Hartt Scholarship to Study Opera!

I was born with a big opera voice. I've always been able to sing operatically, even as a young child at the age of six.  I was never formally trained in opera and my talent went unnoticed.

When I was in my mid-thirties, a woman wanted me to move to New York City for three months to study opera.  She wanted me to learn all the great pieces and to meet people.  I was a mom with children and a wife with a husband. There was no way I could leave them for three whole months.  So, I had to let the opportunity go by.  It wasn't for me because the conditions weren't right and the time wasn't right.

The opportunity has returned!  I am honored and humbled to have received a scholarship from Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford to study opera!

Now the time is right and the opportunity has returned and the conditions are far more reasonable.  I don't have to relocate and can do this from where I currently live.  I'm only about 20 minutes away from the university.

I am working with Dr. Susan Mardinly, whom I lovingly call "Fairy."  She is a wonderful, wonderful teacher who truly cares about her students.  She welcomes me with a smile and warm energy every week. Dr. Mardinly listens, gives feedback and makes suggestions and corrections as necessary.  She has a well thought out plan and has introduced me to a number of African American opera singers on youtube to help expand my horizons.  She is awesome and I am so grateful to be working with her.

I am also extremely grateful to have my talent recognized. I was born with a big opera voice but have never received formal training for it.  Now I am! It just goes to show you that if you have talent, know that it's never too late!