How Music Affects Us

Posted on June 17, 2024 by Evesophia

So. I had some news today regarding my latest surgery. Another change in plans. My esteemed surgeon sent a letter to his patients saying he is leaving Boston to take on an Executive Medical Director job in New York.

Oh. Well, congratulations to him.

The funny thing about this surgery is that it was emergency surgery. I met this doctor in pre-op, we never had a chance beforehand to have an in-depth conversation about the situation…understandable… met in November of last year for a real visit and scheduled a visit now, close to a year from surgery…and now he’s leaving the hospital for another one. So I scrambled to make an appointment with one of the surgeons taking some of his patients. A fine doctor as well. But again…another hole in this latest surgery saga. Never got to have a real conversation with the esteemed surgeon about…me. That elusive conversation.

When life takes another tumble especially when you’re trying to stabilize a certain part of it, I usually try to fix it first. Then I usually sit down and practice my music. I guess there’s some logic in that. Ha! I usually don’t have any glitches either. Maybe concentrating so hard on fixing the latest “thing” creeps over to concentrating on the music without distraction. Makes me feel better too…calms me down quite a bit.

Music does have many health effects on us. If we study it (an instrument, etc) there are great neurological benefits. Often taking music lessons is recommended for senior citizens to prevent mental decline and to stay more mentally alert. I tell my students it’s “brain training.”

Music also makes us dream. We start thinking of perhaps places we’d love to be, beautiful places, people we love, adventures we would like to take or have already taken. Music makes us travel mentally and emotionally. I always say that the final movement of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, the Choral movement, is a perfect example of this. There is an instrumental interlude where Beethoven travels harmonically so well it seems like we almost travel to Egypt, then back to the exact same place he started from. A musically scenic trip. Breathtaking as well! But imagine the wealth of different emotions one feels during this interlude.

I remember that every time I broke up with a boyfriend I would sing an aria or sit down and play piano. I always felt comforted…”at least I have my music.” Probably not a good idea to hide behind my music but at least it served an immediate purpose.

There were also times I was stuck on the highway driving in terrible crawling traffic listening to Bach. Usually it’s something complicated…a lot of music by Johann Sebastian is. But when one is sitting in annoyingly slow traffic and getting more and more annoyed, I found that listening to complicated music almost drives you crazy!!!! So…change the radio station to something else you really like. Hahaha! It’s amazing how music can make or break a situation.

When I was having radiation after my recent spinal surgery, the radiation techs put on music of your choice so you can “enjoy” your radiation visit. Ha! I asked for several composers from the beginning. I asked for music by early music composer William Byrd. He wrote a lot of beautiful church music. Well, I’m laying on the table during the session thinking…”it feels like I’m at my own funeral.” Ha! Ok. Next session…I asked for music by Verdi…opera…that’s what I sing. Ok. Here we go! So what comes on is the Verdi Requiem. Hmmm…again it feels like I’m at my own funeral. Sooo…from that time forward I asked for Mozart. And yes, the “Lacrimosa” from his Requiem came on one time but in general, everything was upbeat going forward. Haha!

Music has a way of either making or breaking our day. We usually listen to it for enjoyment but sometimes it wreaks havoc on our feelings. Music provides exhilaration during happy times like weddings, Christmas, New Year’s, Independence Day, etc. It provides comfort during funerals, hard times, moments when we’re fearful, etc. I’m trying to think of something else that has that kind of effect on us…a myriad of feelings good or bad. And of course when you are a professional musician you feel pride in the music you make and hope that it instills good feelings in your audience.

So…any thoughts you might have regarding this topic? How has music played a part in your life? When do you feel a particular need for it besides entertainment? Leave a comment if you like. I’m always listening.

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Music on Your Mind

Posted on June 13, 2024 by Evesophia

We all go through his from time to time…you come upon a song or other instrumental piece of music and can’t get it out of your head no matter what! It’s one thing if it’s an expert piece of music composed by an enormously talented composer…e.g. Beethoven, Mozart, Bach. But when it’s something from a piano Method Book we use to teach beginners to learn the instrument…a methodical, robotic learning piece…what’s that all about?

That happened to me a few years ago. For the life of me I couldn’t get this simple and yes, annoying piece of learning music out of my mind…going to bed at night, in the shower…good grief! Usually when I latch on to something it’s an aria I used to sing or the last/choral movement of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Impressive! But…how could I admit to anyone that I was hopelessly hooked beyond my control on a kids’ learning piece? Ugh.

Now I find I am hooked on yet another piece…”The Rains in Africa” by the group from the 70s-80s, Toto. I was watching TV and there is a commercial about having a phenomenal time wherever you go on vacation. The background music is “The Rains in Africa.” I was intrigued as I remember that one clearly. So I went online to look it up. That was 3 days ago. I have listened to the thing…and sung along mind you…at least 3 time a day. Why?! What do these songs we get hooked on for a time actually do for us?

Of course I hopped online to research this. Well…I was almost sorry I did. Harvard neuroscientist explained it’s called an “earworm.” Back in the days when there was no written word people in many cultures used music together with rhyming to help themselves remember oral histories. Apparently our brains evolved to remember this. Huh. So here I sit with my current earworm, “The Rains in Africa.”

But something else about this phenomenon is that it feeds a certain emotion. I’m not sure what emotion the kids’ learning piece fed but the “Rains” song does feed a certain musical emotion…more like the chord structure which I recognize being a musician. It makes me feel good. And I do have to admit. It’s a well-structured song musically. The group Toto sings it very much on pitch. Rhythm is very nice. This song sure feeds something in my musicianship and emotions. I wonder why now?

And then once we get so tired of hearing or even physically singing this particular piece of music…our earworm…it goes away. We’re done. Huh. I guess we’ve solved whatever musical issue our brain is going through. Our emotions seem to be satisfied, and frankly getting quite annoyed with the endless mental repetition of the thing. I honestly wonder what we are solving when this happens? Why those particular snippets of music that won’t unstick themselves from our brains? Subconscious stuff is really interesting. Wouldn’t you just love to be a fly on the wall inside your brain and see what is going on with this stuff?

I don’t have answers. I’m just sitting here wondering why a particular piece of music sticks itself into your brain for several days and then leaves. Does it go to someone else’s brain? Make the rounds? Ha! An errant musical phrase that is wandering from brain to brain. Hahahahaha!

At least they eventually leave us. But not to worry. Another one will come along in due time. They always do. Ha!

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Stuffed Animals and Adults

Posted on June 12, 2024 by Evesophia

You don’t have to admit it to me but…how many of you adults reading this blog post have a favorite stuffed animal that you love, talk to and sleep with? Hahaha! Busted!

I do. I have my little set of Beanie Babies…the little lamb, the cat and the porpoise. Now I have a pink stuffed teddy bear. She’s cute, small and so soft. I have to admit I love her. Where did she come from? Almost 33 years ago I had brain surgery. My second of the big 3 surgeries. My mother took care of me…was in the hospital every day and then at my home every day for just about 6 weeks when I returned home. One day in the hospital Mom arrived with this cute little pink bear. It was for some comfort and also to help when medical personnel came around giving shots or removing bandages etc., stuff that can be hurtful right after surgery. You squeeze the little thing which is some sort of help with pain. She also did that to my father when he was in the hospital having surgery. Probably not a pink bear but a cute little guy I’m sure.

I named my bear Neurobear. She’s been so special to me all these years. However, after my recent spinal/back surgery and some time after my radiation treatments ended last year, I started talking to little Neurobear. I haven’t talked to her in 32 years. Now I talk to her at night and sleep with her. We talk in the morning as well. Hmmm…

To determine whether or not I was losing what’s left of my mind, I researched adults and stuffed animals. I ran into an article written by a couple of psychologists. They said we adults are perfectly normal being attached to a particular stuffed animal. They can help relieve stress and anxiety which helps us sleep better at night. Whew! At least I’m not certifiable. This is actually quite normal.

And since my Mom gave her to me I can’t help but think she’s offering me some comfort as I recover from my latest surgery. This back/spinal procedure is the most challenging of the 3 surgeries I’ve had. I am getting better…almost 100% with still some time to go to complete recovery. But it’s been a bit tough…frustrations, mood swings, a bit of depression…things that come and go and are part of the recovery process. But you get tired of all this and want it to go away immediately…which it doesn’t. Enter Neurobear.

We talk…sort of. And I can bounce my thoughts off of this stuffed animal in a way that just plain talking to yourself doesn’t quite work. I do hope it is Mom taking care of me once again even from the after-life through this adorable little gift she gave me almost 33 years ago. And yes, it does give me comfort and relieve anxiety about a lot of things. I do find myself relaxing more at night and hopefully falling asleep faster. Trying to get into your regular sleep routine after a major surgery and trip to rehab afterwards can be tough. You’re all screwed up when you get home. You’re different than before you left home to go to the hospital.

So little pink Neurobear is my little pal. She’s so special to me. How about you? I’ll bet you too have a little stuffed animal or doll or something that you love and care about. As I said in the beginning, you don’t have to admit it to me…but I’ll bet you do have something. Haha!

And if you don’t have a little something? Here is your permission to buy a little thing immediately! You’re not crazy. I am but I’m pretty sure you’re not. We all have to deal with life and personal concerns, frustrations, disappointments, fears, you-name-it. Sometimes talking to and hugging a cute stuffed toy is the only thing you can do to feel somewhat safe and secure at certain times. Less anxious. Calmer.

So. Go out and get a cute little stuffed animal of your choice. I’m telling you that you will be glad you did. And please, feel free to leave a comment at the end of this post telling me about your little friend and what his/her name is. Here’s to our little stuffed animal pals. We love you!

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Seasons

Posted on June 11, 2024 by Evesophia

This is not one of my usual posts…ranting about something or whining. It’s about the 4 seasons.

So as a human I tend to run warm. I do not do well in Summer especially in the heat and humidity. Ugh! I like nice warm weather but the humidity…well…I tend to sweat. If you are like this you don’t like hot and humid weather either. And then when it’s really hot I can’t lay in the sun because I burn to a crisp. So much for enjoying summer outside. I need to be in the shade…on a not-too-humid day or inside enjoying my a/c. It’s also uncomfortable making music unless again, I’m inside keeping nice and cool.

Spring, which comes before summer, is beautiful. All the foliage outside is waking up and blooming and…there’s pollen. Spring is probably the most beautiful season of the year but again…pollen. The weather is usually not too hot. It’s a comfortable warm/cool mixture. But again…pollen. I can’t breathe.

Winter is a great season for me because it’s cold. I really do like the cold. It’s not hot. Ha! No pollen. But there’s snow and ice and tricky driving. I do tend to freeze in the winter even though I like cold better than hot. Then there’s cleaning snow and ice off the car. Then there are nor’easters (big snow or rain storms) on the East Coast here in the Boston area. This means a lot of snow in winter or a lot of rain in the warm weather. The snow is worse. Then you’re stuck in your parking spot until the plow comes to rescue you.

That leaves us with Autumn. I actually do love the fall. Yes there are allergies but I seem to do better. The weather is cooling off. The trees are turning colors as they are on their way out for the winter to bloom again in spring. Fall is so colorful. It’s really breathtaking. The regular yearly duties are starting up again and there’s excitement in the air. I’m more energetic and looking to get going again in my life pursuits. I tend to “wake up” during the fall…from my summer stupor in the heat which makes me sluggish etc. I can accomplish things much better and faster in the cooler fall. And making music is so much easier when you’re feeling comfortable.

I also tend to like the warmer colors of the fall season. Clothing, decor, makeup…colors that do well on me. Even food! It’s tough to eat a lot of food especially heavier items like meat, lots of dairy etc. in the summer. Salads are a lot of my diet when it’s hot. But in the fall eating becomes easier and more tolerable.

Exercise and outdoor activities are easier in the fall as well. Outdoor adventures, apple picking, going on road trips to see the colorful foliage..all of this makes the fall my favorite season. And of course, my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving, is in the fall.

I feel a sense of renewal in the fall. It seems like we’re getting a new lease on life. We’re all set to make things better for ourselves and others moving forward. New Plans. Better plans. Clearer thinking.

That’s what the seasons do for us. They have a pattern. A plan. We freeze and hibernate in the winter. Time to lie low. Then we start coming out of it in the spring…blooming again. We slow down over the summer to take a break from the year. But then we re-energize in the fall to get things going again…anew. Interesting pattern throughout the year.

There really is a yearly plan in our lives through the seasons. They all have unique traits including special holidays. One leads into the other to give us a different view of life both internally and externally, as we see the different looks each season has to offer. Our feelings, emotions etc. all respond to the personality of each season. Even our clothes/fashion indicate what season we’re in! What a well-planned trip through the year. Then we go into the new year in January and start this trip all over again.

So. My favorite season is Autumn. Think about yourself and your persona. How do you fit into each of the 4 seasons. Which one speaks to you. How does it fit into your life and make you evolve into a “new you?”

I’ve been a fall person for as long as I can remember. I can’t wait for the fall every year because I know I will feel a sense of rejuvenation and energy that I need to move forward each year for a better year. And I love making music when I feel like a new person all energized!

What about you? Don’t just read my blog. Think about you and what makes you tick. Which season are you?

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Celebrating Friends

Posted on June 10, 2024 by Evesophia

When was the last time you celebrated a friend or family member? I don’t mean birthdays or anniversaries or stuff like that. I mean a real achievement/s. I did just that this past Sunday.

A real good friend of mine at my Church was selected Parishioner of the Year. This is something our Diocese has been doing for years. Each parish selects a parishioner who has given much time and help to their parish, usually over a number of years. You know, those people that just get things done for an organization no matter what…because it needs to be done or it would be a nice/appropriate touch for the building/community etc.

My friend has done so many things for the Church…on the Parish Council, President of the Ladies Guild. She’s a retired school principal and a well-regarded one, teaches Sunday School and Greek School (it’s a Greek Orthodox Church). She also has her Certificate in Piano and has taught piano in the past. There is a LOT packed into that 5 ft. friend of mine.

The banquet itself is 4 hours long. Oy vey! There were probably 800+ people there celebrating the almost 62 recipients of the Laity Awards. And everyone was having such a good time! Great food, perfect waitstaff, people from other churches you haven’t seen in a long time…in short a huge huge good time celebrating the Church and those who tirelessly help make the individual parishes run.

And of course there are the speeches (and…more speeches…and um…) but we get through those too. And the pinnacle really comes at the end of the 4 hour banquet…when the Archbishop of the Diocese hands out the awards. It’s so uproarious in the hall with each parish really hooting and hollering and applauding for their own parishioner! Every recipient feels the energy in the crowd. It’s contagious! It’s glorious!

And that’s how I celebrated my friend. Hooting and hollering with everyone else…letting our hair down.

We all love our family and friends. I play organ at weddings at my Church. You should hear the hooting and hollering at the end of the wedding ceremony when the newly married couple walks down the aisle. The family and friends are deafening. Just like the 800+ people at the Laity Awards banquet from the Diocese. We are celebrating our family and friends because they have achieved something that has made them move forward, made us move forward, helped others, and are just great people.

I personally was so happy to celebrate my friend on Sunday because she was one of the ladies that helped me so much after my recent back surgery. She and about 6 other women just stepped up to the plate and made my moments after surgery (in rehab and then at home) so much easier and happier for me. I’ll always be grateful!

So. I’ll bet you are really psyched now that you read this wonderful story about celebrating people in our lives (hopefully not asleep ha!). But think about it…when was the last time you really celebrated something a good friend or a family member accomplished just because that is what they do? Perhaps you can think of something right now. Maybe you can have a celebration of sorts for them…albeit not 800+ people but… Take them to breakfast or a nice dinner. Or maybe there is something they really like to do…do that! Or…flowers?

We need to tap into that part of humanity and celebrate our good honest hard work. It helps us realize that humanity is good after all. People do step up and do what needs to be done in order to help others or organizations like our churches, which really need the support and help from its people.

You can think of something. I have faith in you. Polish up your hooting and hollering skills cuz you’re gonna need them sooner than you think! Invite me too…I’ll hoot and holler with you! Ha! great stuff!!!!

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Making Music for Different Occasions

Posted on May 28, 2024 by Evesophia

It’s never a good idea to be a one-trick pony as a Musician. I am an opera singer first. But I also teach voice. I play piano well…so my college piano teacher told me. I teach that too. I play a modest organ. I do know pedals to a respectable degree for an opera singer.

But when it comes to actually making music what keeps you interested besides the actual act of making music? What keeps your audience or students interested? Hmmm…

When I play weddings at my Church I always say I hate everything I play. Ha! I have to play keyboard as the Greek Orthodox Church I belong to doesn’t have a regular organ. So even though there are gigantic works for organs that can wow the audience it’s actually not possible to play all those works on a keyboard, as fine as the keyboard is. I play a certain list of music, mostly early music from the 15/16/1700s. Seems to fit well in the Church since the regular music is Byzantine, vastly different than the music we acquaint with regular Church services. But I’ve been playing basically the same music a long long time. I’m bored.

Well, I still have to play mostly the same music since I did design it specifically for the Church. The other day I sifted through music I used to play and found a couple of pieces I decided to resurrect and include in my wedding repertoire once again. I even added a new Bach chorale!

I have edited the Pachelbel Canon in D four times. It’s a great piece to bring the bridesmaids down the aisle but it can become tiresome when you use it regularly, plus it’s long. What I find interesting is that going through all my edited copies, I ended up with the same one I’m using (and getting bored with) since I realized it actually is the best one. Our aisle takes about 60 seconds to march down so everything I play for the bridesmaids and the bride is very much edited. There’s nothing like a trip through all of your music to realize you actually do prefer exactly what you’re playing. Ha!

I guess this is where the term “Musical Artist” really comes into play. One has to put a music program together that is both appropriate for the occasion, musically interesting and pleasing to the people. It has to have a theme of sorts, something to pull it all together musically. It should also show a modicum of what you can do as a musician…your abilities. A full blown recital is the place where you can really show off your abilities as a musician and artist. But most of the time you’re designing a program for a specific occasion.

It’s interesting putting together a program for different occasions. Your own recital, weddings, student recitals and any other occasion for which you might have to provide music. I guess that’s what makes us Musical Artists. Cool huh?

So. I’m done. If you are a musician reading this think about how you design programs for your own musical situations. What criteria do you use? Do your programs make sense? Seriously…they need to. They need to hold together…tell a story. Nothing like a bunch of pieces that don’t relate to one another. Good grief!

Ok. Happy musical planning to all you fellow musicians out there. It really is great to plan programs. I love it. Don’t you?

#musician #musical artist #piano #organ

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Musings on a Tuesday

Posted on May 22, 2024 by Evesophia

I own a condominium. I’ve lived in communal housing my entire adult life. A house would be too big for me on my own. For anyone else in the same situation and I know there are many, isn’t it a trip? Ha!

There are 115 units where I live. So everyone here is one 115th of our association. It’s astoundingly amazing how many people think they live in a single family home. HOA regulations be damned. Huh.

Living with many others in several buildings is a better education in life probably than anything else you can encounter. Different cultures, different levels of intelligence, different religions although most people don’t go to Church (ask me how I know on a Sunday morning). Many wonderful people. A number of jerks, and then the occasional drug addict or boozehound who keeps everyone up at night by yelping wildly in the courtyard high on a bottle of something. Let’s not forget a few visits now and then from the Police and Fire Dept, not to mention ambulances. After being here 22 years I could write a rather good book on the place. Ha!

It’s a wonderful thing if you’ve been raised by terrific parents and were taught to respect other people and not get involved in their messes. My brother and sister and I were pretty solid when we left home…able to see a lot of situations for what they are. Sometimes it seems like I’m in the theater watching the “human” show. Interesting behavior amongst people.

Then there are the really nice folks you become friends with and enjoy living in the same community with. Then you get yourself on the HOA Board. Oy vey! Nice small group of us who happen to think almost the same. Now you really learn the “stuff” communal living is made of. Not for the faint of heart many times.

There’s also the laundry area where you run into a number of other residents. Some are very nice but again, others can’t seem to set the timer on the cell phone (that is attached to their hands) in order to retrieve their laundry when the washer or dryer cycle is finished.

Also add the parking lot where people either park very well in their deeded spaces or crooked which is so pleasant when you are trying to park your own car without hitting someone (or getting hit by that person parking crooked). There are also rules for smoking…in your own unit or outside no closer than 15 feet from the buildings. And…pets. Cats are inside but dogs…always on a leash outside. Otherwise in your unit…not roaming the hallways. Not in the laundry area or the pool area in summer. In short, a whole list of HOA regulations to sort of keep everyone happy and not at each others’ throats. And it’s just superb when people actually follow those regulations.

The interesting thing is that we somehow sleep. I guess we all learn to put up with noise in the building and outside, since most communal residences are on main streets. We do have quiet hours between 10 pm and 7 am. I live near a hospital so there are a number of ambulances screaming by at all hours. Motorcycles, large semis, etc.

Even though you live with a number of other people on site, you still have privacy in your own unit. And the odd thing is that you somehow feel safe with others around…even if you don’t like a number of those people. Hah!

Ahh yes. Don’t get me wrong. I would still like a bit more soundproofing and my own washer/dryer. I’d also like to live in a bigger unit on an upper floor with a spectacular view of maybe…Boston? Maybe one day before I check out of this life I will actually have that bit of enjoyment. I should probably search for some really great guy who is a millionaire right? I think I’m due something like that by now. As soon as I find him, millionaire or not, I’ll be sure to blog about him. Stay tuned!

Communal Living. Did I mention it’s a trip?!

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Learning to Play an Instrument

Posted on May 14, 2024 by Evesophia

Learning a musical instrument is a great thing as learning music is a wonderful skill that keeps your brain active. I call it “brain training.” I teach piano as well as voice.

With piano, first one has to learn to use all 10 fingers independently. Then one has to learn how to use each hand independently from the other. Then one has to learn to watch the music and trust your fingers to play the right notes. Then one has to learn how to use the pedals with your foot to enhance the playing. All of this has to be separate yet together. No small feat but not impossible either.

Like any other instrument including voice, you take one step at a time, perfect it, then add more as you move forward. We use method books to help this process. These books are written by several music teachers who came up with their own system of learning. There are books for children and adults. Set a regular practice time daily. Consistency is the key here.

Then moving forward you start learning more advanced music literature. Different music styles from the different periods of music. Early music, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionist, Contemporary. There are also different genres of music that you might like to pursue as well. Besides classical there is popular, jazz…or you may want to dabble in all the different genres.

As you’re moving along you are undoubtedly learning music theory…notes, counting, key signatures, time signatures, tempo, phrasing etc. All this gives the music more personality and identifies the period of time in which it was composed. You also learn about the composers. Who were they or are they if still alive? What made them tick? Their personality shows up in their music.

If you feel this is going to be your profession you start playing in ensembles. If you are a pianist you might start accompanying singers or choirs. Expert pianists are always in demand for these types of jobs. Expand your horizons and get involved in more musical ventures. If you are a violinist or clarinetist etc. you might want to play with a symphony. That’s where all those orchestral instruments hang out.

This is something you start as a child and keep learning, growing, refining and achieving throughout your entire life. You become seasoned at your art. No small feat but a wonderfully rewarding one if this is your calling. Making a career out of it is tricky since you have to find your niche in this vast musical world and attempt to make a living with it. But along with the lifelong pursuit of musical art comes a lifelong pursuit of networking. We’re all out there doing it for pretty much as long as we live. You’re a musician forever.

And even if music is not going to be your calling in life it still is wonderful to learn and again, helpful for your brain. It’s a skill and our brains love learning new skills!

Word of advice: always work with a trained professional music teacher who teaches the instrument you want to learn. In piano especially, many times people try to learn it themselves or work with someone who can play fairly well but isn’t a seasoned or even very well trained musician. Yes you can learn basic things but most of the joy in learning to play an instrument is to be able to play with a level of expertise, and play musical styles you like. A true feeling of accomplishment.

So there it is. I highly recommend if you have always wanted to play piano or any other instrument, go for it. Do the best you can and invest the time. Jump right in. It’s an education, brain training and fun! Finding a teacher can be easier than you think. The wonderful music organization I belong to, MTNA (Music Teachers National Association) is available online to help you. Insert your zipcode in your search and music teachers will pop up with their bios and credentials. And hopefully your teacher will be as nuts as I am. Ha!

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#music #piano teacher #professional musician

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Being an Opera Singer

Posted on May 11, 2024 by Evesophia

How do you know you want to be an opera singer? Well nobody tells you that’s for sure. It’s a gift and it lives inside you just like your internal organs. At some point it surfaces. You might like singing all the time like I did as a kid. I remember my brother and sister fighting over something during Christmas while I sat by the Creche and sang Christmas carols out loud. Really loud! Then in school I always had to be the loudest singer in the room whenever we sang songs etc.

In high school I joined the choir and sang some pretty decent solos. The resident voice teacher at the high school corraled my parents and highly suggested I start voice lessons. So at age 16 I started serious voice lessons. I transferred over to a retired professional opera singer, then to another one and finally to my long time voice teacher of 20 years. And yes, I became an opera singer. I always loved arias and becoming what is known as a “vocal athlete.”

Now this wasn’t easy by any means folks! I had to learn to breathe using my guts, let go of singing from the throat and let the air guide my voice out into resonating cavities within the head and neck area, and keep this up until the voice grew and expanded and became refined…matured. It took 10 years. However the voice keeps maturing and refining as you sing throughout your life. Not for the squeamish or faint of heart.

But like any musician you have tunnel vision and stay focused. You just keep going until it blossoms into what it should be. You major in music in college and work with master teachers in other musical areas while on your way to becoming a musical artist. I amassed both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. You also sing with local opera groups, local symphonies, and like myself Chicago Opera Theater. You have to learn performance practices for all the periods of music…Early Music, Baroque, Classical etc. You also have to work with other musical artists. Sing in ensembles, work with an accompanist etc.

And then, you have to figure out your “niche” in the vast musical world full of people who are doing what you are…tons of people. Some are better than you and you are better than some as well. For me I realized early on that I am a more disciplined singer, one who doesn’t take a lot of liberties with the text or music. My niche is more Bach since he is very disciplined musically, and German Lieder…art songs by Schubert, Schumann, Wolf etc. In fact I absolutely love German Lieder. It fits me very well. But each singer has to figure these things out for themselves. Something that will set you apart from the vast amount of singers out there.

All of this applies to other musical instruments as well. We’re all in the same boat on the same journey to find ourselves as musical artists. You literally spend your entire life becoming a musical artist and refining it as you go along. My Master’s is in Music Pedagogy so I also went into teaching several years later. I love that too.

Ohhh and…you have to be partially crazy to do this. Ha! So. Whether you are a musician or something else in the personal achievement department, you can relate to this scenario. But not to discourage anyone. Please do know that if you have the gift of music or any other type of personal achievement talent know that you can develop it into a real profession. That you can become an expert at it. Yes it takes work but it is worth it in the end. Isn’t it?

#www.makingmusicwitheve.weebly.com #opera singer #musical artist

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Cosmetics

Posted on February 26, 2024 by Evesophia

So I am quite sure you all know that I am an Avon Independent Representative and Master Makeup Artist. I’ve been into both music and cosmetics my entire life. Not only am I a professional musician but a Master Makeup Artist as well. Two things I have always wanted to perfect.

What does it really take to make skincare and makeup work for you? Not much really. You must take a real interest in your own skin. What kind of skin do you have? Dry, oily, combination…only you can figure this out for the most part. You live with your skin daily.

Then you need to find products that work to keep your skin in good condition. Our faces get the most wear and tear since they are out in the elements daily. Sunburn, windburn, frigid temperatures, not enough sleep etc all contribute to imbalanced skin conditions. The rest of our body is somewhat immune to most of this since a lot of our skin is always covered. But there is still dryness that can occur and sagging as we age. During summer months our legs and arms can get sunburnt from too much exposure to the hot sun. In short there are skincare needs for our whole body that are either regular routine or due to weather differences through the seasons.

If you have a pretty good handle on your skincare type you can investigate products for your type of skin. What kinds of products can help you throughout the year, different seasons etc and keep your skin looking younger, hydrated and in good shape. If this is a daunting task you can ask a cosmetics professional or even just go to the cosmetics counter in the store and start asking questions. Another option is to consult a representative like me. We are trained in skincare issues as well as the products we sell that can address your skincare issues.

So what does a skincare regimen look like? Cleansing, usually using a serum of sorts to help work on signs of aging, dryness, too much oil in the skin, etc. Eye cream is a must as the area around the eye is very delicate skin which needs very delicate products. Top it off with a good moisturizer. We do this morning and night. There are products specifically meant for nighttime and products specifically meant for daytime with SPF sun protection etc. Morning and night routines should take 5 to 10 minutes. Not a lot of time to help your skin look its best. There are also special treatments like masks and peels that you can use to add more oomph to your routine on “spa days” or whenever you splurge on “me time.” For total body care there are lotions, oils, deep hydrating products that one can use after stepping out of the shower. Total body care! Don’t forget the hand cream. Our hands need TLC too!

Next on this list is makeup. This is not mandatory. One can do expert skincare and not want to do makeup. This is fine. There is light daytime makeup which adds a lift to your look but not overbearing. Natural look. Then there is makeup for weddings, for evenings out, formal events, professional pictures, special effects as in Halloween, and so on. And again what do you do if you want to learn more about makeup and application? Same thing as investigating skincare. Investigate cosmetics online or at the store, or contact an independent rep like myself. Learning how to apply your makeup isn’t as hard as you might think.

So there. Not only can you learn to have better skin but also a better more uplifting appearance learning how to apply makeup. Like anything else in life it takes some work and practice. But it will become routine once you “find yourself” and what products work for you. You’ll be a master of yourself in due time.

And I would love for you to contact me on my my New Avon LLC website: http://www.avon.com/repstore/ecaja. You can look around the digital brochure and contact me with any questions re products and my own services.

Here’s to a new you!

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