I produced an opera - I can do ANYTHING!

So the title of this blog post is also my mantra for the new year. Yes, like many of you, I make and break many resolutions--although I usually manage to stick with at least one new goal/resolution.

This year I want to do something DIFFERENT. Something BOLD. Something NEW TO ME. That is where the above mantra came.

The goal for 2014 is to listen to and respect my song.

If I have learned anything in this journey of life, love, opera, music, motherhood (the list goes on!!) is that the first point of failure happens in the moment of self doubt--when we stop listening to OUR SONG.

As it happens, the universe reminded me of this when a good friend posted this article on Facebook.

"Here is a tribe in Africa where the birth date of a child is counted not from when they were born, nor from when they are conceived but from the day that the child was a thought in its mother’s mind. And when a woman decides that she will have a child, she goes off and sits under a tree, by herself, and she listens until she can hear the song of the child that wants to come. And after she’s heard the song of this child, she comes back to the man who will be the child’s father, and teaches it to him. And then, when they make love to physically conceive the child, some of that time they sing the song of the child, as a way to invite it...

And then, when the mother is pregnant, the mother teaches that child’s song to the midwives and the old women of the village, so that when the child is born, the old women and the people around her sing the child’s song to welcome it. And then, as the child grows up, the other villagers are taught the child’s song. If the child falls, or hurts its knee, someone picks it up and sings its song to it. Or perhaps the child does something wonderful, or goes through the rites of puberty, then as a way of honoring this person, the people of the village sing his or her song.

You may not have grown up in an African tribe that sings your song to you at crucial life transitions, but life is always reminding you when you are in tune with yourself and when you are not. When you feel good, what you are doing matches your song, and when you feel awful, it doesn’t. In the end, we shall all recognize our song and sing it well. You may feel a little warbly at the moment, but so have all the great singers. Just keep singing and you’ll find your way home. - See more at: http://the-truths.com/2014/01/14/tribe-africa-birth-date-child-counted-born/#sthash.0rCSfjCm.dpuf

That little opera, "Hansel and Gretel" is symbolic of my song. It represents so much of what I value and what I love. This year, that simple statement is going to remind me of my song.

Can you hear your song?

Sing out LOUD!

Until next time,
Anastasia

Hansel and Gretel

Wow! What a ride! The show happened and it was beautiful... There are so many people to thank and to congratulate.

First of all, I said that I would post some information about the artists on the blog...that didn't happen because Natalie from Opera-Preneur is SO FABULOUS that she added it all right on to the artists page. Thank you, Natalie!

Hansel and Gretel looked beautiful. From the cottage in the first Act (Thank you Garry Gable for loaning that to us!), to the forest and the gingerbread cottage. Absolutely amazing. Jan Semenoff from Trio Imagery took the pictures made by Jasmin Peters and really brought them to life. THANK YOU!

Doug and Enid Jaques - so amazing to work with you. From designing Sandman's grand entrance, to working backstage, to building the large panels and the oven...you did so much and I am ever grateful.

Roger and Marie Jolly for loaning us the beautiful piano - thank you.

The Broadway Theatre staff - Bonnie, Kirby, Allison, Scott...you were all so accommodating and welcoming. Thank you for giving us a home to present our little opera.

Abbeyfield - Thank you for letting us use your space. It was a wonderful rehearsal venue for us.

Saskatoon Summer Players Theatre - Thank you for lending us your keyboard during the rehearsal period, for loaning us the large panels and the costumes. Thank you!

Trio Imagery - Thank you for all of your support. The photography, the raffle, the publicity....the list goes on! Thank you!

The CAST and CREW!!! WOW!! you were all so amazing, flexible and generous in your offerings. Whether it was adapting to a crazy schedule, to dealing with an oven for a dressing room, you were all wonderful. Thank you to the dancers, the chorus, to the singers, the crew, and to Kathy - you doubled as music director and orchestra. Thank you.

Audience members - THANK YOU for buying tickets and coming to our show.

My family and friends...Thank you for helping me find the courage to pursue this project. Thank you.

Jacob, Thomas and Anthony....thank you for your endless support. I love you!

Here's to more successful productions from Little Opera On the Prairie!

CHEERS!

With Gratitude...

I have started and restarted this post quite a few times. I mean, it isn't everyday a person begins to blog for the very first time... 

Do I start with why and how the company began? Do I write about all of the exciting events we have coming up? Should I make this about my own personal journey? 

With so many questions, I think it best to start from the place that always helps me find focus. 

A place of gratitude. 

I am so thankful for being in this situation right now. I am grateful to be starting a blog that will go on to the new website. I am grateful to be selling tickets for our fundraiser and to be prepping for the show in December. 

Today I say thank you to everyone that has been on this journey with me. Your support and inspiration have enabled LOOP to happen! 

"The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau" - Dan Rather

For all of the tugs and pushes that I have received... thank you.