, but are REQUIRED to come because of recital attendance.
To everyone who was involved, Caroline, Keith, Esther, Marika, and countless others - I thank you from the bottom of my heart (god this sounds like an Oscars speech...).
I really hope that everyone who came tonight enjoyed themselves. I really didn't want it to be another one of those programs that you fall asleep 10 minutes in and then wake up 10 minutes later and haven't missed a thing. I'd like to think that my program was a bit more entertaining than that.
I'm so glad that my mother and brother were able to make the trip out here. It was so great to see them! And I know that I am very shy and they never hear me sing, so it was really nice to have them there in the audience to see what all I actually do with my life.
Well it's now 3:15 in the morning and I am thoroughly delirious. Again, I had so much fun, and I hope everyone who came out did as well!
Byebye!
It went ok.
Just kidding.
I had a BLAST doing it!
Although there were a few moments while I was performing that I was literally going "ohshitohshitIreallyhopethesearetherightwordspleaseohpleaseletthembetherightwords...." over and over and over in my head. Luckily they were.
And Oh My God you guys I was able to do musical theatre without looking like an emotionless brick out there! :0
But seriously... This whole process has been amazing, and it was so fulfilling to be able to stand up there and present everything that I had learned. This really has been a sort of culmination of my college career, and I'm glad to be able to do it in such a place where people not only want to come, but are REQUIRED to come because of recital attendance.
To everyone who was involved, Caroline, Keith, Esther, Marika, and countless others - I thank you from the bottom of my heart (god this sounds like an Oscars speech...).
I really hope that everyone who came tonight enjoyed themselves. I really didn't want it to be another one of those programs that you fall asleep 10 minutes in and then wake up 10 minutes later and haven't missed a thing. I'd like to think that my program was a bit more entertaining than that.
I'm so glad that my mother and brother were able to make the trip out here. It was so great to see them! And I know that I am very shy and they never hear me sing, so it was really nice to have them there in the audience to see what all I actually do with my life.
Well it's now 3:15 in the morning and I am thoroughly delirious. Again, I had so much fun, and I hope everyone who came out did as well!
Byebye!
Mar 2, 2011
Musical Shenanigans
Today I had my junior recital jury. This was a presentation to the vocal faculty of my proposed recital program, which is a half an hour. It was a little rocky in some spots (and I'm probably just being hyper-critical), but I passed!
I am so excited for my recital. It chronicals three years worth of experience, and three different teachers!
WARNING: Lack of funny imminent in the following paragraphs. Proceed with caution. If you wish to skip to funnier material, scroll down to the next image.
I started off with Dr. Kyle Ferrill, a man who really took my voice and made it go from, quite frankly, crap, to winning first place at my first Regional NATS competition. I think it was he who first got me turned on to the art of the artsong (hah, repetition). Without his experience, I'm not sure where I would be right now...
My sophomore year I had Dr. Matthew Markham, a really amazing, adorable man whose passion just exudes from his presence. He took my love of music and helped me to explore what I really wanted to study. It was this year that I really found that I love singing artsong, as well as exploring different languages and styles. My program for my sophomore proficiency consisted of seven songs in six different languages, English, French, German, Italian, Hawaiian, and Czech. I was going to have another one in Russian, but because of times sake, we had to cut it.
Speaking of the proficiency, I have thought long and hard about the results of that. At first, I was as angry I'd imagine Pikachu after being cooped up in that tiny little Pokeball for lord knows how long. However, after I got to thinking about it, I realized that the BMA degree was really a much better choice than the performance degree. Sure, it was definitely a blow to my ego, but looking back at it, I really have no desire to do ANY kind of operatic roles in the future, and there really isn't any money in being a recitalist... And here's where I may have, in my fury, jumped to a couple of conclusions. The reason for my not passing was not because of any politics involved, however much I may have thought. Looking back, and hearing my voice then compared to now, I simply wasn't ready. Also, it is just a much wiser move for me to make, because the BMA allows me to mirror as much of the perofrmance degree as I want, and I also have room to not take certain classes (like opera literature... barf), and it will also allow me to minor in Japanese, a language that I have long had an interest in.
Going into this year was a very exciting process. I was able to get Caroline Smith as my teacher, who is a goddess among men. She has really taken my voice and allowed it to blossom. I do not know where I would be without her. It has been so much fun, and though I may be hypercritical of myself at times, she will never yell at me or get mad at me.
It's getting late, and I'm getting sleepy, so I really can't figure out a way to transition my thoughts at all. I think I'll leave by saying that my recital is on Monday, March 14th at 7:30 at Thompson Recital Hall.
It will be fun. And it's on Pi day. So there will by pie.
In other news, I have been following this website called foodporndaily.com, and it really makes me want to become a food photographer. Go check out that site and I defy you to tell me that you did not sprout a half-chub.
Ok, that's enough of me making a fool out of myself.
Bye!
WARNING: Lack of funny imminent in the following paragraphs. Proceed with caution. If you wish to skip to funnier material, scroll down to the next image.
I started off with Dr. Kyle Ferrill, a man who really took my voice and made it go from, quite frankly, crap, to winning first place at my first Regional NATS competition. I think it was he who first got me turned on to the art of the artsong (hah, repetition). Without his experience, I'm not sure where I would be right now...
My sophomore year I had Dr. Matthew Markham, a really amazing, adorable man whose passion just exudes from his presence. He took my love of music and helped me to explore what I really wanted to study. It was this year that I really found that I love singing artsong, as well as exploring different languages and styles. My program for my sophomore proficiency consisted of seven songs in six different languages, English, French, German, Italian, Hawaiian, and Czech. I was going to have another one in Russian, but because of times sake, we had to cut it.
Speaking of the proficiency, I have thought long and hard about the results of that. At first, I was as angry I'd imagine Pikachu after being cooped up in that tiny little Pokeball for lord knows how long. However, after I got to thinking about it, I realized that the BMA degree was really a much better choice than the performance degree. Sure, it was definitely a blow to my ego, but looking back at it, I really have no desire to do ANY kind of operatic roles in the future, and there really isn't any money in being a recitalist... And here's where I may have, in my fury, jumped to a couple of conclusions. The reason for my not passing was not because of any politics involved, however much I may have thought. Looking back, and hearing my voice then compared to now, I simply wasn't ready. Also, it is just a much wiser move for me to make, because the BMA allows me to mirror as much of the perofrmance degree as I want, and I also have room to not take certain classes (like opera literature... barf), and it will also allow me to minor in Japanese, a language that I have long had an interest in.
Going into this year was a very exciting process. I was able to get Caroline Smith as my teacher, who is a goddess among men. She has really taken my voice and allowed it to blossom. I do not know where I would be without her. It has been so much fun, and though I may be hypercritical of myself at times, she will never yell at me or get mad at me.
It's getting late, and I'm getting sleepy, so I really can't figure out a way to transition my thoughts at all. I think I'll leave by saying that my recital is on Monday, March 14th at 7:30 at Thompson Recital Hall.
It will be fun. And it's on Pi day. So there will by pie.
Ok, that's enough of me making a fool out of myself.
Bye!
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