My work as a composer, music director, teacher, wife, and mom is incredibly complex. Though it’s overwhelming at times, the exhilaration and affirmation I receive from my work makes it all worthwhile. But self-care is crucial! You can’t effectively take care of anyone or anything unless you take care of yourself!
Self-care is everything including (but not limited to) taking your medicine as directed, going to bed early/on time, consistently cooking and eating healthy meals, saying prayers and meditating, waking up early and reading a book or exercising instead of checking email and social media sites as soon as I open my eyes. Self-care is anything we do to bring balance and perspective to our bodies and minds.
After enduring the Armageddon-level struggle of bringing Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast to Carnegie Hall this past spring, I decided I needed some epic self-care. Here’s what I did:
I took a trip by myself to Costa Rica in May, and visited my friend, Dr. Jaclyn Normandie:
I went to Hawaii for the first time and took my daughters with me in June:
I went to the ECCO Choral Conference to recharge and serve with friends in July:
I hosted a terrific Summer Intensive with the Zanaida Stewart Robles Singers at the beginning of August:
And I went to Disneyland for my oldest daughter’s birthday in August:
Not gonna lie, the financial strain has been difficult this summer. But it was oh, so worth it! I cherish these photos as evidence that my self-care work was warranted. And I’m inspired to ensure my future self-care regimen always includes something epic that I can look forward to and look back on with pride and joy.
Conducting
Calling musicians of all ages, new, and returning! A vital part of our worship is music. This is your opportunity to join in. Register now for our 2023-2024 church year in Neighborhood Chorus, Youth Choir, or Bells. Registration ensures we have enough materials for everyone. All participants register anew each year. For questions contact music Director, Dr. Zanaida Robles. The schedule is as follows:
Neighborhood Chorus
1st rehearsal: Thursday, 8/31 from 7pm-9pm (earlier start time for 1st rehearsal)
Rehearsals every subsequent Thursday from 7:15-9pm
First Performance: Ingathering on Sunday 9/10 at 10am
Youth Choir
1st rehearsal: Sunday, 9/17 at 1pm
Three Sunday rehearsals: 9/17, 9/24, 10/1
Performance: Sunday 10/8 during the 11:30 service
Neighborhood Bells
1st rehearsal: Tuesday, 9/5 6pm-7pm
Rehearsals every subsequent Tuesday from 6pm-7pm
First Performance: Sunday 10/15 at 9:30am & 11:30am
Upcoming events
Thursday 12/7 @ 7:30pm
Harvard-Westlake Upper School, Studio City, CA
A fall choral concert featuring multiple composers. My piece “Umoja” is being performed by treble choir Bel Canto.
Saturday, 12/2 @ 7pm
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, PA
The Chestnut Street Singers are performing my piece Ecstatic Expectancy as part of their concert entitled “Ask the Winter Moon.”
Ollie (and Archie’s) Corner
Ollie and Archie, our new kitty, are already close buds!
