French Arias....

Hey friends, I am just starting to delve into the world of french rep. it scared me for a while, but now I'm ready! I'm working on Antonia's Aria from Les Contes d'Hoffmann. I'm singing it both in my exit audition ad well as jury. 

I've been enjoying Catherine Malfitano on youtube all afternoon. Check it out. {Video quality is poor, but the sound is great} And if anyone has any good french aria suggestions send 'em my way! - kate

I see a lot of sexy and adorable secrets! What a great class you are. Kate, so many thanks for creating this great blog, and for your great and witty comments.

As Lauren said: Keep on blogging!

Talk to you soon.

Fondly,

Janice

Here's the thing...

Lauren Flanigan is pretty darn fabulous.  How lucky were we to have chatted with her? Thank you so much Lauren, for taking the time to give us killer advice and tell us some fabulously entertaining stories. 

Here are some ideas to keep in mind..

"Yes, is faster than no" - Danny Devito

1. Just do it.

2. Here's the thing, there's no secret.

3. Don't under-estimate the power of your hometown.

4. No matter what, do not... do not quote any musical markings to a conductor! Just don't do it.

5. Blog, just a few minutes a day!

6. and last but not least, don't eat Jimmy Morris's prop rotisserie chickens after your aria when singing in Don Giovanni at the Metropolitan Opera. 

Enjoy the beautiful work of Lauren Flanigan below.

Press Kits & Binders: the 411

*hey guys, just putting all the specifics about final projects on the blog from Janice's email this morning - good luck!*

Press Kits

1) the outside logo should be centered 2" or so from the top (use a card stock and rubber cement)

2) When you open the pocket portfolio to the left you should have a letter on your letterhead (stationary). You can writer that to Richard and me or use this as an opportunity to write a business letter asking for an audition, or letting a presenter know the details of your arrival time and needs before a concert. (This is called an advice sheet.)

3) Underneath this letter place the resume, bio, and if you have a repertoire sheet or a "Praise For...." (recommendations from teachers and coaches go on that sheet as well as reviews when you get them) would be placed under bio sheet. (These are not required, I just want you to know where they go).

4) On the right-hand side, place a photo you think meets my criteria. It can be you, a friend, or President Obama (whose cartoon bubble would. of course, show him to be thinking of me).

5) As to a card, you can use a cover stock and scale logo and information down. There are also 8 1/2 X 11 card stocks that are perforated so that you can print onto them and tear them into cards that fit in the pocket portfolio.

Eventually (when you have the money)  you can go to http://www.vistaprint.com/business-cards.aspx?xnav=TsrItem&xnid=aPremiumBusinessCardsBusiness+Identity&dng=Business+Identity  or any other company  or Printing ForLess.com at https://www.printingforless.com/cardsbusinesscards.html and upload your files. I think 500 cards are about $50 for a custom card, a bit less for 250. Remember, the more you print the cheaper it gets. They also do photos if that's what you decide (but use same font as your letterhead). I have used Printingforless for brochures and they are very good.

Don't forget a paper clip that coordinates with your logo colors can add a very polished look.

Binders

You do not have to put every single handout in a plastic sleeve. For instance, I would put all the tax info in one sleeve. However, I would put letters, Activity Chart, Resume and photo info, bio materials, Job specification Sheet, Event Advertisement Sheet, and any other pages you will be using continuously in separate sleeves so that you do not have to go rooting around for them throughout your busy career days. Any of the materials I gave you such as the New Yorker articles, some of the Wall Street Journal articles, etc. can go in the back and do not have to be sleeved.

A Janice Papolos Scholarship Fund has just been endowed for anyone who is a bit "short of the ready" (as the British say), and are having trouble paying for plastic sleeves. Just email me separately, buy them, and I will reimburse you. I am that serious as to how much you will use and review the materials in these binders and one can of coke or a cup of coffee will finish them off.

Now, write me if you have any questions. I am here Twittering away. ( I think I'm beginning to live my life for my tweats and to read everyone elses'.) Remember...http://www.twitter.com/jpapolos. Start tweeting and "Wherever thou goest I will go" as Ruth said to Naomi.

I am looking forward to you all getting on Twitter so that you can keep me in the loop about you and happening performers on the opera scene (and Scott, your world). You are my eyes and ears out in the world!

By the way, Scott has been nominated as "Best Sport in the World."

Have a good day!

Don't forget!!

Take home final is due tomorrow {4.21.09}

Good luck everyone!

Recital!!

Just a reminder, it's my recital today!!!

Here's all the info: Kate's Recital

The Twouble With Twitter

No, I haven't misspelled that. This is a funny video about the twittersphere. Take a look at http://theharperstudio.com/2009/04/twouble-with-twitter/

Enjoy this beautiful day!

Janice