August August August – Talent Talent Talent
August brings Yale! Once again life in a college dormitory filled with warbling, vocal warm ups, singing, weeping, laughing, sleepless nights, early mornings, BAD mattresses, and talent, talent, talent!
What a fabulous experience!
How I love the act of teaching.
And being surrounded by true masters of the craft…the brilliant and hilarious Sharon McKnight, the Goddess herself, Julie Wilson…the human tornado, Tovah Feldshuh. And three GREAT music directors…
Tex Arnold, Paul Trueblood, and Alex Rybeck… 30 Fabulous fingers and a total mental library of all the great popular songs.
This time I was partnered with the divine Sally Mayes, one of the most talented Broadway actress/singer/teachers in the business. We were a dynamic duo of hugs and wisdom. I supplied the hugs, she supplied the wisdom.
And across the hall was the astounding Tovah Feldshuh. Lucky ANY student how got to study with HER! And my room mate was Miss Voice of Smoke and Silk herself, Laurel Masse. Who could ask for a better combo of pals??
That’s the three muses, Sally Mayes, Tovah Feldshuh, and Laurel Masse in a casual moment. You will never see THAT again!
So many wonderful encounters….musical exchanges. And , as always, those who started out with the most fear wound up taking the most gigantic steps forward. The miracle of making music materialized on a moment-by-moment basis. In this world, where one never knows what is SUPPOSED to be important from second to second, I am continually reminded that music and the sharing of music is the greatest healing force on the planet.
Lucky, lucky me!