Category: The Performer

5 Things My Kids Taught Me

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No, not my biological kids. (I mean, look at them they’re all teenagers, and there are 24 of them lol) But you know, they may as well be my real kids for how much I love them.

I haven’t been a teacher for very long. I’ve taught before, but not like this. Not in this life-changing, soul-changing, heart-changing way.

Some of these kids have been with me for almost two years, some barely one. But in my heart I’ve known them longer. Because I’ve gotten to know them through a very special way: music. I have been given the beautiful opportunity to see them grow into both incredible performers, and wonderful people.

 

 

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Finding my Voice

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Almost a year ago now, I posted this video and this message:

6 years ago, a series of unfortunate events made me turn away from anything that had to do with my voice. If someone had asked me to post a video of my singing a year ago, I would have laughed in their face. In fact, if someone had told me to do this workshop a year ago, I would have run away.

But with the help of extremely patient and supportive friends, generous duet partners, voice teachers who allowed me to find my voice in my own time, and a family whose love for me never wavered, I am slowly beginning to embrace that side of me again. Needless to say, the stress, anxiety, and fear of letting people hear my voice still lingers, and man do I have a long way to go still, but I’ve at least taken the first steps forward. Small steps, but steps forward nonetheless. So that’s something.  

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La Estrella

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Right in the middle of the roller coaster of a first year for Portkey Events, came an opportunity to do a very different kind of show. Having put Flamenco on the back burner for months, I was out of practice, and I was more used to twirling my wand than my skirt. But inspiration struck, and I knew in my gut that this was something I had to explore. And I am so glad I took that leap.

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Arman Ferrer | Katsie Llave | David Ezra

Having been blessed with a roster of amazingly talented friends, I soon found myself working with not just one, but two of the best singers in the country – Arman Ferrer and David Ezra, a handful of theater actors, a wiz of a guitarist, a director who truly believed, and friends who loved me enough to give theater and Flamenco a try for the first time in their lives.

With this spectacular team assembled, then came the sleepless nights of brainstorming, listening and lining up Spanish and Flamenco songs, and coming up with a beautiful story woven through these songs about friendship and love.  Continue reading →

Ole!

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My first show of 2016

Ole! with Philippine Opera Company

“Ole!” A Concert Staged by the Philippine Opera Company | January 16, 2016

What a night it was! Flamenco, zarzuela, opera, and a bit of pop with the talented members of the Philippine Opera Company, and some very special guest artists from different parts of the globe.

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