Balance.
Resonate.
Flow.
These three concepts have become a foundation for my philosophy of singing, conducting, and just being. I love how my music-making is an experience that vacillates between spirituality, intellectualism, and athleticism.
When I also remember that balance, resonance, and flow are all equally integral to my life and work, I find peace more easily accessible.
Composition
I’m working on finishing my set of Kwanzaa Songs in time for this year’s holiday season. Umoja, Kujichagulia, and Kuumba are done. Now to finish Ujima, Ujamaa, Nia, and Imani. It doesn’t come easy, but I’m getting there. You can read a little about Kwanzaa here
A list of my finished works can be found on my website: ZanaidaRobles.com
Here’s the order form to purchase perusals and official scores.
Conducting
The Duruflé “Sanctus” project went quite well! I’m proud of what our Neighborhood Chorus accomplished for our Homecoming service on September 13.
Next up: for the Harvard-Westlake Upper School choirs, I have to video record myself conducting music of Dunphy, Brahms, Naplan, and Robles (me)!
Singing
I’ve been rebuilding my vocal stamina since the summer hiatus ended. Teaching and rehearsing choir via Zoom means I do much more singing than conducting. It’s been fun getting re-acquainted with my larynx and remembering how to breathe!
For Fun
| In honor of Halloween and to remind me not to take myself too seriously, I bought a giant plushy spider from the grocery store. It has adorable red eyes, and it’s hair can be styled in several different ways. At first my family made fun of it. But every now and then, I find it in a different room, placed in such a way as to make me laugh or scare me. It might be right outside my bedroom door, there to greet me when I wake up. It might be at the bottom of the stairs or waiting for me in a dark bathroom, there for me to find when I turn on the light. I can’t tell you the joy this $5 spider has brought into my life. |
