Day 2-Self control and QUINOA

Day 1 was a success! I am well on my way to making some great changes. 

I thought I'd share some more wisdom that I read last night from The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari (TMWSHF for short). 

A challenge I always face is my lack of self-control. This is something I have always blamed on my upbringing, my personality...even my horoscope (I'm a Leo). I would say that Leos always like to live in excess and we don't have any self-control. This, I have come to learn, is an excuse I have created to take the easy way out. "To build willpower and inner strength, you must first use it." So the goal is to stop making excuses and do it already! 

A tool TMWSHF gives us is the use of mantras. The word mantra is a sanskrit word with 'man' meaning 'mind' and 'tra' meaning 'freeing'. The spoken word can have a profound effect on our minds. The mantra to assist you when you are feeling short of will-power is "I am more than I appear to be, all the world's strength and power rests inside me." Pretty awesome, eh? Knowing that I have something like this to assist me in a time of need is incredibly comforting. I plan to repeat it to myself at least 30 times a day. 

On a more delicious note, I thought I'd share a brief recipe with you. It was the first meal I ate today...the one that began this detox. 

For Christmas, my mom got me a cookbook called Quinoa 365: The everyday superfood. Now, if you know me well, you'll know that I LOVE QUINOA (or as one of my dear friends jokingly calls it, Bimboa...you know who you are). It is one of my favourite foods that I try to eat every single day. For those of you who don't know what this amazing food is, I will enlighten you with a passage from my new cookbook!

"Identified as one of the world's healthiest foods, quinoa has a complete combination of all life-supporting nutrients making it an ideal whole food to incorporate into your daily lifestyle. The versatility of quinoa makes it compatible with almost everything you eat throughout the year. Soups, salads, entrees and desserts can all be made with quinoa. It is very easy to prepare, regardless of your cooking ability. Quinoa is also considered kosher, as it is technically not a grain nor related to grains. Especially important for vegetarians or vegans, quinoa is a nutritionally superior source  of non-animal protein. Optimal amino acid content and ease of digestion make quinoa an ideal alternative to meat proteins. Quinoa is also a "good" carbohydrate...unlike simple carbs from processed foods, quinoa digests gradually. It keeps you feeling fuller longer  and can help to regulate blood sugar levels. Quinoa is also an ideal athletic-performance food because the complex carbs provide energy and endurance to hard-working muscles. Quinoa has been identified as ideal for gluten-free diets. In addition, plant lignans, or phytonutrients, are present in whole foods such as quinoa and are thought to be responsible for protection against a variety of illnesses. It is also abundant in linolenic acid, the essential fatty acid that has proven beneficial to immune response." It can be considered a rice substitute and is often classified as a grain. It has a crunchy/chewy texture and a slightly nutty flavour. 

So is quinoa amazing or what? On top of that...it tastes great and takes about 15 minutes to make. Add one part quinoa to 2 parts water. Set it to boil, then reduce heat to medium low and let simmer for approx. 10 minutes (covered). Turn the burner off and let it sit for about 5 minutes then fluff with a fork and serve. SO easy!

The recipe that I made yesterday, and I make it often because it is one of the easiest breakfasts to make is:

Almond Spice Breakfast Cereal 

1/2 cup of cooked quinoa

2-3 table spoons of almond butter (depending on how almondy you like it)

2-3 heaping tablespoons of hemp hearts (you can get these at any health food store or grocery store with a health food section)

sprinkle of cinnamon

sprinkle of nutmeg

add milk or water if you like it a little runnier

add some almonds on top if you want some extra crunch!

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Mix together and eat! Super easy and fast. Feel free to be liberal with the portions...this is just an estimate of what I usually make.

This meal is protein and energy packed and perfect to start off your day! I go to the gym every morning so this is perfect before a work out. I hope you try it out and enjoy!

Tip: Keep cooked quinoa in the fridge for up to three days. I make it in large portions and keep it in the fridge so its ready for whenever I need it!

To conclude, an inspiring thought to take with you:

"The universe favours the brave. When you resolve once and for all, to lift your life to its highest level, the strength of your soul will guide you."

Day 1 of 4 Month Detox

Hello friends!

Here I am back and blogging and its 2012!!!!

I have decided to embark on a detox cleanse to assist in all aspects of my life! 2011 was an amazing year that brought about many opportunities and many hardships. I was a student for 5 years, and now I am a freelance singer that has to keep herself motivated and under control. This is an amazing time for me, but its proving to be a challenge. I finally have had enough of trying to stick with a cleanse, or a work out regimen, or a way to be more positive and then not keeping it up. I happened to pick up a book entitled "The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari". It was recommended to me (and many others) by Kim Mattice Wanat, the artistic director of Opera NUOVA and the Vocal Arts Festival that takes place in May and June in Edmonton. I was fortunate enough to attend this program and learn from this amazing lady (and I will be returning this year to sing the title role in Ariadne auf Naxos :)). I had been meaning to purchase this book for quite some time, and its funny how I decided to buy in when I did...at a time when I needed it the most. Oh Universe...I am reading and accepting your signs!

I would reccomend it to everyone wanting to change some things in their life...whether you feel like something's missing, things are getting out of your control or you just want to read something inspiring. It truly inspires in a way that is simple and concise.

It wasn't until I started to employ some of the tools suggested in this book that I realized I really wanted to make a change once and for all. To work towards becoming a better person and learning to really, truly love myself. This, I've come to realize, is one of the most important things for a singer to accomplish, for we put ourselves out there every day waiting to be judged an critiqued. We have to truly believe in and love ourselves, knowing that we are worthy to be heard and seen. This lull time, when we are just beginning our out-of-school singing journey, is the perfect time to figure this out.

So I have decided to document my journey throughout the next four months of my life. I will post quotes (from this amazing book that I reccommend to all...I've added a picture of the cover below), recipes, amazing health foods (I am a health food nut) and general comments along my journey. This is a reconfiguring of my body, mind and soul. I hope this will inspire others to do the same!

Happy 2012! Day 1 begins!

I will leave you with the quote from "The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari" that inspired me to start this detox:

"There is nothing noble about being superior to some other person. True nobility lies in being superior to your former self."

So I lied a little bit...

So remember when I said I'd be back in a week? Yeah...that was July 24th. It is now October 10th. Needless to say, I got busy.

St. Andrew's by the Sea was amazing.To begin my journey, I reunited with one of my very good friends, Naomi,  at the Toronto airport before we travelled together to New Brunswick. I hadn't seen her for over a year, so it was about time we got to see each other!!!! It was a little over a year ago that we met at Opera NUOVA.

I'd never been to the maritimes, and it is so beautiful out there. I stayed in a house that was literally 30 seconds from the sea. It was an old blacksmith's house that was built in the 19th century. My landlady was a musician and stain glass artist, so her house was adorned with beautiful art. Now to singing...

This week was incredibly challenging, but so eye-opening for me. After NUOVA I was on top of the world, but St. Andrew's brought  me back to reality and reminded me of what work I needed to do. I honestly had a eureka moment EVERY DAY...if not twice a day. Wendy Nielsen is an amazing pedagogue and one of the warmest people I've ever met. What a lady. I trusted her guidance and wisdom.

Other highlight for me was my work with Tom Diamond, our acting coach. That man summarized basically every important acting technique that I had learned in theatre school, but it one lecture. His passion and knowledge was incredible. I appreciated his honesty. I sang in a master class while I was there, and I didn't do the work that I normally do when I prepare an aria. Tom called me out on it and I am so thankful for that. I know EXACTLY what I need to do with every piece of music (aria or scene) before it is performed for it to be believable. If you take shortcuts it wont be genuine. I needed to be called out. I know what my personal best is and I know what I need to do to attain it.

Hilarious photo of Naomi and I. Reunited in St. Andrew's, NB

This week also shook me up a bit, because a coach that I worked with told me she heard a possible mezzo sound. WAIT A SECOND. WHAT!??! I think my world came crashing down for a moment. I hadn't questioned my voice type since first or second year when Kim said...."maybe...." So I thought about it, I sang a trouser role in a scene there (which was REALLY fun and ended in some girl on girl action...PG13 though) and I pondered some more. After all of that thinking and talking about it with friends and mentors, I realized that yes, I may be young, but I know exactly what I am. I AM A SOPRANO. I could very well make the choice and be a lyric mezzo if I want, but my heart lies with The Countess, Fiordiligi, Donna Elvira, Tatiana and all of the other AMAZING women that a lyric soprano gets to portray. Plus, everything about my body, temperament and sound is soprano.

I returned from St. Andrew's a little bit fatter (I ate out A LOT), a lot happier and very enlightened. August and September were transition months for me. Getting settled back home, finding jobs, and getting back into the groove of the full-time singing.

I now have three jobs. I have time for voice lessons, I have time for coachings, I have time to practice AND I even have time to have some fun. Life is good. Being out of school is exactly right for me.

I am currently prepping for audition season. It all starts in a little over a week with my first YAP (Young Artist Program Audition). I am so ready for this.

OH! And how can I forget that I will be part of a recital tour happening in December. I will be performing along with the beautiful and talented sopranos Erin Armstrong and Naomi Eberhard. The title of this recital is Dueling Divas: Battle of the Big Haired Blondes. It's going to be a night of hair and high notes! Recital locations are Windsor, Leamington and Hamilton. Times, and locations will be coming soon. I will put up the poster when it is completed!

I think that covers the majority of what's going on in my life. I am not sure when I'll be able to write next...but I will do my best to keep things updated!

It's Been A While

Wow. So it's clearly been a while. The past 6 months have been so jam packed, I'm going to try and touch BRIEFLY on major things that have gone on.

January: Staging rehearsals began for Flute. A lot to do for our February opening. Michael Cavanagh is an amazing director. Prep for grad recital ongoing.

February: Reading week rehearsals for Flute. Amazing growth vocally and mentally. I am conquering Pamina and gaining vocal confidence. I am finding it hard to leave the daily rehearsals and go to bed. I want to stay in the Theatre Auditorium until midnight! I love what I do.

Flute performances are amazing. One of the best productions I've ever been a part of. Opera Canada reviews Saturday night performance! Singing in the Sanderson Centre in Brantford is a dream. Beautiful hall, beautiful acoustics. Glorious. Pamina is a vocal landmark for me.

Papageno and Pamina (moi) singing 'Bei Mannern'

March: Having trouble coming down off of my Flute high. Still a lot of prep to do before my grad recital in April. This now becomes my main focus.

April: Grad recital is a big success. I pulled together my 12 minute Russian aria just in time! Prep for Opera Nuova and my gig with Kitchener Waterloo Symphony become my main focus. I am accepted into St. Andrews Opera Workshop in NB!

May: Classical Comedy (KWS gig) a huge success. My own dressing room complete with piano, fridge, and bathroom. Luxury after Laurier. I leave for Opera NUOVA the day after my final KWS performance.

NUOVA: This gets its own heading because about 12 months of stuff happened in 6 weeks. The most amazing six weeks of my life. Broadway concert, success! Aria Extravaganza, success! Song Soiree performance, success! Rehearsals for Rusalka from the beginning=a lot of dancing and singing at the same time. Ahhhh...the life of a wood nymph. I am given an understudy while I am there. The Foreign Princess in Rusalka. Big sing, quick learn! Success! Possible FACH change in the future? Who knows.

Kim arrives in Edmonton and surprises her students!!!!! Best surprise ever. Performances of Rusalka and Figaro: stunning. Two beautiful productions. So proud of everyone.

I met 60 (give or take) amazing individuals I am now proud to call my colleagues. Lots of doors have been opened for this next year. Final Monday of the program=POOL PARTY complete with gin and tonics. Great day.

Tuesday after, I fly back to Ontario. Sadness. A lot of sadness.

July: Post-NUOVA depression sets in. It takes me about a week to find where I am in the world. Toronto visit, lots of practicing and score purchasing. Donna Elvira, Tatyana and Fiordiligi: you are mine.

Opera Canada review of Flute comes out: "Stephanie Yelovich's blond, Nordic-looking Pamina was sung with great delicacy and feeling." Very humbled.

And here we are. It is the 21st of July and on the 24th, I leave for St. Andrew's, NB to take part in Wendy Nielsen's Opera Workshop. Lobster, opera, sea...what more could one want?

My following post (I'm sure) will be much more detailed. Be back in a week!

Stephanie

Reflecting on 2010

It's clearly been a while since I've been able to write, but now that I am on Christmas break, I have a little more time than I would normally have during the school year. With only 2 days until Christmas, I've decided to reflect on the incredibly wonderful year I've had.

This is my final year at Laurier, and it has been the best year yet. I feel that I have accomplished more in four months than I did the last two years of my undergrad. This has to do with some vocal set backs that kept me from singing to my fullest potential. Not only have I made wonderful advances in singing, but I have made incredible advances in my lifestyle. It took me about 3 years to make those changes, but I see that perserverance and hard work have paid off. I've learned that I have been my own obstacle.

After my first year I had gained a lot of weight. Since then, over the last three to four years, I have lost 25 pounds. I understand what I need to eat for my body (and my voice) to remain healthy. I also understand how important excersize is. I am thankful that I don't have the best metabolism in the world. I know exactly when I'm not eating right because my body tells me. 

At the end of this term, I earned an A/A+ in my studio, an A+ in Opera and I just was notified that I will be receiving the Alumni Choir Voice Performance Scholarship this year. Even though I've been working hard, I feel that this is a reward for the last two years of struggle. I am no longer broken (as I've shouted from the mountain tops dozens of times...sorry if you've already heard this).

About a month ago, I found out that I was accepted into Opera NUOVA's six week program in Edmonton, Alberta.  I have been offered the role of the Second Wood Nymph in Rusalka and I couldn't be more delighted. This program is, in my opinion, Canada's best, and I can't wait to be challenged and busy!

On top of all this, a little while ago I was offered an opportunity to sing with the Kitchener Waterloo Symphony in the Pops Concerts Series. I will be part of a comedy act lead by Rainer Hersch, a British comedian, pianist and conductor. I am proud to say that this is my first professional gig in the classical world.

This year would not have been such a success without help from my talented and dedicated teacher, Kimberly Barber. Not only is she a wonderful teacher, but she has such a way with words, she is beautiful and so unbelievably talented as an artist and she is, above all, a compassionate and caring person. She has gotten me through some very rough times and it is such a pleasure to complete my fifth year of study at Laurier with her. I look forward to my next year of private study with her, after leaving Laurier.

I also need to comment on how proud I am to be a Laurier graduate. After receiving my undergrad, I knew I had to come back to do my Opera Diploma. Laurier has made me a great musician, artist and person. When I leave these walls, I understand how different other universities are. Nowhere else would a third or fourth year be singing a lead role in an opera. Nowhere else would such a collegial and supportive atmosphere exist. This year, our opera class has been the best yet, with no room for gossip, jealousy or toxicity and I am SO thankful for that. There is no need for it in this business, and those who indulge are not helping themselves or others. I am not perfect, and I find myself getting sucked into "toxic talk", but I strive to stay away.

After reading the above text, I realize it could be seen as me bragging. This is not my intention. I have taken the time to write this all out for myself: to reflect on my year, to share with others the things that I am proud of, and to write down all the things that I am incredibly thankful for.

I am so proud to be a soprano and artist and I can't wait to see where 2011 leads. If I don't write again until the new year, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

Stephanie

P.S. Another highlight of this month was seeing Renee Fleming at Roy Thompson Hall. You know you're a die-hard fan when you start sobbing profusely while she makes her first entrance onto the stage. She was stunning.

Sickness knows no bounds...

SO.

It is approximately 3 days until our Opera Excerpts here at Laurier, and Miss Opera Diploma is sick. I am not writing for sympathy, just to share what I am learning about myself during this period of illness.

I got sick on Saturday night with full fever, body aches and swollen glands. I was feverish all day Sunday. I was dreading Monday because not only did I have opera rehearsal, but I also had my Opera Nuova audition. So I decided that I would miss my morning classes to save my energy and then get to school for rehearsal and my audition. It wasn't feeling %100 in the morning, but I felt ok. I got to the school and I seemed fine.

 I had my Opera NUOVA audition at 5:15 and it was the best audition I've ever had to date. Not only did I sing well, but I felt an electricity in the room that was very exciting. After that high, things started to go downhill. I went to opera rehearsal that evening, but I shouldn't have.

After a terrible night's sleep, I woke up this morning to discover that my cold had moved into my chest and I had a lovely cough. I was able to see a homeopath today and get some remedies and I am well on the mend.

What I learned from this experience was how amazing our mental capacity is. I was bed ridden on Sunday, but Monday was magic. I've learned that we can do anything if we put our minds to it. Tomorrow are the dress rehearsals. I plan to mark, but I still feel surprisingly great. I'm looking forward to Friday. I can honestly be thankful that this didn't start on Thursday, in time for me to be sick on Friday.

I'm still not feeling the best, but I wont let it stop me. Don't get me wrong, I will take care of myself, but I will remind my body that there is work to be done. Singing is my life and sickness wont stop me.

Looking forward to Friday. Hope to see you all there and healthy!

Stephanie

Presenting Opera Laurier's 2010 Excerpts

Hello everyone,

It's been quite a while since I've written. Life is busy. This entry is to let everyone know about Opera Laurier's upcoming performance of Excerpts. The information is as follows:

Opera Laurier Presents Excerpts 2010
Friday, November 19th and Saturday, November 20th
Director: Andrea Wingelaar
Musical Directors: Leslie De'ath and Elvera Froese
Wilfrid Laurier University
Theatre Auditorium
8 pm

Tickets: $10 general, $5 students and seniors, FREE for Laurier students

Presenting excerpts from:

Verdi's La Traviata
Massenet's Manon
Strauss' Ariadne auf Naxos
Coghlan's Frankie and Johnnie

This is going to be a great show! Not only is there beautiful singing, but rockstars and dancing too! I won't say anymore. This is a unique and fun year for Opera Laurier. Hope to see you all there!

Stephanie

P.S. I promise I will write more when I have time!!!! :)