It was told to me by my family and friends that I was singing from the time that I was a small child. Obviously, I don’t remember but what I do recall with joy is the sound of Mother’s voice as she ironed clothes in the kitchen. As she hummed or sang hymns, I believe I began to realize that I wanted to imitate her. Further I was told that I actually would sing on the streets when Mother and my sister went shopping. How is that for getting noticed at such an early age????
In grade school, the favorite part of the day was singing nursery rhymes and the hour when the music teacher would come to visit in the room to teach the class new songs. When I attended elementary school, we had the same teacher year after year. She insisted on making the class learn Do-Re-Mi, etc. (solfeggio) and to be honest, the majority of my friends hated it, but I found it a challenge to know music theory (at the beginning level). I mastered the ability to sing it so well that the teacher would take me with her to demonstrate how to read music to other students. She obviously became interested in encouraging my innate ability and all through school she gave me opportunities to do solo work. Church school and summer Bible School also delighted my love for music. I sang in all the choirs from the children’s, junior high, and senior choir until I left for university.
My older sister, Barbara, was given the chance to take piano lessons. My mother was a gifted pianist and always took time to sit down at our old upright piano every day just to relax and to have a wonderful time. My sister did not like the lessons but she left her John Thompson books on the piano when she asked to quit lessons. I looked at the books, studied the notes, and began to teach myself how to play the piano. Yes, I never took formal lessons but continued to practice constantly and finally I was able to play sheet music and duets with Mother. I also asked permission to use the electric organ at the church and I learned to play so well that I led the music for the children at church. Like Mother, I went to the piano every day just to play and to sing for fun. My younger sister, Betty, used to yell to me, “Sing another one!”
During the summer of my freshman year of high school, I finally had my greatest wish given to me. For years, I had listened to the music teacher giving voice lessons across the street from our home. I couldn’t wait until I was old enough to take them. My first lessons were all about breathing, but at the time, I did not appreciate how essential learning diaphragmatic breathing is for singers.
There was no stopping for me. I loved every moment and still love singing. I went on to take in my lifetime more than fifteen years of private vocal lessons. When I reached college level training, I began to realize that I was not a mezzo soprano but was called a dramatic soprano, much like the Wagner soloists. I often practiced in college two hours a day and my voice became higher and stronger. When I reached my senior year at Miami University, I was asked by the Chairman of the Vocal Department to stay an added year at the college with full scholarship just to study opera and oratorio. It was thought that I had the potential to be professional. It was a wonderful opportunity but I turned it down. I will share the reason in my next segment of my music career.
I know now I made the correct decision for my life because my love for singing and music almost became more important than my decision to serve God and others. To me, I believe that my music ability is a gift! For certain, it led me to my calling!