Day 30!!!!!!

***** Thank you to all the men and woman who have and are serving our country! Happy Memorial Day Everyone. Check out the real meaning of Memorial day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK0T4pVHP28&feature=share

Daily Practice: 60 minutes

Songs: Focussed on- One Night Only. Sang through all the songs in my book once.

Took Neil Schwartz, Hip Hop and Natalia Stravo, Ballet :)

There is debate about the exact number of days it takes to creat a new habit, but many studies have suggested it takes approximately 30 days. This challenge has become the spring board for many new wonderful habits and I say that.....

Habit, if not resisted, soon becomes necessity. ~St. Augustine

Singing is now a necessity in my daily existance! :)

Accomplishments in 30 days:

Identity change: "I'm just a concert dancer trying to transition to musical theater-----I am a singer, dancer, actor----an artist!"

-1,560 minutes of vocalizations.

-4 challenging voice lessons. I learned the foundations for a new singing technique that I know is going to change my career! Whoohooo

-Purchased Kurt's Vocalizations. A wonderful tool for me to keep going!!!

-2 coaching sessions. I learned about acting choices, dynamics in the voice and expression, and how to communicate with a pianist.

-23 fierce dance class with incredible teachers at BDC.

-5 charitable deeds. These events opened up new opportunities for me to use art to give back to my community. I'm going to continue to foster some of the relationships I made and keep spreading the love!

-25 energizing healthy meals

-1 live solo performance, 3 group musical numbers, and 1 duet performance. I challenged myself to get involved with as much singing opportunities as I could find. I conquered my fear of singing solo, danced and sang one of my dream shows with my friend for the Pro Sem show, and learned how to hold harmony and enjoyed performing for the BDC showcase.

-Recorded a demo for a song that describes my perspective of the changes in my life and now I'm looking forward to an exciting future.

-Fostered some wonderful friendships with other challenge members. I'm thankful for everyone's support and know that we will continue to encourage each other to pursue our passion for the arts and to use our FULL VOICE to make this world a better place!!!!!!

Day 29

Daily Practice: 50 mins

Songs: One Night Only. Myriad of songs and hymns at church :)

I've completed everything in the challenge except day 30's practice.....whooooohooooo! I can't believe how quickly these 30 days have flown by.

Today I stood in line for 2.5 hours to get rush tickets for Sister Act, then my friend won tickets for Book of Mormon-so I was going to see that, then her friend wanted to switch me for his Anything Goes tickets( which is the show I have REALLY been wanting to see!!!) I didn't get to take Diane Laurenson today because of all the running around for shows( I've been missing her class terribly) but I got to be inspired by the AMAZING cast of Anything Goes, so it was a great day. I am a HUGE fan of Sutton Foster and was blown away by her performance. Her story of starting out as a dancer and transitioning to a Broadway Star inspires me. Her voice had so much character and depth and she had a great tap solo in stop time and let's not even start about her 180 degree penchee in the middle of singing "Blow, Gabriel, Blow". Wow!!! Laura Osnes also captivated us with her beautiful voice. I've been working on pure vowels while singing, and she was a great example of that. Joel Grey stole the show with his hilarious portrayal of Moonface Martin. One of my favorite songs was "Friendship". Sutton Foster and Joel Grey's comedic timing was incredible! So much fun!!! Anything Goes is a must see everyone!

Day 28

Daily Practice: 40 minutes. Went through the warm up CD. I felt really strong in my mix today, but had a hard time accessing my head voice again. I think I need to buy some allergy medicine.

( In jazz today I sneezed in the middle of the turn and then kept going and finished it nicely. :) Now that's talent! lol)

Songs: One Night Only. Someone Like You.

I started the day with a rehearsal at a gym I teach at with Erica and Jess. Check Erica's page later for a funny picture of how we recreated the space we are performing in tonight. :) I taught Zumba and then took Ginger's Jazz class. ( she ran out so I couldn't get a pic). We spaced our dance( had to change some things because we weren't planning for a piano to be onstage) and then I came home to work on my voice and now its time to get ready for the show. It's gonna be a great night!

Part 2: Just came home from the show. What a night!!!! I am so proud of all the challenge members who sang and danced tonight. Everyone was so talented and created a loving, encouraging, giving atmosphere. I hope tonight's outcome will help aid Japan financially and that the people will be blessed by our efforts. Tonight we used our "Full Voice" to bring awareness that we still can make a difference!

Day 27- Part 2

Daily Practice: 45 mins. Went through yesterday's recording of my voice lesson and continued to work on relaxing while singing.

Songs: A Change In Me. One Night.

Today Erica, Jess, and I created a dance for the Japan concert. It was so much fun to collaborate with such beautiful talented dancers. As soon as we started moving together we got excited because it felt and looked so good! Hope everyone is planning on coming to the Benefit for Japan tomorrow night!

I sang A Change in Me at Lovin' Life's open mic tonight. It's such a postive encouraging enviroment. I loved the vibe...couches, free coffee, cookies, and fruit....yep I'm definitely going back. :) I signed up to go second, thinking that was brave, then they asked if I could actually go first. YIKES!!!! Nerves kicked in. I rose to the challenge and went first. The audience was so encouraging and gave a standing ovation. lol I would really recommend this place to everyone.

I wasn't able to stay for the entire night, because I ran to take Robert Taylor's hip-hop class. I loved learning the styles of locking, popping, and house tonight. I'm learning the freedom that comes with studying technique in all styles of dance and singing. This was my first class with Robert and I felt like I learned so much. He's heading off to SYTYCD tomorrow, so let's all show support and vote for him! Here's a pic of me and the adorable Ireland with Robert!!!!

Day 27

Just finished my demo. After much technical difficulty, my friend Quinn and I were able to successfully conquer garage band and her mic and recorded two songs. Since this is a challenge, I decided to post the more challenging song. There have been a lot of changes in my life within the past year and this song really captures how I feel. I hope you enjoy. :)

"A Change in Me" from Beauty and the Beast

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56d1gj6_l1A

Day 26

Daily Practice: 15 minutes in the morning, 1 hr lesson with Kurt. Total: 1.15 hrs
Songs: Bobby's Girl. Hit Me With a Hot Note. A Change In Me.

Healthy Meal #25: Salad, turkey, tomatoes, walnuts, avacado, crandberries, lemon dressing.


4th Voice Lesson with Kurt!!!!!!!!!!!! We worked on really relaxing while singing. When I've been practicing on my own, I tend to work too hard( the dancer mentality). He gave an analogy that the face to singing is like makeup. It's just on top, not really doing anything. This was a very helpful image to me. I'm working on not spreading and creating pure, open vowels, while singing. I'm starting to build my book and am going to start working on traditional musical theater. He gave me some ideas for songs by Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, and Andrew Lloyd Webber. I can't wait to tackle these new songs. :)

Day 25

Daily Practice:
45 mins. Warmed my voice up for ten minutes before I headed to the Cats audition. Then later in the day I went through Kurts CD and practiced songs.
Songs: A Change In Me. Hit me with a hot note. Bobby's Girl. Stronger.

Today I made it through the dance portion of the Cats audition and sang A Change In Me. I had a little discord with the beginning of my song and the pianist, but I took charge and then she followed me. It's funny how the most nerve racking part was actually just talking to director. He asked me a simple question about Arizona and I became really nervous. lol I'm glad singing is getting easier, next task....talking. :)

After the audition I took Seth Stewards theater class and then had rehearsal. It feels good to be back in NYC. I feel rested and motivated to keep pushing myself.

Day 24

Daily Practice: 30 mins. Went through an old lesson. My voice was breaking a lot today. I think my allergies are preventing proper placement. I had a difficult time accessing my head voice. I'm starting to feel more confident about my mix, and really want to focus on my head voice.
Songs: Bobby's Girl. A Change in Me

It was so different taking class at the EDGE Performing Arts Center yesterday. That used to feel like home, and now I must say I miss Broadway Dance Center my new "home". It's bitter sweet to leave LA. I've really enjoyed the time with my friends, family and sunshine, but I'm also looking forward to going back to NYC and charging forward. I don't know what this next season of my life is going to look like, but I'm excited for the endless possibilities. :)

Day 23

Daily Practice: 30 mins. I feel like my range is starting to increase :)
Songs: A Change in Me. A Way Back to Then.

I said good bye to my family yesterday. :( Had a great time at my cousin's wedding and a wonderful birthday lunch with the family this weekend. Now I'm back in LA and off to visit some friends, take class at the EDGE, and watch a run through rehearsal of Funny Girl that my college roommate is choreographing. Ohhh and soak up some more California sunshine...I'm loving the weather!

Healthy Meal 24: Lentil soup, with veggies and bread

Day 22

Daily Practice: 30 mins. Vocal warm ups around the neighborhood again. My voice was pretty tired this morning, but I went through lighter excercises and focussed on my head voice.
Songs: Somethings are meant to Be. Should I Be Sweet.

Healthy Meal 22: Fresh orange juice from my uncles orange tree, rosemary potatoes, eggs, whole wheat toast, strawberries









Healthy Meal 23: Salad, green beans, sundried tomato pasta, cheese, and bread

Day 21

Daily Practice: 35 minutes. Went through some of Kurt's more advance exercises today. Realized I need to wait until I meet with him again, because I'm not sure I'm executing the more advanced exercises correctly. I also am trying to listen to pop music more to find a good song and add that quality to my voice. I warmed up my voice while curling my hair for the wedding. I must say that my curls turned out really nice because I would focus on my voice and hold the curling iron for a long time. lol However I don't recommend multitasking with a hot object. lol
Songs: Bobby's Girl. Stronger.

Healthy Meal # 20
French toast, with peanut butter, half a bannana, and sugar free syrup. It was so good I ate it before taking a picture. It's a good thing my friend was looking out for me and reminded me to take a picture of the left overs. :)









Healthy Meal #21
Picnic at the beach. :) Turkey, munster cheese, tomato, avacado, lettuce, celery, carrots, ranch dip, pita chips, oranges and apples. ( We forgot to pack the bread! lol)


My cousin's wedding was beautiful. I did take a picture of the meal, but decided that it didn't qualify as a healthy meal because of all the heavy mexican food. I did fill my plate with a third of veggies though. ;)

Day 20

Daily Practice: 45 minutes. Went through my last lesson and tried to focus on transitioning between the places in my voice. esp middle to head voice. I practiced outside and all the dogs in the neighborhood were barking and harmonizing with me. lol
Songs: Stronger. Everywhere. Bobby's Girl.

It's a beautiful, bright, sunny day here in LA. My body is still on NY time, so I woke up at 6. Did pilates, warmed up my voice, had a healthy breakfast, went to my friends rehearsal for a modern company, then had a BBQ at another friends house. :) AWWWWW Vacation.

Healthy Meal 18: High Fiber cereal, 2% milk( I am staying with a friend who's husband only drinks 2%), and a bannana


Healthy Meal 19: Whole wheat tortilla, spanish rice, beans, romaine lettuce, avacado, onion, delicious salsa( for ony $4 ...I love the west coast).

Day 19

Daily Practice: 30mins. Worked on keeping open vowels, while maintaining a relaxed jaw position.
Songs: A Way Back to Then. Stronger.

Ballet With Jamie Salmon









Healthy Meal 17: 2 pieces of sprouted bread toasted, 1 egg, 1 egg white, cherry tomatoes sauted in olive oil.

Day18

A Daily Practice: 140 minutes. Worked on my mix and trying not to get scared of high notes.
Songs: Bobby's Girl. A Change In Me. A Way Back to Then. Should I Be Sweet.
Lesson 3 With Kurt.

Healthy Meal 14,15, 16
-Whole wheat english muffin, almond butter, bannana, glass of soymilk
-carrots, hummus, bannana, yogurt
-mixed greens, grilled chicken, cheese

Day 17

Daily Practice: 30 mins. Vocal warm-ups with a previous recorded lesson.
Songs: A Way Back to Then, Somethings are Meant to Be, and Bobby's Girl

Healthy Meals 12 and 13.

Had brunch at my friend Emily's appartment and she made me a delicious burrito with a whole wheat tortilla, eggs, onion, tomato, cilantro, beans, and salsa. :)

Liver( trying to get ready to donate blood and I have low iron), rice, carrots, squash, cabbage, and soy sauce. Canaloupe

Modern Dance Class with Camilla Brown

sebrooks09's photostream

sebrooks09's photostream on Flickr.

DANCE

Day 16

Daily Practice: 60 mins. Went through Kurts Vocal Warm Up CD, concentrating on relaxing my jaw and larynx.
Songs: A Way Back to Then, Bobby's Girl

Healthy Meal 11:
For Breakfast I made old fashioned oats with organic soy milk, vanilla protien powder, and frozen blue berries. The protien powder mixed with blueberries makes it taste like bluberries and cream. :)







Ballet with Kenny Larson








Charity:
Tonight I helped out "Dancin' Downtown at the JOYCE" benefiting Dancers Responding to Aids. My official title for the evening was "Bayard Rustin Auditorium Supervisor" as well as the emergency contact or point person during the show. It was a fun job for a great cause. I got to work along side some other Full Voice members. :) The associate producer gave me her card and invited me to help with Broadway Cares, Equity Fights Aids. I was there from 5-9:30 pm.






I also donated some clothes and household items.