December is always a busy month for me and this year is no exception!
Here is what I have done (so far) this month:
* Officially joined AFTRA...Now I am a professional on paper!
* Is now on Facebook...Become a "Fan":
* Sang with Byron Singleton as part of the Bailout Theatre's concert series, featuring original songs by Paul Knopf
* Sang in the chorus as part of a benefit gala for the OR Organization, featuring performances by Liz Callaway and Dudu Fisher, at Merkin Hall.
* Christmas Caroling galore...A busy season, indeed! Appearances at Garden World, Short Hills Mall, The American Museum of Natural History, The Union Club, A CT Nursing Home, etc...Fingers Crossed for another appearance on Letterman!
* Had two wonderful classes with Tina Marie Casamento and found some powerful new material for upcoming auditions!
Friday, December 10, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
UPDATES: November 2010
* I am currently rehearsing new pieces with Paul Knopf and Byron Singleton in preparation for a concert at Judson Church on December 1st. One piece is a tango and the other piece is about a person grappling with alcoholism and facing their demons in triumph.
* Caroling season begins on November 28th at the Short Hills Mall from 1-4pm. Looking forward to working with a very talented group of people again!
* I have a number of charitable performances planned for December. I always do at least one, in the spirit of the season. These are my most rewarding performances of the year...Stay tuned to this blog for updates. :-)
* The musical theatre audition panel was a success! I was well-received by the panelists and got some very wonderful feedback.
* I am continuing to work with Tina Marie Casamento as my voice coach and am looking forward to what's around the corner! We're finding new and exciting songs for my audition book as well!
* I am continuing my studies with Larry Singer and have had a number of wonderful breakthroughs in class, particularly in an unrehearsed scene exercise!
* I am continuing to study with my voice teacher, Wendy Sharp. There have been a number of wonderful developments with my vocal technique since I began to work more closely with both Larry and Tina as well. I feel like I have a great "team" of people on my side!
Have a wonderful holiday season!!!!!
* Caroling season begins on November 28th at the Short Hills Mall from 1-4pm. Looking forward to working with a very talented group of people again!
* I have a number of charitable performances planned for December. I always do at least one, in the spirit of the season. These are my most rewarding performances of the year...Stay tuned to this blog for updates. :-)
* The musical theatre audition panel was a success! I was well-received by the panelists and got some very wonderful feedback.
* I am continuing to work with Tina Marie Casamento as my voice coach and am looking forward to what's around the corner! We're finding new and exciting songs for my audition book as well!
* I am continuing my studies with Larry Singer and have had a number of wonderful breakthroughs in class, particularly in an unrehearsed scene exercise!
* I am continuing to study with my voice teacher, Wendy Sharp. There have been a number of wonderful developments with my vocal technique since I began to work more closely with both Larry and Tina as well. I feel like I have a great "team" of people on my side!
Have a wonderful holiday season!!!!!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
UPDATES: October 2010
After a year of family and friends and basically EVERYONE around me getting married in various places across the globe, I'm officially back on the fast track to being available for longer theatrical projects again! I'm VERY excited to be back!
With that said, this is what I am currently up to:
* I just sang at the NYU Medical Center Graduation again this year with the lovely folks from Cobblestone Entertainment.
* I performed with and supported the chorus as part of the Ikeda Youth Ensemble at a meeting with 2,500 in attendance.
* I am slated to do a jazz project with Paul Knopf and Byron Singleton in December...Stay tuned for updates!
* I am taking a Musical Theatre Audition workshop with Tina Marie Casamento that concludes in late October with a panel of great industry folks! I'm finding and working on some wonderful new songs for my audition book!
* I am currently working on scenes from "Amadeus" and "Criminal Hearts" for Scene Study Class with Larry Singer.
* I will be singing with the Cobblestone Carolers again this holiday season...Keep checking this blog for updates!
* I am beginning to teach private voice lessons and take on my own students, while continuing to take voice lessons privately with Wendy Sharp.
With that said, this is what I am currently up to:
* I just sang at the NYU Medical Center Graduation again this year with the lovely folks from Cobblestone Entertainment.
* I performed with and supported the chorus as part of the Ikeda Youth Ensemble at a meeting with 2,500 in attendance.
* I am slated to do a jazz project with Paul Knopf and Byron Singleton in December...Stay tuned for updates!
* I am taking a Musical Theatre Audition workshop with Tina Marie Casamento that concludes in late October with a panel of great industry folks! I'm finding and working on some wonderful new songs for my audition book!
* I am currently working on scenes from "Amadeus" and "Criminal Hearts" for Scene Study Class with Larry Singer.
* I will be singing with the Cobblestone Carolers again this holiday season...Keep checking this blog for updates!
* I am beginning to teach private voice lessons and take on my own students, while continuing to take voice lessons privately with Wendy Sharp.
Monday, August 9, 2010
A Different Role- What Jasmine Did This Summer...SO FAR!
This summer, I took on a challenge that not only helped me to believe, "If I can do this, I can do ANYTHING!!!", but also brought me back to the most basic reason why I love music so much and why I have chosen to make it my life.
As part of a World Peace Festival entitled, "Dream Big. Change the World" which was organized and performed entirely by people under the age of 35, I had been asked to lead the chorus. This chorus was comprised of 350 people from the ages of 11-35 who came from the Eastern United States from Maine to the Caribbean. Some people have been on Broadway and some had never sung a note in their lives...
We all learned a wonderful song by John Legend entitled, "If You're Out There", as well as an original song, "Rise". Our challenge was to bring everyone together and unite not only musically, but with our hearts and souls to spread the messages of these songs to a crowd of roughly 12,000 people in attendance at The Liacouras Center at Temple University in Philadelphia.
There were many challenges and obstacles that tried to stop us in our quest, not to mention the fact that we only had a day and a half to really bring it all together before the performance! Through blistering heat, a young woman collapsing of dehydration, some people not having access to or knowing the arrangements of the songs before getting there, another young woman breaking her foot getting off the bus, acoustical problems in the arena that made it difficult to sing with the backing tracks, people who had traveled as far as New Orleans for this festival, people with severe lack of sleep (I had a total of 9 hours of sleep in 3 days!), nerves that come with singing in front of 12,000 people, people's own personal obstacles, etc...It turned out to be a huge victory, not only for me, but for the people I had the privilege of conducting and uniting with, as well as everyone who attended our performance.
One of the most triumphant moments for the chorus group was when we decided, as a chorus of 350 people, to sing one of our songs a capella! When I suggested this initially, I thought people might shy away or object, but in my heart I knew they were all ready to take it on. Apparently, they all thought so too...Just at the suggestion of this challenge, they were cheering and celebrating with joy! At that moment, I KNEW that these are the people I would want to go into "battle" with...(Funny enough, for the sake of world peace! LOL!)
When we performed, from the moment they stood up in perfect unison, I knew something very special was about to happen. I felt everyone collectively break through the obstacles in their lives, whether they wanted to be the best accountant, performer, student, etc. when we all sang (From "If You're Out There"): IF YOU'RE READY WE CAN SHAKE THE WORLD! BELIEVE AGAIN!!! IT STARTS WITHIN!!! WE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR DESTINY!!! WE SHOULD BE THE CHANGE THAT WE WANT TO SEE...IF YOU'RE OUT THERE!!!!!!!
It is a moment I will never forget for the rest of my life. The power of music is truly amazing.
I have eaten, slept and breathed music for most of my life. To be in a position to introduce music to people who have never encountered it on this level before really brought me back to why I love performing so much. In learning how to teach what I know, it brought me back to thinking about all the fantastic people who taught me so selflessly, to do what it is I am able to do today as a performer. It also made me appreciate and better understand my younger sister's position as a music educator. To be able to give in this way really opened my life up in ways I'm still trying to fully process.
It made me realize that striving to be a performer on Broadway for World Peace is only a piece of a much bigger puzzle. I haven't figured out the entire puzzle yet, but I am going to enjoy the journey SO MUCH!!!!
To the people that I am so grateful to have shared this experience with, I know this is just the beginning of many more wonderful things to come!!! You were fearless, through it all!!! And absolutely united and amazing...You all taught me so much! THANK YOU!!!! It's about so much more than just the music!
I feel like this experience is going to change the way I approach all of my work and I'm looking forward to seeing how this all manifests itself!
Here is a picture of the chorus and me:
And another picture of me conducting with my fabulous pink gloves at the dress rehearsal:
And here is a video of the chorus performance at the festival:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDkd5rU3g18
As part of a World Peace Festival entitled, "Dream Big. Change the World" which was organized and performed entirely by people under the age of 35, I had been asked to lead the chorus. This chorus was comprised of 350 people from the ages of 11-35 who came from the Eastern United States from Maine to the Caribbean. Some people have been on Broadway and some had never sung a note in their lives...
We all learned a wonderful song by John Legend entitled, "If You're Out There", as well as an original song, "Rise". Our challenge was to bring everyone together and unite not only musically, but with our hearts and souls to spread the messages of these songs to a crowd of roughly 12,000 people in attendance at The Liacouras Center at Temple University in Philadelphia.
There were many challenges and obstacles that tried to stop us in our quest, not to mention the fact that we only had a day and a half to really bring it all together before the performance! Through blistering heat, a young woman collapsing of dehydration, some people not having access to or knowing the arrangements of the songs before getting there, another young woman breaking her foot getting off the bus, acoustical problems in the arena that made it difficult to sing with the backing tracks, people who had traveled as far as New Orleans for this festival, people with severe lack of sleep (I had a total of 9 hours of sleep in 3 days!), nerves that come with singing in front of 12,000 people, people's own personal obstacles, etc...It turned out to be a huge victory, not only for me, but for the people I had the privilege of conducting and uniting with, as well as everyone who attended our performance.
One of the most triumphant moments for the chorus group was when we decided, as a chorus of 350 people, to sing one of our songs a capella! When I suggested this initially, I thought people might shy away or object, but in my heart I knew they were all ready to take it on. Apparently, they all thought so too...Just at the suggestion of this challenge, they were cheering and celebrating with joy! At that moment, I KNEW that these are the people I would want to go into "battle" with...(Funny enough, for the sake of world peace! LOL!)
When we performed, from the moment they stood up in perfect unison, I knew something very special was about to happen. I felt everyone collectively break through the obstacles in their lives, whether they wanted to be the best accountant, performer, student, etc. when we all sang (From "If You're Out There"): IF YOU'RE READY WE CAN SHAKE THE WORLD! BELIEVE AGAIN!!! IT STARTS WITHIN!!! WE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR DESTINY!!! WE SHOULD BE THE CHANGE THAT WE WANT TO SEE...IF YOU'RE OUT THERE!!!!!!!
It is a moment I will never forget for the rest of my life. The power of music is truly amazing.
I have eaten, slept and breathed music for most of my life. To be in a position to introduce music to people who have never encountered it on this level before really brought me back to why I love performing so much. In learning how to teach what I know, it brought me back to thinking about all the fantastic people who taught me so selflessly, to do what it is I am able to do today as a performer. It also made me appreciate and better understand my younger sister's position as a music educator. To be able to give in this way really opened my life up in ways I'm still trying to fully process.
It made me realize that striving to be a performer on Broadway for World Peace is only a piece of a much bigger puzzle. I haven't figured out the entire puzzle yet, but I am going to enjoy the journey SO MUCH!!!!
To the people that I am so grateful to have shared this experience with, I know this is just the beginning of many more wonderful things to come!!! You were fearless, through it all!!! And absolutely united and amazing...You all taught me so much! THANK YOU!!!! It's about so much more than just the music!
I feel like this experience is going to change the way I approach all of my work and I'm looking forward to seeing how this all manifests itself!
Here is a picture of the chorus and me:
And another picture of me conducting with my fabulous pink gloves at the dress rehearsal:
And here is a video of the chorus performance at the festival:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDkd5rU3g18
Friday, June 4, 2010
Callbacks, Recent News, Etc.
Often one forgets that mentioning callbacks is an important thing in this industry. I'm noticing that the callback is just as important as booking the job...Also, there are many other performing opportunities that I have on a regular basis that may not always end up on my resume.
Like many of my other actor colleagues, I am resolving to not only talk about what's coming up on the horizon, but also chronicle recent opportunities I have had.
This blog is as good a place as any...
So...without further ado...catching up on (what I can remember) 2010 (so far)!
* Made her second appearance on "The Late Show with David Letterman" as one of the Late Show Cobblestone Carolers.
* Got a callback and placed "on hold" for an Orajel commercial as a young mom.
* Began acting classes with Larry Singer of Larry Singer Studios.
* Got a callback for a Carmax commercial as a wife to a crazy husband.
* Performed in a reading of a screenplay by Chris Gilligan and Dallas Brennan as part of the Last Stop Reading Workshop.
* Performed with SGI-USA NY Chorus as part of the "Great Assembly of Capable Youth" singing the original song, "Rise".
* Got a callback for an ESPN Commercial as a rabid Giants fan.
* Was the soprano soloist in Handel's "The Seven Last Words of Christ" with string quartet and chorus at The First Baptist Church of NY.
* Performed Dubois' "The Seven Last Words of Christ" with full orchestra at Church of the Village.
* Performed various concert pieces with full orchestra at Church of the Village.
* Shot an upcoming internet commercial for Guggenheim Partners as a young mom.
* Performed as Madeleine in Lisa Germinsky's "Breakfast in Bed" as part of the Last Stop Reading Workshop.
* Am currently leading the NY Chorus as part of an upcoming festival at Temple University to promote world peace, being held in July.
* Performed in a reading of Joe Fiorello's "Picking Up Girls in Hell" as part of the Last Stop Reading Workshop.
* Professionally Recorded the Official Version of the original song, "Rise" with various Broadway Performers and Professional Recording Artists.
* Appears in this online commercial for Guggenheim Financial: http://www.moonrap.com/2010/06/showreels.html
* Sang for my sister's wedding
Like many of my other actor colleagues, I am resolving to not only talk about what's coming up on the horizon, but also chronicle recent opportunities I have had.
This blog is as good a place as any...
So...without further ado...catching up on (what I can remember) 2010 (so far)!
* Made her second appearance on "The Late Show with David Letterman" as one of the Late Show Cobblestone Carolers.
* Got a callback and placed "on hold" for an Orajel commercial as a young mom.
* Began acting classes with Larry Singer of Larry Singer Studios.
* Got a callback for a Carmax commercial as a wife to a crazy husband.
* Performed in a reading of a screenplay by Chris Gilligan and Dallas Brennan as part of the Last Stop Reading Workshop.
* Performed with SGI-USA NY Chorus as part of the "Great Assembly of Capable Youth" singing the original song, "Rise".
* Got a callback for an ESPN Commercial as a rabid Giants fan.
* Was the soprano soloist in Handel's "The Seven Last Words of Christ" with string quartet and chorus at The First Baptist Church of NY.
* Performed Dubois' "The Seven Last Words of Christ" with full orchestra at Church of the Village.
* Performed various concert pieces with full orchestra at Church of the Village.
* Shot an upcoming internet commercial for Guggenheim Partners as a young mom.
* Performed as Madeleine in Lisa Germinsky's "Breakfast in Bed" as part of the Last Stop Reading Workshop.
* Am currently leading the NY Chorus as part of an upcoming festival at Temple University to promote world peace, being held in July.
* Performed in a reading of Joe Fiorello's "Picking Up Girls in Hell" as part of the Last Stop Reading Workshop.
* Professionally Recorded the Official Version of the original song, "Rise" with various Broadway Performers and Professional Recording Artists.
* Appears in this online commercial for Guggenheim Financial: http://www.moonrap.com/2010/06/showreels.html
* Sang for my sister's wedding
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