Sunday, May 6, 2012

From little details comes the whole picture

Well, it's been about 2 months after the trip to NY. Although I haven't been blogging as much as others (for which I'm grateful to read and look back on different viewpoints), I've been struggling to keep up with schoolwork, my senior recital, and myself these past two months.  Even though I haven't been blogging, I am aware of catching myself thinking about the trip, whether I'm researching for my project, or walking across the bridge (y'all know....that wind-tunnel.  It's kind of a long walk, if you think about it!).  I found myself avoiding the internet, email, what-have-you, these last couple of months in order to finish things.  I've found it to be a double-edged sword in that this is how people communicate the most to each other now, so I'm missing out on things, but I get my work done.

People posted in here about their singing, especially if they had received a lesson in New York.  Although I did not focus on having a lesson for the trip, I went about making the connections between the masterclass with Claudia and my private lessons back here in Eau Claire.  I had told my teacher that Claudia had mentioned singers today not using their full body to sing, but just from here (pointing to her chest) up.  Preparing for my senior recital, he did not let me forget that statement.  I can honestly say that the trip has re-kindled my reasons for why I love singing.  And it's not the performances we've attended that made it, but the conversations with Naomi, Caroline, Nick, and John Raymond, that made it special.  They all emphasize the importance of why they do it.  I enjoy singing, but I enjoy it more when I give my talent to people.  I feel alive when I sing.  It may sound cheesy, but it's true.  Coming back to Eau Claire has given me a reason to sing, and although Haas is closed the day after we get back.... (frustrating as all get out!) it can't stop you from learning your pieces. 

Another aspect of this trip that I found important, and tried to incorporate it here, is finding time for yourself.  Finishing up my last semester here, I think this is valuable information.  I made it a personal habit not to do work at home over the years, and it was most likely due to the fact that my apartment (tiny as it is) is my little sanctuary away from music, from work, and from school.  Therefore, I made an investment to myself to be at a coffee shop at 8am until class, and then after class, if I wasn't working, would stay somewhere until I made a decent dent in my work, usually until 10 or 11 at night.  This mindset, I think, is important to recognize.  There always has to be a get-away spot for you to clear your head, and that became my apartment.

It's the little things such as that that allow you to realize how to organize your life.  Going back to Logan's remark on being your own CEO, she has a desk in her home that is like her office.  Personally, I'm stoked for that aspect of it, because I LOVE office supplies!  But it's more than that.  It's a way to prioritize your life.  And it means more to me right now since I'm graduating.  I've decided to take a year off of school and get situated.  This trip was more to me than how to network, and how to go about a singing career.  It was a trip to say "Hey, take a step back, look at the big picture.  Now, where do you want to go from here?"  And I'm starting to be able to answer that question. 

As mentioned in Mitra's blog about starting our summer programs, I've made a few short term goals for myself. 
  • I will be singing in a family friend's wedding
  • My friend composes work and is working on a new cycle that should be finished by summer
  • I will be getting in contact with a professor in the Milwaukee area for bi-weekly lessons.
  • I will look at FSU as a potential grad school opportunity while I'm there visiting a friend, and set up a meeting with a professor.
  • I will build my Psychology resumé and find a full-time job for when I get back to Kenosha.
  • And non-music related, but related in order to keep my life balanced - I will be training and running in a 10k by the end of June with the help of my sister.
  • start practicing the piano again


They may not seem like much, but from my viewpoint it's finding stability while still participating in music.  I may have to shift my calendar of goals as things come up, but overall - I want to keep my life balanced in what I enjoy doing, because like Claudia said, if you don't enjoy doing your work, then that's all it is is work, and you won't find any fulfillment in it.  I have such an eclectic variety of interests, that this is the way (at the moment) that I see how I can balance everything together.

This is a long post, but necessary.  After 2 1/2 hours of sitting here and trying to word what I want to say, I'm happy to say that I've made a connection with the whole picture.  The trip to New York is not just about singing, or keeping the arts in your life, but it is a lifestyle in itself.  And though it will take time and energy to get where you want to be, the good "habits" that you develop along the way will only reinforce the direction you want to travel.  And that is another aspect of this trip:  Life is choices.  So many choices.  You have to do what makes you most happy.  It will not be the same path for any one person, and I am perfectly okay with that. :-)

Signing off with new confidence for the future,
Leisa A. Sunier



Choose the color that suits you best. :-)




Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Happy May Day!  When I was a kid, we used to make little baskets out of styrofoam cups and take treats to our elderly neighbors around our small town.... community was (and is) so important.

We had our second to last class meeting last week--the students turned in their written reflections and their "Summer Program" outlines.  Each student, in addition to reflecting on the total NYC Immersion experience, was to devise a program for themselves to work on some of their less developed skill areas over the summer.  What could be better than a summer program devised specifically FOR you, BY you???
I haven't read them yet but am looking forward to it.  My summer program will include starting my own blog of my summer experiences so that I have an online presence, immersing myself in the big city life, getting my materials together by updating my bio, CV, etc., taking part in SongFest, which I have wanted to do for several years, and working on my professional leadership through my new role in NATS.

Also special about the last meeting was that each student shared part of their reflection with the class.  It was so moving and a privilege to hear their words of self-discovery and even questioning.  Out of the struggle will come strength.

Until next time.
Mitra