Day 30 - May 30th

I made it to the finish line. Thank you everyone who has been a part of this journey. I am grateful and honored I have joined and became a part of this challenge. To all my teachers at BDC, you are my inspiration. To all the students and my fellow challengers, thank you as well.

Daily Practice #30
Minutes: 30
Songs worked on: Just warmed up using the Daily Vocalization CD at Ripley-Grier Studio.

Health-Conscious Meal #25

Green Salad from Whole Foods

Fitness Class #19
Type of Class: Advance Beginner Theater
Instructor: Lainie Munro

Outside Studio 2 after taking class with Lainie.

Our quote for today :)

Fitness Class #20
Type of Class: Basic Ballet
Instructor: Joy Karley

First time I took her class and modesty aside, she complimented the way I did in her class. Thank you, Joy! 

Charitable Deed #5
Delivering post cards to various restaurant in Manhattan to promote eating healthy and to fight Celiac Disease as part of the M.O.V.E Project.

First stop: Souen Restaurant at 13th St. in Union Square

at Peter's Restaurant on 1st Ave. between 83rd and 84th st.

The stranger whom I kindly asked to take a photo did not include the logo name of the restaurant but here I am standing outside. 

So, I took a picture to prove I delivered the post cards at this place.

Lilli and Loo's Restaurant at Lexington Ave. between 61st and 62nd St.

at Friedman's in Chelsea Market. I delivered the post cards yesterday.

Day 29 - May 29th

Today, I just took 2 ballet classes with different teachers. I miss taking this class and it's been six weeks since I last took it. The Basic and Beginner classes just don't fit and match my schedule the past six weeks but I'm glad it did today.

Health-Conscious Meal #23

Breakfast: Fruit Yogurt Granola

Health-Conscious Meal #24

Lunch: Energy Salad from Whole Foods and Coconut Juice

Daily Practice #29
Minutes: 30
Songs worked on: Just focused on vocalization and warming up my voice at Ripley-Grier Studio.

Fitness Class #17
Type of Class: Basic Ballet
Instructor: Dawn Hillen

Fitness Class #18
Type of Class: Beginner Ballet
Instructor: Liane Plane

Day 28 - May 28th

I am able to get my much needed sleep last night and I am grateful for that. I decided to just relax and prepare myself for my demo track recording and last voice lessons. Maestro Kurt Robinson helped me warmed up my voice and gave me his last pointers in maximizing my experience for my demo track recording. We worked on "Don't Cry Out Loud" and "Infatuation". I really had fun recording my demo track. We ran to the whole song 4 times so that Lane will have plenty of choices to work on when he do the mixing. I think I did my best on my first and last attempt in recording my track. I am satisfied with the outcome. Maybe, it may not be perfect but I know that I've done justice to the song and I've done my homework with my voice teacher and vocal coach. I was also comfortable singing it in the recording booth. Except for my minor itchy throat which I was able to manage by the help of water. I went back home to dress up for the Japan Benefit Concert then proceeded to Ripley-Grier Studio to do my daily practice. Indeed, my voice came out and I was able to execute the vocalization in a relax manner without pushing any bit of it. I worked on exercises that was not covered in my voice lessons earlier and polished some corrections during my voice lesson. I feel blessed that this challenge is almost over and I am looking forward to the finish line satisfied with what I will accomplished. Now, I can face the world again with a new outlook as it taught me a lot about myself, dealing with others in a positive way, and I've gained more patience and being optimistic about things when faced with a difficult and challenging situation. This challenge is indeed self-rewarding only if one will put his/her self  into it, dedicate, and commit him/herself regardless of any situation he/she must encounter and face. I am happy and proud of what I have accomplished so far. Proud in a manner that I was able to do things which I think I will not be able to do at first. But because of my perseverance, hard work, not loosing hope no matter what, and of course keeping my faith and prayers...I was able to come this far. With that being said, I would like to give myself a pat on the back. And thank you, Lord for everything!!!

Health-Conscious Meal #22

Celery Heart with Hummus

Daily Practice #28
Minutes: 30
Songs worked on: Daily Vocalization, did exercises that was not touched during my voice lessons.
I practiced and used studio 16H at Ripley-Grier Studio.

Private Voice Lessons #4
Minutes: 60
Songs worked on: Daily Vocalization, Don't Cry Out Loud, and Infatuation.
Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture again with my Maestro. Please pardon me.

1 New Demo Recording
Song/Piece: Don't Cry Out Loud (in the style of Melissa Manchester)
Recorded at Moon Lab Studio
Record Producer/Mixing Engineer: Lane Schneier
(I will try to upload the demo track later tonight as I have to finish this quickly to be able to attend the Japan Benefit Concert. For the meantime please enjoy looking at the photos)

Lane, mixing my track.

That's Lane, such a nice guy :)

Moi in the recording booth.

* I have Lane's permission to post his photos in my blog.

My Demo Track

Detailed Breakdown of my Daily Challenge

*30 DAILY PRACTICE SESSIONS

Day 1  -  30 minutes --------------- Telephone Hour, Because

       2  -  30     "       --------------- Don't Cry For Me Argentina

       3  -  30     "       --------------- Because (alto part)

       4  -  30     "       --------------- Because (alto part - review)

       5  -  30     "       --------------- Because (alto part - polishing unclear sections)

       6  -  90     "       --------------- Infatuation

       7  -  30     "       --------------- Infatuation (review), Because (run-through alto part)

       8  -  30     "       --------------- Daily Vocalizations Ex 1-9, working on finding my chest voice shifting

                                                        to head voice and vice versa

       9  -  30 minutes --------------- Daily Vocalization Ex 1-16, Infatuation (review)

      10 -  30     "       --------------- Daily Vocalization focusing on finding my chest tone,

      11 -  30     "       --------------- Daily Vocalization working on my chest and head tone, Infatuation

      12 -  40     "       --------------- Daily Vocalization Ex 1-12, run-through Infatuation and One Race

      13 -  60     "       --------------- Daily Vocalization Ex 1-15, Infatuation and One Race (polished)

      14 -  30     "       --------------- Daily Vocalization, polishing Isang Lahi (One Race)

      15 -  30     "       --------------- Daily Vocalization, Isang Lahi (One Race)

      16 -  60     "       --------------- Daily Vocalization, Meadowlark

      17 -  60     "       --------------- Daily Vocalization, Isang Lahi, Meadowlark

      18 -  60     "       --------------- Vocal Technique Class at BDC, Rolling In The Deep 

      19 -  90     "       --------------- Daily Vocalization Ex 1-16, Meadowlark, Isang Lahi, You'll Be In My
                                                       Heart, Rolling In The Deep. 

      20 -  180   "       --------------- Vocal Technique/Performance Class, Daily Vocalization, Rollin In
                                                       The Deep, Someone Like You, and Meadowlark.

      21 -  40     "       --------------- Daily Vocalization Ex 1-16.

      22 -  60     "       --------------- Daily Vocalization Ex 1-16, Don't Cry Out Loud

      23 -  60     "       --------------- Daily Vocalization, Rolling In The Deep, Don't Cry Out Loud

      24 -  60     "      --------------- Daily Vocalization, Rolling In The Deep

      25 -  30     "      --------------- Daily Vocalization Ex 1-15.

      26 -  120   "      --------------- Daily Vocalization, 21 Guns

      27 -  120   "      --------------- Vocal technique Class, Daily Vocalization, Forget You, Don't Cry Out
                                                       Loud.

      28 -  30     "      --------------- Daily Vocalization

      29 -  30     "      --------------- Daily Vocalization

      30 -  30     "      --------------- Daily Vocalization  

4 PRIVATE VOICE LESSONS

Lesson 1  -  May 07, 2011

            2  -  May  21, 2011

            3  -  May 25, 2011

            4  -  May 28, 2011

* 2 COACHING SESSIONS

Session 1  - 30 minutes ---------- Tuesday, May 24, 2011

             2 - 30      "      ----------- Friday, May 27, 2011

*1 LIVE VOCAL PERFORMANCE

Sang during an East-Asian Event and Concert sponsored by the M.O.V.E. Project.

Piece: Isang Lahi (One Race)     Date: May 21, 2011

*1 LIVE PERFORMANCE

Watched "Catch Me If You Can" A Broadway musical at Neil Simon Theatre on May 24, 2011 at 7:00pm.

*1 LIVE NY INDUSTRY AUDITION

Show: Here Lies Love

Audition Date: May 24, 2011 from 10:00am until 6:00pm

Audition Piece: Rolling In The Deep by Adele Adkins

Link to the Audition Info: http://www.playbill.com/jobs/find/job_detail/37078.html 

*1 NEW DEMO RECORDING

Date: May 28, 2011
Demo Track: "Don't Cry Out Loud"
Recorded at: Moon Lab Studio
Mixing Engineer: Lane Schneier 

* 25 HEALTH-CONSCIOUS MEALS

Meal 1  -  Fat Free Blueberry Muesli with Organic Low Fat Yogurt and Navel Orange

         2  -  Junior MAOZ Falafel Sandwich (vegetarian) and Carrot Juice

         3  -  Organic (whole wheat) spaghetti with Marinara Sauce and Seafood blend, Celery Hearts and

                 Carrots, and Navel Orange

         4  -  Brown Jasmine Rice (1 cup), Steamed Brocolli, and Grilled Chicken

         5  - 2 Slices of Whole Wheat Bread w/crunchy unsalted Peanut Butter and Blueberry Preserves

               made w/fresh blueberries, 1 navel orange, 1 cup of Columbian coffee w/raw honey and fat free milk

         6  -  Cream of Tomato w/Chicken and Orzo Soup, Cantaloupe, a slice of bread, and H20

         7  -  Greek salad w/Balsamic Vinegar, Banana, H20, and Fresh Orange Juice

         8  - Sauteed Lean White Chicken and Organic Firm Tofu mixed w/organic carrots and bell pepper

         9  - Organic Apple, Sun-dried tomato and Arugala sandwich, Larabar Food bar, and H20

        10 - Green Salad with Fat Free Raspberry Vinagrette, Naked Smoothie Power-C Machine

        11 - Organic Sweet Galia Melon, H20, and Fat Free Blueberry Muesli w/Low Fat Organic Yogurt

        12 - Prawns in Citrus Sauce with Brown Rice 

        13 - Sauteed String Beans with Carrots and Snow Peas on Lean-White Chicken

        14 -  Salad Meal from MAOZ, Carrot Juice

        15 -  Milkfish on a Tamarind Broth with Vegetables

        16 -  Gourmet Smoked Salmon and Cucmber Juice

        17 -  Flavored Yogurt Parfait

        18 -  Tuna Sandwich  on a Whole Wheat Bread, Banana, and 

        19 -  Maple and Fruit Oatmeal and Low Fat Milk..

        20 -  Chicken Noodle Soup and Coconut Water with Acai and Pomegranate

        21 -  Ampalaya with scrambled egg, Brown Rice, Canataloupe

        22 -  Celery Heart with Hummus

        23 -  Fruit Yogurt Granola

        24 -  Energy Salad and Coconut Juice

        25 -  Green Salad

* 20 ENERGIZING DANCE OR BODY CONDITIONING CLASSES @ BDC

Class 1  -  Beginner Jazz ------------------------------------ Sue Samuels

         2  -  Basic Tap --------------------------------------- Julie Garcia (subbing for Germaine Salsberg)

         3  -  Advance Beginner Musical Theater -------------- Jim Cooney

         4  -  Beginner Theater -------------------------------- Lainie Munro

         5  -  Basic Tap --------------------------------------- Germaine Salsberg

         6  -  Basic Tap --------------------------------------- Lainie Munro (subbing for Miller and Ben)

         7  - Beginner Jazz ------------------------------------ Sue Samuels

         8  - Basic Tap ---------------------------------------- Germaine Salsberg

         9  - Advance Beginner Musical Theater --------------- Jim Cooney

        10 - Advance Beginner Musical Theater --------------- Jacob Brent (subbing for Jim Cooney)

        11 - Advance Beginner Musical Theater --------------- Jim Cooney

        12 - Beginner Theater --------------------------------- Lainie Munro

        13 - Advance Beginner Musical Theater --------------- Jim Cooney

        14 - Basic Tap ---------------------------------------- Germaine Salsberg

        15 - Advance Beginner Musical Theater --------------- Jim Cooney

        16 - Basic Tap ---------------------------------------- Germaine Salsberg

        17 - Basic Ballet --------------------------------------- Dawn Hillen

        18 - Beginner Ballet ------------------------------------ Liane Plane

        19 - Advance Beginner Theater ------------------------ Lainie Munro

        20 - Basic Ballet --------------------------------------- Joy Karley

(Tap (6); Jazz (2); Musical Theater (9); Ballet (3) = 20 classes

*5 CHARITABLE DEEDS

Deed 1  - Cambodian Fashion/Art Exhibit - May 20, 2011

         2  - Dance Parade to raise funds for Japan!

         3  - East-Asian Event

         4  -  Delivering Post Cards to various restaurant in Manhattan (Part I)

         5  -  Delivering Post Cards to various restaurant in Manhattan (Part 2)

(All of my community service was under the M.O.V.E. Project)

Day 27 - May 27th

I woke up and planned to attend a dance class today but I ended up not doing it. My body feels like I need more time to sleep and rest but I know I cannot do that right now. Anyway, I attended a vocal technique class with my Maestro. Something's bothering my throat. It's a bit itchy and I can feel some annoying mucus inside (pardon me for saying that) which hinders my singing with full-voice. I don't like that feeling because I can't do what I can do. In a way, a little frustrating but I have to let go and just do the best I can in terms of vocalizing. I kept on coughing and clearing my throat while in class. On the other hand, I love the new piece we've learned. After that, I went to Ripley-Grier to practice some more. I was not satisfied with my vocalization and felt that I needed more time to practice for my voice to come out. I vocalized for 20 minutes and the remaining10 minutes, I worked on a song for my demo track. I ended my challenge with a vocal coaching session. I have learned many things from Tim. There were lots of things he pointed out and helped me in interpreting and singing the song the way it should be sang.

After my vocal coaching session I met up with Stephanie, my fellow challenger and watched her first live vocal performance. We both enjoyed the experience. Especially her, who performed that night. We decided to go back to that place in the future with some friends. It's going to be fun!!! It's a good training ground and the crowd were very supportive.

Health-Conscious Meal #21

Ampalaya with Egg

Brown Rice

Cantaloupe

Daily Practice #27
Minutes: 90 + 30 = 120
Songs worked on: attended a vocal technique class with Kurt Robinson and we worked on "Forget You", Daily Vocalization, and "Don't Cry Out Loud".

2nd Coaching Session
Minutes: 30
Songs worked on: Don't Cry Out Loud
Vocal Coach: Timothy Hanson

Day 26 - May 26th

Health-Conscious Meal #20

Asian Salad with Fat Free Dressing and Toasted Almonds

Daily Practice #26

Minutes: 120

Songs worked on: "21 Guns" from American Idiot with my 6 fellow challengers and Maestro Kurt Robinson. We worked on each section and voice parts and ran through it several times. This piece was supposed to be included in the Japan Benefit Concert this coming Saturday. Unfortunately, our practice did not match the Broadway standard so, we dropped the piece. 

Charitable Deed #4

Did an awesome job distributing and delivering post cards/brochures to promote gluten free food to various area in Manhattan. This is still under the M.O.V.E. project.

My first stop, Mozzarelli's Pizzeria

Second stop, Whole Foods in Union Square.

I have to go to their manager's office and I was asked to show some proof and I showed Nicole's text to me. The manager was the one who took the photo. I told him I am doing a challenge and I need to show some kind of proof that I've done this task. The store manager was very helpful.

 3rd stop, Lula's  Sweet Apothecary

Lula is selling non-dairy ice cream and they had me taste their cotton candy flavor :) Yum-Yum!!! 

Fitness Class #16

Type of Class: Basic Tap

Instructor: Germaine Salsberg

with my 3 fellow challengers: Sylvia, Lauren, and Ireland who happened to be taking the same class.

Day 25 - May 25th

Daily Practice #25

Minutes: 30

Songs worked on. Just warmed up my voice and did Daily Vocalization 1-15 to prepare for my voice lessons.

Private Voice Lesson #3

Worked on Don't Cry Out Loud. Kurt gave me pointers on how to maximize and take advantage of my recording for the demo track in order for me to enjoy the experience. We run through some songs and had me study again "21 Guns" from American Idiot in preparation for the Japan Benefit Concert on Saturday. This time, I have to study and learn Heather's part. Next piece to study is "I Got The Sun In The Morning" form Annie Get Your Gun.

with my Maestro