The other night I heard Barbara Cook (at 85!) perform an intimate concert for a large crowd at Symphony Hall in Boston. She had me and 92% of the audience with tears in our eyes by the second song. Get a dose on her website—there are three videos from another live performance that will knock your socks off. I went online the next morning and found this terrific master class she did at the Library for the Performing Arts in New York years ago. For inspiration, watch her teaching about interpretation AND about living life. It’s a 2 hour class but you’ll be amazed at what she can do in even the first 20 minutes. Watch HERE.
Some of her choice quotes, in describing what she’s going for in performance:
“What I aim to do . . . is break down all the barriers and try to get right to the core of another human being. Why? Because if as artists, if we can do that, it is a healing experience. We see that someone shares our humanity and then our work becomes important.”
And then with the second singer this gem:
“We [the audience] don’t want your IDEA of who you think you ought to be—we want YOU. Your authentic self.”
This doesn’t just apply to our performances, right? It’s about everything. Bring your authentic self to the table.
Question for the week: do you have a favorite master class video? Please send—I’d love to post what others have found inspiring!
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Dream big, Plan smart, Live well!
