[Perform-Talk] Discussion Starter

Tue Mar 22 03:38:06 UTC 2016

Stupid send button...  It appeared out of nowhere!

Anyway... Lol I moved here to go to grad school, and now that I've
earned a masters in vocal performance, I feel much more confident
about my skills, how I want to pursue a performing career, and where
my limits stand.  It's important for every performer to understand
what it means to be so, and this is especially important if you are
blind.  We need to be on top of logistics, know our business, and must
think on our feet quicker than we may like.

It's another discussion for another day.  The original question...
Yes, my performing art.  I still sing.  Of course, I sing opera and
classical art song, but I also love musical theater and some
contemporary music.  I hope to be able to sing for all of you this
summer at the convention!

Let's keep the answers coming!

On 3/21/16, Julie McGinnity <kaybaycar at gmail.com> wrote:
> 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?  ?
>>
>>
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>
>
> --
> 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
>

-- 
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