According to transformationalpresence.org, “the word ‘liminal‘ comes from the Latin root, limen, which means ‘threshold.’ The liminal space is the ‘crossing over’ space – a space where you have left something behind, yet you are not yet fully in something else. It’s a transition space.
I love this word.
September is such a liminal month to me. Technically, fall has begun. But summer is still so present because it is still so hot here in Southern California. School started several weeks ago. It feels like we just got started, but I could already use a vacation! The days are becoming shorter, but they seem so long. I miss May and June, but I can’t wait for November, December, and January. And what about the pandemic? Are we STILL transitioning? Backward? Forward?
But maybe there’s beauty in this transitional, liminal space. There is something sweet and timeless here. This is the in-between time, both unsettling and invigorating. While we wait for “it” to arrive (fall weather / a steady rhythm to my teaching / the end of the pandemic / the holidays / pumpkin ice cream at Trader Joe’s / or whatever, or whoever…), maybe we can be still for a moment. Maybe this is a good time to look around and appreciate where we’ve been, while imagining where we could be and what is to come.
Can we embrace the liminal space?
Composition
Whaaaat!?
The LA Master Chorale is performing my setting of Veni Sancte Spiritus this January!
Singing
Been working on my own technique while I try to help singers in my choirs with theirs. I’ve learned that pointing out how tense they are and telling them to relax does not actually help them release their tension and relax. It’s like yelling “calm down! calm down! calm down!” – not very calming. The focus must be shifted. When in doubt, I always come back to balance, resonance, and flow.
I sing a lot of different styles for various projects and performances. Here’s a sample:
Community News
Ready to Join the Choir and Sing With Me?
We would love more singers on all voice parts in the Neighborhood Chorus at Neighborhood Church in Pasadena. We are back to singing in-person with regular Thursday night rehearsals in the sanctuary from 7:15pm-9pm.
Conducted by Dr. Zanaida Robles, Neighborhood Chorus is a non-auditioned chorus open to all adults. Our repertoire consists of a variety of classical and non-classical styles, sung in various languages. No training is necessary, however classical choral experience and/or basic sight reading skills are encouraged.
Our new Sunday worship schedule calls for the Neighborhood Chorus to sing 3 Sundays per month during the 2nd service only. Covid vaccination is required of all singers, and we wear masks for the duration of all rehearsals and services.
How to sign up
Please fill out this short form to let me know you plan to sing with us this year. Or just contact me directly.
For Fun
There’s nothing fun happening anywhere.
Just kidding!
I am so blessed to work at Harvard-Westlake, which is right next to St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church. I often have time in between classes to walk the labyrinth at St. Michael’s – so pretty and serene!
Ollie’s Corner
What a wonderful blog, Zanaida! So rich and personal…fun and inspiring!!! Thank you!