Hi Family!
Just wanted to give a quick update of the last couple of weeks. Cat's parents came to visit us for a week of sight-seeing, catching up. While I was mostly busy working, Cat took her parents all over the place, touring Princeton, the historical sights of Philadelphia, the giant Hershey's store in NY and, of course, Rockefeller center.
All in all it was a good time, they were excited to see us, and we were happy to have them. This past weekend, while Cat prepared for the start of second semester , I was off to Puerto Rico to compete in the MET district auditions in San Juan. I flew in late on Saturday and shuttled over to Thrifty to pick up my rental. I had reserved a mid-sized vehicle. As fate would have it, mid-sized in Puerto Rico , is not the same in the US. So I stuffed myself into my midsized Toyota sardinia , and was off to the lavish Diamond Palace Casino in the upscale district of Condado. Once again, expections were a bit high. The casino portion of the hotel was no bigger than Mom and Dad's living room, and filled with the sounds of gamblers banging the sides of the machines to make sure it was working correctly. The Hotel room, while it had a nice view, 
itcould have used a bit more TLC.
I did find that the beaches were beautiful, the people were mostly kind and welcomed you with a smile.
Sunday was the day of the competition. The auditions were open to the public, which was great because the audience was enthusiastic and appreciative. I also felt good because my accompaniast was also my coach and the Director of the Young Artist Program for New Jersey Opera. I sang very well. No mistakes, free and full. I was really happy with how I presented myself. Jose was also suprised at how well my audition went. We were both disappointed when I was not selected as one of the top three to move on to Regionals, however, the talent level was very high, and these competitions ride on the preferences and subjective opinions of the judges.
So it's on to the next events, which include a cover of the Duke in NJO's Rigoletto, coming up the end of February, and also the lead role of Belmonte in Mozart's Abduction from the Seraglio with Bel Cantanti Opera in Washington DC. That opens in the end of February.
Cat is looking forward to a promotion at Westminster Choir College. The teaching staff has been so impressed with her that they have put her in their top group, Symphonic Choir, which will be performing at Carnegie Hall in the spring. She is really thriving at the school, and her voice is becoming something unique and beautiful, two qualities of a top singer.
We love you all, and miss you guys very much. We think about you constantly, and hope everyone is enjoying life as much as we are here in NJ.
-Pat & Cat-
Belmonte opens the opera wishing he could enter the Palace, to save his beloved Konstanze.
But eventually Belmonte is reunited with his love, Konstanze. And the celebrate by singing a 10-minute-long duet......
But it all ends happily ever after. The run-through was a success, it was recorded by a local news station and I may have video of that to post here as early as tomorrow. My first public performance is this Saturday the 1st. It may be reviewed by the Washington Times and another arts blog. I'll certainly put those up when they are published....if they're good. HA! Love you family!
