what kind of soprano: lyric or lyric coloratura?

Over the past year I've been blessed to find an excellent voice teacher in Philadelphia: Don Marrazzo.

Yes, we singers continue voice lessons throughout our careers, especially for the operatic/classical voice. And Don teaches both classical and pop vocals styles. He studied at Curtis and also apprenticed with Bill Riley (Celine Dion's teacher) so he knows how to work both techniques.

Thanks to Don I've had some real breakthroughs - for one, I learned how to do a "mixed belt" so I could carry my "chest voice" higher and mix it with head to give it more power. Now we're focused on something even more exciting with my classical singing ...

For years I've been a lyric coloratura, which means I sing repertoire that moves fast and goes high. When Don first heard me, he felt I was imposing vibrato onto the voice and not fully engaging my breathing ("support" as it's called in singing vocabulary.) Well .. what was discovered after we worked on moving me towards a more natural, fully supported voice, was a much warmer, wider, more vibrant sound with a slower vibrato. It sounds full and rich in the lower register especially. And Don said, "you know what, Emily, I think you are a full lyric, not a lyric coloratura."

What?!?!?!? Ooooooooooooohhhhhhhhh !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For the past weeks Don and I have just been freaking out in the studio hearing this voice come out of my face. (So crazy!!!!) It's WILD to hear so much sound and color. For those of you that know me, I'm a relatively small and skinny lady, we're wondering where on earth does this sound come from???

So for those of you who don't know opera so well, and for those of you that do, the lyric sopranos are some of the biggest prima donnas who get exquisite music to sing. And it's so exciting to hear that kind of voice come out of my mouth! It's like a whole new me. Renée Fleming is a lyric, as is Kiri TeKanawa. Here's is Kiri singing the aria from the lyric repertoire that I am now learning: "Je dis" from Carmen.  (Seriously this is crazy exciting for me that I can sing this aria!!!)

A lyric coloratura today that Don references is Sarah Coburn, who apparently has a sound that will "rip your face off" it's so rich and big. The natural vocal color is the difference.

(Sarah is a bad a** and Don worked with her at Glimmerglass when he ran the young artist program).

So besides the voice coming in, now I need to work on a new way of approaching the coloratura and legato and work on new arias. What a trip, so much new to discover!

Don is now head of Astral Artists in Philadelphia and if you are a pro in need of an excellent classical vocal teacher, he's your man.

Now back to the weather .. it's 72 F and sunny!!!

Happy weekend,
Emily

"Penny the One-of-a-Kind Piano" provides music lessons for foster children

Cover of Penny the One-of-a-Kind Piano

About ten years ago, my friend Suzanne Jackson woke up in the middle of the night with a story in her head. That day she'd been at the Washington National Opera and paid particular attention to the upright piano used for her rehearsal. Hours later, she dreamed of a special piano that traveled the world and came to terms with being unique, and with being herself.

Now the Kennedy Center will be presenting Penny the One-of-a-Kind Piano the musical on their Millennium Stage on March 25, 2012. 

Penny the One-of-a-Kind Piano, as illustrated by Bob and Tessa Jackson

Just like Penny, it's been quite a journey for Suzanne herself.

Suzanne wrote down the story that night years ago, and, then, set it aside. A mother of three, a company member at the Washington National Opera, a yoga instructor and private music teacher, Suzanne had plenty to keep her busy. But, after a number of years, the story surfaced again, and her husband, artist Bob Jackson, began to work on sketches for a children's book along with their daughter, Tessa. Placido Domingo, world-famous opera singer and former General Director of the Washington National Opera, gave his support to the story as well, and wrote the foreword to Penny the One-of-a-Kind Piano, the illustrated book that Suzanne released in early 2011.

The Penny story teaches children the meaning of living a one-of-a-kind life. Through making music, Penny has many priceless experiences and discovers the home within herself.

Carmen Balthrop, David Cook, Placido Domingo, Suzanne Jackson

Suzanne was inspired to donate proceeds from the book to foster children when she realized one of her own voice students was a foster child and was using money she earned at Chick-fil-A to pay for her voice lessons. “I witnessed the true healing power of music while teaching voice lessons to Catherine. Foster youth often feel they are different.  I hope this book inspires them to find their inner home just as Penny does in the book." Jackson awarded the first Penny the Piano Scholarship with Placido Domingo to David Cook on September 26th, 2011.

Visit Penny's website to learn more about the project and to order a copy of the book. You can also donate to the project to help provide music lessons to foster children at http://www.theawakeningarts.com/about-penny-the-piano.html. And to learn more about Suzanne, visit www.theawakeningarts.com.

Here's to inspirational, enriching projects like Suzanne's!