I’m not going to point out how crazy the news has been, locally, nationally, and internationally. Instead, I’ll share some great musical moments that have happened so far this year, as well as things to come!
Lift Every Voice
A little over a week after the devastating fires started in SoCal, and just one day before the inauguration, LAMC performed a sold out concert in Disney Hall on Jan 19, with guest conductor Jason Max Ferdinand. He curated a program of songs that took on new meaning since its original intentions in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., “…to tell our stories, bring hope in challenging times, and share joy.” It was a powerful and moving concert, for us on stage, as well as everyone in the audience.
Many stories continue to be told in the aftermath of the fires. I will try to hold on to hope as things become even more challenging for many of us. Now more than ever is the need to share joy with each other.
Here’s a review: https://lasentinel.net/los-angeles-master-chorale-honors-mlk-day-with-lift-every-voice.html
Songs & Stories
If you missed the first Songs & Stories of 2025, with my good friend Amy Fogerson accompanied by the wonderful pianist Paul G. McCurdy, you missed some magical moments and spectacular stories. You’ll be happy to know it was captured on video! You can watch the full performance on YouTube:
67th GRAMMY® Awards
Back in November 2023, I had to privilege of performing a fantastic piece by Mexican composer Gabriela Ortiz. We were 8 amplified singers from the LA Master Chorale (4 sopranos and 4 altos), performing with the LA Philharmonic. The piece, Revolución diamantina, is a powerful ballet score, inspired by Mexico’s 2019 “Glitter March,” the feminist uprising around the country’s epidemic of violence against women. Our performance was recorded and released in 2024.
What a THRILL it was to find out it won GRAMMY® Awards in three categories:
1) Best Orchestral Performance,
2) Best Classical Compendium, and
3) Best Contemporary Classical Composition! So grateful for the opportunity and for the ride.
Here’s to the revolución!
