Recital

My recital last week went very well!
My perfectionist nature rarely allows me to be happy with performances, while this one was not 100% perfect, I was very happy with the end result!
I hope to be able to post some videos, at least videos of my rehearsal process, if not the performance itself.

Tonight I'm auditioning for a Musical Theatre show. I'm really looking forward to it, though it's been years since I've done any musical theatre.
I need more experience being on stage and this would be a great one *fingers crossed*
Even if it doesn't happen though, just putting myself out there and auditioning will be good for me!

Zero Dollar Books

Zero Dollar Books is a great resource for finding free kindle books.
Even if you don't have a kindle you can read them on your computer!

Getting Ready for a Performance

I am singing in my voice teacher's studio recital Sunday evening, so I've been buckling down and trying to get prepared.
I have procrastinated this spring in getting ready. Well I've procrastinated and allowed things to distract me.
But I'm getting there now (better late than never?).

• I go over my music, being sure that I understand every aspect of the pieces, from the notes to the text and the context.
• I visualize myself performing and the performance going perfectly.
• The week before a performance I try to get to bed as early as possible and get plenty of rest.
• I take time to pray and meditate and ground myself.
• I cut out all alcohol and up my water intake so that my cords, and the rest of my body, will be hydrated and working smoothly.
• I try to avoid dairy because I've found that it increases my mucus production.
• I avoid situations with lots of people, where I would be required to talk loudly or talk a great deal. I try to talk less and not put any additional stress on my voice.

So that's what I'm doing this week. Add in an injured foot, the fact that there's no working keyboard/piano at home, a trip to the vet, a couple of birthday parties and a trip to the Atlanta Opera. Such is the life of a performer!

Getting Started with Swagbucks

Swagbucks is a great way to have some fun and earn prizes or extra money (who couldn't use that?).
Once you have signed up and gone through the registration process there are a few easy things you can do each day to earn Swagbucks.

1. Search - use Swagbucks as your regular search engine. You can win various amounts several times a day and it is so simple, you earn swagbucks for something you would be doing on a regular basis anyway.
2. Daily Poll - Simply vote in the daily poll!
3. Toolbar - if you install the toolbar you will receive 1 Swagbuck every day you use your browser. No effort needed.
4. NOSO (No Obligation Special Offers) - click through the NOSO's (click "skip" or "next offer" at the bottom of the screen if you aren't interested in the offers) through to the end and then you will be asked to enter a captcha.

Easy-peasy! Those are just a few things to get you started.
If anyone has any questions, please let me know!

Swagbucks

Swagbucks is not only a wonderful reward site, it's a community.
It's a wonderful group of people!
Right now they are running a contest for a trip to Las Vegas. I could really use that trip.
Please go check out Swagbucks today and vote for me! Here's a direct link to the site to vote for me.
Happy May Day!