In early August 1997, I moved to New York with two suit cases on an overnight Greyhound bus. Sitting the row behind me (because we couldn’t get two seats together) was my best friend, Lucy. I had a little money saved. I was enrolled in school at the Mannes College of Music, so I had some student loans coming in, and I had a job at the Gap on 86th and Columbus. What I didn’t have was a place to live, or any idea how things worked in this town. Sure, I had lived a fair number of places, but this boy from the mountains of NC was not prepared for what awaited me.

Lucy moved here a year before and was returning from a summer at home. She was a student of the Manhattan School of Music (MSM). Neither of us had a place to live. She was staying with friends uptown, and I was staying in the Gramercy neighborhood (East side of town) with the sister of my college roommate.

I was not prepared for the actual rent prices, even though I had been looking at ads on the Village Voice website. (That was back in the pre-craigslist days! Hotmail was practically brand new, back then!) Another thing I did not know was how quickly the advertised apartments went. The ad would post, and within hours, the apartment was taken (if it had ever been available to begin with).

Lucy met Sean at MSM. She, her new friend, and I decided to look for a place together, with the agreement that if one of us found something we would split up. Lucy pretty quickly landed in an apartment with two friends close to MSM. Sean and I found a place being renovated on 108th, between Broadway and Amsterdam, but we didn’t find it until October 1st and it wouldn’t be ready until October 15th (which later turned into the 30th).

During the time between my arrival and October, I went through a number of different places. I stayed in my first place until Labor Day (and the start of school). At thy point the room I was staying in was no longer available. I started crashing on friends’ couches. I didn’t know many people, but I found my way around until one day near the beginning of October, I couldn’t find a place to sleep for that evening. I was regularly dragging around my suitcases (which was especially fun when at work at the Gap where the nightly bag check for stolen clothing was the best). So, there I was, working at the Gap until 10:00 and no place to go. I was exchanging phone messages with a woman (Catherine) who had a B&B in New Jersey. I ended up booking the room and taking a bus out to Jersey to meet this woman and move in with her.

The adventure really took off when I showed up and her cat escaped as I was coming into the house. After locating Luca the cat, we went inside and said our hellos, had a little late dinner and got to know each other. I had booked a week with her, and by the end that week, we were good friends and I booked a second week…then a third when the apartment STILL wasn’t ready.

It was great to finally get into my place. The apartment was a 4 bedroom, 2 bath–and the only common area was the kitchen (Sean slept in the living room, and Andrew was in the formal dining room). The fourth room was first occupied by Sean’s girlfriend, Andrea, but they broke up and she moved out…then Monica moved in. This was the beginning of a revolving door of roommates!

So, that’s my story of being homeless in NYC for almost 3 months! It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Over the years, I lived many places, and little did I know that it would be 12 years before I ever signed a formal lease. New York has been a fun ride and there have been many adventures. I have a feeling this is only the first of many “memories” blog posts, as my time here winds down.

University of Michigan

All has been quiet on my blog lately, and I apologize. I have been putting my ducks in a row, and planning for my big announcement.

In the late summer of 2011, I will be leaving NYC. Yes, that’s right folks, on my 14th anniversary of moving to the “city that never sleeps,” I will be leaving. Edith and I will take up residence in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and I will be enrolling in the DMA program at the University of Michigan.

It’s a big, scary move, but one that seems to be right for me and for my career. I’m excited for the new experience and to be surrounded by music studies once again. I have a feeling that being back in school, instead of living in the city that never sleeps, it will simply be “the Tim that never sleeps.”

Stay tuned for more info as the adventure begins.

New Yorkers have a reputation. We always have, and always will. According to popular myth, we are loud, rude, and have no problem ignoring everyone we meet on the street.

Well, today, I am exposing our dirty little secret. We are loud, rude, and have no problem ignoring everyone we meet on the street…if we need to do such. We are also capable of being very friendly, caring, and interested in speaking to anyone we meet on the street.

This past week has been a week of chatting with strangers. It’s like I have a sign on my back (or forehead) saying, please stop and talk to me and tell me your life story.

On my walk with Edith two nights ago, Sybil stopped to give me some advice on “clean up.” (AKA: her method of not having to feel the messiness that can come with walking a dog.) It was friendly and a little funny. As Edith and I stopped at the trash can to “make her deposit,” Sybil was waiting to cross the street. That’s where I learned her name, how she grew up in Jamaika, was educated in England and Canada, then moved to NYC to become a nurse. She was a very interesting person and it was a lively chat that lasted a good half hour.

The same day, someone sitting beside me on the subway pointed out to me that a book I was reading (about a gluten and wheat-free diet) was very true. She had been gluten and wheat-free for 12 years. I wanted to read, instead, I received tips on bread replacements (I’m a big fan of bread.) I’m glad we chatted, I have insight that I might not have gotten had I not talked to her.

Then the next day, there was the security guard that had just gotten off of work and was trying to decide whether or not to wait for one train or take an alternate route home…0h, the questions and considerations.

Of course, I can’t end this without mentioning one other meeting. Last summer, Edith and I were out for a Saturday morning stroll. Edith made fast friends with a couple sitting out on a stoop. The woman was in her 60′s, had a grown daughter who owned a dog that the woman called her grandkid. She was from here, but had grown up in eastern North Carolina. Again, I got her whole life story…an hour later, she slipped in one little interesting tid-bit. She was retired…from “the life.” (Look it up…there was a musical about it!)

You never know who you will meet in NYC. You never know what their story is, but one thing is for certain: New York is full of lively characters that are willing to tell you all about themselves. Someday, I may just write a “tell-all” book. I’ll call it Conversations with Strangers.

Yes, that’s right, friends, Edith (my pug) and I are meeting with casting people this morning at 11:00. They are developing a new web series that they hope to flip to TV. The concept, from what I can tell, is New Yorkers and their dogs. Edith has been hard at work preparing. She’s practiced her head tilts, butt wiggles, and general cuteness every day this week. When I leave for work, I tell her to practice her monologues, voice and bark work, and her song and dance routines. I’m not too sure if she’s been doing it, but she tells me she is ready. I’ll post an update here later today!

Friday, 1:50 PM.

Interesting audition. I have a feeling Edith and I were not for this show. From the way the ad read, it seemed to be about NYC dogs and their owners, but based on the questions I was asked the concept of the show was all about NYC dog owners and their torrid hook-ups and sex lives. They seemed only marginally interested in Edith, but continued to ask me “Tell us something you would be ashamed for your mother to know.” And “What else can you tell us about your romantic life.”

Oh, and the topper was when the interviewer said, “Animal Planet used to be rated G, but it’s not anymore.”

WOAH!

So, for now, I think our TV dreams are dashed, but this doesn’t sound like the type of show I thought it was going to be. Oh, well…next time.  Thanks for all your support though.

photo credit: www.darablakeley.com

I am extremely fortunate to work in the music/opera/drama industry. Because of our somewhat nomadic lifestyle, I have met many people that, if working in other industries, I would never have had the opportunity to get to know. Even in a city the size of New York City, it is difficult for me to walk down the street and not randomly run into someone I know. This is especially true around Lincoln Center, but more often than not, it is in the most random and “non-singerly” places.

So, this is true for almost anyone in my field. What I am blathering on about tonight (and have been thinking about today) is how unbelievably supportive these friends of mine are.

I have a core group of friends I see/talk to on a regular basis. They are there for me every day. They boost my spirits and more often than not, they go above and beyond the call of duty in their support of me and my pursuits. These friends are located all over the US. Some are family of friends I met on gigs (or on the plane to France for a gig). Some are random Gap managers that became my friend after I quit working at the gap (that’s our picture to the left). Some are simply people I have gotten to know through other friends.

The number of emails, phone calls, facebook messages, tweets…you name it…that came in last Friday was almost overwhelming (in a very good way)…and it hasn’t stopped all week.

To you all, I have to say, “Thank you!” You enrich my life in many ways. You support me through the good and the bad. You have all shaped me and made me a better person for knowing you. I’m happy to think that no matter where life takes me next, I know I can count on you. (Oh, and…I’ll be there for you, too!)

I arrived in Michigan on Thursday morning. Dropped my things off at Steve Lusmann’s office, chatted for a little while. Then it was “up the hill” (in 14 degree weather!) to visit with hometown girl/faculty member Caroline Helton. Caroline graduated from my high school, and her sister was my choir director in 10th grade. Our paths have crossed several times over the years, but it has been a while. We had tea and a lovely visit/catch-up/info session about the department.

Then I headed back “down the hill” to grab a little lunch, wander the building and try to find my way around. Michigan’s music building is a bit of a maze, and I have yet to figure out the numbering system–the building snakes around and juts out in many directions. At 4:30, I had a lesson with Steve Lusmann. He’s a great teacher and was very inspirational to work with. I really enjoyed it. At 6:00 pm, I worked with Steve West, another great teacher. I really appreciated what these two guys had to say. All three faculty members that I met with on Thursday gave off a positive energy that really charged me up for Friday’s big day.

Friday morning morning came quick, and started with a music theory exam. Mind you, I haven’t had a theory class since 1992! So, let’s just say that I have a feeling my test will be passed around as a funny joke to the theory faculty. (“Look at what this guy answered…and he calls himself a musician! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”). After the test, there was an information session for the voice department. I felt it was really geared to incoming freshmen and master’s students. I also thought that I knew most of what was shared because I know so many Michigan graduates. Still, it was good to hear the information again.

Then there was a tasty lunch (provided by my lovely hostess, Maryann), a little warming up, and a rehearsal with my fabulous accompanist, Kate Tremills. Kate is a DMA student in collaborative piano. It was a fast one. Seven pieces to put together in 20 minutes! I then had an hour and a half to relax and prepare.

The Audition:
The audition was held in Britton recital hall. It is a WONDERFUL space to sing–live, but not too live and large enough to feel big, small enough to feel intimate. I started with Wohl denk’ ich oft from Wolf’s Drei Gedichte von Michelangelo. I was overall very pleased with how I sang. I was able to incorporate some suggestions from both Steve Lusmann and Steve West. My only complaint is that I felt a little nervous, and I wasn’t able to stay on top of my breath at all times. Well, it’s live performance, and that happens. It wasn’t enough to really make me unhappy with how I sang.

After my first piece, it is up to the jury of faculty members to choose what I will sing, from the list I offered many weeks ago. Professor Rico Serbo was the first to select. He chose my Clint Borzoni song, A Live Oak Growing. It was the premiere performance of the work. Kate played beautifully. I was very happy with the performance. Then, Professor Daniel Washington selected the Ibert. Apparently, only one of my two offerings were listed. So, when I asked which one, he asked me to list them. Before I had a chance to finish saying the title of the Chanson a Dulcinee (pardon the lack of accents here), he said that one would be just fine. This song is a little scary for me. the first two pitches are right in my passaggio…and on an “ah” vowel. When nervous, or when I’m not on top of my game, they can feel shallow and shouted. It went GREAT. I was very happy…yet again. Next up, I believe it was Professor Freda Herseth’s turn to ask (not sure about this, as my mind was spinning at this point!). She was satisfied, and didn’t want to hear anything else (I was briefly disappointed that I wasn’t going to sing Scarpia’s Te Deum), but then Professor Steve West spoke up and said he wanted to hear the Scarpia. (YES! SCORE!) Scarpia feels like a glove. I love singing it…and it ends in such an exciting way. I was on cloud 9…heck, I was higher than that.

I was then dismissed, but before I left the stage, Professor Washington asked: “Why, at this point, do you want to get a DMA.” I explained how after my master’s degree, I began teaching, while at the same time performing. I also pointed out how I felt I needed the DMA in order to move my teaching career to the next level (a full-time, tenure-track position is what I’m looking for now).

All in all, it was great. I felt such a wonderful energy in that recital hall…and I have been jazzed up since.

After the audition, I met up with my former student, Ariel Sobel, who transferred here at the beginning of the fall. We had a little catch up, and it was off to rehearsal of the spring Opera production. I ran into several faculty members over the next few hours, while they were on breaks and when they finished for the day. They were all very complimentary to my singing.

SOOOOO, to make a long story longer, I am very pleased with the audition. I feel I made a good impression, and I am VERY hopeful that I am accepted and given a good “package” to come here and teach and study.

Many thanks to my hosts, Steve and Maryann. They have been wonderful!

The other concern is weather. It’s looking like snow in Ann Arbor…hopefully, I will be able to make it there and back with no real travel issues.

Until that time though, it’s the same old routine…teaching, day jobs, Edith time, and study

PS, the picture has nothing to do with my post, but it is there to ward away this dull, dreary weather we are having today. Thank you Old San Juan. Blue water and blue skys are what we need right now.

Today, the fun and playtime ends. I’m back to school. After such a long time off, I am really looking forward to getting back to work with all my students. I am especially excited to have picked up two classes of sophomores that I worked with last year. It will be great to work with them again…and it will be great to get back to the sophomores that were with me last semester.

Happy New Semester, everyone! Let’s make it a great “Spring” semester (odd that it’s spring semester and only 10 degrees outside)!

Clint Borzoni, composer

Many of you know that last summer, I commissioned Clint Borzoni to write four songs for me. We chose four poems by Walt Whitman as our text, and I’ve been receiving songs at regular intervals since sometime in October. This morning, I awoke to a wonderful surprise: the last of my four songs was in my email. I have just looked through it and listend to the four mp3s that Clint sent me. I’m so thrilled with them. Each one captures a beautiful moment in life.

So, a big shout out to my kickstarter supporters that helped get this ball rolling. I’m one third of the way through this project (which might never have been without their support). Once I finish learning the songs, I will be coaching them with Clint, and then going into the studio to record them. I hope to have the recording finished by the end of the spring.

To learn more about Clint and his compositions, visit his website: www.clintjborzoni.com.

I will continue to post updates here, on facebook, and on twitter. Again, thanks to everyone who supported this project…and a big thank you to Clint for his beautiful writing!