Friendship, Food and Summer Solstice-ing!

This past weekend my dear friend Elizabeth came to visit me. Elizabeth and I met our freshman year in a production where we were cast in opposite roles in the spring musical. We also ended up taking the same advanced writing course that semester. 

After our sophomore year we both individually decided to transfer out of that university and have now gone our separate ways. But our friendship has lasted the transition. We try to talk via social networking or phone when we can but the distance makes it pretty difficult to communicate face to face. So when she was able to make some time in her busy schedule and come visit me at Ohio Light Opera, I was thrilled. We hadn't seen each other since this past Thanksgiving and I had really been missing her company. 

Most of the weekend was spent catching up on each other's lives, laughing and, of course, eating delicious food. We went back to that darling coffee shop which I mentioned here and ate more wonderful Hungarian pastries. Later that evening, after realizing that it was the longest day of the year (!), we celebrated summer solstice by eating delicious summery foods which are featured in the cluttered photo below. 

During Elizabeth's stay:

I was encouraged to take my art seriously and revel in this amazing summer experience 

I was encouraged to regularly exercise in a way that fits my personality and schedule (which means NO RUNNING. I have therefore added yoga to my daily routine)

I was encouraged to eat well and often.

I remembered how much I love to dance! 

I developed a slight addiction to Kombucha tea

I realized that frienships last forever. Now matter how much time goes between your visits

Thanks for the great time, dear friend! Hope to see you soon!

~Ellie

An Honest Moment - From A Young Musician

I am cellist.

But, you all knew that. What you don't know is that though I consider myself a cellist, am currently studying hard and hope to make a career out of it, sometimes I get tired.

I get tired of music.

Most people have witnessed my excitment. They've seen me talk overjoyed at the prospect of a performance opportunity or the chance to teach another student. But there are few people who witness my frustration as I work through pain, through difficult passages and through my doubts that I'll ever "make it".

Good days are actually more of an oddity than the days when I doubt myself.

I say this not as a way to make myself seem like less of a musician, but instead to make other's aware of the fact that doubts do not lessen your devotion to your craft. Sometimes it's hard to keep focused when you're in a career that's competitive and grueling. It's hard to focus on the good that you're doing rather than all that time you spent in the practice preparing for that one moment of satisfaction.

Most days for me are "practice-room days". These are the days when I spend my time working through intonation issues, penciling in fingerings only to erase them once again, and slowly gaining confidence in the nose bleed section of my fingerboard. I work through all of these difficulties and at times, I easily lose sight of what I'm doing. This is being an artist? These hours spent under florecent lights, staring at notes until my head aches. No. This can't be it.

But then.

Somehow, those notes turn to music. And then a glorious thing happens on performance night - I've felt this every time I've stepped into the orchestra pit this past week. The audience listens, hums along, taps their foot. It is then that you realize that the happiness they're experiencing is something that you helped to bring. That your performance encouraged certain discussion topics at the dinner table, reminded a family of their love for one another, encouraged a child to begin studying an instrument. It's not often that I get to see the product of my long hours spent in the practice room. But from half a floor down in the auditorium I feel the energy and excitement of hundreds of people clinging to my every note.

That's why I'm here. That's why I keep going. That is why I'm a musician.

-E

If you're a struggling artist then be encouraged.

You are making a difference whether or not you see it.

You are changing perspectives.

You are enlightening minds.

You are impacting those around you.

I Just Had a Perfect Weekend

I'm here. Back in my musty smelling room with the empty spare bed that makes me lonely. But I'm not lonely now (Not yet at least). I'm coming down off of the high of being around my family.

Mmm.

Family at times can be exhausting and, if you're Italian like me, deafening. So there have been many times when I'm not as thrilled at the prospect of spending a weekend with them. But it's times like these when you've spent night after night coming back from rehearsals to an empty room with only the internet and a Madeleine L'Engle novel to keep you company that you realize how much you actually belong with that loud obnoxious family.

I like to think of myself as introvert - someone who would rather spend time by herself. But now I've realized, I'm an introvert with the innate desire to be with people who understand her, understand life as I know it, and will feed me (both figuratively and, of course, literally).

Earlier this week, while rehearsing with the Ohio Light Opera, I found out that I would be playing all of The King and I performances by myself as it calls for only one cello. The other cellist, instead of playing half of the performances would be playing Lady, Be Good, a Gershwin musical, by herself. Which meant (lucky me) that I got two and half days to do absolutely nothing.

So I went to visit my sister ;)

While there I hung out with this guy. He's pretty cute, I know.

He also makes some amusing facial expressions. 

He learned from the best. What can I say? 

We do also smile normally. 

The family reminisced about "the good ol' days" when everyone sat around and ate pasta - oh wait, that's always!

And when they wore awesome clothes like this. 

I'm actually really wishing I could pull that look off.  

So then we danced the polka. 

And tried it with three people. 

I'm not quite sure that worked. . . .

 Sunday dinner was good. Not only was it good to eat real food that was cooked rather than the cereal and veggies I've been living off of, but it was also great to see my grandparents and one of my older sisters. 

They unsurprisingly sent me back with enough food to last a week (or more) and these.

My grandpa is too sweet. Such a softy. 

Back at my older sister's house that evening, E and I played restaurant for a good while with our homemade chef hats mine kept falling off :( . 

Being with my siblings is therapeutic. I miss you guys. A lot. 

Okay, I'm being sentimental. I'll stop. :P

Op-er-ah!

As I'm writing this post I'm sitting in my dorm room bed at the Ohio Light Opera, my hair wrapped in a towel as I'm sipping tomato soup. (Campbell's has never tasted better). I know I should have updated earlier but between the two-three a day rehearsals and the fact that I didn't have internet for the first 4 and a half days I just hadn't gotten around to it. Today, however, is the company's day off and I am enjoying getting caught up on outside life and chores and enjoying taking a lazy afternoon shower. The best.

The past few days were a complete blur and it honestly felt more like a couple weeks than five days. So far we've rehearsed 3 operas/operettas - Silk Stockings, The King and I, and HMS Pinafore. 3 rehearsals (or, services, as they are known to all my music friends) are allotted for each musical and so in the span of 7-9 hours we're expected to have perfected the music for a two hour performance. I don't remember the last time I've played this many hours a day. So far I'm averaging between 6-8 hours of playing/rehearsing. Yes, it's insane. I'm sure there will be many back rub chains in the future after all of our joints and appendages get over the shock of this week.

Yesterday, however, was a nice respite from the craziness. Our conductor, in a moment of pity ;) gave us two rehearsals off which (taking into account the fact that today is our day off) essentially added up to two entire days with no rehearsing. I, of course, still practiced (there's too much music not to!), cleaned my room some and checked in on my class schedule for this next semester. By the time evening rolled around I was pretty much ready to get out this musty-smelling, 1920's-era residence hall.  The musicians here haven't had much bonding time since we're almost always in rehearsal (in which, of course, there is NO talking). When we're outside of rehearsal we're either doing our private practicing or napping. Exciting life, eh? This is why it was a huge blessing to be able to go out with some girls I recently met and explore the surrounding area.

Our adventure consisted of:

Exploring a Hungarian Coffee Shop and Bakery 

The shop was lovely. When I walked in I immediately thought to myself "this is the essence of a coffee shop". It had excellent lattes, delicious pastries, friendly staff, polished wood, and bare brick walls. I was really missing coffee and the coffeeshop atmosphere this past week so it was so good to just sit and soak it all in. I have a feeling I will be visiting this place quite a bit ;)

Eating Out at Spoon!

Next we went to a really cute deli/market where we all bought delicious sandwiches (which were served with kale fries! I'm hooked!). 

Books!

And then. . . we found a bookstore. Those are famous last words, I'm sure of it. This darling book shop is located right downtown and looks completely unassuming. It's a tiny storefront that takes up just about 15 feet across but when you walk in IT JUST DOESN'T END! And (even better news) there's an upstairs too. Somebody better find me before I spend all my money on books. This is a dangerous place for me. 

On the side of the bookshelves you can find little pictures of the store owner's travels. Too cute. And, for the record, this lady looks to have had quite a dandy life.

After our exploring we went back and watched Doctor Who until 3 in the morning. 

Friendship? I think yes.

Check back for more pictures!

-E

Nerding Out

I saw this being passed around on FaceBook a little while ago and got a good laugh out of it. As a musician and a Harry Potter fan (no shame at all in admitting that) I thought I should pass on the laughs for my circle of friends to enjoy. SO. This, friends, is what happens when musicians nerd out over Harry Potter.

Expecto . . .

PhotoCred:buzzfeed.com

Patronum!!!

PhotoCred: buzzfeed.com

xoxo

And the New School IS . . . .

Photo cred: http://www.butler.edu/admission/

JORDAN COLLEGE OF THE ARTS!

A bit of background:

This entire year I spent practicing, working odd jobs, and auditioning at different conservatories. After numerous recordings and auditions, I received six acceptance letters - Cincinnati Conservatory, Baldwin Wallace Conservatory, DePaul School of Music, IU - Jacobs School of Music, Hartt School of Music and Butler!

Photo Cred: http://www.indmta.org/hoosier/districtC.htm

I am seriously thrilled about all of the opportunities that are available to me at this great school. I have two years to make the most of it and then I'm on to grad school. Hopefully that short amount of time will encourage me to be even more intentional with my education. 

Expect lots more updates on my life at Jordan! 

Travel Weekend: Chicago and Cleveland

After a long time away from the blog I am back and armed with lots of pictures! This weekend I had a "visit-my-family-marathon". On Friday morning, bright and early, I left on a megabus headed for Chicago to see my baby sister.

I arrived about 15 minutes ahead of schedule and, because of that, my sister had not yet arrived at the station to pick me up. I stood around the bus for a while, trying not to seem as awkward and lost as I felt while searching for a place to wait. Finally, I spotted a Corner Cafe down the next road. Perfect! I briskly walked there, suitcase in hand, ordered a chai latte and waited for McKenna. It turned out to be a good choice because then we were able to grab a bite to eat before Kenna gave me a little tour of her city.

K said "Let's take a tourist picture of you!" This is the result :)

We talked for a long time that afternoon/evening and got caught up on each other's lives. As much as modern modes of communication are convienent in long distance relationships, nothing will ever be able to replicate the feeling of a face to face chat with my sister.

Saturday morning we woke up after hardly any sleep (sorry for snoring, Kenna!), got a yummy breakfast together and then went to a nearby conservatory to enjoy some time in a truly peaceful environment. The conservatory turned out to be a great decision and we enjoyed walking through, identifying plants and reminiscing about our childhood gardening experiences.  If you're planning on visiting the area, I highly recommend it.

Posing next to one of my favorites - hydrangeas :)

Kenna and I surrounded by hanging baskets

 After our floral adventure we headed off in a new direction - the movie theater to see The Great Gatsby. And, let me just say, it was fantastic. K and I were mesmorized by the unique and artistic portrayal of the novel and, of course, by the Prada-designed costumes!

After the movie, however, we realized that our schedule may have not been the smartest idea. We went to see the movie at 1 PM, leaving us only 45 minutes to grab my luggage and race to Union Station. Anyone watching us would have seen lots of power walking, some sprinting and plenty of panting on my part. We made it with about seven minutes to spare! Thank goodness. I sat on the top deck of the bus and watched as Kenna waved me off. I'm going to miss that girl. Already do, in fact.

Instead of heading home, however, this time my bus was headed for Cleveland where my eldest sister, her husband and my niece were all preparing for my baby nephew's christening which took place on Sunday. It was a long drive and I read around 120 pages of The Help while sitting there. That is, until the bus driver decided to play the bass drum with the brake ;) leaving me feeling a tad bit nauseated.

The christening ceremony, which took place Sunday morning, was beautiful and moving! My niece said one of the "leader lines" in the congregational reading and you could tell that she had practiced diligently. After saying her sentence-long line she grinned and glowed for the rest of the reading. Success! Baby James, however, didn't think the ceremony was that big of a deal. He slept through the entire thing - even as water was sprinkled on his head.

The family posing pre-baptism

A congregational reading with the godparents

After the ceremony, everyone - our big Italian family, church members, and law school friends - came to a brunch that my sister hosted. There was, of course, plenty of food and plenty of noise. It was so good to catch up with my relatives and update them on my plans for this summer, next year, and remind them that, yes, I am still dating that Jordan guy. ;)

The beautiful spread excluding the french toast and breakfast casseroles

After staying there for a while, Dad (who drove to Cleveland on his own) and I headed out to start our six hour drive back to Indy. It had been a long weekend and I was so ready to be home.