Day 30- WHAT A JOURNEY- What a transformation

Practice

Total Practice= 30 min 

Today I warmed up with the vocalization cd and worked on "I Got the Sun in the Morning"
la la la!!!!
Voice is feeling better but still not as healthy as I would like.


Class # 10

After Theatre class with the cutest boy in the world... Jim Cooney
aka the Coonster.

Class #11

Flexibility Class with Lane Napper (sub for Sally Mae Dunn)

So... Sheila Barker is my mentor at BDC. It was my intention to take a picture with her last week but I wasn't here due to my illness.. then it was my intention to take a picture with her today but she wasn't there....
so here you have it... my creativity with the one and only amazingly talented teacher--She She
11+9=20

9 hard and wonderfully amazing jazz classes with Sheila Barker

Demo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EfK2ctW7R0
don't judge


Thank-you
Thanks for an amazing journey and a big thank you to all the people who have encouraged, followed, cheered, inspired and taught me on this ride. I learnt so many things but mostly I learnt that I still want to do this more than any other career in the world and wouldn't give it up for anything. I also learnt to accept my voice for what it is, embrace it and be confident with it. I can now walk into an audition and feel comfortable and confident enough to know that I deserve to be there (singing wise). Leaving Young Frankenstein with the possibility that I may have booked the job would never have happened without this singing challenge which forced me to practice everyday and get my stuff together!!!!
Without this I would never have recorded a demo, done half the charity work I did nor would I have gotten up on an open mic stage and sang... WERK
Thanks to Kurt and BDC and thanks to New York for being the most inspiring place on earth.

Day 29- 2nd Last Day- Mixed Emotions

Practice

Total Practice- 30 min

Warmed up with vocal cd.

Songs worked on---> I Got the Sun in the Morning

Coaching Session #2

2nd coaching session with Timothy Hanson

Attending a Live Performance

Today I went to Catch Me If You Can. It was soooo great. The story line was a great one and the leads were UNREAL.... brilliant in fact. It was kind of full circle for me because Kurt has been talking to me about Kerri Butler and there she was playing Brenda (a lead role) up on that stage. 

I really loved it!

The ensemble female dancers, however, I was extremely disappointed in. I was reading their bios before the show started and they were WOW, so extensive. I couldn't wait to see them up there.... and instead it looked like they didn't care to be there.. barely stretched their arms, kept the same expression on their faces the entire time. It made me really angry because I would KILL to be up there... and to see people taking advantage of that opportunity ESPECIALLY when the leads were giving their all and so fantastic... rattles me

Here are my pictures

(go see it and let me know what you think of the dancers, I know you'll enjoy the show :)

Healthy Meal #25

Brown Rice Pasta with Organic Tomato Sauce with Light Mozzarella Cheese

Day 28-Japan Concert

Practice
Total Practice: 30 minutes

Vocalization CD

Song Practiced: "There's Fine Line"

Off to Japan concert, will blog more later!! 

p.s. I love Jessica

Healthy Meal #24

Lunch
Lettuce, red peppers, cucumbers, sprouts, chicken, parmesan cheese, chickpeas, tomatoes, and cherry tomatoes

Lesson #4

Coaching Session #1

Charity Event #1
Benefit for Japan

Jess, Steph and I rehearsing for the show... yep those are pylons! We tried to get used to a tiny space but nothing could prepare us for what we were going to find!!!!

The concert was so much fun! Ah, it felt so great to perform Jess and Steph. I choreographed a little a dance to "Feeling Good" by Jennifer Hudson and we performed it on the smallllest stage (shared with a piano) known to man-kind. The other artists who performed were some very VERY VERY talented people and it was amazing to share the night with them.
What a great way to end the charity events and what a great way to give to Japan.
SINGING AND DANCIN ;)




Here is the link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbQPVMygWI8

Day 27- A Beautiful Day

Practice

Total=30 min

Today I practiced with the vocal warm up cd. My voice is still feeling weak and I don't really have an upper register. :( (Hope it comes back to me soon...)

I also worked on "It's My Party" and "Walkaway".

Horray!!!!

Healthy Meal #23

Just like the picture in the box.
A bowl of cereal with milk and bananas
yum yum yum

Day 26- So close to the end!!!!

Practice

Total Practice-30 min

Songs worked on- Walk away, Breakaway 

Today, I vocalized to some of the daily warm up cd. I don't have an upper register today, (neat), and it was my voice was feeling so funky from being sick. There were so many more noticeable hiccups when trying to transition from note to note. It felt so weird! 

As i was singing my songs through it felt and sounded like I was a young boy going through puberty (but on every single note)

hoping this voice comes around quickly. It's funny because I've worked so hard this month on getting things heading in the right direction with singing that by the end I wanted to really wanted to see a huge improvement.. and now I'll I'm hearing and feeling is a giant mess. 

It's okay though because I know that this challenge has really done something for me. Can't help if your sick. :)

Healthy Meal #22

Scrambled eggs with hummus. A nice breakfast full of protein!

Charity #4

Today I volunteered at Saint Luke's Soup Kitchen on 46th between 8th and 9th.

They are open every Tuesday and Thursday from 1 pm-2pm. I have never in my life worked at a soup kitchen and I have to say it is not at alllllll what I thought it was going to be like.

I was really humbled when the first round of people started coming through and it really did put my life into perspective. I would say that %80 of the people that came through were normal individuals that just don't have enough money to buy food. It made me think that that could be me and then I thought... would I have the courage to go to a soup kitchen and admit defeat. I feel like I would be so embarrassed or that I had failed. It also made me wonder how do people get out of poverty? Who gives them a helping hand and chance. It felt really great to give them some food and a smile. 

I will definitely be volunteering again.

(and it'll feel better cause it won't be required, I'll be doing it for me!)

Here a couple of pictures

  

Day 25- I'M ALIVVVVVVE

Practice

Total= 30 min

O.M.G O.M.G O.M.G i'mmmmm alive!!!!

Today I got to do some light vocalizations and then worked on Walkaway and Breakaway because they were the only songs low enough for me to sing. (can't quite get into the higher ranges...)

stay tuned

Today was the first day that I've had enough of a voice to vocalize. HORRAY. Not being able to vocalize for the past few days really felt weird.. only reading lyrics and listening to tracks still made me feel like I was slacking. It's crazy how almost a month of solid singing and dedication to it can change your mindset. For the first time in my life I am committed 100% to my singing and it feels great.

Healthy Meal #21

Oatmeal, Cinnamon, flaxseeds and bananas 

Day 24- Still no voice... but slight improvements

Practice

Total-30 min

30 min of reviewing materials in my book. 

Songs I went over...

"It's my Party", "There's a Fine Fine Line", "Breakaway", "Walkaway", "Hot Stuff", "Stop in the Name of Love"

(pretty much all the songs in my book)

I still don't have a voice but my fever broke and I slept all day so I am hoping that by tomorrow I will be able to do some light vocalizations. 

Send me some positive vibes everyone. I want to be able to get this demo done this weekend!!!!

Healthy Meal #20

Breakfast
Scrambled eggs, cherry tomatoes and hummus

Day 23- So so so so sick

Practice

Total Practice= 30 min

I regret to inform you all that I am a sick chick... I don't have a voice at all.... just a nice little whisper.

I have talked to Kurt and Bonnie and obviously singing for the next little bit is out of the question. I mean I could practice for 30 min but nothing would be coming out.

I am going to be learning new songs, listening to versions of the songs already in my book, and learning some words.

Today I learnt more of the words to Walk Away and Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson and listened to those songs.

I also looked up Gee Wiz again and tried to learn more of the words.

I also listened to the lesson I had on Saturday to take some notes.

Hopefully I'll be a little bit better tomorrow :(

I HATE BEING SICK

Healthy Meal #18

Breakkkkfast!!!!
Oatmeal, bananas, cinnamon and flaxseeds.

Healthy Meal #19

Dinner!!!!
Lettuce, Chicken, Orange-Yellow-Red Peppers, Tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and olive oil.

Day 22

Practice

Today I really didn't have much of a voice... I'm a sick chick... not sure what's going on but hoping some tea and rest will help.

I worked on light vocalization, humming and lip trills, not pushing too much.

Then I researched songs that I may want to learn.

Learnt some words too--->Gee wiz.

Also reviewed lesson from yesterday!!!!

Total practice- 30 min

Charity #3

Wooooo charity number 3!!!!

I walked in the Pancreatic Cancer 5km walk. It was awesome. It was such a beautiful morning, with beautiful scenery and great company. It was touching to see such a sea of purple (the theme colour) walking for loved ones and for such a great cause. Any chance at discovering a cure for pancreatic cancer, or any cancer for that matter is helped with these walks and it was a wonderful opportunity to get some exercise on a Sunday morning, and support so many people struggling with this disease today.
Total time at walk=9 am until 11 am

Here are some pictures!!!!

Kristen, Tal and Me!!!!

 Me, Kristen, Elmo and Tal

getting ready to walk walk walk!!!!

The sea of purple

A fail of a picture as we were walking... 

Healthy Meal #17

(Breakfast) A banana, vanilla greek yogurt and a little protein bar

Live Performance 

Last night late late late some of us from the challenge went to a little place called Duplex to sing at an open mic.

I sang "It's my Party" (naturally, since it's my strongest song) 

Again... didn't have much of a voice but did the best I could. It was a friendly and safe environment to sing in and the piano player was awwwwwwwesome! It was completely different singing with a mic. I can't even describe it to you other than the fact it was buckwild. Everything I normally feel when I sing in an audition or performance class was changed with that mic in my hand...

After we had all finished and we were leaving a guy came up to me and said "Great job!" I said "Thanks, but I'm really losing this voice of mine". I kept walking on but my friend heard him say to his friend "She's got such spirit!"

That really brightened my day because a complete stranger saw spirit and something special in me at 2 o clock in the morning when I wasn't feeling well in a 1.5 song! I think that's pretty cool.

I also want to thank the challenge for making this a requirement because I never would have done something like this on my own... EVER. 

I want to go back next Saturday night when I'm rested and healthy and ready to kick it.

IT'S GOING TO BE GREAT

(here are some pictures as I don't want to post the video.. )

Day 21

Practice

Total= 30 min

warmed up with cd

no songs worked on yet!

off to my lesson with Kurt!!!!

Songs worked on.... Hot Stuff, Walk away, and 21 Guns

Charity #2
Today I volunteered to dance with M.O.V.E and Broadway Dance Center in the New York City Dance Parade.
First we met at Pearl Studios and made signs to hang on the bus that would be travelling with us as the float. Then it was off to the meeting spot.. (21st between Broadway and Park).
It was an incredibly warm warm day (I'm BURNT!!!!) to be dancing down Broadway, but was tons of fun. It was inspiring to see all different cultures of dance showing their moves and sharing their passion with the people congregating to see the parade.
So happy I got to be apart of this.
Total time at the parade=9:30am-3pm

Healthy Meal # 16

Breakfast- Raspberries and oatmeal with a banana, cinnamon and flaxseeds

Day 20- Time Flies

Practice

Today I took Kurts Vocal Technique class at the wonderful Broadway Dance Center.

We worked on "Rolling in the Deep" and "Someone Like You"by Adele.

(2 of my favourite songs)

Total Practice=1.5 hours

Healthy Meal #14

A nice big breakfast for a loooooooong day of dancing at Broadway Dance Center

Scrambled eggs with tomatoes and red pepper, oatmeal and flax seeds and raspberries.

Divine :)

Class #8

After one of my favourite classes, floor barre with Rickey Tripp. 

He's an absolute delight...and this class is a dream. 

(Broadway Dance Center, if you are reading this, extend it forever, it saves my body)

Class #9

9. Beth Goheen- Ballet.
She is a delight

Healthy Meal #15

A nice big dinner after a long day of dancing.

Brown Rice Pasta (I hope you know i'm pronouncing it Canadian...)

with Organic tomato sauce, with chicken, onions, red and green peppers, and tomatoes.

Thoughts
It's going to be great.
Great things happen when we are happy and light about life.. going with the flow.

Day 19- An Improvement

Practice 

Today I practiced with the warm up cd and reviewed a bit from my past lesson on Saturday.

I also worked on "It's my Party" and "Welcome to the Sixties"

Total Practice= 1 hour

Live Audition #2

Today I made it to the end of Young Frankenstein and got to sing again. 

It was quite the improvement from the previous audition I had this month where I cracked, didn't slate, and was over all unprepared! The casting agents gave us instructions to sing something we like, so I sang my strongest song (which right now is "It's my Party"). I went in there and like I said there were improvements. I slated confidently but didn't quite take my time to get into my character afterwards because the piano player very quickly played my first note. That threw me off and I started to sing without really being in the "right place". Overall it felt pretty good. I haven't definitely performed it better but baby steps.. It was an improvement and I'm proud of myself.
(performance class has helped immensely with this.)

Day 18- A long day!!!!

Practice

Total Practice= 1 hour

Kurts vocal class at BDC

Songs worked on-Adele "Rolling in the Deep"

Class #6

Theatre class with Jim Cooney!!!!

Class #7

Floor Barre with Ricky Tripp

Healthy Meal #13

Breakfast

Scrambled Eggs with hummus, Oatmeal with flax seeds and cinnamon, raspberries

Day 17- Practice Makes Perrrfect

Daily Practice

Hey all! Hope you're all having a fabulous day... 

Today I did the vocalization cd for 30 min and then later in the day I practice It's my Party and Breakaway. 

Looking forward to some auditions later this week.

get it

Total Practice=30 min

I'm feeling pretty good but to be quite honest I have some anxiety about being half way done! I guess I'm a little afraid I won't be where I want to be at the end of this 2 weeks. 

Keepin that trust in the universe going.

Hard work will pay off.

Class #4

After an awesome theater class with the "Cutest Boy in the World" Jim Cooney.

Class #5

Tap Class with Ray Hesslink

Healthy Meal #11 

A yummy yummy salade. 

Lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, orange peppers, light mozzarella cheese anndddddd extra virgin olive oil as dressing.

Healthy Meal #12

Brown Rice pasta with chicken and organic tomato sauce (all from the best store of all time... TRADER JOES)
(chicken cooked in coconut oil which has many, many health benefits)

Day 16- LIfe

Practice

Today I practice with the vocalization cd. My head voice was no where to be found today... neat. :)
Songs Practiced- There's A fine Fine Line

Total time- 30 min

 E Day's Thoughts For the Day

I think that how you feel in life is directly related to growth in your singing and your dancing. I say this because you know those days where you just feel so happy and positive and you take a dance class and it's such a great one and you feel like you can do anything? I think the same is true for singing as well. Last Thursday I was feeling great about life and confident about singing and bam had a great performance class. 

Today I feel bogged down. It very well could be the weather which is drab and dreary or maybe it's the weight of the city that sometimes get's you down. Whichever the case, we have to keep pushing on and surround ourselves with things that make us happy and keep us positive. It's ok to have days where you feel gloopy but determination to get where you want to go will help you through. Focusing, for me, on how I will feel at the end of this 30 day journey (the sense of accomplishment, pride, and confidence) will help get me through today.

It's going to be great.

(my 2011 quote)

Healthy Meal #10

Salade.... lettuce, onions, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, and grilled chicken with a red wine vinaigrette. it was divine! 

Day 11- Holla!!!!

Practice

Total=  1 hour

Today is day 10 of the challenge and I went to vocal class at Broadway Dance Center for my practice session. We vocalized for about 45 min working on some of the exercises that I practiced yesterday with Kurts cd. I have to say my voice was really working great today. My lip trill with wider leaps is improving so much and I am not "punching" that top note like I was before.. WOO IMPROVEMENTS!!!!

For the last 15 min of class we worked on Kelly Clarkson's song Miss Independent. It was a great song to really focus on middle voice (which is just the hardest one to hit)

Still not sure which song I am going to sing in performance class tomorrow....

stay tuned?!

Healthy Meal # 7

My Dinner

I cooked up some shrimp with coconut oil... ginger.. and a bit of salt and pepper

Then I made brown rice

Sautéed some veggies... added everything together with some tomato sauce and 

VOILA a delicious and nutritious meal!!!! 

Day 15- half way there

Practice

Super super tired today but did the vocalization cd for 30 min. Didn't push anything to hard since I'm feeling pooped. 

Songs Practiced It's My Party

On to perform tonight in the professional semester showcase at mmac! 

Can't wait :)

Day 14- Good at some things.. workin' on the rest.

Practice and Lesson

It's been a crazy few days and I need to go back and put some more time into my blogs. There is so much I want to say but I haven't had a spare minute to sit down at the computer and really write it all out. (don't worry it's all up there... i'll work it out tomorrow or Monday hopefully!)

For now.

Practice 15 min- and was with Kurt today.

total- 1 hour 15 min

Lesson number 2

Vocalized and worked on most of the songs in my book. I'm really good at getting that charactery nasal sound... gotta work on finding the placement for everything else. 

IT'S A COMING!!!!
Songs worked on... It's my party, One short day, Hot stuff, Walkaway, Breakaway.