[Perform-Talk] Discussion Starter

[Julie McGinnity]

Hi all,

I am a singer as many of you know.  When I was a child, my mother
realized that I could sing and may have been good at it.  (Or maybe
she just wanted to turn my constant singing along with the radio into
something useful.)

I loved choir, musicals, and eventually singing in other languages.
When I was a sophomore in high school, I auditioned and was accepted
into the Artist in Training program through Opera Theater of St.
Louis.  This program gave me the foundational technique I needed to
become a classical singer in college.

In college I studied vocal performance.  The story of my undergraduate
years would fill many pages.  I am willing to talk about it if anyone
is interested.  I'll summarize it by saying that I learned many things
from the university I chose, but they had unfortunately low
expectations of me as a performer.


On 3/21/16, Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Perform-talk
<perform-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hello,
>
> My introduction into performing was dance. My mom was a dance teacher, so I
> grew up in the dance "culture." Tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop-- I did it all.
> When I was four, I had a part in The Nutcracker, and I just thought being on
> stage was so cool and was hooked. At ages 7, 8, 9, I would spend hours at
> the dance studio practicing. Long after classes were done, I would be
> dancing around, polishing my technique.
>
> My uncle was always into performing arts, and was part of a prestigious
> university show choir in our state. I wanted to be like him. He worked as a
> performer for World's of Fun and later several cruise lines, ending up in
> New York where he toured with several Broadway productions. He was my
> example.
>
> I started seriously singing in grammar school, asking my parents for vocal
> lessons. By junior high, I knew the stage was the place for me, and I wanted
> to do nothing else. My jr. high and high school choir directors thought I
> could sing professionally if I stuck with it, so that was affirmation for
> me.
>
> All through high school, I not only danced on dance team and with a studio,
> but I participated in school and community theatre. I also directed a small
> theatre group for a couple of years as well beginning my senior year of high
> school. I also was in choir and show choir every year, also acting as show
> choir choreographer my senior year of high school. I studied vocal
> performance at university, minoring in theatre.
>
> At 21, my life derailed and I became very sick, almost losing my life. This
> is how I lost my sight. After I recovered and received nonvisual training, I
> no longer saw a stage career for me. It wasn't the blindness, I just went
> through a crazy ordeal, and while I gained a lot of perspective on life, I
> equally lost my way for a time. I later went back to university and studied
> creative writing. I love writing, but I miss performing, and now, when it's
> a bit late in life, I realize that it's always been my one, true passion.
> I'm trying to find outlets for performing, but at my age and with a family,
> it's difficult. Plus, my performing abilities are out of shape.
>
> I'm trying to instill a love of the arts in my kids. Even if they do not
> pursue performing as a hobby or career, I hope it's an interest they engage
> in. And I think the arts are an important aspect of life.
>
> Bridgit
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Perform-talk [mailto:perform-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> Darian Smith via Perform-talk
> Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2016 2:41 PM
> To: Performing Arts Division list <perform-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Darian Smith <dsmithnfb at gmail.com>
> Subject: [Perform-Talk] Discussion Starter
>
> Hi   folks,
>   We all have  some sort of talent or “performing art” that we  we are
> fairly good at and enjoy.
>
>   What is your performing art? how did you come to realize it?  ?
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Perform-talk mailing list
> Perform-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/perform-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Perform-talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/perform-talk_nfbnet.org/bkpollpeter%40gmail.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Perform-talk mailing list
> Perform-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/perform-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Perform-talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/perform-talk_nfbnet.org/kaybaycar%40gmail.com
>


-- 
Julie A. McGinnity
President, National Federation of the Blind Performing Arts Division,
Second Vice President, National Federation of the Blind of Missouri
"For we walk by faith, not by sight"
2 Cor. 7