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!