No matter how many flights I take, I think I’ll forever be chronically early to the airport. I’ve decided to use my two hours before boarding today, (12/17), to begin my reflection on the past year. Picture me next to a pillar, my laptop plugged into one of the few, sacred outlets in LAX. My stuffed purple tote bag and overstuffed duffel on the navy vinyl seat to my right create a barrier between me and the sniffly, snacking travelers that surround. I chose to wear an inconspicuous outfit of a striped sweater, straight-leg jeans and sneakers and I’m rocking day-2 hair, but you can bet that I was the most efficient traveler in the TSA-pre lane.
In two hours, I’ll fly ‘home’ to Dallas from Los Angeles. This has been an unprecedented holiday season for me: I spent Thanksgiving in LA with Nathan, my fiancé, in 70-degree weather flanked by palm trees in his 7th floor studio. It’s the only Thanksgiving I’ve ever spent without my parents and my brother in Dallas and while I missed them, I cherished this visit with Nate. We’ve been inseparable since we met in 2020. Our careers have forced us into a long-distance relationship beginning in May and it’s been one of the hardest things we’ve ever faced to live apart. Not in the relationship security way, but in the “you’re my best friend and I want to spend every single minute with you” way. But enough about him! This trip will also be the first time spending the holidays with my family as an out-of-town visitor. There’s a small part of me that’s waiting for things to return to ‘normal’ but this year has shown me that ‘normal’ is a fluctuating state, much like ‘home’.
2024 was a year of realizing dreams that I never knew to dream. It makes the most sense to me to move through this reminiscence chronologically so let’s begin in January!
January
In January, I traveled to North Dakota twice. My first trip to Grand Forks was for the North Dakota-Manitoba District of the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, which discovers and supports young opera singers. This was my first of what would be three auditions, and I secured a slot in the open ND-Manitoba district. Despite the blizzard and strong competition, I performed Wagner's "Dich, teure halle" and Britten's Embroidery Aria, feeling proud and joyful when I won the district. I celebrated with McDonald's and calls to my loved ones.
My second trip was with my fiancé to sing at a fundraiser in Minot. The organizer arranged our travel, and we experienced First Class for the first time! Despite travel delays, we enjoyed performing for a small salon and a larger audience at Minot State University's Ann Nicole Nelson Hall, sharing a wonderful time with family and talented musicians.
February
In February, I had my second audition in the Laffont Competition at the regional level in Minneapolis, competing in the Upper-Midwest. I managed my expectations, viewing everything after my initial success as a bonus. I performed “Dich, teure Halle” and the judges selected “Come Scoglio” from Mozart’s Cosí fan tutte, an aria special to me since I sang Fiordiligi in undergrad, affirming my opera career path. Singing old arias can be challenging due to muscle memory, but it went well despite being first to sing that morning. When Morris Robinson (the voice of God) announced my name, I felt shock and joy. I celebrated with airport wine and tears.
March
March was an exhilarating month filled with remarkable experiences and unforgettable moments. The highlight was the incredible opportunity to perform at the prestigious Metropolitan Opera in the Semifinals of the 2024 Laffont Competition. The performance was a culmination of hard work and dedication, showcasing the talents of incredible young artists. The grandeur of the opera house, with its stunning architecture and rich history, added to the magic of the performance. As the curtain rose (metaphorically), I did my best to pour heart into every note, creating an immersive experience that resonated deeply with the audience. March will forever be remembered as a month of artistic achievement and personal growth, highlighted by my unforgettable experience at the Metropolitan Opera!
April
In April, I sang in the world premiere of Efrain Amaya's song cycle, "The Four Seasons in North Dakota". It was an unforgettable blend of artistry, emotion, and cultural reflection. I felt a deep connection to the music and themes. Preparation began weeks in advance with each song capturing North Dakota's seasons, landscapes, weather, and accompanying emotions. Reflecting on the premiere, it was more than a performance; it was a journey through sound and emotion, celebrating nature and North Dakota's culture. This experience enhanced my vocal skills and heightened my appreciation for contemporary music and storytelling. I'm grateful for Maestro Amaya's vision and look forward to future collaborations!
May
In May, I participated in the inaugural Heartland Sings Vocal Competition in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It was an unforgettable experience that I will cherish forever! I am proud to share that I was one of three finalists.
For my final performance, I chose to sing "Dich, teure Halle". This marked a significant milestone for me, as it was my first time performing the aria with an orchestra. The synergy between the orchestra and my voice created a magical atmosphere that elevated the entire experience! The competition brought together talented vocalists from various backgrounds, each showcasing their unique artistry. The level of talent was exceptional, making the experience both inspiring and humbling. I was thrilled to be part of such a vibrant community of musicians. I look forward to future competitions and continuing my journey in the world of music.
May also marked the beginning of my Navage product ambassadorship! I've dealt with allergies and sinus problems forever and I had a sinus surgery that changed my life in 2023. The Navage has helped me manage my allergy symptoms which maintains the success of my surgery. It is a battery operated sinus irrigation system. The collaboration has been great in so many ways and I look forward to everything we'll do together in 2025!
Summer
This summer was an absolute blast as I soaked up every last moment of living in Dallas, TX! My family moved here in 2009, and these 15 years have been nothing short of amazing. I also had the incredible opportunity to travel to Santa Fe twice to visit Nathan, who was singing as an Apprentice Artist with the Santa Fe Opera. The productions there were unbelievably inspiring! Der Rosenkavalier was hands down my FAVORITE!
August/September
At the end of August, I made the exciting move to Kansas City for my first professional residency! I'm thrilled to be singing as a Resident Artist with Kansas City Lyric Opera for their 2024/2025 season. When I received my offer in the spring, the idea of such a big change was daunting, to say the least. However, I'm incredibly proud and grateful that I took the leap and made the move to KC. This program has been absolutely amazing for my growth as an artist and a person! In September, we prepared "The Haberdasher Prince,"an outreach production. We had numerous lessons and coachings and we even performed the National Anthem for the KC Royals!
My only complaint is that less than ten days after moving, I walked out of my front door to leave for work on a Saturday morning to find that my car had been stolen. Cities certainly have a way of hazing you...
October
In October, we started and ended a three-week tour of "The Haberdasher Prince". This trunk show was an incredible introduction to Outreach for me. I absolutely LOVE performing in outreach performances. It is rewarding to share this art form that has become so important in my life with kids- the greatest audience you could ask for! The music is actually fairly complicated and the show was physically challenging. The four characters end up playing over 20 roles! We also had the first workshop for "Maya and the Magic Ring", a new outreach opera by Lori Laitman that we will premiere in the spring. I play Maya!
We also performed in an intimate performance for Orpheus KC, an auxiliary organization that supports the Lyric Opera of Kansas City. The performance was an interactive opera dinner featuring excerpts from "The Marriage of Figaro". I sang The Countess.
November
In November, we toured Kansas City, performing in several assisted living communities. This rewarding experience allowed us to connect with residents who cherish live music. Each performance brought enthusiastic applause and smiles, as we shared joy and nostalgia. We witnessed the positive impact of music on individuals in assisted living, engaging with residents, hearing their stories, and learning about their favorite songs. This tour was a highlight of the year, reminding us of the power of community and the importance of bringing joy to those with limited access to live performances.
LOKC put on a production of "The Barber of Seville" and I contributed to the social media content creation efforts! I created numerous reels for a backstage look. This year, I've worked hard to familiarize myself with social media and I'm looking forward to expanding on this in the new year!
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