In a message dated 7/17/2001 2:58:13 PM Central Daylight Time, w.ritzerfeld@c... writes: w.ritzerfeld@c... writes:
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> This being said I have one question for you: > Are you really sure that your new career will make you a happier > and more fulfilled person than you are now and are you absolutely > sure that your mindset is not heavily influenced by your recent >
VERY well put, Wim. Those are very pertinent questions, and I'll tell you why: I have always wanted to be a singer (from the time I was 5 and found out I could sing.) When it came time for college, I was honored with a four year, full tuition academic scholarship to Temple University. My guitar teacher at the time told me we could work on rep and I could enter as a music student. I was too scared, thought I couldn't do it, etc. at the time, so I declined and entered and graduated as a Mechanical Engineer, playing and singing my way through college. Upon graduation, I got a job at Honeywell as an Engineer, and thought I could now devote my after work hours to pursuing my musical dreams while making an excellent living. It took me one year to see how wrong I was. I realized I was spending my prime hours of the day doing something I could care LESS about, and relegating my real love to my off hours. My life was out of balance and backward. I then made the best move I have ever made. I left my job and the East Coast, and came to San Francisco to attend music school. I got work waiting tables to make my way through school, and lived on 1/3 the money I had been making before. It was a HUGE struggle to find my operatic voice after so many years belting pop, however, a decade or so later, I am singing opera, just debuting in the last year at San Francisco Opera, New York City Opera, and Opera Theater St. Louis, and I have the deepest sense of peace and fulfillment I have ever had in my entire life. I am on my path, and I can feel it. And THAT is priceless. So, think long and hard about your goals, and what you want EXACTLY out of your life. It is the only way you'll achieve the peace of mind we are all looking for. And good luck! TinaO
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