What makes a great soprano? A lot more than simply learning to hit the right note! It requires a great deal of hard work and sacrifice, but the journey to your bow and receiving the applause from your audience is so rewarding. As a classical soprano, there is nothing quite like successfully executing a piece like Mozart's Queen of the Night. Your goal should not only be to give the audience goosebumps, but touch your own heart as well.

Joyce DiDonato discusses, not only the "how to" of singing, but the true meaning of being a singer. Covering the importance of both hard-work and finding the enjoyment in the art of singing, she shares her experience as an acclaimed mezzo-soprano with the students at The Julliard School. Art, in her opinion, is about immersing yourself in your craft, and seeking the strength within to allow yourself to create in a peaceful, loving headspace. Art isn't about being perfect and judging yourself up for your mistakes while growing. Life is art, and it is meant to be enjoyed. My philosophy is that art has to come from an honest place and should never be manipulative or contrived.

Proverbs & Artistry

There is a Kenyan proverb which states that, “Until lions start writing down their own stories, the hunters will always be heroes.” Friends, you are lions! Write our story. Draw our story. Paint our story. Sculpt our story. Do so without reservation, without qualification, and without hesitation. Give our people the tools that we need to tell our story!

This sums up why I do what I do, and how I approach creating Art. It didn't begin as a "conscious decision"...it was simply my process. Now, I embrace and celebrate my gift and ability to honor those great performers of color who paved the way for me!

Opera Noir's 2013 "Haydn 2 Hip Hop Master Class" at Crenshaw High School

Opera Noir

2013 "Haydn 2 Hip Hop" Master Class

Celebrating Today's Emerging Artists

Opera Noir's 2013 "Haydn 2 Hip Hop" Master Class series at Crenshaw High School was an incredible experience for both Opera Noir Team Members and the students of the Crenshaw High School Choir. Over the course of two days, lead by Opera Noir Artistic Director, J. Rosalynn Smith-Clark, the talented students were coached by industry professionals in the fields of dance and vocal performance, as well as business and entrepreneurship.

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Artistic Director J. Rosalynn Smith-Clark smiles as one student performs a powerful rendition of Whitney Houston's "The Greatest Love of All".

The classroom was still as the audience was captivated by another solo performance during the Vocal Master Class.

Artistic Director J. Rosalynn Smith-Clark embraces a graduating senior who expresses his gratitude for how he has grown over the past 2 years in the partnership between Crenshaw High and Opera Noir.

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Opera Noir has partnered with Crenshaw High School for more than 10 years to provide professional Artist Development programs, and to encourage students to strive towards excellence in their careers.  Given the special history between the two entities, Artistic Director J. Rosalynn Smith-Clark was thrilled to offer an opportunity to partner with Crenshaw High School Choir Director Iris Stevenson again. Mrs. Smith-Clark and Ms. Stevenson are committed to preparing the students for university and conservatory auditions, and admission, by providing them with the necessary skill sets to ensure a successful career in not only the entertainment industry, but also as business professional and entrepreneurs. 

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Artistic Director J. Rosalynn Smith-Clark gives the students an inspiring "pep talk" prior to the dance portion of the Master Class.

Opera Noir Principal Dancer Simonne Gabrielle leads the class in a high intensity cardio warm up.

Stretch it out! The students practice their laterals before learning choreography.

Simonne Gabrielle breaks down the choreography for the future superstars.

A behind the scenes look at "Conversations with J. Rosalynn Smith-Clark" taping interviewing Iris Stevenson.

Artistic Director J. Rosalynn Smith-Clark, Crenshaw High School Choir Director  

Iris Stevenson, and celebrity make up artist Mark Starr are all smiles before the Entertainment Industry Business Seminar.

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Opera Noir continues to grow and significantly impact the lives of children and their families in low-to-moderate income communities thanks to the generous support of our funding partners. Over the course of 2012, Opera Noir reached a total of 7,500 people with 81% coming from low-to-moderate income households in the Los Angeles and in the San Francisco area.

   Thank you to our partners in Los Angeles,  The Bay Area, and around the country, for     
   your continued support, and for allowing Opera Noir to impact the lives of artists and      
   communities with the beauty and the benefits of the Arts and Arts Education.

   Sincerely,

   J. Rosalynn Smith-Clark - Artistic Director

"Who in this room is the next great entertainer?"

On That Note: What does it mean to “connect” with a song, or piece of music?

I know that you’ve been sitting on the edge of your seats waiting for the second
installment in this dialog…and here it is!

What does it mean to “connect” with a song, or piece of music?

Start with what is on the page.

Some singers start with the music, some with the text. I am a text person, however,
I will allow room for personal preference. If you choose to start with the music,
take note of all the markings and notations of the composer. This is the first step
in interpreting the intentions of the composer. Depending on your level of musical
proficiency, the score will offer great insight in terms of chord structure, mood
(based on major or minor keys), and reoccurring themes and motifs.

If you choose to start with the text, the obvious place to begin is to determine what
the librettist is trying to convey. In the case of an aria or musical theater piece, you
have to understand who the character is, what their intention is in the piece,
and what lead them to that intent. Even in Jazz and Popular music, the singer has to
understand the “story” and/or “intention” of a song. If you don’t know where you
are going, how can you expect an audience to connect with and join you?

I believe that great performances are created “in the moment”. However, an
authentic moment can only come from being fully prepared, and having done the
research that allows you to work from “beat to beat” in both the text and in the
music.

I believe that the same holds true for great dance performances. There is so much
more to dance than doing steps and moving to the music. Understanding the style
and era from which the music is drawn, again, provides a point of reference. The
same holds true of characterization, and the ability to connect with the music and
how it influences the way in which the story is being told.

Great artists have the ability to make countless hours of research and rehearsal look
effortless and immediate every time. That is the magic and the mystery of “being in
the moment”. And…On That Note…

I bid you Toi, Toi, Toi, till next time,

J. Rosalynn Smith-Clark

For me, the greatest moment in Opera of all time.  A "must watch" to the very end.

Duke Ellington & John Coltrane - In a sentimental mood

Although I am a classical soprano, I was heavily influence by great Jazz, Soul, and, R & B female vocalists.  I actually sang jazz in clubs in Pittsburgh, Pa for years to pay for my classical voice lessons! 

I humbly offer, what I believe to be, one of the most beautiful songs ever written. Two legendary African American artists - Duke Ellington and John Coltrane -- came together to share their artistic gifts to express the spirit of an era. 

Classic.

Be My Love by Ivan Tolbert

Here is another wonderful performance by African American artist Ivan Tolbert. An incredible voice from a great performer. A talent like this needs to be shared with the world.

Opera Noir celebrates and supports you, Ivan!

Ivan Tolbert singing On The Street Where You Live

I love this song. Opera Noir Emerging Artist, Ezekial McCarter did a fine performance of this number for the first Opera Noir Summer Intensive in 2011. I've had the pleasure of working with "Zeek" periodically over the past 2 years, and I am so pleased that he continues to evolve as an artist and a performer.

Zeek performs regularly at The Fillmore and the Boom Boom Boom in San Francisco. If your schedule allows, stop in and support this young "emerging artist!"

On That Note...

What does it mean to “connect” with a song, or piece of music?

There are many elements and things to consider when answering this question.  I look forward to sharing, what I believe to be, some of the most critical considerations with you in coming installments of On That Note...

I tell the vocal performers that I coach:

 “Don’t sing AT me, make me feel something!”

And for my dancers:

"I am not interested in how HIGH their leg can go, I am interested in WHY it is going there!"

Great artists make you feel as if they are allowing you (the audience) to see, or share, a very special intimate experience.

"Still waters run deep."

Many young artists, and far too many “seasoned” performers rely upon excessive gyrations and histrionics to try to “sell” a performance.  An artist who has taken the time to study the text, the music, and, when appropriate, the character, allows the audience to share an authentic experience in the moment.

For the purpose of this blog I will focus on performance rather than pedagogy.  I will, however, allow this one observation regarding technique:

Less is always more, and the most effective, and healthy approach to technique is to rely upon the breath, and not to manipulate movement or sound.

In the coming weeks, I look forward to sharing my thoughts and experience as both a performer, and a Director, as it relates to preparing and presenting the highest caliber of artistry in every performance. Consider this your opportunity to attend an online Master Class. And...On That Note...

I bid you Toi. Toi, Toi till next time,

J, Rosalynn Smith-Clark

Remember Who You Are...

There is so much work to be done in the areas of Education and accountability. We must not allow our legacy and the sacrifices of those who have gone before us to be in vain.

http://www.newpittsburghcourieronline.com/index.php/opinion/10532-lil-wayne-writes-song-disrespecting-emmett-till-family-livid

TOUR ALERT!!!!

The "Ladies Who Sing With the Band" Tour is in pre-production! Stay turned to find out when it will be coming your way!

Leontyne Price sings "O mio babbino caro"

Leontyne Price is an incredible artist who I have the utmost respect for. Ms. Price has helped pave the way for classical artists of color, and has inspired me as an artist throughout my career. Opera Noir has done countless tributes to Ms. Price, and we will continue to honor her as we strive to increase cultural diversity in the classical arts.

J. Rosalynn Smith-Clark in "Then Sings My Soul"

Here is a clip of a sneak peek of "Then Sings My Soul" at the 2009 Divas & Desserts Gala.

"Then Sings My Soul", a site-specific staged concert performance that explores the role of music and faith in the African American Journey towards Social Justice, premiered in the Bay Area in February of 2012. It was an incredible evening. The show received rave reviews and, thanks to our supporters, we were able to offer more than 200 underwritten tickets to various youth organizations throughout the Bay Area, Preparations for the 2013 tour are well underway!