First of all, I was soooo excited to be able to just meet Ricky. I had been singing one of his songs since my Jr. or Sr. year in undergrad, so I didn't need to do research on who he was or what his accomplishments were. I introduced myself to him in the library of HPA & the first thing I thought was that he had a funny speaking voice...kinda like a cartoon. But it grew on me & I can't imagine him sounding any different! LOL....anyway, the day came for the audition for the masterclass on his music. I've never been in a situation were I had the opportunity to sing for a composer of this caliber and it was such a surreal experience... I walked into the audition room and Ricky looked so pleasant & cheerful that my nerves & jitters were calmed. I started singing "Joy" and I could see from my peripheral vision that he was satisfied and I right before I finished my high note, I made eye contact with him & smiled (while singing) just to let him know that I enjoyed what I was doing. When I was finished singing, Val Underwood, the artistic director said that it was beautiful & Ricky agreed. It was a wonderful audition...
The audition was on a sunday I think, so the list for the masterclass wasn't posted until Tuesday. Everyone who auditioned waited patiently for the list of singers to be put up. Unfortunately, everyone was not able to participate, but I am thankful that I was chosen to sing.
So, not only once, but TWICE, I got to sing for Ricky!! This time was different - in a good way. I always feel less nervous & jittery when the audience is larger as opposed to 3 or 4 people staring in my face (hence the reason I don't like auditions - but it's a major must in this career). But my singing was fine...Ricky wanted me to reconsider my approach to the interpretation of the poem by Langston Hughes. And I guess now that I look back at it, I can see the wit & humor in the poem...I took the interpretation a bit too literal & made the song into a sweet love song. But when Ricky finished explaining & I sang the song for the 2nd time, it made much more sense. It was such a wonderful experience & this blog cannot express that enough.
Oh yeah! I also had the chance to chit chat with him & a few instrumentalists from the chamber ensemble at lunch one day. Really cool!!!! I wish all the excitement that I still have could be translated to your screen...hope you get the jist.
Here are a few pics from the small performance I did and the rest from Ricky's masterclass.
Me & Sam Fu in "Music of the Night" Me singing in masterclass
Discussing Langston Hughes Finished our collaboration
Me & Ricky - such a cool guy
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