Christmas time is here!

Eric and I have had a very festive holiday season this year!  Mine was sprinkled with a capella joys with the Jingle Belles and Beaux and the Dickens Carolers, and Eric's was lifted to new heights with Orlando Balloon Rides and even a hang gliding experience at Wallaby Ranch!  He and I totally cleaned up at our respective workplaces' White Elephant gift exchanges--we went home with a Walmart gift card and a foot massaging spa--and enjoyed more holiday parties and get-togethers with friends new and old.

Eric's family had plans to visit us for Thanksgiving, but car troubles kept them stranded up north.  Thankfully we were able to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with my kin, with some of whom we'll also ring in the new year on the first day of 2012. On the last day of 2011 (that's tomorrow--can you believe it?!), I'll be performing a gig with Earth Beat in Leesburg, but I'm lugging Eric along, so at least we'll be together and I'll be doing something I love!

My goals for next year will be to polish my professional skills a bit and add a few more to my arsenal: I hope to tackle vocal percussion, improve my dancing, and stretch my belt a bit higher.  On a personal level, I want to carve out more time for crafting projects and coincide that goal with some DIY improvements around the house, and reduce my online time to leave more chill time with Big E.

For now, we extend our happiest wishes to you and yours for the holidays and the new year.  We promise to post more pictures next time.  Bye!

Gratefulness

During this month of Thanksgiving, many of us will evaluate all of the blessings in our lives.  The good news is that Eric and I have been showered with our share of blessings lately.  The bad news (for you) is that we've been too busy enjoying our blessing shower to keep this blog up to date.  So I apologize (again) for not being more diligent with timely posts, but since you're here anyway, I'll fill you in (again) on all the latest news from the Brown household.

What started as a temporary assignment for Eric has turned into a full-time position as a Housekeeping Manager at his resort.  He loves the cast, the behind-the-scenes magic making, and being done by 6pm every day!

I have had some pretty exciting career advancements myself.  You can always read about my career updates on my website and now on Twitter.  Most notably, I have started as a Casting Director for the American Idol Experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios!  The American Idol Experience is an attraction that allows guests to audition to sing in a live Walt Disney World show where the audience votes for their favorite performer.  My job is hearing those auditions and determining if they have the talent and star power to continue on to the stage.  It really is a tough job but so enjoyable and rewarding, largely due to my amazing team and the ability to truly make dreams come true!

I also have a new church family at First Presbyterian in downtown Orlando--I am their new Second Alto section leader for Chancel Choir, Chancel Ensemble (a smaller, auditioned group), and Canticum Novum (an even smaller chamber group).  In between my commitments to church, the Idol Experience, and other gigs, I still make it to my newborn photography gig at the hospital (just more seldom than before).

Speaking of other gigs, I'm shaping up to be one busy lady this holiday season.  First Presbyterian will have two big services on Christmas eve, but in addition to that, I am also going to be singing with two a capella ensembles this winter.  This will be my first year singing with the Dickens Carolers from Vocals, Inc., who have been caroling all over town for 20 years! I'll also be performing with a jazz quartet at SeaWorld for their Christmas Celebration this year--what do you think of the name Belles and Beaux?!

In the spring once things are settled down from the holidays, I'll be joining Legacy, a professional vocal group that is part of my friend Joshua's non-profit organization, Central Florida Community Arts.  I was also just offered an ensemble role in the Orlando Philharmonic's concert production of Carousel next April.

I'm still with Earth Beat, my classic cover band, and I had my first two Sing gigs in the last two weeks--a fun one here in town and one really special one in New Jersey before that.  We were so close to New York City that we couldn't resist popping into Manhattan for dinner and drinks and touristy photo ops in Times Square!

It was at this moment when I was looking up at the bright lights in the big city (where someone at flown me and fed me and put me up and paid me to do what I love) that I fully realized what a truly amazing career year I've had.  I confessed my New Year's Resolution goal for 2011 on this blog--to become a full-time professional musician.  Years of networking, interviewing, and auditioning finally culminated in successfully reaching that goal!

In 2012, it'll be Eric's turn for a banner career year.  For now, our personal lives are mostly the same.  Eric drives a new car, I lopped off a whole crapload of my hair, but it's basically the same story--we still have the same friends with a few fun new ones peppered in, we still find time for our loopy staycations and relaxing nights at home, we still live in the same house.  We'll be having (almost) all of our family members over at our place for Thanksgiving in just a few short weeks, another blessing for which we're humbly grateful.

A Day at D23's Destination D

This year marks the fortieth anniversary of the Magic Kingdom, so to commemorate the occasion, the official Disney fan club, D23, recently held a weekend event for its members at the Contemporary Resort.  It included information sessions led by experts on all things Disney, covering favorite attractions and films from years gone by, sneak peeks at upcoming projects, and even a look into the Walt Disney World that never was.  The weekend culminated in a concert called Magic Journeys that celebrated the music of Walt Disney World.

Why should you care?  Because I was in that concert!  I shared the stage with some of my Encore favorites (1) and Disney legends like the Kids of the Kingdom, the Main Street Philharmonic, Dreamfinder and Figment (6), and none other than Richard M. Sherman (2), a songwriting hero of mine who has won Oscars, Grammys, a Walk of Fame star, and the hearts of millions of film-goers and theme park visitors.  Sherman and his brother Robert wrote the songs for the most beloved Disney films of the 1960s and 1970s such as Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and Richard Sherman sang and played all of them at this concert that I also performed in!  I geeked out to the max!  It was a major highlight of my career to perform with such a talented and well-respected performer.

(1) Cristi, Antony, me, Lynn, Tommi, Cliff, and Gretchen

(2) Our view of RMS on the Jumbotron from backstage

Backstage at Magic Journeys

A close-up on the choir

Celebrate the Future Hand in Hand

(6) Finale with everyone onstage

Feast or Famine

Here's the problem with keeping this blog up to date.  It seems that we're always either so busy that I don't have time to write about all the exciting things we're doing, or alternatively, nothing's happening and I have lots of free time but nothing to write about.  Since my last real update, there's been a little bit of both, but I'll catch you up on the highlights as far as our careers go.  Me first!  You can always visit my website for the latest on my career, but here are some of the most exciting recent developments.

After a great holiday season with Seraphim, my spring picked up with some really rewarding opportunities.  A group called Sing cast me as their swing performer.  (This basically means I learn all the parts so I can step in when someone in the cast isn't available.)  Sing is inspired by Glee and does performances for conventions and special events all over the nation--most recently Dallas, Miami, Denver, and Las Vegas!  I also joined Earth Beat, a classic cover band, as a lead singer!  Dr. Bill Picher asked be to sing in an a capella concert with the choir at the Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe.  It was an unforgettable day and Getting to sing with these awesomely talented groups is a dream--getting paid for it is even better!

Earth Beat

We did another opera at the Bob Carr this season, La Boheme.  My same old girlfriends--Lauren Langa, Lara Larberg, Jillian Rosich--and I had a blast cutting up in the chorus.  Simultaneously, I was rehearsing the role of Maria in The Sound of Music at Garden Theatre!  Since I was doing Boheme at the same time, I was just the understudy, but I had the chance to work with some truly amazing people and performers.  I wouldn't have had it any other way.  And I got to do the show twice :)

How do you solve a problem like me? O:-)

As for Eric, he has always been fascinated by hot air balloons.  So for his birthday, I got him a Groupon for a balloon ride. The ride itself was beautiful and peaceful.  Then right after the ride, Eric talked himself into a job on the team's chase crew!  He helps unpack and pack all the gear for rides, and he communicates with the pilot by radio and drives to drop off and pick up the passengers at the take-off and landing sites, because you can't steer a hot air balloon!

Eric hard at work

In the Air Again

Thank goodness for free Wi-Fi at Hancock International! Now writing this blog post on my iPod will keep me occupied until our flight back to Florida leaves in an hour and a half. We always arrive early to airports just in case (there is actually an Eric Brown on the Do Not Fly list), and today it was a good thing we did. We didn't have to do the new body scan, but they did unpack and inspect literally every piece of luggage we brought: we each had a carry-on and a personal item, and every last square inch of space is full. (I'll be darned if I'm spending $100 round trip on bag check fees!) It took us a good 15 minutes and excellent teamwork to repack everything at the security checkpoint. L.L. Bean and American Tourister get a big thumbs-up for durability. These things are bursting at the seams. I wish I could take a picture because I feel you just have to see Eric's backpack to appreciate the true Mary Poppins carpet baggedness of this piece of luggage.

Our visit with Eric's side of the family was very restful and festive. We were very sad to say goodbye to the whole family, of course, but it was especially heartbreaking to leave our nephew Andrew and his sweet mommy Laura. Here's hoping he'll be ready to go airborne soon and he can come for a visit soon to his cool uncle Eric and aunt Katie in Florida!

Next on the agenda, making a trip to Apopka tommorow to pick up...my brand new car! Yes, my trusty Honda Civic, which I personally drove for 10 years, finally bit the dust last Monday. Eric is planning to fix it up nicely enough for us to sell or donate it and I'll be driving my 2004 Saab 9-3 just like my Civic--until it dies!

Aftter that will be a slew of holiday gigs stretching into the year, beginning with opening for the Walk Through Bethlehem this Friday night in Winter Park where my newest winter piece, Winter Carol, will be premiering! Then the next day I will be taking part in the filming for the Disney Parks Christmas Parade once again this year, this time with a mystery celebrity diva! I've heard dumped about who it may be but I'm sure I'm not at liberty to share the hunch with the world wide web until it's for sure. So on Saturday afternoon check back for another post :)

In the Meantime

Well, things are still chugging along on the house.  We were supposed to close on the 21st of this month, and then we were supposed to close at the beginning of this week (it's now Wednesday), but we really just wanted to leave a little cushion of time so we could close by the deadline on the 30th.  It looks like that's not going to happen now, but even though our realty team says it's no big deal, we're a little freaked out by it.  I hope it's realistic to think we'll be able to close by August 16 when our lease expires, but we're leaving on vacation on the 15th because we thought we'd be done with all this nonsense by then! 

Meanwhile, we've got all sorts of other foolishness going on.  There's stuff related to the house, like shopping for furniture and appliances.  And we've got company--Eric's mom and his friend Pete--because we thought we'd need their help working on packing (and unpacking) and organizing and home improvement and repairs, respectively, by this time.  Eric's shift times at work have been a little kooky lately, but he since has taken on a new responsibility that will give his schedule a bit more stability.  Then there's Encore opening in one week, which involves memorizing music, shopping for costumes, and, oh yeah, lots and lots of rehearsals.  With the house, company, and the crazy work schedule, Eric decided he didn't need one more commitment to juggle, so for the first time ever, he'll get to watch Encore from the audience!  And, of course, there's my work which is always unpredictable, and just trying to find some time to spend together!  So with all of this going on at once, we're pooped!  Needless to say, we're anxious to reach the denoument of this neverending Pot o' Gold saga.  Thoughts and prayers, please!

Keepin' It Real

Not much new has happened lately around here, but we're both keeping very busy with our new responsibilities. Joseph opens at the Garden Theatre in less than two weeks and it's been incredible to watch it all come together!  I'm very excited to share that the role of Potiphar, my on-stage spouse, will be played by a local celebrity each night.  The list of names is shaping up to be very impressive from what I hear, so I'll post as soon as everything is nailed down, and I'll have ticket information too.  I'm also playing a gig at the downtown branch of the Orange County Library again this year to celebrate National Music Week.  If you're free around 11:30 on Monday, May 3, come on by to hear a song or two!

I had an amazing opportunity during the Easter season.  A friend of mine, to whom I am very grateful, recommended me to fill in with the eight-piece professional choir at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe for their Holy Week services.  Performing with such an illustrious and talented group was a very fulfilling experience for me, and I hope I get the chance to go back and sing with them every once in a while. 

Eric is adjusting very well to his new surroundings.  He's closing tonight for the first time in this role, so I'm holding down the fort here at home, just bloggin' and having a relaxing night in to prepare for the intense rehearsal process resuming Monday evening.  It's gonna be a great show!

Eric's Big Move

Yesterday was Eric's last day at Saratoga Springs Resort.  A few weeks ago he was invited for a meet-and-greet with the leadership team another Disney resort.  It went very well and the result of the meeting was his being asked to take a position on their team!  He will have the same title he had at Saratoga, just at a new place.  He's very excited about the move but it was hard for him to leave his team at DSSR.  They made a major fuss about his going away--a big potluck party, a beautiful scrapbook, a plaque for his new office, and a lovely print of the resort that the cast had all signed.  The whole tizzy just reaffirmed what I already knew--that Eric is respected and looked up to because he is excellent at what he does.  One cast member even wrote a sweet poem for him:

Today I write this poem for you,

As our ways do part, a fond "Adieu"

Is what your family wants to state

For a brand new role is on your plate...

New York's the state from which you came

In the town of Herkimer you made your fame

Spent days with residents, supporting their need

You helped them develop, showed rules they should heed.

In the Resource Center is where you worked

Did training and supervising, your job never shirked.

One day you decided to leave all the snow

And move here to Florida joining our show.

In June of '07 at Boardwalk did start

Your Disney career in a concierge part,

You were also a trainer, gave yours and did Ops,

Then Saratoga Springs begame one of your stops...

An "Emerging Leader"--you were our first

Excellent guest service is alays your thirst.

I asked for some input from all of your Cast

Here's some comments they made, from the first to the last:

"You're a positive role model," and "Certainly cute,"

"You're a flashy dresser, in a colorful suit."

"Professional-looking," and "Giving's your knack,"

"He'd give you the shirt right off his back."

"You're a quiet guy" and "You look the part

Of a thoughtful soul with a caring heart."

Your black hair is spiked--you've got brown eyes,

"Your eyebrows are perfect," "You're helpful and wise."

We heard you're in Encore, you sang with Celine,

In a Candlelight robe in the choir you were seen.

You're married to Katie, your wife and your pal,

She's a talented hostess and Kimonos gal.

She plays the music up on Swan's stage,

Where karaoke songs are still the rage...

Someone told me, which must really stink

Is that you didn't have a kitchen sink?!!

Don't know if that's true, but I heard it four ties

So as part of my poem, made it one of my rhymes...

You've been our fine leader for more than two years

You're a wonderful asset to all of your peers.

Now you're heading to Yacht and Beach,

You'll be a Manager, the Basics teach,

Not just by words, but by actions, deeds,

You'll charm new Cast and meet Guests' needs.

It's a perfect fit in a leadership role

'Cause "moving forward" is your Disney goal.

Consensus of opinion..."We think you've been aces!"

That's obvious to see by the look on our faces.

The rev of your Honda as you leave us tonight

Will sadden our hearts as you leave from our sigh.

We'll miss you lots as you leave from our home

But we wish you the best as from us you do roam.

So farewell, Eric Brown, we hope that you're blessed,

From your family at Saratoga and at Old Key West.

Carmen has Carmen gone

Last weekend we opened (and closed) the collaborative production of Carmen with the Orlando Philharmonic and Mad Cow Theatre.  It was a wonderful experience!  My first time visiting the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center was as a performer on the stage--I got a major kick out of that.  It ended up being a really fun venue to perform in.  Exploring the backstage area was a total adventure.  Stage stars had autographed the walls when their shows came through town so I lingered quite a bit gawking at our heroes' signatures. 

The show itself seemed a success and the house looked full on Sunday afternoon and Friday night.  My folks--the very educated and cultured parental unit of three professional musicians--have sat through a lot of boring musical performances in their lifetimes, but they both geniunely enjoyed every moment of a three-plus-hour evening at the opera, even the parts where their kid wasn't onstage.  And the Orlando Sentinel's theatre critic even noticed that we received a pretty lengthy round of applause at the end of the night (read the review).  That could have been the result of the lengthy, non-underscored curtain call, but who knows?  I can say that between my first rehearsal three weeks before opening night and the interminable final bows, I made some invaluable memories, contacts, and friends.

Eric's Special, Too

As I sit in this delightfully sticky booth enjoying my free wi-fi access and stuffing my pancake-hole with deliciously free breakfast, staring out into a rainy afternoon, I'm thinking of Eric on our regular day off and why I'm having a date with my laptop at Denny's.  Well, Eric is someplace special today--probably in full awareness of the syrupy goodness he's missing and the gloomy precipitation he's not.  He was selected to be a...well, I can't remember exactly what it's called, but there's a big press event going on at Walt Disney World with media luminaries attending from all over creation, and Eric gets to tag along with some of those illustrious personalities for a week.  He is basically in charge of being the liaison-type guy between Disney and the group from a New York City "hot" adult contemporary station.  These on-air folks and various station VIPs have the privilege of hanging out with my hubby during a week full of fun events and activities all over property.  It's an honor because only a few managers from all across the Walt Disney World Resort were chosen, and he's told it's an exciting adventure hobnobbing with all the media and enjoying all the perks.

Aw, shoot.  In my blogging excitement, I accidently dipped my pancakes in ketchup!  Dunking the sausage in syrup would've been a tastier mistake. 

In the meantime, I'll be savoring my breakfast-for-lunch catered with care by my South of the Border server Samuel, slung with a smile and a lonely rat-tail (photo forthcoming--if I'd thought to bring the microSD adapter for my cameraphone, you wouldn't even have to wait to see this truly amazing example of American [?] cosmetology EDIT: see below).  And I waited less than ten minutes!  Don't worry--later Eric will be enjoying my leftover eggs and bakey from the to-go box because on Free Grand Slam Day, there are no substitutions, even for picky eaters.

BONUS: My Thoughts on the Super Bowl

Did anyone else notice...

• the consecutive commercials featuring ladies being tackled (Snickers/Focus on the Family), schlubby dudes in their underwear (Career-Builder/Dockers), and woodland creatures (CarMax/Monster.com)?
• the Stripes theme featured on the Budweiser bridge commercial?
• the commercial announcing free food at Denny's?  Seriously, I only waited like six minutes.  Where is everybody?
• the ironic Super Bowl snapshot (EDIT: see below) circulating the tongue-in-cheek humor blogs yesterday? (Photo forthcoming--because Randall Gay is in the photo, the Denny's server won't let me pull it up.)
• if Baby Brees got an e*trade endorsement deal?
• anything but the commercials?

EDIT: Here are the photos I promised.

The rat-tail is small but effective.  This guy totally got a 100% tip.

Randall Gay sashays by as two Colts share a passionate embrace.

Gigs Galore

Since this new year began, I have been blessed enough to be just about in constant rehearsal for gigs from the start, and there are no signs of my slowing down any time soon!  First was the latest in a collaborative chain of performances for the Orange County Library System.  Last year around this time--when I had just bought my equipment and gotten my act together (literally)--I answered a post on CraigsList seeking musicians for Music in the Library, a celebration of National Music Week, at each of their branches.  I did a set in the study room at the Southwest branch in Dr. Phillips (kind of ironic to have some lady banging on a piano and screaming into a microphone in a library at all, much less a study room, huh?), and then another at the downtown branch on Central Avenue.  Jimi (spelled like Hendrix), the library's incredibly friendly and fun Community Relations liaison, recommended my services to his college roommate, who just happens to be Chef Chris Lacey of Jack's Steakhouse in the posh up-and-coming neighborhood of Baldwin Park.  As a result, I have gotten to play several sets at Jack's, enough, in fact, to cover the cost of my entire system--speakers, stands, mics, table and all!  So anyway, Jimi was nice enough to recruit me for another gig at the library, Dr. Phillips High School's Art Expo.  There were lots of nice comments and even a booking for a Friends of the Library event this December.  Mark your calendars!

Meanwhile, Eric and I were both tapped by Encore to perform in a small group of singers for Transitions Optical's annual international Academy at Disney's Yacht Club Resort.  The performances was for their 2009 Lab of the Year Awards ceremony, with a theme of "Never Lose Sight...of the Possibilities" (Get it?), so we were asked to sing a few inspirational numbers to open and entertain throughout the show: a Queen medley of We Will Rock You and We are the Champions, Power of the Dream from the 1996 Summer Olympics opening ceremonies, and a beautiful part-a cappella arrangement of Go the Distance from Hercules.  Our final selection was Defying Gravity from Wicked, and I was so excited to sing a solo!  Transitions Optical was nice enough to provide a costuming and cosmetology team for us, so I had a beautiful costume, amazing updo, and incredible make-up to wear!

Me as Glinda with Beth Neel as Elphaba

Then, just about the day after that event, I received a phone call from Mad Cow Theatre about a callback I had attended in December.  I was on their alternate list for the chorus of Bizet's Carmen.  Someone had dropped out at the last minute so they invited me to join the cast!  The performances will be Friday, February 26 at 8:00pm and Sunday, February 28 at 2:00pm at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center, which means I will be learning the entire role in less than three weeks!  I consider the entire experience to be a very exciting challenge, and I am thrilled to have my first theatre contract!

Coming up next will be the second annual cabaret featuring singers from Encore.  Like last year, all the proceeds from this year's show, called Time and Music, will go toward our budget for the summer production.  The goal is to keep making the summer show bigger and better so we can raise more and more funds for our selected charity recipient, which this year is the Make a Wish Foundation of Central and North Florida.  The cabaret starts rehearsal the first of March and goes onstage on March 11, 13, and 14 at the Odyssey Restaurant at Epcot. 

Finally, to keep me booked until May 16, I have just been cast in Garden Theatre's community production of good old Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  Back when I was a big fish in a little pond, I played the Narrator in Ware County High School's production, so it'll be a fresh and new experience this time since I'll be playing one of a few wife-y type chorus members.  Hopefully in the meantime I'll get a chance to be a judge again at East Ridge Idol, the annual fundraiser for my friend Gretchen's chorus program.  I'll have to double check my schedule.

As always, you can get the latest updates about my career by visiting my website.

The End of a (Different) Era

I talked about the "end of an era" when our contract at Kimonos was underbid as a result of the economy. Now another one of my performing arts employers has fallen victim to the financial crisis. Four Corners Academy of the Arts, the performing arts studio owned by my friend and bridesmaid Gretchen, has permanently closed its doors.

It is bittersweet to think that if the year-and-a-half during which the studio was open for business had existed in a different time, things probably wouldn't have turned out this way. Gretchen and the rest of the faculty are dealing with this sad turn of events in our own ways but also taking comfort in knowing we enriched the lives of artistic young people, and even some not-so-young. Even though 4CAA has gone out of business, it's hard for me to think of the entire venture as a failure; I know we taught and touched a lot of people within and beyond those walls. Planting or encouraging a seed of creativity, learning, and confidence in another person can only be called a success.

At any rate, now I have openings for private voice and piano students to take lessons here at our house, so if you know anyone who is interested, please pass my information along!

My Jobs

If you're my friend on Facebook, you may have noticed that my Work section (below) is full of jobs. You might be wondering how a person can have four jobs at once, but it's not as difficult as it seems. I'll explain.

Employer: Our 365 Newborn Photography
Position: Photographer
Location: Celebration, FL
I just had my first day today, and I'll be working here Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday mornings taking babies' first photos.

Employer: Sherwood Comunity Chapel
Position: Pianist
Location: Kissimmee, FL
This position has given me a great opportunity to improve my sight-reading, accompanying, and improvisational skills. During the summer, I only play on Sunday mornings and for occasional other Sunday services. During the rest of the year, I'll also play for choir rehearsals on Thursday evenings. I get to sing sometimes too!

Employer: Four Corners Academy of the Arts
Position: Voice/Piano Faculty
Location: Clermont, FL
When my friend Gretchen opened this business in January of last year, I had the pleasure of opening the studio with her as the drama and ballroom teacher. Now I teach ballroom, voice, piano, and musical theatre on Friday afternoons.

Employer: The Walt Disney Company
Position: Photographer
Location: Lake Buena Vista, FL
My first day with Disney was in May of 2003 as an attractions hostess in Tomorrowland. In June of 2006 I transferred to Entertainment as a character attendant, and I started with Disney Photo Imaging in December of 2006. My status is seasonal, so I can have them schedule me weekly, or I can choose from odds-and-ends they have available on the shift board whenever I'm free (which is what I usually do).






So as you can see, none of my jobs ever actually overlap with each other, and I still get to have Monday and Tuesday free, which are Eric's days off, too! Also, for the most part, it leaves my evenings free for performing gigs. I have my own professional equipment and repertoire, so I provide live entertainment for hotels and restaurants, weddings and other sacred ceremonies, and private parties and special events. I'll be playing at the public library downtown on July 31 at noon if you want to come by!

Photography is fun for me, and I've always considered it more of a hobby than a career. My goal is to some day (soon!) have a full-time performing contract somewhere closeby, so I can still have most of my evenings free. I've gotten very close to where I want to be, and I'm not giving up on auditions and performing opportunities. Soon I'll really have a full-time career doing what I am educated in and what I love!

The End of an Era

I keep using that (the above) phrase to mean my last night at Kimonos (which was tonight), but given that Webster's defines the ultimate word in that phrase as the following:

era: a stage in development (as of a person or thing), or a memorable or important date or event; especially one that begins a new period in the history of a person or thing

the term seems appropriate for this situation (and, yes, I did just use a dictionary definition to open my "five-paragraph essay" like a sixth grader).

The past year-and-eight months at Kimonos have been an amazing time of growth for my voice and performing skills. As a result of having this opportunity to choose whatever songs I want and performing them for an audience two or three nights per week, my repertoire, confidence, presence, and improvisational skills have grown immensely. Just last week, I got two--count 'em, two!--call backs from Disney, strictly by auditioning with songs I would never have in my bag o' tricks if it weren't for this job.

Although I am wistful for what I am being forced to leave behind, I am appreciative of what this opportunity has given me. I have a (precious) few prospects on the horizon, so who knows what's in store for me next? Hopefully, what's in store are bigger and better things which have even more valuable experiences and lessons to offer. But for now I am grateful for:

• the managers (especially Doug, Carson, and Andy) for being awesome at their jobs and considering helping and protecting we emcees a part of their jobs
• the venue - who could ask for anything more? An upscale, family-friendly venue in the heart of Walt Disney World, with an excellent sound system, 1000s of quality tracks, and pretty much the best guests we could ask for...
• the girls (our fearless leader, Madell, and all my other fellow emcees) who are handling this (decidedly crappy) situation with dignity. Here's hoping the economy gets better before it gets worse. Best wishes!

American Idol Experience Slideshow

Here are a few more photos from the American Idol Experience. We weren't allowed to take photos inside, so these are of the exterior only. But there are some PhotoPass pictures from the performance, behind this link for thirty days.

American Idol Experience

As many of you know, a few weeks ago I was asked--along with a few other entertainment industry professionals--to help with rehearsals by auditioning as a contestant at the new American Idol Experience attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The whole day ended up being an awesome "experience" (pun intended)!

We arrived that morning, and in the Coca-Cola lounge, I was given a video iPod loaded with karaoke tracks of American Idol arrangements of about 50 songs, and I could choose my first and second choices for the audition. I chose Bohemian Rhapsody and I Will Survive, respectively.

I went into my audition for the producers and sang my first choice. They gave me a few pointers and then showed a video of Ryan Seacrest telling me something to the effect of: "I know you're hoping I'm going to tell you you're going to Hollywood. Well, I can't tell you that...but I can tell you that you've been chosen to perform in the show today!" Trickery :)

As I came out of the audition room, a video crew filmed my reaction and a short interview. Then I went backstage to get ready for the 11am show. Two other contestants and an alternate (shout-out to Lowell!) were also chosen. In the Green Room, there were more iPods to help us rehearse our songs. Then I was "touched up" in the hair and make-up room, and I rehearsed with a vocal coach who helped me with staging, riffs, etc. Then the staging specialist showed us all where to stand throughout the show, and we all got to rehearse our songs onstage. Then it was time for the show!

This was during exclusive cast member previews of the attraction, so there were about 350 audience members. Actors warmed up the audience, got them excited, and tested their voting buttons. Then the host introduced herself, the three judges (Randy, Paula, and Simon types), and the three contestants--me, Luerne Herrera, and Rachel Moulton (sp?). Luerne began the show with an amazing rendition of Heart's "Alone" and got a "personalized" good luck message from recent AI winner David Cook.

I was to perform second, and they aired footage from my interview, my reaction, my audition, and my touch-up in the hair and make-up room. Then I rocked out on my Queen song! The judges said that I had a very "marketable, wholesome image." The Simon-type guy said I seemed a little self-conscious, like a karaoke performance! (I found the actor later to thank him for the critique, and he said he always feels the need to apologize to the contestants because they [the actors] are encouraged to nitpick. He felt that I was more "self-possessed" than he indicated, and when I told him that I worked at a karaoke bar, he thought that was very funny.)

Rachel rounded out the show with her awesome version of "I Feel the Earth Move" by Carole King, and they showed video of people in the queue cheering, "Rachel is our American Idol!" Then, the audience voted using the voting buttons on their armrests, and we were all treated to a Jordin Sparks music video. Afterward, the host recapped the judges' comments and sufficiently kept us all in suspense.

The whole day was especially cool because, when the attraction opens, Disney cast members will not be allowed to compete to win the daily prize--a ticket to the front of the line at the real American Idol auditions--so it was neat to be one of the very few cast members able to experience the behind-the-scenes aspects of the attraction. Although I wasn't chosen as the winner (Luerne is the champion!), I had an awesome time and made some good contacts. (I even ran into the casting director for Disney backstage, and he said I was great!) I was also sent home with a few cool souvenirs.

My number, stage door appointment, and "Vote for Me!" lanyard, meant to be worn around the park to encourage guests to come watch.

Click here to view more pictures--there's even a holiday card!

Extra Show Tonight!

Hey, everybody! I just picked up an extra show at Kimonos. To celebrate this joyous occasion, I collected some online photos of Kimonos and the Swan into a slideshow for y'all. Karaoke is always fun, so feel free to stop by for the festivities beginning at 9:30. For directions, regular show dates, and more, you can always visit my website. Enjoy!

Our Lives Thus Far

So you've read about the wedding and the events leading up to it. Now here's a quick update on what's been going on with us lately.

Eric moved to Orlando in June 2007 after resigning his position as a manager at the Herkimer Area Resource Center and selling his house in Mohawk, New York. Having earned his associate's degree from Herkimer County Community College, Eric had already begun taking courses online toward his bachelor's in business administration from Everest University.

He began his career with Walt Disney World as a front desk concierge at Disney's Boardwalk Resort. Very early on, he was chosen as a trainer for front desk cast and a facilitator of the training class for all new Boardwalk cast members. Soon after he was trained as an FSA (I don't know what that stands for, but basically it means you're in charge of the whole front desk), Eric applied for a management position and was chosen to be part of a pilot program designed for approximately 30 of the company's top management candidates. He completed the Emerging Leaders program two days before the wedding and, on that day, the official announcement was made that he had been permantently placed as a front desk manager for Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa and Disney's Old Key West Resort.

As for myself, after I graduated from Stetson, I secured a gig as a full-time piano player at the Marriott World Center for a while, and, until the show ceased broadcast in July, I also wrote for the online trivia game EAgameshow.com by EA Sports. I continued working for Disney in the entertainment department and consequently as a photographer up to the present. In January, my friend Gretchen open her own business, an after-school performing arts academy, and I joined the faculty as a part-time drama, piano, voice, photography, and ballroom teacher. I've also been performing at Kimonos at the Walt Disney World Swan since last May. It's a fun gig!

Outside of work, I sang with the Orlando Chamber Singers and the Orlando Chorale last season, and I also volunteer from time to time at Give Kids the World Village. My songwriting has been coming along as well. I entered a piece in the contest to select a new Florida state song, and it was one of the top 20 contenders. A holiday piece I wrote was premiered by Gretchen's massed choirs at East Ridge High School, and the Orlando Gay Chorus has expressed interest in performing it for their winter concert this year.

Eric rowed for a team from his work location for a regatta called Canoe Races of the World, held annually in the Rivers of America at the Magic Kingdom. The team didn't place, but he enjoyed training for the race and being in the park before opening!

We also both performed for the second straight year in Encore! Cast Choir and Orchestra, an annual charity performance put on by Disney cast members. This year's concerts raised $25,940 for United Arts of Central Florida. Also, we'll be performing as part of the cast choir for Epcot's Christmas Candlelight concerts.

We're keeping busy, that's for sure, but Eric secured vacation time for the week of my birthday in October, and we're going on a four-night Royal Caribbean cruise! 19 days 'til we depart! Bon voyage!