Day 11

Daily Practice
1hr 30 mins
I went to Kurt's Vocal Tech class.  The exercises are really starting to settle into my body.  Now when he describes what I should be feeling and where the placement should be, I don't have to force it there, I'm realizing that my voice is already taking it there.  I don't have to think quite as much, the muscle memory is starting to be established.  We warmed up for about 40 mins and then we spent the last 20 minutes working on Kelly Clarkson's Miss Independent.  This was the first time I ever sang that song without my throat hurting afterwards.  We focused on "the cry" and mix voice to help us reach Kelly's amazing-ness without screaming and straining.  I also came home and worked on my same two solos for the rest of my performance classes this week.    


Healthy Meals 21 and 22
Breakfast: Cereal and berries.  (Notice I finally got a new cereal!)
Lunch: Chicken salad (Also with new ingredients-- a corn salsa with red and green peppers, celery, onions, and parsley)

Dance Class 7

My new goal is to take 2 ballet classes a week for the rest of my life.  I grew up dreading ballet because it was so strict and rigid, but now ballet feels like home.  I guess it's because the moves don't change.  In hip hop and contemporary classes, I don't know what choreography is going to be thrown at me, so I always feel like I'm in a whirlwind of flailing arms and unexpected level changes.  But in ballet, I've been doing the same plie and tendu exercises since I was in 7th grade, and now I can appreciate it for the art that it is.  And it doesn't matter how many years someone has studied ballet, no one can ever perfect it.  It's kinda like reading the Bible.  There are some people who have read it cover to cover and can quote full books at a time, but every single time you open it, there is something new to be learned and refined-- and if you allow such to be the case-- you can continuously be transformed and enlightened.

Stretching after class

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Ok, so here's the sound clip from yesterday's performance class.  Things to keep in mind: this was me-- riddled with nerves-- standing up in front of a room full of people and singing by myself!  My voice was shaky, lots of notes fell flat, and I messed up the words and had to start over.  At some moments it sounds a bit like a painful high school recital; however, there were a few moments towards the end of each song when I calmed down a bit, and I can tell that my technique is getting better.  And after all, this whole journey is about growth.  So here I am, still very much a beginner, but for all to hear-- conquering fears one day at a time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDw00Se0_xs. Feedback, advice, and tips are strongly encouraged! Just be gentle because I'm very fragile.  :)