Sparks & Wiry Cries

My ensemble, SongFusion, is presenting our biggest project to-date, the culmination of our first season, and at least a year-and-a-half of preparation work, called "States of Mind" (May 8 at the DiMenna Center). SongFusion was born two years ago at a lunch table at Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA, where four of the ultimately five members were attending SongFest, one of the very few festivals in the US dedicated uniquely to...  

The marriage of music and words is what makes Art Song so meaningful to me. Inner thoughts on life and love from the world’s greatest poets put to music and performed in an intimate setting, give art song its unique ability to connect with my heartstrings. No matter what is blowing around in my mind, Art Song...

Last night we had our final dress rehearsal.  Other than a large welt on my shin from running into a row of lights after a black-out, things went really rather well!  After Tuesday's tech rehearsal, we all felt a bit anxious and defeated.  All the performers showed up yesterday afternoon and exchanged stories of sleepless nights and anxiety dreams.  Two and a half weeks does not feel like enough time to mount a brand new work!  But ...

I don't know that I've ever been involved in a show that required so much collaboration betwixt all artists involved: composer, director, pianist, dancers and singers!  We are now well into the second week of staging this two-act Opera/Cabaret, Love in Public.  The composer, David MacIntyre is present in all the rehearsals.  Anytime the director needs a little extra time or a different tempo, or a slightly different sound, David jumps right in and adds a few notes. 

Reinje, Humorist

Hello.  I’m Reinje.  You may know me from my blog about cleaning and housework, or perhaps my more recent vlog.  But probably not since I have a readership of exactly one. I am a Canadian Mennonite living in New York City and working as a professor, coach, and pianist. I am a mother to two children under three years of age. And I am a wifey.