In March and April, I have the pleasure of performing two solo recitals, a rare opportunity for me in recent years. Since graduating with my DMA in May 2017, I've experienced significant life events, including the loss of my mother, marriage, leaving a toxic work environment, starting a business, and having two beautiful daughters. These experiences, compounded by the pandemic, have made it challenging to feel inspired or motivated to pursue new music or practice.
Balancing my responsibilities as a singing teacher and a mother has left little time for my own singing. I've struggled with motivation and inspiration, feeling as though my spark had dwindled. A commission from my friend and colleague, singer-composer Lisa Neher, started to rekindle my passion. The song cycle, Bye for Now, which incorporated voicemails from my late mother and her father, was a meaningful piece to premiere, although my pregnancy at the time prevented me from fully enjoying the process. Fortunately, I have the chance to perform the songs again this spring, and it has been moving to revisit them and pay tribute to my loved ones.
While the song cycle was a special project, I'm particularly excited about my other recital, "The Sound of Legrand: From Screen to Stage," which I will present on March 13th at Kirkwood Community College. My journey with Legrand's music began when I stumbled upon a captivating cabaret performance of "On My Way to You" on YouTube by Kevin Dozeir, which I later incorporated into my wedding slideshow. After revisiting the piece for a faculty recital last spring, I found my voice was now better suited for the song.
Then this past summer a student introduced me to "The Summer Knows" from the movie "Summer of '42." Deeply moved by Barbra Streisand's recording of the piece, I delved into Legrand's extensive catalog, comprising over 200 French and American film scores, and thus, the idea for this recital was born. Preparing for the recital has been inspiring, as I immerse myself in Streisand's interpretations and Legrand's exquisite orchestrations. It has been so wonderful to collaborate with an excellent pianist as well!
In sharing my journey, I want to emphasize that creative slumps are not uncommon. It's okay to focus on other aspects of life when inspiration falters. However, staying open to moments of inspiration and embracing curiosity can lead to unexpected discoveries. So, never be afraid to dive deep into something new and reignite your creative spark.
This post was written by Dr. Jessica Saunders, co-owner and voice faculty at Dynamic Music Studios in Coralville, IA.
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