Burgess Falls State Park is one of Middle Tennessee's shorter hiking loops, and one of its more popular parks. There are multiple lots for parking your car, but beware! They fill up quickly during the holidays and on weekends, so you'll want to get to Burgess Falls early. There is an ADA-accessible area, a playground for the kids, and clean bathrooms. It's a great place to bring the family for a picnic and quick hike!

   There is also a nearby RV park, so my friends who are planning on taking their new rig out for a test run, this may be an excellent choice! Down the road lies a beautiful Farm to Table restaurant and store, where you can grab a bite, or take home some farm-fresh milk or locally made ice cream. 

   The hiking loop itself isn't ADA Accessible, unfortunately. It's a beautiful space for an afternoon hike, and for my friends with weak knees it's pretty friendly (though I will not that the trail is on an incline, and there is a section with lots of steep-ish stairs, so if you need a brace it may be helpful). The loop is shorter, I think it's 2 and a half miles, and is a perfect hike for beginners.

   My favorite way to hike the Burgess Falls loop  is to go counterclockwise (like I do most of my hikes). Leisurely climbing a gravel hill and stopping by the interesting flora along the side of the trail warms up your muscles without a lot of demand on them. There seems to always be a new plant or bug to discover on my hikes, and this hike was definitely a mushroom hike. Once you start to descend into the ravine, your gravel hiking trail turns to a well-kept forest trail, and your surroundings become hushed and verdant. Keep an eye out in the plants that kiss the side of the trail, there are plenty of native wildflowers and mushrooms to discover. 

​    My first time hiking Burgess Falls, I was delighted to find that there's not just views of one waterfall, but 2! You'll find that after exploring the big falls, you'll come across a smaller waterfall just up the trail on your way back. It's a beautiful spot to take a rest, and is usually less busy than the big falls overlook (so if you're wanting pictures with the waterfall, it's a great spot!). Hiking further will bring you down the stairs of doom, and across a beautiful bridge.

   I don't want to spoil the whole loop for you, so I'll leave it there. There are lots of beautiful surprises on the trail, and even though the loop itself is short, it's a very rewarding hike without it being too strenuous. 

   Friend, I hope that in these tumultuous times, you find the space to get outdoors. Connecting with the world around us, without the distraction of our favorite little rectangular obsession, is so, so important for your mental health. I hope that you can step out and linger-even just for an extra moment. 

   I'll be trying my best to, too. 

Thanks for reading, Friend. I'm glad you're here. 

   It has been awhile, Friend. I lay in bed here in the late evening, and can't help but feel nostalgia for the recent past. It seems like May flew by as quickly as it approached, and in its wake I feel the aftershocks of a productive month.

   Now that I am preparing for my second serious audition season as an emerging artist (post-grad school, but not quite seasoned opera singer), it seems as though summer will be much more full than expected. One of my favorite things about summer is getting to perform more frequently in outreach concerts around the Nashville area with the Nashville Opera. Getting to sing in general in public has always seemed like such a huge honor (and more recently, a whole lot of fun), and singing more frequently has ignited such a light in my life. 

   Next month marks 2 years since I left my life & marriage in New Orleans, and even though I've met this many wonderful people, and had this many experiences, I can't shake the feeling that I'm still suspended in cosmic goo, unable to move on with my life. 

These next few months are crucial. Despite how draining my schedule is, I am excited to see where my hard work takes me. I am...feeling very thankful to know the people I do, recently. When you grow up, the people you include in your life are so important, and I seem to have met the most wonderful people alive. Through my hardships, they sit and love me, they understand me, and they meet me with joy. My darling, darling friends, you are truly the most extraordinary. I feel so privileged to be included in your life, and you in mine. 

I am slowly dragging myself into a daily movement routine, again. I've been ill on and off for a couple of months, but starting to move again has really made a difference in my life. Between yoga, Pilates, hiking, and the occasional ballroom dance (some of the members of the dance club I work at have started asking me to dance), I am thoroughly enjoying being active.

   The way my body is slowly waking again, amidst all the chaos and heartbreak of navigating finding a new place, the job market, and creating (not to mention the state of the world currently), is scary and lonely and hopeful. Despite how life seems to constantly beat us down, sometimes...sometimes it's not so bad. 

Darling friend, I hope that you find something to feel hopeful for. Even if the very thought of hope makes you tingle with fear, I hope you continue to try and hope for something, despite it all. 

I hope that this is the beginning. For all of us. 

   Winter is over. It seems like the seasons keep breezing by quicker and quicker as the years pass us by, making the appreciation of 'now' evermore sweet. Any chance to be outside is well-appreciated recently, even more so as the weather warms. 

   One of my favorite parts about winter ending is being able to watch the earth slowly wake from her slumber. It seems like she almost yawns and stretches, with the way the sun begins to shine brighter, and the green buds. My recent adventures have been brief (between having 2 jobs & helping manage a non-profit, free time is scarce) but sorely needed, as the sun kissing my cheeks & shoulders warm a part of me I didn't know was cold. 
~

Two of my most recent adventures involve two vastly different parks. First up was a re-visit to Rock Island State Park & the Downstream Trail, then following was my most recent walk on the Mt. Juliet YMCA Greenway. One is a day-long adventure, with the morning trek south and subsequent exploration being an hours-long event. The latter is a revisitation of my old routine, an old friend I've come to love but haven't caught up with in recent months. 

   It's difficult to decide where my favorite spots in Tennessee are. There's always another beautiful spot, another waterfall, lush landscape, tiny treasure to find. Rock Island State Park may just be one of my favorites, simply because it's such an accessible park. From beautifully maintained old spring houses to picnic spots to trails that will have you working up a sweat, it seems this park has it all. 

   Rock Island State Park is nestled in Rock Island Tennessee, and is just under 2 hours away from the center of Nashville. A perfect getaway from the city's chaos for the whole family, there is an easily accessible waterfall, picnicking, and an adorable cabin rental just down the road from the Downstream Trail. There are fishing challenges at the marina, and the area is home to a cast of friendly locals. 

   The Downstream Trail is rated as Moderate on AllTrails, and is an out-and-back trail coming in at just under 2 miles. This trail is NOT ADA-accessible, so those with mobility aids please take care! The trail greets you with a gravelly decline down to the soil trail. The trail itself is mostly flat, with a few inclines along the way. There are 2 very shallow stream crossings, which make a lovely backdrop for photos (I took my 26th birthday portraits here!) and a beautiful cave behind a small waterfall you can explore. Twin Falls is the main attraction, but as you explore further down the trail you'll find scenic spots to sit and enjoy the landscape and flowers galore. 

   At the turn in the river, I sat on a rock and...let the world in. It's the moments of serene calm in our lives that we seek, and some even go so far as to chase them through difficult terrains and strenuous exercise. Moments of perceived stillness, even as the world and time flows around you. Life becomes so much faster after your school years, and at times seems as if blinking would spend all your time on earth. The work we do, people we see, the love we cultivate, it all takes precious moments of our time. These things, I think, are what makes time well-spent. Still, the fleeting moments shouldn't all be spent on active things. It's absolutely necessary to have time to just be. 

   Nestled near a Target and the Mt. Juliet YMCA lies a quiet path that is perfect for a post-work walk. In fact, it's always a treat when I remember that just a few minutes from my office there's a perfect walking trail with just the right amount of people and nature. One of my favorite ways to experience the changing of seasons is to consistently walk in one space, so you notice all of the little changes the year brings. 

   The YMCA Trail connects to another greenway, but on its own it weaves through forest, fields, and an old neighborhood with an abandoned cottage & silo. There is always something new to discover, from Bradford pear petals dotting the ground like snow, to new mushrooms popping up after a rain. The path is paved, and while it is technically mobility aid-friendly, there are some hills which make the path difficult to navigate for non-motorized wheelchair users. 

   If you're ever in need of a new walk in the Mt. Juliet area, I'd give this one a try. Walking from the parking lot to the greenway connection is a little over a mile, which makes for a lovely wind-down after a day of sitting in the office. If you're luck enough to catch the trail in the twilight when there are few people, you may even come face-to-face with a deer!                                                                                        

   No matter how many times I visit a place, it seems that there are always new changes to greet me. With how the world moves, I don't think I'll ever tire of visiting gorgeous areas, finding new treasures, experiencing the way the world changes. In your daily commute, do you take time to notice the way it changes? New flowers lifting their faces to the sun? 

  Dear reader, I hope that this spring you take some intentional time to really look at the world around you. Life is so fast, so busy. It won't hurt to slow down and take it in for a bit. 

   I am getting older. I celebrated my 27th birthday on the 19th, and with that I felt a certain weight place its fingertips gently on my shoulders. My young adult life was (and is, I recognize that 27 is not old) filled to the brim with adventure, a clumsy and new-found lust for living, and many, many mistakes. It seems to so many young people that they are invincible, and with the brash rush of life and freedom one receives when leaving their parents' nest for the first time, they truly do test the limits of their vitality. 

   It's hard to think about the future realistically, especially when the environment in the U.S. is the way that it is. As I gain more experience and try things, I'm realizing that I'm beginning to really appreciate financial literacy, and the idea of not living paycheck to paycheck. I'm wondering if my efforts on social media will ever be rewarded by allowing me to be compensated for the effort I make to produce beautiful & authentic content. I wonder if I'll ever make a living being an artist, or if I'll survive the grind of the young opera singer. 

  When your life looks like mine, it can be difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel at times. Still, even during my darkest thoughts, the tiniest warmth in my chest glows like a tea candle. Gone are the days of teenage hopelessness; my years have taught me that life doesn't end without cause, and that-even if my sight is hazy-moving forward is the only option. Hope. There will always be something to move towards, no matter what the weight pressing you deeper into the mud tries to make you think. 

​   Dear Reader, I wonder what your 27th year looked (or will look) like. Did you transition into a more mature way of moving about the world, or did you continue to relish in the beautiful disaster that are our 20's? Will it get better, will I be happy?

   I suppose the only one who can answer those will be me.

   These first two months of 2025 have felt like an eternity. The world is on fire, and it can be hard to stay grounded when we are constantly accosted with the horrid. With my content (even somewhat sour blog entries like this) I hope to give you a break from the chaos, the constant barrage of yelling and color and quickness of the social media feed. I hope what I bring is an opportunity to slow down and to appreciate what life has to offer.

   Despite it all, we're still here, aren't we? 

   

   I think that deep down, everyone has a desire to be loved and understood. We spend our lives cultivating relationships in hopes that the people we care about care about us too, and truly want to see you for you, and not superimpose their ideals and wants on their perception of you. 

   Love in all forms is complicated, from the realization that your parents are only human and make mistakes, to bittersweet goodbyes to a romantic partner that you love but can no longer pursue. 

   Our 20's are for coming into our own, and as I enter my late 20's I realize that there are many kinds of love I've already had the privilege to experience. Of all the relationships I've had the pleasure to cultivate, I find that friendships are some of the most rewarding. Celebrating you and your friends' accomplishments, working through adversity together, challenging each other to grow and make better choices, the late night talks, the emotional support, the positive encouragement from someone who wants nothing more than to see you succeed...in this way, we create a community around us that will love and cherish us for our whole lives. Friendships come and go, they fade in and out, but the deep sense of care and affection you have for your close friends never really fade, even if your communication lulls. 

   In my (almost) 27 years, I have had the immense privilege of meeting the most interesting people, and I can only imagine who else I'll meet in my brief time here on Earth. Lovely, beautiful people with rich histories and ringing laughter fill my life, as they do everyone else's. We all go through our struggles and sorrows, but finding strength in community is our common denominator. It is through our friends we learn what platonic love is. It is through our friends that we find meaningful connection without the worry of the complexities of navigating through romantic relationships and sex. We learn to love our friends with all their shortcomings and to celebrate their growth. I love my friends deeply. 

~

   My two dear friends got married this weekend. Their love is so devoted, so tender. The way they care about each other and tend to their other half's needs guides me to treat myself and my relationships with the same care. They are both creatives, and the way they inspire each other and feed off each other's energy makes me envious. Nobody is perfect, but their commitment to love each other through the difficult, in spite of the mistakes, and the way they care for each other int their times of weakness and strife is truly something to aim towards. 

   My own relationships are often complex, as everyone has their own traumas and baggage to navigate. I find that there's something to celebrate and to love in everyone, and I truly believe everyone is deserving of love and understanding. 

   In life, lots of people navigate their relationships in an all or nothing sort of way. I don't live like this; there's always a spectrum. I've played by the rules of how relationships are supposed to progress, and I find that perhaps the "norm" doesn't work well for me. I enjoy deep, meaningful relationships with friends, and no time limit for a pause in communication. I enjoy casually getting to know someone without the expectation of a dedicated relationship. I know my ideals may not be for everyone, but it takes a lot of the anxiety of having a timeline out of my experiences with people. 

   I love people, and I love learning about people. There is a saying, "To be seen is to be loved." But, I don't agree with that in its entirety. To me, to be known-truly known- is to be loved. Dear Reader, I hope that your relationships-platonic or not-are full of people who know you. May the bittersweet goodbyes of inevitable partings slowly crumble to fond memories of lovers past, and may new loves bloom for you in fields. May our endings and beginnings bear sweet fruit, and lasting friendships for our lives, however long we are blessed to have them. 

   It always feels like such a privilege to go on a hike during a weekday. New Year's Day was a crisp one, with chilly air that manages to caress the hairs on your legs under your clothes. As I crunched along the trail and suffered up a rather long hill, my breath made clouds in the cool air in front of me. It was the perfect start to 2025, moving to better myself and to enjoy the world around me. There's truly something meditative about hiking alone, even on a semi-busy trail. Being alone with your thoughts, your own encouragement, it's a beautiful way to experience how you encourage others. 

   The Harpeth Woods Trail at Edwin Warner park is a 2 1/2 mile trail that's rated as Moderate on the AllTrails app. It's beautiful, but be aware that there is quite an incline at the end of the trail (or the beginning, if you're like me and started by turning left instead of right). This trail is gorgeous, and quite popular with families, so it's far from a solemn hike. After a good rain, you can see a variety of mushrooms dotting the trail, even in January. 

   Most of the trail was dry and well-kept, but beware a few fallen trees on the overlook fork! They are easily circumnavigated. For those with weak joints or injuries, I recommend bringing a hiking stick to help navigate rocky inclines and to help with balance. 

   This trail is NOT ADA-accessible, unfortunately. The trail is well-kept, but all dirt and quite muddy right after a rain. If you're planning on hiking with a mobility aid, I believe there is an old paved road that is now used as a trail at the Edwin Warner park. 

   Dear Reader, I hope that this year is filled with the sweet sensations of a breeze across your cheek on a warm day, or the hug of warmth you feel when donning your favorite cozy sweater. I hope that your 2025 is filled with personal triumphs, heartwarming moments, and bittersweet memories that you'll look upon fondly years in the future. Finally, I hope you find yourself outside this year. I hope you find a cool rock, or a beautifully-colored leaf, or a mushroom. I hope you can cultivate an appreciation for nature this year, even more so if you haven't had one before.

  Stay safe, Friend. Here's to 2025. 

   Ah, Baton Rouge. The Capital of Louisiana, and home of Raising Cane's. Live oaks line the streets, and housing meanders around bayous. A small city with a lot of history, these days the biggest draw is Louisiana State University. I completed my Master's program there, and just recently went back to perform with Opera Louisiane in their Christmas show, Becoming Santa Claus. 

   All this being said, I've had lots of opportunity to try local restaurants, so if you're visiting or wanting to try something new, here are a few suggestions from me. 

   Nestled under the interstate, there lay a wealth of little shops and restaurants that boast some of Baton Rouge's best food. The Overpass Merchant is one such restaurant, known for their rotating daily specials and quality burgers. A gorgeous little restaurant with a friendly staff, the Overpass Merchant is popular for their quality spins on classic American and Asian dishes. A laid-back place to relax after a long day, bring a couple of friends and don't forget to share some appetizers.

   Because of the size and popularity of the O.M., I would personally suggest making a reservation, they may not be able to accommodate walk-ins. 

 Sarah's Picks: Tempura-Fried Green Beans,  Grouper Sandwich, Burgers

   It's a chilly December evening, and rehearsal with Opera Louisiane has ended early. It's much too early to return to my hotel and sleep, so I scan around while driving back towards the Crown Plaza. A beautiful, bright sign catches my eye; The Colonel's Club. It takes me significantly longer to find than anticipated, but as I finally park and head in I can't help but admire the facade of the building. 

   Inside lies and even more beautiful atmosphere; pleasantly dim, the staff greets me and asks which way I'm headed. As I step into the Lounge, I'm greeted by live piano and a crackling fire. This, I thought, is exactly what I had been craving. It's admittedly difficult to find a welcoming, cozy lounge that boasts live music and skillfully crafted cocktails in Baton Rouge (other alternatives have aspects of this, but not everything together). I spent the evening getting to know the wonderful staff and trying their own creations, and enjoying the wonderful music of Kiley McDonnel. 

  The Club ( the restaurant on the other side) has a modern southern/seafood menu, and while I did not try their food, it looks stunning, and I've heard nothing but positive things from those who have dined there. 

Sarah's Picks: Espresso Martini, Custom Cocktails

  Growing up in Phoenix, I think it would be safe to say that I've been spoiled when it comes to Mexican food. I grew up with Mole de Pollo, Carne Asada fries, and Chilaquiles readily available, so when I moved to Cleveland, and then Baton Rouge for school I was unhappily surprised that there was so little quality Mexican food around. That changed one day in Baton Rouge when my then-partner and I decided to try Blue Corn. I was so happy I could have quality mole again I almost cried. It was a pleasure to visit an old haunt when I was back, their food was just as tasty as I remembered it being.   

   Blue Corn is a bright, open restaurant with a friendly staff and tasty eats that come quickly. I have enjoyed everything I've had from their menu, but their Nopales and their frozen margs are standout. An excellent spot for tacos, enjoy Blue Corn for lunch with friends or as a casual date night dinner choice. 

Sarah's Picks: Nopales Guajillo, Mole Enchiladas with Asada, Tacos

   I fondly remember spending mornings at The Vintage, completing classwork and enjoying a coffee. I was happy to see this casual downtown spot still going strong when I returned, as it still is an excellent place for a bite to eat and to work for a couple of hours. A casual stop for a coffee and beignet, or stay for their small plates and sandwiches. In the evenings, The Vintage transforms into a posh bar and light dinner spot, perfect for happy hour after work with colleagues. 

   Their baked goods are always fantastic, and if you like sweets they have flights of gourmet beignets you can try. Overall, if you're looking for a quick bite and a pick-me-up, The Vintage has you covered. 

 Sarah's Picks: Truffle Parmesan Fries, 3 Sisters Panini, The Vintage Breakfast

   There aren't many whole animal butchers around, these days. There are even fewer with an attached eatery, serving up sandwiches for lunch and perfectly cooked steaks for dinner. Iverstine Butcher is one such place, with a small farm market in the front of the building and a small restaurant in the back. Here, you can pick up a delicious sandwich for lunch, then walk ten stops over to pick up your cuts of meat & dairy for dinner that night.

​    Iverstine Butcher also boasts a $40 Prime Rib Special on Fridays only, which includes smoked Prime Rib and 2 sides. It's hard to imagine such a deal, but the quality of their steaks are so high that I would jump on the chance! Whether you're looking to take home a quality cut of meat, or popping in for their Friday night Prim Rib Special, Iverstine Butcher & Eatery is a gem of a place, and it's a shame more people don't know about what they have to offer. 

Sarah's Picks: Bavette Steak, Lemon Posset, Prime Rib

​~

   I was happily surprised by what Baton Rouge's culinary scene had to offer. It had been a few years since I had been back, and being able to explore the food culture more was a lot of fun. I look forward to visiting again in the future, and seeing what other surprises await. Dear Reader, please take this as a sign to not discount a place's restaurant scene because it's not a culinary hub. There are always hidden treasures, just waiting to be discovered. 

   Being with an opera singer is hard. Between the constant initial grind of Auditions, coachings, and apprenticeships, it can seem like quality time (or time at all) with your partner is scarce to be had. There is always work to be done; translating, practicing, finding new techniques, learning language, research, etc. It's no wonder why opera singers are known to not have much of a life outside of their chosen career. It's similar to all those whose passion consumes them: how does one find a balance between the constant call of improvement and a home life? For many working singers, their partner is also a performer, or at least involved in the arts in some way. It's much easier to find balance with someone who understands just how much their career demands. Career opera singers are frequently on the road, travelling from one 5-week gig to their next. 

   Now picture, in addition to all of these factors, the person you've chosen to commit to in some capacity is also human, with their own strengths and weaknesses, their own traumas and flaws. To those not compatible with the lifestyle, the sheer stress of being with a performer can be overwhelming. It should be stated that many opera singers enjoy a lush home life; with contented partners and happy children aplenty. The real chore is finding and maintaining that balance.


~

   I find that my particular quirks make it difficult enough to find someone compatible; and those who believe they can handle the loneliness of having a frequently-absent partner are-many times-mistaken. The romantic plight of the opera singer is this: to find a love and relationship so strong it can withstand the stress of the career they pursue. As of last week, I am newly single, and the progression of how I came to be has caused a lot of personal reflection to occur. Relationships are not one-sided, it takes two (or more, you do you) to have a strong and lasting bond, and I find that my people-pleasing tendencies are more of a detriment than a help.
 

   As bitter as I feel about the actions my now ex-partner took that caused me to end our relationship, I realized that his actions weren't about me, but about him, as they had always been. As I turned to focus on the upcoming performance ahead, I realized that in order to take care of my former partner,  I had neglected to take care of myself. My little rituals, the intentional ways I had enjoyed taking care of myself, what I chose to do in my off time and how I chose to feed myself-all of it had been rather negatively affected by my relationship. At 26, I think it's time to be more intentional with myself. Life for me didn't end when I was 17, so now that I'm still around almost a decade later, I may as well take a chance and learn how to thrive, instead of barely survive. 

   It has taken a few relationships to realize that perhaps a big part of growing up and maturing is taking accountability for your actions. While I have absolutely grown more comfortable with admitting and accepting my mistakes, I want to take this time to really take ownership of myself. I want to develop healthy habits, revel in the joy that life has to offer, create my own home, and truly, deeply, enjoy what life has to offer. I think it's time for me to work more openly on my career goals, to be more intentional with how I love myself, and to be more intentional with the relationships I cultivate. 

    As apt as this timing has been, here are a few goals I hope to begin cultivating now (but we can call them New Year's Resolutions, for the aesthetic):

   1. Continue to cultivate a daily movement routine

   2. Prioritize friendships more

   3. Grow my social media & continue blogging

   4. Begin giving recitals (this one is daunting!)


   I hope that if you, Dear Reader, are going through a breakup, that you can accept it with grace and take the extra time you have to take care of yourself with intention. I hope we can both learn to thrive and to be present in this life, and to learn to embrace it to the fullest.  

Happy Holidays, Dear Reader. May the new calendar year bring us joy and community aplenty.
​

    I hesitate to  write this blog post. Not because it wouldn't be useful to young singers or those who may want to try new techniques, but because even I'm not sure what my process is. You see, the majority of the roles I've been cast for have been in an academic setting, where my only goal was to rush about trying to balance my work, my classes, and my after-class rehearsal schedule. 

   The role I've been recently preparing is my first professional principle role, so I believe I'm not being as efficient about this preparation as I could be. That's ultimately why I've decided to go ahead and list my methods, to serve as a sort of public starting point that I can reflect on and update as I advance throughout my career as an opera singer.  With all of this being said, I can't claim my methods are efficient or the best, and if you have any suggestions for refining my process, I'd be grateful to hear from you. 
​

What sheet music you use matters. 
   It's important to reach out to whoever your contact is, and verify what publisher & what edition score has been agreed upon! This means you may need to purchase a new score if you don't already own the one your company wants. 

Marking Music
   Break out those highlighters, it's Personally, I have an incredibly difficult time reading sheet music. You'd think that 6 years of music school would make me fluent, but the only thing it's done has made me realize just how confusing it can be. So, when tackling new and/or difficult music, my sheet music ends up looking like a rainbow. For an idea of what that looks like, check out below:

Pink-
   This is used for any time signature changes. In this particular score, there are many quick time signature changes, so it's helpful for me to have a visual color to remind me that a change is coming. 

Blue-
   Blue is the color I use for key changes and note help. For example, if there's a key change I'll highlight that in my score. If I'm having trouble finding a pitch before a phrase, I can mark where my pitch appears in other parts before I sing so I have something to listen for during my practice. 
  
Green-
   This is what I use to find all of my dynamic markings. Because black and white sheet music can be so confusing for me personally, I often miss dynamic markings, since they aren't within the lines (if that makes sense). Using a green highlighter helps me pick up on the dynamics much easier. 

Orange- 
   Orange is what I use to highlight any tempo markings. It's a nice contrast from green, so I won't get confused if I see them next to each other. 

Purple-
   Because my example is in English, you won't see any purple. This is because I write my translations in this color! It's dark enough to be seen easily, but it's different enough from black that I won't mistakenly read the language my music is translated from when I'm doing acting work, etc. 

Red-
   I use red not only for mistakes that I want to focus on, but also for marking beats when my sheet music uses complex tempos and I need to keep track of beats.

Yellow-
   I use this to highlight my part! It's the most universal highlighter color, so it's easily seen. 

Translations
   I can't stress how important your language training is. After your college years, it gets significantly harder to learn a language. I'm sure that your teachers will stress that the best resource for translating your music will be to learn the language, so you can accurately translate your music in a way that resonates with you. Please, please, please continue your language practice after you graduate.

  You can also translate using a dictionary, word by word. This is tedious, and can miss slang and idioms. 

   I personally use a mixture of my language studies, a dictionary, and Nico Castell texts. Castell (if you don't know yet) was a tenor and prolific translator of librettos. His texts are pricey, but very accurate, and very in-depth. They are definitely worth the purchase! If you're looking for a more cost-effective way to find Castel's books, you can find them here.

.I bet you didn't think I'd be talking about how important daily movement would be, hm? 
​   It's true: cultivating a strong core, practicing your breathwork, and doing cardio are all indispensable to us as singers. We are vocal athletes, and we all know that our instrument is our body. This has NOTHING to do with your size or shape. That is for you and yourself alone to decide if you'd like to change. What doesn't change is that if you're committed to daily movement, you'll notice you can sing better for longer, and you'll have the physical ability to do whatever the staging requires. 

   Personally, I do Pilates, yoga, hike, and roller skate to move my body. Finding ways to move that you enjoy make consistency much easier. Also, please don't beat yourself up if you miss a day or you're too busy to work out every single day. Life is life, and we shouldn't be hard on ourselves if we don't have a perfectly consistent routine. 


Rhythm
   Before jumping over to the piano, it's important that you sit with your music and learn your rhythms. I admit I am not as good at stopping myself from singing through immediately as I'd like, but please do as I say, and NOT as I do in regards to this. ESPECIALLY if your music is difficult. Intentionally taking the time to go through and get your rhythms and words in your body will really help with the memorization process. 

Listening
   If you're so lucky to be learning music with multiple recordings, it's important to listen to more than one recording. If you listen to one recording only, you can begin to embody the mistakes the performers make during the recording, and it can be difficult to fix them once they're in your body. 

There's a website that has instrumental tracks available for you to listen to & download ranging from around £8-£40, and are an incredible resource if you have the financial means to use them. This website is called Opera Learning Tracks. 

Piano Time
   Finally, it's time to sit at the piano. I am hopeless at piano, but I was able to retain enough to be able to play through my vocal line, and add in notes from other lines here and there. As an opera singer, you don't need to be a concert pianist, but it will certainly help if you can play your accompaniment.

   Once you've familiarized yourself with your notes and rhythms, it's time to sing through with either your instrumental track and/or a coach. Please please don't go to your coach without trying your best to learn the music, they can certainly help you but you'd be wasting your money to go to a coach without first learning your music. If you have very difficult music that doesn't have many recordings, try your best to familiarize yourself with your vocal line before going and asking for in-person help. The same goes with your voice teachers (although, I hope I don't have to say this).

   Appcompanist ​is a very popular resource for piano instrumental tracks, but please be careful as not all of their repertoire is accurate. 

I'll be honest, there are a lot of memorization methods out there.
   Flash cards, writing your lines over and over, working through your music backwards, constant repetition. Whatever your cup of tea, memorization is the most stressful part of learning a role.  I personally use a variety of these methods, as I'm always terribly anxious about whether or not I'll be prepared.  What I will say is that if you're taking your time and doing your pre-prep correctly, the memorization process will be significantly easier, as you've formed an accurate foundation and have allowed yourself to really sit with your music. 

Consistency will always be key. Don't wait until 2 weeks before your music rehearsals to begin looking over your music (I made that mistake, once). I was given roughly 2 months to learn the role I'm currently working on, and I've used any spare moment I could...and I'm still not exactly comfortable with where I currently am on my journey. It will take time for you to get comfortable with the music, and learn where your role will live in your body. 
~

I hope that this overview of my role-learning methods will give you some insight into your own cultivation of a process for learning a role. It's far from perfect, but I'm happy to share both triumphs and mistakes with you, dear reader. After all, life is never perfect. Mistakes are beautiful, and are what make us human. 

   Of course; hiking with friends is a lovely experience. However, there are many times when a quiet solo hike does one a different kind of good. The serenity of strolling along at your own pace, finding little treasures, appreciating the way the late fall sunlight casts its golden light through the gaps in the leaves, sometimes it's just hat the heart needs.

   I began hiking as a way to reconnect with myself after being displaced when leaving a bad marriage. Picking my way down hills and through the trees, I strived to simply get outside and into nature, to be alone with my thoughts. Perhaps because of this, I prefer to solo hike, as throughout my time spent on the trail I developed a sort reverence for nature, the one thing that could calm my mind. Hiking (no matter how strenuous) has become almost religious for me, it's a way that I can connect with nature and simply exist as myself with no performance. 

   As an opera singer, it can be difficult to take some time away from the craft. Between learning new repertoire, translation, lessons & coachings, the endless rehearsal cycles, etc. it can be an exhausting career to pursue. In fact, it can be easy to lose yourself in all the bustle of the day-to-day in general. Taking the time to walk and be with yourself in solitude can help you remember your goals, and remind yourself of your values. 
~

   This weekend, I decided I would explore the Hidden Springs Trail at the Cedars of Lebanon State Park. It was a gorgeous 66 degrees and sunny, which is unusual for late fall in Tennessee. I had attempted this 5-mile loop once before last year, but was unfortunately chased off the trail by the biggest deerfly I'd ever seen. Nevertheless, I packed up my hiking bag and decided to brave the trail once more. 

   The crunch of the fallen leaves under my step made a satisfying sound while I picked my way down the path, the trail getting rocky. It wasn't long ago that I would have laughed at the thought of going on a 5-mile hike for fun. Me, the outdoors? Absurd. I reflected on how much I've grown as a person as I spied some Turkey Tails, and snapped a picture. It's a thrill to find beautiful plants, leaves, mushrooms on the trail. They're marvels of the natural world, each plant, each fungus an integral part of the ecosystem around us. 

   The trail itself is considered Moderate on AllTrails (A wonderful app if you're looking to get into hiking), and I would agree. While many parts of the trail are wide and relatively flat, there are also fallen trees on the trail that will require you to step over or duck under them, and quite a few rocky sections that will require some knee strength. For any readers that struggle with their knees, balance,  or bending over, please use caution and take a hiking stick!

   The loop takes you past many sinkholes and a stream in a forested area with lots of different trees. Because the trail is mostly dirt, prepare to get muddy if you go and it's rained recently. This trail is popular, so you're never far from help should you need it. While the loop itself doesn't have any sharp turns, keep an eye out for the white blazes on trees to help you find your way, as there are a couple splits in the path that can be confusing. 

   To conclude, I think you should hike this trail if you're ever in the area. It's definitely on the easier side of the 'Moderate' ranking, and the trail itself is gorgeous. There are bathrooms at the top of the trail and places for picnicking, so bringing a snack or lunch to enjoy before/after your hike is also a great plan. Because this trail is busy, it's a great one to solo hike, because there are a lot of people to help you if you need it. However, always remember to protect yourself and bring safety gear, just in case. 

And, Dear Reader, if you've never had the pleasure of being purposefully alone in nature, I highly recommend it. Sometimes the act of existing alone with your thoughts under the canopy of trees can help inspire change, or comfort a grieving heart. I know it certainly did for me.