In 2018, I am finally going to start a blog working through 365 days of impacts on my life. This is meant to tell the story of who I came to be in bits and pieces. This exercise is meant to show we are all shaped by the people, situations, circumstances, joys and sorrows that have impacted our lives. Sometimes we are influenced just as much through learning about what we don't want to be like, than what we turned out to be. Sometimes it is a stranger who makes a lasting impression on us, and we may never know their name. Sometimes it is those who've been the worst to us that actually teach us the BEST lessons. If nothing else, since I don't have kids, this will serve as an autobiography of experiences that have shaped my character since May 3 1965. I will try to include pictures where I needed. Some will not need pictures. As I enter my 5th decade, I can look back and say that In my teens (as most are) I was extremely insecure, unfocused and had stage f...
When I was in middle school, this is where I really started to thrive in choir. I knew I could sing from an early age, but this is where I really got into choir. So, the funniest story I have about singing in middle school is that we were doing a medley of numbers from Grease. We only had 4 boys in our choir. Sopranos and Altos numbered in the 10+ for each section. I had a 4 octave range. This is not normal, especially for a girl. I can't call dogs like Mariah Carey can, but I can sing with the baritones in a barbershop quartet. I mean, I can't sing Avi Kaplan Low, but I think I was a man in a former life with how low I can go. So, my choir teacher put me with the boys for the medley to help out their parts on Summer Nights 'A wella wella wella uhn, Tell me more, tell me more..." And my buddy Vince Galici (See the Punch) was Danny Zucko. For the most part I remained an alto until High School. The impact that Choir had on my life is really all about teamwork. You have between 4 and 8 parts, and all of them have to be working in conjunction with one another to be in harmony. This is akin to being so good on the playing field that you are making 4th and goal through an entire song. Or basket upon basket. If one player/part sings out of step or note, then there is discord, and things get off balance. Again, I wasn't great at team sports, but I KICKED ASS in choir. In fact, I love singing harmony more than I love singing lead. Which is akin to being a member of the team who supports the quarterback. Can I sing lead, yes and that is super fun too - highly energizing. But I will tell you when you are singing harmony and in the pocket, it is almost like the feeling you get when you completely hit the mark. Sounds silly, but that is what it does for me.
