Volovna Vocal Studio

To this day, two of my most favorite artists are Marian Anderson and Paul Robeson. Here is the story of the "Black Swan "label which promoted black artists in a time when nothing was easy or fair for Afro Americans. I hope for a day when all people are valued.

Black Swan Records: The Story and Legacy of a Black Classical Music Label From 1921–1923 Harry Pace’s recording company publicized important artists but faced impossible hurdles.

One of my students has an upcoming competition. It is her first competition and, because she has little experience performing as a soloist, I know that her nerves could get the best of her.

I was reminded of the my own first audition for a lead role with a reputable opera company in France. I was to sing in front of the opera director, and, while waiting to go on in a room nearby and literally shaking, I had the luck of finding the key to controlling my nerves.

I sang very well and was offered my first professional operatic role in a medium-sized house in France.

I used to think that concentrating on the text would be enough to calm me down, but....not so.

What I can say is that it is necessary to focus on something larger than yourself.

I wrote an article to explain this called “Overcoming Audition Fear.” But one option that I didn’t mention is the thought form that “everything is already decided, and all I need to do is play my part well, as all is decided anyway.” This has helped me many times to be present to the moment.

The act of being present to one’s surrounding, perhaps going into a garden and truly seeing the flowers with the sunlight coming from above is so simple, and yet gives scale and relativity to moment—this is the way.

Now, finding the creativity to discover the scale and relativity of putting each new performing anxiety attack into perspective is the key!

The article “Overcoming Audition Fear” explores all this. Enjoy it!

https://marlavolovna.wordpress.com/2018/07/06/overcoming-audition-fear/

This takes singing in the shower to the next level.

Pavarotti singing in the shower