On Social Media

Enough is enough! I am so tired of provocative photos and videos and other various posts and tweets that offer no real opportunity for dialogue. Social media is infected with rhetoric: language and images designed to have a persuasive or impressive effect on its audience — to rile us up. But these posts are too often rooted in questionable compassion or sincerity, bound in ulterior motives, and lack meaningful content. Social media is an echo chamber: it’s all noise, where dialogue is impossible. I’m sorry folks, but provocative posts and their ensuing comments don’t count as discussion for me!

Because it’s too easy to throw out an unanswerable, unsubstantiated opinion on Facebook, social media is not where change happens. It happens when we engage each other face-to-face. Either we engage in a constructive dialogue and learn to live with each other, or we don’t engage and it kills us — socially, spiritually, emotionally, or worse.

What if we actually had a roundtable discussion, perhaps at the Alkebulan Cultural Center in Pasadena, to talk about sociocultural issues, and to interact in real life? I’d like to explore ways to encourage better dialogue about a variety of topics — perhaps hosting live events — and hope we can spark some real discussion. If we want to see our world change for the good of us all, then we need person-to-person dialogue, so we can build relationships that can learn to withstand disagreement.

I’ll keep you posted about this idea and other developments. Please let me know if you want to get together and talk.

This piece first appeared in Zanaida’s February 2017 newsletter.
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February 25, 2017 Zanaida 0

Intersections Between Choir and Opera

In educational settings, choral programs can complement opera programs beyond just augmenting the opera chorus. Collaborative master classes, social gatherings, vocal-health round table discussions, and strong attendance at performances among students and faculty aid in building and sustaining bonds of mutual scholarship and support between opera and choral music programs.

Choral programs intersect with opera programs in terms of the students they share. Healthy singing and stellar musicianship are a priority in both areas. As someone who has had professional success singing a variety of styles both as a soloists and an ensemble musician, I know that singers can and should be encouraged to learn how to be ambidextrous, striking a balance between healthy vocalism and stylistic versatility. In my choirs, singers are encouraged to sing healthfully with their naturally vibrant voices. Blend and balance issues are most often addressed with the physical placement of the singers before addressing a singer’s individual technique.

But when I do talk technique in choir, it usually boils down to posture, breath flow, and resonance. By encouraging the development and application of these three technical skills, I can hold singers accountable for being flexible with regard to dynamic contrast and vowel color. I can insist on attention to musical details, and I can work on building the singers’ aural skills so they can make intuitive, healthy vocal adjustments informed by their own ears.

For opera students participating in choir, this means employing healthy vocalism in the choral setting that doesn’t compromise their individual technique. I’m less likely to ask for a change in vibrato and more likely to ask for a change in dynamic or vowel. In this way, operatic voices actually enhance the richness and depth of the choir; the choir sounds vibrant and healthy with the ability to be stylistically versatile and musically precise.

Featured image by B Cleary / FreeImages.com

August 12, 2016 Zanaida 0

Lift Every Voice

I think too many folks learn lessons about artistic expression either online, from television, or in other media. Maybe they aren’t even aware of their learned biases toward perfectionism and materialism. I am a singer. As a concert soprano soloist, studio vocalist for film and television, and professional ensemble singer, I have sung throughout the United States, and in parts of Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. I’ve sung background vocals for various artists including the Rolling Stones, Andrea Bocelli, Barry Manilow, and have also worked as a singer and pianist on the hit Fox Television series Glee.

But my most important singing is the singing I do at home when I have a jam session with my kids – I’m teaching them how to be expressive without being judged. Or perhaps my most important singing happens in church – I use my voice as channel for healing and wholeness with the spiritual power within and around us.

Either way, my voice has worth not because I get paid to use it, not because it is beautiful or skillful, but because it is unique and has the power to touch hearts and minds. The truth is that everyone has this power, even folks who claim they can’t sing. What if we broadened our definition of “singing?” Can all of our words and sounds be melodic, rhythmic, dynamic? Can our words harmonize and create counterpoint with the words of our neighbors?

What if we learned to acknowledge and use the power of our own ordinary every-day voices, our statements and questions imbued with the energy of singing? How amazing it would be if we used this power in other disciplines and environments so our unique song may be sung boldly for the good of the community. Can we do a better job of recognizing and cultivating the relevance and power of everyday singers? What if our communities acknowledged and harnessed the transformative power of collective artistic expression; what if everyday folks starting “singing” their song?

I recall that the Civil Rights Movement of the 50’s and 60’s was strengthened by some of the most gravitational and inspirational songs ever sung, becoming a galvanizing force behind change. In my work as a musical artist, I am dedicated to uplifting individuals, organizations, and programs that inspire and facilitate the spiritual, cultural, intellectual, and artistic enrichment of our community. With this enrichment, can we figure out how to lift every voice and find ways to change things for the better? I think we can.

Featured image by Alexander Wallnöfer / FreeImages.com

August 3, 2016 Zanaida 0

On Kwanzaa

As an African American who went to CSULB, taking Black Studies classes while Dr. Maulana Karenga was still chair of the department, I have an ocean depth of respect for Dr. Karenga, creator of Kwanzaa. I have such respect for the precious principles that Kwanzaa embodies.

Some say you should not mix the Kwanzaa holiday or its symbols, values and practice with any other culture, as this would violate the principle of Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) and thus violate the integrity of the holiday. But I believe the integrity of this complex and sacred holiday is in perpetual jeopardy so long as individuals seek to prevent it from ever taking on the extraordinarily meaningful existence it could have if it were integrated into “the world.” I love Kwanzaa. On several occasions, I have performed two choral works I composed called “Umoja” and Kujichagulia” based on the principles of Kwanzaa (I’m planning to finish the set one day). I’ve loved these pieces, and so have the singers that sang them. Through these works, I believe singers and audience feel more personally connected to the spirit of the holiday, and therefore the holiday is more sincerely admired and cherished – this is important to me. Also, Kwanzaa principles are valuable to remember year-round, which makes Kwanzaa music potentially viable for year-round performances at concerts, festivals, sacred services, conferences, etc.

Through music, Kwanzaa could teach so much to our children and to our audiences in general. But Kwanzaa seems so stuck in an intellectual wasteland, guarded by a small number of folk who refuse to let it have a life of it’s own. Let it be integrated into the real world where Christmas and Hanukkah and other winter celebrations enrich many lives as they exist simultaneously. These holidays bring us closer together and make us appreciate each other more – who wouldn’t want that? Without cultural expressions of Kwanzaa through music and art, in conjunction with other winter celebrations, through performances and media that can reach into schools and churches and concert halls and homes, in my opinion this precious holiday remains impotent with its principles unappreciated and unknown.

This post was originally published on ChoralNet, the online bulletin board system for the American Choral Directors Association. Thanks to ACDA for their help in retrieving the post for this blog.

October 14, 2009 Zanaida 0