The Importance of Being a Fan
I was recently thanked by an opera singer via twitter for being so “enthusiastic”. My enthusiasm for opera is long and deep with roots...
Why I Love Opera
Singing has always seemed to me the most perfect means of expression. It is so spontaneous. And after singing, I think the violin. ...
Jesus and Spiritual Practice
An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching. – Mahatma Gandhi Concert pianist Arthur Rubenstein was walking down the...
Art and Blasphemy
“You can safely assume you’ve created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do.” – Anne Lamott I...
The Role of Your Life
Like most folks who work in the arts, I hate auditions. Spend a little bit of time with an actor, singer, or dancer and you’ll get a...
Singing Freedom
This past Sunday was in the midst of Memorial Day weekend and in between all the grilling, drinking, graduations, and festivities, I...
A Solidarity of Sound
On any given evening, the musicians of the San Francisco Symphony, like any first-tier orchestra, are capable of playing beautiful music. ...
The Hidden Cost of the SF Symphony Strike
On a personal note: I never intended to become an actual blogger who got comments from folks beyond my normal sphere of activity. I...
From the Top
For the past few days, I have found myself increasingly depressed and angry over the general reaction to the strike by the musicians of...
Thou little tiny child
When did “Christmas” arrive for you? Or did it? Was it last night during a candlelit “Silent Night” or when you first laid eyes on your...