NURTURING

The Balance of Marriage/Home, Parenting, Teaching and Career

A Conversation

By Janice C. Eteme, B.A., M.M





My life, as a wife and mother, has taken the first position on my list of daily priorities. The challenges that come along with parenting effectively, are particularly difficult in a fast paced, technological, information obsessed society.

Teaching here at Morgan has also been a challenge, but I have grown personally and professionally each year that I have had the opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful team of professionals, while tutoring such bright and gifted students. My personal preparation as an artist has become a juggling act between parenting and teaching, and quite frankly, sometimes it is neglected because of failed implementation or just plain fatigue.

In preparing this conversational presentation, I felt I wanted to talk first about
The reality of my life now, my life as a professional before I became a wife and mother, and the knowledge that organization is the key to successfully managing any hectic schedule.

A One Day Example:

On Mondays I am up by 7am, preparing breakfast for my two girls, helping them
To remember all of their personal hygiene before dressing, packing lunches and getting them out the door to go to school. I then get on the treadmill, or do floor exercises for 30 to 45 minutes , vocalize for 15 minutes, before getting ready to head out the door to teach my first student at Morgan. I generally leave around 2 or 2:15pm, get my girls from school, take them to piano and violin lessons respectively, before heading home around 5:30 pm. I then monitor homework assignments, prepare dinner, prep the girls for bed and prep for my Lyric Diction class, and my applied voice students, before retiring to bed. I will spare you my daily schedule as each day has a different set of day and afterschool activities. This schedule is probably similar to the schedules of those of you who are also parents.

As a young unmarried professional, my time was completely my own. All of my personal time off the road, was spent listening to, studying, and learning scores of music. I practiced incessantly, usually two to three hours a day. Spending my free time shopping , and going out with friends. Sometimes I was lonely when travelling on the road, but because I was singing, and still do sing mostly concert repertoire, my stays on the road were then, and are now, only about 5 to 7 days. I enjoyed my freedom as a young professional and I always did my very best, and still do.


Organization is now the only way to maintain all the different spokes in my everyday “ wheel of life”. Carving out time to take care of my family, myself, and to practice each day while teaching and preparing for my classes and upcoming performances is what I live for now, this is my life. This is he life that I have loved and chosen. It is a wonderful life, a challenging life and because of all those challenges and successes, it is a good life.

Organization takes on several parts:


1. The organization of your schedule, knowing and accounting for every hour of your day is most helpful, especially when you have a family. This will ensure that daily time is not wasted.

2. The organization of your mind is essential. What do I mean by the organization of your mind? Often people become bogged down mentally because they are not actively focused on what is most important, presently, and what their ultimate life goals are. Ask yourself the following questions: Where do I want to be living in 5 years or 10 years? What do I want to be doing professionally? Do I want to get married and have a family? Would I be happier if I remained single and childless? How much money will I need to live comfortably in my life? What kind of house do I want to live in? Will I be active in my community or church? Do I want to travel abroad? Do I want to live abroad? How much money will I need to retire? These are just a few of the questions you should ask yourself and answer, so that you can sweep out any clutter in your thought process or get rid of anything that would cause your thinking to be fuzzy or cloudy as you move forward.

3. The organization of your finances is also essential. Spending your time wisely and well in school, making the best use of monies being spent on your education, counting the cost of every decision you make, thinking of not only the short term consequences but long term consequences of all of your choices concerning your money. Being mindful of how much you are spending on what, and why. Remembering to get in the habit of saving money and staying out of debt as much as possible. If you are already in debt, be as responsible as you can in paying off those debts. This is very important.

4. The Organization of your Life Purpose is also important. I already mentioned some of the questions you might ask yourself. After asking yourself those questions, and writing down the responses, construct a Life Purpose Report.




Example:



I was born: 12/28/1965
I went to school: Dupont Park SDA Church school
I was taught to be honest, committed, hard working, kind, forgiving etc.
I went to College and Graduate School: Oakwood and Indiana University
I have sung for twenty years all over the world, recorded, given recitals, sung operas etc.

My Purpose in Life, as a mature adult is to:

Evolve spiritually by listening to, and following God
Properly rear my children
Be fearless as an artist/educator
Be unselfish and heal with my voice and words
Be responsible for my gift of good health
Become more scholarly, so that I can be a part
Of a fundamental transformation of the educational system
in Baltimore.
Leave the people I have known and loved more encouraged
to carry on and take the road less traveled.


What is your Purpose Report going to say?

What are some other areas of essential organization that you can think of?


THIS IS THE KIND OF NURTURING OFFERED BY FACULTY MEMBERS AT "MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY"

CURTAIN TIME AT MORGAN

The show goes up on campus with President David Wilson in the leading role.
He has managed to have the support of the entire University, alumni and community in maintaining his position as President. There was talk that his contract was not going to be renewed. However, the community (chorus), with great resonance had their say.

The show goes on as Dr. Wilson adds to his role the ground breaking, for a new building to be added to the campus. Heightened security measures, and an already increase in student enrollment continues during his run of the play. He also has the distinction of procuring the University's largest-ever research contract, $28.5 million. I would say he deserves to have an encore. Take a bow Dr. Wilson!

The next scene displays the magnificent vocal gifts of Ms. Leah Hawkins (Mezzo-soprano). She stands out as one of the young voices that truly bring to mind the rich heritage of her predecessors. We in the vocal studies salute her recent accomplishment of being selected to participate in the in The Mid-Atlantic Region Metropolitan Council Auditions at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. During the development of her role in The Fine Arts department of Morgan State, she has grown from grace to grace; the voice giving us only glimpses, of what we all know to be true. We are witnessing the birth of a world class singer.

In act two, the scene is set at the Murphy Fine Arts Center Recital Hall, the site for the Capital Region Competition of the “Negro Spiritual” Scholarship Foundation’s Grady Rayam Prize in Sacred Music hosted by the Vocal Studies program. We will convene a jury of seasoned artists and educators to adjudicate seventeen young high school singers who aspire to a college education. We will bear witness to their ability to bring to the scene, both traditional and a newly arranged Negro Spirituals. These young singers will share the purity, richness and beauty of these national treasures. Who will earn the honor of carrying on this legacy and great tradition on Saturday, February 16, 2013?

The next scene serves to remind us that true excellence stands the test of time.
Coming to the stage of The Murphy Fine Arts Center in The Gilliam Concert Hall we are taken on a journey that will leave us with a most delicious taste. "Sweet Honey in the Rock" on March 8, 2013 will bring a musical gift of nostalgia that fills with joy, those of us who remember, and help to educate and enlighten the young people of a new generation.

Once again the curtain rises April 11, 2013 on the Department of Fine and Performing Arts collaboration of the Broadway show "The COLOR PURPLE". This production is directed by Shirley Basfield Dunlap and with musical direction by Melvin N. Miles. As a part of this departmental collaboration the voice faculty has assisted with the auditioning and casting of the show. It was an honor to collaborate on a team so devoted to excellence and committed to putting in place a beautiful collage of characters and voices that warm the heart. In this process, I observed Ms. Dunlap’s gift for details and her skillful ability to make the scene memorable.

In this last act we are shown how dreams come true. Back in the 1960's a young man who happened to be a dear friend, expressed his disdain for the fact that African American Ballet dancers were being ignored in this country. He himself was the only working black male ballet dancer at that time, other than John Jones of Jerome Robbins Ballet USA. Of course I speak of none other than Arthur Mitchell, soloist in the famed New York City Ballet.

Arthur was our token black, and dreamed of someday having an all-black ballet company. Well that dream has for a long time been realized and on May 5, 2013 "The Dance Theatre of Harlem" Directed and Choreographed by Arthur Mitchell will dazzle the audiences of Murphy Fine Arts Center in the Gilliam Concert Hall.

So for now the CURTAIN AT MORGAN descends. Only to rise again and share with you the artistic beauty and academic excellence that is, MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY.

"ARTIST IN RESIDENCE"

So here it is Mid Semester at Morgan State University and I have taken my place on vocal faculty as the university's first Artist in Residence. I have been received with genuine warmth and sincerity from the entire institution.
I was assigned some fifteen students, all who have extraordinary vocal gifts. The vocal faculty members, are all very fine teachers and are active performing artists. Camaraderie amongst us makes for a very strong department; as head of the vocal department Vincent Dion Stringer is a gem. Totally supportive, forward thinking and creatively motivated. Always working toward helping us to turn out young artists who can step up to the plate well prepared. He wears many hats and they suite him well.
It was Vincent who sang my praises and urged the performing arts Chair to move toward hiring me as a full time faculty member.Vincent and I share a very special bond in that, some years back he asked me to be a member of his renowned "New England Spiritual Ensemble".  We toured the United States and were overwhelmingly received.         

Leading the company with his divine Bass Baritone his dream of  preserving the African American Spiritual had become a reality. Opera Houses of the world had long been fortunate enough to hear his rich Baritone. It is that experience then, that has led us to this very special time in both our careers.  Having great respect for the beauty of each others gifts.

Dr. Eric Conway is Chair of the Fine Arts Department and Conductor of The Morgan State University Choir.
 His duties as administrator are overwhelming! He seems to breeze through the maze of departmental machinery with absolute aplomb. What was so exciting for me,was experiencing his musical gifts.
An accomplished Harpsichordist and Pianist of absolute excellence, I felt honored to be apart of his staff.
Both Mr. Stringer and He have made it clear, that my experience and knowledge were an important asset to Morgan State University, embracing me with love and care.
I fell in love with Baltimore when I was asked by Vincent to come and give a Master Class and later The Summer Opera Workshop, well over a year ago.
I still commute to New York to teach but my home is clearly here in Maryland. Etta and I have very busy and exciting lives. She being hired in the Maryland educational system long before myself, is head of the music department in a school for special needs children in Parksville MD. A job that requires near sainthood.
We love our new home and as for myself, Morgan State has become a second home. Beauty abounds and I'm more free than ever,  in my position as " ARTIST IN RESIDENCE"

  

The Grand Finale

It certainly has been a while since I've been able to find time to let you know what I've been up to!!!

I have completed my spring semester commuting from Maryland to New York City, teaching every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Needless to say it was quite an undertaking which I seem to have ordered with as little stress as possible. It wasn't all that easy; I only wish I had stock in Amtrak.

My season at the New School culminated with a performance by the students from my Wednesday morning two hour class "Story, Song, and Stage." I have to say I was very proud of the sophistication and professionalism they gave. Well attended and well received, their choice of material was a delight. Such interesting pieces as "Ballad for Very Tired and Very Sad Lotus-Eaters" by Fred Hersch to Lady Gaga's  "Telephone". Each one of the students gave a superb performance, but I think it was a general feeling from the class that we all fell in love with the performance of  Dacia King's mesmerizing delivery of  "The Peacocks" " (A timeless place)"  By Bill Evans. This class and my individual classes at the school showed tremendous vocal progress and revealed the hard work they all put in during this semester.

However, following their Thursday, April 26 performance, I  presented some of my private students with my wife Etta and myself in a studio recital Saturday, April 28 at Chelsea Studios Theater Works. Andy Watt, Tenor, sang his first performance: a solo aria and duet with Soprano Alexis Ruiz (Parigio Cara). I could have burst I was so proud!!! Alexis, in her solo aria "Io son lumile ancella" soared to new vocal heights and won the hearts of her audience. Her father, with tears in his eyes, was overjoyed.  Etta's beautifully sung "L'amero saro costante" coupled with she and I singing "the Cherry Duet," "Nocturne," from Don Pasquale, and, myself, "Languir per una bella" made for some lovely well presented moments. 

Last but by no means least, was Dramatic Mezzo  Soprano Wendy Gerbier who literally took the roof off with her rendition of Ulrica's aria from  Un Ballo in Maschera "Re dell"abisso affrettati." She recently sang for one of President Obama's rallies in Connecticut and is making her Paris debut in February 2013. A few days ago she was hired to perform in New York in a full length "Aida" as Amneris. She and I have worked very hard to find the freedom that her magnificent gift deserves.

After all that good singing on Saturday I was to sing again on the coming Monday.  MISTAKE!!!!! Call it stress, nerves, who knows??? Not the GRAND FINALE I expected.

"The Spirit Flower"

That is what Whitney Houston was to me.

As a singer and vocal instructor, there is almost no day that has gone by when I have not mentioned her name. I am like so many, heartbroken, that she is no longer with us.

The magnitude of her vocal gift was a wonder!!!
Like Edith Piaf and Judy Garland, her Spirit and beauty infected the world.

As a bird with a broken wing, Whitney was struggling to soar once more. Only a fellow artist knows the pain of not being able to sing the song that’s in one's heart. Our SPIRIT FLOWER carried a very heavy load.

There is a delicate balance in trying to manage life’s trials, a career and maintaining vocal health. I hear people expounding about substance abuse issues in her life, but for me the greater struggle must have been trying to put her gift back in place. Iconic singers such as Whitney are mentally and emotionally at one with their voices; the person and the gift belong together and should never be separated.

The famous opera singer Maria Callas came to a similar place while still trying to maintain her place in the arena of champions. When her voice was compromised she was said to have responded: “Callas is dead, only Maria is left.” And shortly after that she, too, passed on.

A famous comedian, whose name I will not mention, thought to make jokes publicly in reference to Whitney’s problems. I can’t imagine using someone’s difficulties to get a laugh. I am a loyal fan and, as for that comic, I have written him off.
What entertainers go through to stay afloat and have a personal life is a tremendous undertaking. Whitney's talent was one of the greatest, and her joy in song will live in our hearts and minds forever.

She was our “SPIRIT FLOWER”

"The Prodigal Blogger"

I'm still here for those of you who have been such loyal supporters.

Newcomers to the website may have noticed my recent relocation to Baltimore, Maryland. Moving from one city area to another is one thing, but from state to state is more than a notion. We did it! We're here! And still in love with our choice.
Moving and commuting to NYC weekly to fulfill my teaching obligations was a monumental task, but I'm back in gear and eager to keep you abreast of what's happening.

First, a shout out to Stephen Akaka for getting in touch. His family was a great part of my growing up, and now we've reconnected and I can't wait to reminisce and find out what life changes they've experienced.

An apology is also in order to Loren Schoenberg, who was gracious enough to contact me to share her collection of recordings of my father, Leslie Scott, with Coleman Hawkins. I do hope my slow response will not interfere with our coming to know one another and to share this great musical history.

And to Mr. Cash Calloway a former guitar student of my uncle, Irving Ashby, I'd like to say thank you for sharing your experience. I'm sure we would both agree he was one of the greatest.

One of my recent highlights was being invited to see The Lion King here in Baltimore and teaching several of the company members while they were here. I'm fortunate to have students in both the B'way production and the touring national company.

Now, another semester begins and the commute continues. However, if you may be curious as to the progress of my memoir, make no mistake, it will be done. We had to take a deep breath and forge ahead one step at a time; with renewed energy and optimism we continue. Etta has become a very special entity at her school, and is very excited about the future. Pepe is like a new puppy, free & content.

So my friends, I really didn't stray so far and my joy in sharing my life's experiences are still a large part of the ongoing journey.

"THE PRODIGAL BLOGGER" RETURNS.

"Moving Right Along"

Well it's been a good while since I've posted, but I'm still here.

So much has happened in my life in such a short space of time. After my summer at Morgan State, I left there very sure that Baltimore offered the kind of atmosphere that I needed. Upon returning to New York I thought it was a good idea for Etta and me to go back and check out the possibilities of relocating. Like myself she, too, fell in love with the landscape and the more peaceful lifestyle Maryland offerred. So now we've checked out travel time between New York and Maryland and find it totally possible to commute and stay committed to our responsibilities in NYC while enjoying the excitement of new artistic ground in Maryland.

So, drum roll, please...we are settling into a lovely, modest little house in Baltimore which is a breath of fresh air, especially for our Jack Russell terrier, Pepe.

Now begins a new semester for me at The New School and at Mannes. A dear friend has offered a lovely space for us to live on the days we have to stay over in New York: I will even be able to teach my private students at her home, Etta will be able to finish the course she's taking at The New School, and Pepe will always be in familiar territory. I will continue writing my memoir and consider this adventure another moment to expound upon.

I should have also mentioned that a week after we started looking around Baltimore for housing, Etta was given a couple of recommendations for possible teaching positions. Both were positive and she was hired immediately by the position most suitable.

We owe our good fortune to real estate broker Bessie Conway, the wife of Eric Conway the Chair at Morgan State. Mrs.Conway took special care of us and were it not for her this move would not have been so smooth. We are ever in her debt. On the other hand I would not have been at Morgan State had it not been for Vincent Dion Stringer, Artistic Director for the Vocal Department, who hired me to be a part of the Summer Opera Workshop faculty. Our sincere thanks to you Eric, Vincent, and Bessie for all your support.

"MOVING RIGHT ALONG"