House/Puppy Sitting and Updates

As of July 16th, the Hubby and I are on House/Puppy Sitting Duty for our Friends Alex and Michelle while they are in France. It's a nice change from being at my in-laws for the past 5 months due to mold issues in our home. It's definitely different than being over there where my Mother in Law is almost always home taking care of our Nephew. I find myself being alone once in a while, just me and the dogs... and it's kind of nice. Reminds me of when we used to be in our own place.

Our friends' bed sure is comfy, though... that is one thing I really must say I look forward to. We have a queen bed of our own, and have been sleeping in a full since February... so upgrading to a super soft KING bed is definitely fantastic. I have been sleeping sooooooo well, I can't even begin to elaborate, for no words would be enough... I really do love our current sleeping arrangement!

On another note, I officially started my own personal Business with Mary Kay last week, and have my first Pampering Session tonight with a couple of my cousins. Should be fun! I need the practice... Honestly, I have to say that I love the Mary Kay products... they have changes so much since the last time I remember trying them, and honestly, the new face of Mary Kay kicks all the skin care competition out of the water... not to mention that their products really are good! So many women in America SWEAR by them! And all of those women have beautiful skin... It is NEVER too late, nor too EARLY, to start an anti-aging regimen. They even have a ling for Teenagers AND for men! It's fantastic. If you want more info, you can go ahead and e-mail me at mruiz@marykay.com! I would be glad to set up a pampering session for you and 3 friends (did I mention you get a free gift if you do??) or maybe a pedicure party?? ;) Martinis and Makeovers? Whatever tickles your fancy!! Can you tell I'm excited?? Not to mention I have this huge goal to do 30 faces in 30 d

ays!!! It's going to be a lot of work, but I know I will do it!

So I had an audition this past weekend in St. Augustine with First Coast Opera. Looked like a very promising one... but we shall see! Apparently, if I get hired, I'll be in St. Augustine the last 3 weeks in October... It will all depend on what the offer is, but I think I should be cool with that ;) I also have an audition on August 28th in Naples, Fl. I'll be heading up there with a good friend of mine, Miguel Llerena. Should be fun!

Until next time!

Happy Blogging! :)

::Bad Blogger!::

Ok, so after another period of me being MIA... here I am, once again :)

It's been a crazy month, to say the least, what with the Holidays coming around, finishing up the Opera, and my other NYC audition... But, I am back to tell you about all of it, and update you a bit :)

So, I did not get into the Santa Fe Young Artist Summer Program (the one I went to NYC with the hubby to Audition for). I kinda had a feeling too... they weren't too into what I was doing, overall, and I definitely sensed it... so as they say, I'm "moving right along..."

We ended our running of Pagliacci/Suor Angelica swimingly... it went fantastically, and I was so proud to be part of such a stellar production! Everyone did such a wonderful job. Tonight, we begin work on our next production, which opens January 23rd - the day before our 1 year Anniversary - Lucia di Lammermoor. I am partial to this Opera, especiallly since I am studying the role of Lucia. In my opinion, it has some beautiful tunes, and is the epitame of Bel Canto style... but I digress. :) I am happy to get back to work after a few days off... since we closed Pagliacci on the 5th, I've had a little break... but it's time to get back to work :)

My 2nd trip to NYC on the 6th was nothing short of a whirlwind! Since I had the final performance of Pag/Suor, I didn't have the luxury of flying up the day before (my audition was on the 6th - the next day), so I flew up that morning, with a 7 AM flight, landed in JFK at about 10 in the morning, and had an audition at 2:40. Did I mention that my flight back was scheduled for the same day at 5:15 PM? Yea. Now you understand what I meant by whirlwind. Fly up, sing, fly back. Fun. Being that I was going to be so flustered, I decided to schedule some time in a practice room a bit before my audition... I called up Shetler studios and booked a room from 1 - 2PM, right next door to my audition. I took my time, sang through my rep, warmed-up, changed into my audition attire, did my makeup, and headed over to the audition. I actually believe that I sang very well. Contrary to my Santa Fe audition, the people I sang for (Crested Butte Music Festival) seemed to really enjoy my Audition, so here's hoping! If I am chosen, it means I'll be spending a Month (July 1st - August 5th) in Crested Butte, Colorado. Here's a little more information about the program:

http://crestedbuttemusicfestival.com/

So, now we wait, and prepare for my next audition... January 3rd at 1:15pm with Florida Grand Opera for their Young Artist Program. I already sing for their Chorus, but am hoping that I get a shot to fill a Young Artist slot for next year as their Lyric Soprano :) They haven't had many local singers make it in, in the past, so we shall see how that goes. One thing is for sure, I'm really hopeful :) Here is some info on that program, as well:

http://www.fgo.org/young-artists/


After that, I have an Audition for Opera North taking place on February 15th in Sarasota. The Haitian Diva ( www.thehaitiandiva.blogspot.com ) and I were both granted Auditions with them, and will be heading up there the day before, on the 14th. I am looking forward to it! This is another wonderful company to sing for, and I can't wait :) Here is a link to their website:

http://www.operanorth.org/

So, other than my news on current happenings in my Opera World, things have been going well... it's the Holiday Season, once again, and I couldn't be happier. I love this time of year more and more as the years go by... and more so because I have truly begun learning about treasuring all these special moments :) Instead of wanting to rush these days by, wanting it to be Christmas Day, I am taking my time each day, enjoying the season and the spirit of the Holidays. I am DVRing all the Christmas Movies I can, sipping Egg Nog as I watch them sitting on the couch with Mr. R and our Pooch (Madison), admiring our Christmas Tree and Decorations. I love this time of year! And every chance I get to spend time with Family... I take it! After all, that's what this time is about... sure, the presents and all that other stuff are great... but the biggest present ever is the present, as in the present moment!

This Holiday Season is extra special for me, because it's the first one in which my Husband and I spend it together as a Married Couple. I am so blessed to have someone like him by my side. He is a wonderful person, with a wonderful family. I am so lucky! :) And exactly one month from Christmas Eve we will be Celebrating our 1st Wedding Anniversary! I honestly can't believe it's been almost a year, already... no one can! The time really has flown this year...

Well, time to go catch up on my Blog Reads!

Happy Blogging :)

I want to be a Prima Donna, Donna, Donna...

Well, someday, anyway :)

Since I have been such a bad blogger lately, I don't remember if I even wrote about getting the role of the "First Lay Sister (Una Conversa)" in Florida Grand Opera's 69th Season production of Puccini's Suor Angelica. Sure, it's not a huge role... but it's definitely a start, and I am VERY greatful for the opportunity :) God is blessing me!

After a few weeks of many rehearsals, we finally opened on Saturday, November 14th. When I arrived at my dressing area, I found this small token from Bob Heuer, the General Director of the Company...Needless to say, it made my day :) It was a great Opening Night, in my opinion... but I didn't have much time to celebrate because the next morning, bright and early, Mr. R and I were headed to NYC for an audition... I had been granted an Audition with Santa Fe Opera's Summer Program, and it was taking place on Monday, the 16th.

That night, we didn't even get a wink of sleep... especially after having electrical problems at our house, which delayed our packing... but still, we finished up all of our packing, got dressed and headed to the airport at around 3:45 in the morning... I was so lucky to have the Hubs come along with me, and we definitely took advantage and turned the trip into a little mini-vacation...

We stayed with a friend of mine named Raymond, who lives in Brooklyn with his Girlfriend Liz. We went to lunch at Brooklyn Flipsters, which is a delicious Diner, and had a burger and some wings... Then, they took us to this famous bakery, Cake Man Raven, home of the "The Harlem Cake Man" and his Souther Red-Velvet Cake... walking into the bakery, this is what we saw...

An OCEAN of Red-Velvet CAKE!!! And not only did it look good... it tasted AWESOME!! Just check out our faces....

Afterwards, we were literally running on fumes, and definitely needed a nap... so we headed back to the apartment, and rested a bit... we also stayed in the rest of the night, since the next day would start early for me, with warm-ups, hair, makeup, etc... so we ordered some awesome Sushi from "Ten". Actually, we ended up ordering take-out from 3 different places... Ten, another Asian place, and a Peruvian place... Gotta love New York. :)

After my audition, we headed over the Shetler Studios to hear Raymond's lesson, and grab some lunch... but on the way in the taxi, I was able to snap a photo of Central Park, with it's beautiful changing leaves :) Definitely one of the most beautiful times of year in NYC!

While at Shetler Studios, after Raymond's lesson, deciding where to have lunch... a big bald guy walks by us with 2 girls... one of them turned out to be Ashley Simpson, who was there to rehearse for her upcoming debut in the Broadway Musical "Chicago".

We decided on this Pizza Place called "John's Pizzeria"... but don't let the name fool you, it is nothing like the regular NYC Pizzerias you've been to or heard of... this place doesn't sell by the slice, but their pizza's are AWESOME!!! If you are from Miami and have ever had Andiamo Pizza (on Biscayne, next to Soyka), it's very similar... it was awesome! And their sicilian wings were great too :)

Even though we had planned to visit NYC during Valentine's Weekend for our Anniversary, and see Avenue Q then... we couldn't resist the temptation to see it while we were there... especially since it looks like we may have to reschedule our trip, due to an audition I have scheduled for the 15th of February in Sarasota... So we visited the TKTS booth in Time Square and purchased our tickets 40% off for that evening to see the show...

We sat in the theater, at New World Stages, in our 4th Row Seats and waited for the show to begin...

I honestly have to say that the show was FANTASTIC!!! We loved every minute of it, and I am so glad we went to see it. We especially liked these characters I didn't know about called the "Bad Idea Bears". If you ever have a chance to see this show... DEFINITELY check it out :) But remember, don't bring your little brother/sister, cousins, nephews/nieces, etc... It's an Adult Oriented Show, with Full Puppet Nudity ;)

And as if all of this was enough... it looks like I'll be back in NYC on Sunday the 6th thru the 7th for another audition with Crested Butte's Music Festival... I can't wait!!!

Happy Blogging!

Update on Sarasota Opera Audition

On Sunday, the 13th, my Hubby and I made the 3-hour drive to Sarasota for my Audition with the Sarasota Opera's Apprentice Program. I never get nervous when I have an audition, but this time, I was... the last time I auditioned for this company was back in 2006, and it didn't go as well as I had planned... When I walked into my audition, ready to sing, I offered my first piece from the Opera "L'Africaine". The Conductor interrupts me and says, "Or else...?" I froze. I didn't know what to do! I had never gone to an audition where they didn't want to hear my first piece... He chose a 2nd, and I sang it... but I don't think I fully recovered from the shock, and kind of bombed.

That was then...

This time, I rocked it out. Honestly, I had a pretty fabulous audition. I started with Electra's aria from Mozart's Idomeneo. They seemed to really enjoy it. When I was done, he asked me for the Queen of the Night's vengeance aria, from the opera The Magic Flute (one of the operas they are doing this season). Fortunately, I've done the entire Opera, and own the score... Unfortunately, I had left it in the car with my Hubby. I didn't want to be carrying it around since I was also offering the other aria. I did, however, have the Queen's other aria from the beginning of the Opera, "O zittre nicht...", so I offered him that. He wanted to hear the "fast part" with the coloratura and the high "F". He also inquired about my age before he let me begin, which was interesting. But yeah, I nailed it. I even sustained the "F" to show a nice, free and vibrant sound. I thought he would have heard enough, since they normally don't ask for more than 2 pieces at an audition... but he shocked me when he asked for a 3rd selection... the beginning of "Caro Nome" from Rigoletto, starting from the aria.

I definitely walked out of there with my head held high.

Now to play the waiting game...

Happy Blogging :)

Palm Beach Opera & Young Artist Programs

Thanks to a good friend of mine, Jouvanca, I was informed that Palm Beach Opera was still in search of a Soprano, (2) Tenors and a Baritone.... OF COURSE I went ahead and applied, and am now waiting to see if I am granted an audition :::fingers crossed:::

I got extremely excited when I found out, not only because they are so close by, but because they are looking for someone who sings my same REP! If chosen, I would be singing "Frasquita" in Carmen, along with covering a few others... It's a wonderful opportunity, and I am soooo excited to be reaching for it :)

AND in less than 1 week I will be auditioning (for the 3rd time, mind you) for Sarasota Opera's Young Artist program. You know what they say... 3rd time's a Charm ;) Well, we shall see!!!!

will continue to update on the status of my applications and auditions... :)

Another update :)

Hello Fellow Bloggers and Followers :)

So, the last time I graced this blog with my presence, I discussed my excitement to have been granted an audition with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and updated everyone on what I was up to...

I am back again to give a bit of an update, and to say HELLO to everyone :)

So, Chicago was GREAT!!!! I had a great time with my friend, Miguel, and feel like I really did ROCK my audition. Honestly, I don't think I've ever had such a perfect audition ever. With that said, it'll still be a miracle if I get into an "A" company like Chicago Lyric with relative no experience with other Young Artist Programs, etc... but still, I went... I gave it my shot, and I feel REALLY good about how I did :) In the end, I feel that that's what matters. If I don't get a call-back for September, I know for a fact that I can't say that I did not make it in because I totally messed up, or anything of the sort... I can truly say that if I don't even get a call-back, it's cause I just wasn't what they were looking for at this present moment. No harm, no foul. :)

So, on another note, I had another Wedding to go to on Friday, the 17th. My Mother's cousin's 2nd Marriage. Everything turned out REALLY nicely :) She had both the Ceremony and the Reception at Saphire Ballrooms in Hialeah, with each event taking place in a different Hall... The Decor was by "Fairytale Designs" and looked AMAZING! I honestly didn't remember that I was in a Hialeah Banquet Hall!!! When the Bride and Groom made their grand entrance... it was nothing less than GRAND!! On a Musical cue, each and every centerpiece shot up with a wonderful display of Pyrotechnics ;) It was great.

And of course... this upcoming friday, the 24th, marks our 6 Months of Marriage :) All I can say is that time has truly FLOWN!!!!!! I can hardly believe it has been half of a year already... before we know it, we will be eating the top of our cake, toasting champagne, and looking back on a WONDERFUL first year :)

With all these Weddings, Auditions and Babies popping up all over (My Nephew, Carlos Marcello Ruiz born June 29th, and Adrian Mora coming in September), it's a really exciting time :)

Hope everyone is doing well... Off I go to catch up on my reading (of all the blogs I follow, of course).