Music Meets Drama

Norm Carlberg Looking at my calendar today brought me a reminder that my friend and colleague, Norm Carlberg died unexpectedly ten years ago today.  As we all say, how time has flown.  Yet my memories of Norm are clear and filled with admiration of a good, true, giving person who was extraordinarily talented. In July 2010 my blog entry was about the three directors who made my “Life! Love! Song!  A Visit with Gena Branscombe” show come alive.  Norm Carlberg, Evan Pappas and Ellen Harvey gave of their talents to guide me through the development and performance of this wonderful and fun one-woman show. It was Norm Carlberg with whom I first shared my idea of the show.  Over dinner, I sought his advice on how to go about writing and creating my idea….how to make it a reality.  Listening intently as I recounted my Gena Branscombe journey up to that day, Norm slowly spoke in his deep bass voice, “Just start writing” was his advice….”write and writ...

Stephanie Samaras….. During one’s years as a music student, then as a professional working musician we have many people who guide us, teach us, offer advice and help us along the crazy path of this career. For any musician, your private teacher is much more than a teacher of technique and musical style. My voice teacher, StephanieSamaras , has been the champion and guide of my vocal technique for well over 15 years.  Her knowledge of the human body, human voice and how it all functions to form beautiful sound is to be respected and revered.  Her ability to listen to her student’s singing, diagnose the problem and fix it with exercises or verbal images is something to behold.  I am thankful for her wisdom.  Much more than that, Stephanie is a cheerleader for her students, always making suggestions for repertoire, auditions or work they might find.  Cheerleading also means she is part therapist as well.  Her interest in her students is always for...