Tell us a bit about your professional background.
While working for dozens of prestigious non-profit arts institutions, including The American Ballet Theatre, Carnegie Hall, New York City Opera and most recently, Manhattan Theatre Club as the Manager of Subscriptions and or Fundraising, I was moonlight singing at several clubs around NYC. I developed and performed my Cabaret debut at Judy’s Chelsea in 2004 that led to my first album “By Myself in 2005. I developed a concert called “Compositions” which featured contemporary New York Composers. I still seek out original material as my primary repertoire. I have an extensive recording collection and love to make records. I have done radio, television, video and theatre.
When and why did you become involved in Broadway Direct Concerts?
While doing a talent competition at The Town House, I spotted Sarah Rice. I took an immediate liking to her and we chatted. I had the opportunity to experience her voice at The Algonquin Hotel where I was a featured weekly guest. One night, when we were on the same bill at The Iguana, Sarah and I decided we should collaborate and I then started performing in The BDC concerts in Wurtsboro which has led to many different concerts including His-tory Her-story (Where truth lies).
How do you pick songs?
I pick songs based on melody, structure and lyric. It’s very rare to find songs that contain all of these attributes. I look for material that will stir an emotion within the listener. When listening to the song, I think about how it can be presented in its most effective manner. I have ripped songs apart when arranging them and then put them back together again.
How do you prepare?
I practice with a full view mirror and consider what movements and gestures to make. I act out the song before I begin singing it. I do most of my preparation from home with a headset, microphone and tracks. I will usually set aside the full day of a performance. I sing hard the day before and then speak or sing little the day of except to run through the songs a couple of hours before the performance. Appearance is very important to me and I usually have as much difficulty deciding what to wear as I do what to sing. It always depends on the venue and the theme.
What do you like about performing?
What I like most about performing is making people feel something. Performing allows me to convey a message or tell a story through the beauty of music.
