New headshots

The blog and newsletter will look a little different soon, as I’ve had some gorgeous new headshots taken, with help from photographer Lauren Desberg! Here’s a sneak peek:

Conducting

I’m conducting the Neighborhood Chorus on “Earth Song” by Frank Ticheli during the 11:30am service at Neighborhood Church Pasadena on Sunday, November 7.

I’m so proud of the work this choir has been doing, and I would love to have more singers on all voice parts. We rehearse on Thursday nights in the sanctuary from 7:15pm-9pm.

Join us!

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. Neighborhood Chorus sings 3 Sundays per month at the 11:30am service. COVID vaccination is required of all singers, and we wear masks for the duration of all rehearsals and services.

Please fill out this short form to let me know you plan to sing with us this year. Or just email me.

Composition

Many thanks to my good friend and fellow composer Shawn Kirchner for his encouragement and mentorship. It felt soooo good to spend time with him while he helped me update my ASCAP catalogue. His homegrown grapefruits make incredible juice!

More about Shawn

Singing

On Sunday November 7, I’m singing “Where er’er you walk” by G. F. Handel and “Dream Variation” by Margaret Bonds during the 9am service at Neighborhood Church. I’d love to see you there.

Get to the church

Community News

HW students to join this year’s honor choirs

Four of my Harvard-Westlake choral students were selected for the 2021 SCVA High School Honor Choirs. Congratulations to Gisele Stigi for earning a spot in the Treble Honor Choir, to Kieran Chung for earning a spot in the Mixed Honor Choir, and to Rhea Madhogarhia and Charlie Doris for earning spots in the Vocal Jazz Honor Choir. Kieran, Gisele, Rhea and Charlie will all perform at the 2021 High School Honor Choir Performance at the University of Redlands on Saturday, November 20 at 7pm.

For your consideration

As you know, I am the Chair for the Board of Directors of the non-profit choral group, Tonality. Tonality’s new album, “American Will Be” is under consideration in multiple GRAMMY® award categories this year. Thank you for supporting this fantastic group of artists who have brought so much light and love to the choral community and beyond.

Please listen and share!

For Fun

Looks like we’re having a spider problem again. Also, a meme my students helped me make for our new Harvard-Westlake Choir page on Instagram @hwuschoirs… and more Ollie pics!

Arachnid alert!

*(with a little fiesta flair this year…)*

Ollie’s corner

October 25, 2021 Zanaida 0

Season’s greetings

I can’t really say I’m feeling very “merry” this Christmas. I’m just grateful for my health, my home, and my work.

I am grateful for my husband and my children and for our collective efforts to create a cheerful home despite the fear and frustration that continues to plague us for so many reasons.

I am encouraged by the defiant sense of cheer I see on my friends’ social media pages. I can say that my heart is full and that this time of year is sacred. Rather than blindly wishing “merriness” on folks, I just want you to know how much I miss you.

I desperately miss singing with a room full of friends and family. I miss group hugs. I miss the glorious energy of crowds of happy loved ones. I miss my mom. I miss my people, my blood relations as well as chosen family. I miss my choirs. I miss the physical presence of my colleagues and mentors. Plus, I know there are many who are sick or grieving, who are lost, who are lonely. There are some of us who haven’t been lovingly touched by anyone in months or even years.

The pandemic is not the only calamity upon us. Still, I have hope. I’ve glimpsed peace in these last weeks. I’ve had some joy. And I know love is present even when it’s hard to see and feel. My faith teaches me during the season of Advent to humbly watch, wait, listen, and be ready for the birth of love in our hearts. But my faith also teaches me that the season of Christmas is the time to celebrate the inevitable birth of that love, the fact that love comes into the world and into our hearts even in the darkest of times.

May this Christmas season be a time when love’s birth in our hearts is recognized and celebrated even in the darkest, coldest night.

May you be inspired and blessed as we take time this week to give thanks for the loved ones whose presence we keenly feel, even when we’re apart.

Conducting

My Harvard-Westlake students and I worked extremely hard this semester to produce our December Virtual Choir Concert. I couldn’t be more proud of our work! I LOVE this show, and I think you will, too. Check it out here!

Singing

We needed one more song for our Neighborhood Church Christmas Eve virtual service, so I’m so excited about our simple a cappella rendition of “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” with tibetan chimes. Sometimes things just come together.

The entire service took place and was streamed live on Christmas Eve at 5pm. Check out the church and see what else is coming up:

More about Neighborhood Church

Composition

Kwanzaa Service

On Sunday, December 27 at 10am PST, videos of my two compositions “Umoja” and “Kujichagulia” will be shown as part of the Neighborhood Church Kwanzaa-themed virtual service. In addition to my music, the service will feature music by Black composers George Walker, Joshua Uzoigwe, and Ysaye Barnwell. Plus, I’ll give you an in-depth look at my Kwanzaa decorations for this year.

Members of the group Neighborhood People of Color will offer readings, and our friend Rev. Dr. Kikanza Nuri-Robins will deliver an inspirational sermon titled “A Season of Lights.” Check it out here:

For Fun

Since we grew so fond of our giant spiders from Halloween, we decided to have them join us for Advent and Christmas. After all, we always enjoy having lots of “special guests” around the house during the holidays. (See pics)

December 25, 2020 Zanaida 0

Thanks to my students!

During this blessed week off from school for the Thanksgiving holiday break, I’m planning to try out some stuff my high school choral students have introduced to me through our daily check-in time:

Books by Sarah J. Maas – this author sparked several minutes of excited Zoom chatter in Chamber Singers, which was at once both deafening and delightful.

The Pentatonix Christmas Album – I know, I know. How have I NOT heard any Pentatonix Christmas albums yet!?

The Idiot by Elif Batuman – another one of the hottest books among my Chamber Singers.

According to one my my trusted Wolverine Chorus basses, Trader Joe’s Microwave Mac n Cheese + White Truffle Potato Chips = Truffle Mac n Cheese.

JackTrip Audio Software – might be a somewhat viable solution to the problem of Zoom latency issues. Here’s a link

Harry Styles – “Only Angel” is a favorite song of one of my sopranos. I love all the retro influence in this artist’s music. Might have to pick up his latest album on vinyl.

May you be inspired and blessed as we take time this week to give thanks for the loved ones whose presence we keenly feel, even when we’re apart.

Composition

New scores for Kwanzaa

Newly-revised official scores of “Umoja” and “Kujichagulia” are now available!

Choral directors: consider adding these cool Kwanzaa pieces to your choral music collections. Visit my website to listen to samples and order scores.

Now, to finish composing the rest of the set, hopefully by the end of this year!

Conducting

I am so excited to start seeing the first versions of the numerous video projects I’ve been working on for my choral students at Harvard-Westlake. I must say, I think my conducting practice has paid off: I actually like the way I look!

Singing

One of the most important adaptations I’ve made to my teaching this year is adding an individual voice coaching requirement for every one of my students. Teaching them 1-on-1 via Zoom has been eye-opening in many ways.

In addition to the benefit of getting to know my singers on a deeper level, my own vocal technique improves every time I work with my students. Individual voice coaching is one aspect of my work that I will keep long after the pandemic ends.

For Fun

It was after midnight when I just finished watching the Stray Kids live virtual concert with Felicity. She had asked me weeks ago if she could buy a ticket. I said yes, and asked her if I could watch it with her when it aired at 10pm PST on Saturday 11/21. It was AMAZING!!

Michael Jackson’s influence on the K-Pop genre is massive. Watching those young people sing and dance together with such joy and athleticism was breathtaking. The songs were super fun, the choreography was gorgeous, and the CG effects were astounding. My favorite songs were “Ta” and “Hellevator.” Felicity was so pumped up she couldn’t sleep afterward! I, on the other hand, was so tired that I pretty much passed out!

November 25, 2020 Zanaida 0

Thanks and hopes

May this Thanksgiving be filled with folks we enjoy having in our lives and food we enjoy having in our mouths.

As we gather, may we be slow to speak and quick to listen.

May our lives be a blessing to those in need.

May we never take our family and friends for granted.

May we be thankful for our many blessings, even in the midst of mind-blowing changes and devastating losses.

May we remember those who are missing from our tables.

May we practice making space, holding space, giving space.

May we be good to ourselves and to each other.

And may we remember to carry our good will with us throughout this holiday season.

November 25, 2019 Zanaida 0

A “holiday” just for my people

I learned about a new way to celebrate the start of the year: in addition to being New Year’s Day and the last day of Kwanzaa, January 1st is also known as Z Day! This annual opportunity to celebration all things and people usually relegated to the end of any alphabetical list makes total sense at the start of each year, making the last first for a little while, and celebrating a letter most people probably don’t even use very often. In fact, we use this letter so much less often than others that looking at a page with a lot of Zs on it (try this one) can make you question if you’ve been writing them correctly — they start to look loopy after awhile!

Here are a few artists and influencers I’d like to celebrate today.

Zelda

I can’t believe The Rev. Zelda Kennedy passed away from cancer almost a year ago. She’s the first person that comes to mind when I think about people I love whose names start with Z. She was so soulful and full of life. Her voice was so warm and low and comforting. Not a day goes by that I don’t smile at her picture on the wall in my home: she’s in our wedding pictures, because she officiated our wedding. It was such a blessing to know her while I was at All Saints Church in Pasadena. And I miss her deeply.

Frank Zappa

Even as a little kid, I always thought “Zappa” was such a fun name! The iconoclast was one of the most powerful creative forces, across musical and cultures genres, through the 1970s and 80s. If you think he’s not a classical composer, click the link above and check his output. I would have sung his 200 Motels with LA Master Chorale and the LA Phil back in fall 2013 if I hadn’t a conflict – I hear that gig was a lot of fun and “memorable” for various reasons; it’s definitely not rated PG! But the man had skills, and a mind like no other.

Zenobia Powell Perry

(1908-2004)

This African-American and Creek Indian composer and pianist lived a fascinating and inspiring life, determinedly pursuing her music in spite of hurdles and lack of support at home. She was completely committed to her life in music, and while she moved and planned and worked to get the training and opportunities she craved, her music shows a strong connection to her hometown and the people she loved. She reached for the moon but kept her feet on the ground, and her career challenges how we define success as a composer and more. Click here to learn more about her

Zoltán Kodály

(1882-1967)

Few people have done more to refine and advance methods of musical education, first in his native Hungary, and then writing books that have changed programs around the world. Kodály’s work as a composer and ethnomusicologist are just as impressive. He wrote music for orchestra, choir, two operas, and some lovely chamber music, all influenced by the folk music he studied so carefully. Check this out if you’re not sure where to start.

Favorite things starting with Z

Zimbelstern

Zelus mini trampoline

Zenaida meloda (the scientific name for “mourning dove”)

A few Zbees I’ve worked with

ZaNyaa Lee

Maza Zimmerman

Zachary Wadsworth

January 1, 2019 Zanaida 0