The Horrors Persist, Yet So Do I!

 The Horrors Persist, Yet So Do I!



The Last Rose of Summer

After a beautiful trip, I’ve returned to reality: work, work, and yes… more work.

Lately, I’ve had a lot cooking in my mind about life, the state of the world, and—what even is this crazy artform? Two weeks ago, I landed at Pearson at 6 a.m. to a beautiful sunrise, then promptly collapsed into a “dead to the world” sleep for the rest of the day. By Friday, I was back to work, Boheme buzzing in my brain.

Even while traveling, I’d sneak away to practice, drilling text through long hours of transit and activity. My future brother-in-law often catches me muttering, convinced I’m “speaking in tongues again.” Guilty as charged.ften catches me speaking through text that I often forget is out loud. ...'She's speaking in tongues again!"

Brahm Goldhamer, Ann Cooper-Gay and Myself after Boheme. (pic by Leslie Barcza)

Back to Boheme

Saturday kicked off with a coaching session with Bill Shookoff, who whipped me into shape and set the mood for professional perishing. We focused on Acts II and III—though his cats were clearly less enthusiastic, darting away once I hit my “Marcello aiuto”s. My original plan had fallen through, so I was grateful to Bill for saving the day.

Sunday brought our first rehearsal. We sang through the whole show, and it felt like a reunion—most of us had shared the stage before.

The rest of the week fell into a familiar rhythm:

  • Monday: Survival work + mental health exercise

  • Tuesday: More survival work + rehearsal

  • Wednesday: Survival work + choir

  • Thursday: Dress rehearsal

  • Friday: Show time!

And what a show it was. This cast was an absolute gift—so talented, so dedicated. I’d love to remount the exact same production.

A Key, a Goodbye, a Memory

Before curtain, I thought I’d lost Mimi’s Act I key—generously loaned by Dylan Wright. He reassured me it wasn’t a big deal since he was moving in four days, and we laughed (through tears) about the housing crisis. Then he shared bigger news: fatherhood and a move back to Alberta.

The moment nearly brought me to tears. Dylan and I go back to 2018, when we sang in Joshua by Colin Mendez-Morris, a staged immersive opera at Montgomery’s Inn. Since then, we’ve shared the stage for Don Giovanni, The Magic Flute, Rigoletto, Mozart Requiem, and now La Bohème.

Dylan is a wonderful musician and an even better friend. He will be dearly missed in the Toronto music community. I wish him and Marguerite the sunniest future, full of love and happiness.. 


The top is a pic of us at Toronto City Hall in 2019, and the bottom is the only picture I have of us from Joshua from 2018. 

A Breath, and Onward

Saturday was for rest—earned, and much needed. With the jet lag finally fading, this past week felt easier.

So, what’s next?

I’m back at the score with Lucia di Lammermoor. I adore her, and I’m thrilled to bring her to life again. This time, we’re blessed with a longer rehearsal period—a luxury in the professional world, where time is always short and you’re expected to arrive nearly memorized, character in hand. At least once every production, someone sighs, “Imagine what we could do with just one more day.” Having that extra time now feels like a gift.

I’m also preparing new repertoire: Mozart Requiem and selections for two upcoming orchestra concerts in the new year.

Otherwise, it’s business as usual—survival work, practice, repeat.

Until Next Time

The horrors persist, yet so do I.

Ciao for now!

Location: Markham, ON, Canada

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