Keith Miller Master Class

Keith did a Master Class with four lucky UCF voice students. First, the student sang and then Keith made incredibly insightful suggestions and comments, all tailor-made for the singer. He asked the student to sing part of the aria using his advice. The impact on their singing was immediate and noticeable. Then, he would take his observation to another level, the student would sing, and another level, and sing. His work with each of the four was completely different and individualized. He also spoke about the business of singing. To paraphrase: If you want to make your living singing, i.e. to be paid money to sing, then you have to do a great job. If you don't, then you'll be fired and you won't be making money singing. So, you must WORK, WORK, WORK. This Master Class was as remarkable as his recital.

Keith Miller and Debbie Ayers Recital

Debbie did a recital with Met Opera bass-baritone Keith Miller, as a fundraiser for the UCF Opera Dept. Keith has an extraordinary voice, huge and warm, which filled the auditorium. The program was varied and Keith captured the audience. The dialogue between Debbie and Keith was palpable, and everyone commented about it after the concert. He spoke at length with dozens of students in the lobby. Keith has had quite a journey: he was a pro-football player who fell in love with singing after taking a date to a Broadway musical and then taught himself how to sing & read music. This led to a scholarship to the Academy of Vocal Arts, the Mt. Olympus of vocal schools, and his turning down a great contract with a football team. He was tapped by the Met, skipped the apprentice program, and has now sung in 200 opera performances. Keith has developed a fitness program for singers, which is used at the Met and is being rolled out this spring at Santa Fe Opera. Yes, his biceps are like tree trunks, and he is a friendly and modest man.

Running Away: Maybe. Buddha's Orphans: Don't Bother

Running Away by Jean-Phillipe Toussaint has some extraordinary descriptive writing set in contemporary China and a big contrast in Elba. Some might say it is over-written. This is wrapped around a bare bones story and a slight plot. A young man delivers an envelope of cash to a mysterious Chinese man for his girlfriend. He travels to Beijing with a young woman he meets, & the silent Chinese man tags along, all chock full of vivid descriptions of the city. He goes to Elba for the funeral of his girlfriend's father, more vivid descriptions. They go swimming in the sea. The end. I can't give a hearty recommendation, but there is some tour de force writing. You can knock it off on a long airplane ride.

Buddha's Orphans by Samrat Upadhyay: I was hooked by a review's mention of the book's description of the political turmoil in Nepal over the past two decades. Many of my Tibetan friends have made their way to the U.S. via Nepal, so I was very interested in this book. Unfortunately, that's all the political situation gets in the book: a mention. Most of the other 420 pages are devoted to a sophomoric story of a lifelong romance between two young people from broken families. There is some treatment of the grueling poverty in the country & the social system that keeps people trapped in it, but only cursory mention of the political turmoil that rocked the country. The book is mostly "shy glances" and "aching hearts". Oi vey. Avoid this book unless you need a big dose of melodrama.

Losar Tashi Delek

We had the privilege of celebrating the Tibetan New Year at the Tibet Association house in Santa Fe. It was a wonderful afternoon of prayer, great food, singing and friendship.

Tibet Uprising Day

March 10th is the 52nd anniversary of Tibet Uprising Day. This is marked by demonstrations around the world to remind us of the torture, genocide and the literally demolished culture of Tibet at the hands of the Communist Chinese. Since the State Department won't do anything about it, how about you? Boycott China.