I have been to Switzerland now more than 20 times, but having mainly been in the German district and centering work in Lucerne, Zurich, and Bern it was so refreshing being able to enjoy the French side of the country.
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0 A Month of Magazines
I am a LUCKY girl sometimes. I’ve had the luxury to stay in some rather fancy places during my life touring. Not only are the destinations beautiful, but almost every evening for how many years now, I dress up in gowns and stage dresses decking myself to the nines for audiences and the stage.
Before I left for Switzerland to prepare for our Lord of the Rings trilogy at Lincoln Center in NYC I had the absolute honor of writing a piece for Elite Magazine- a publication dedicated to the Fayetteville region and military installations. What could a singer, performer and musician have to offer such an audience of readers? Well having always had to supply and find my own stage dresses I have MANY tips on where to buy formal gowns without breaking the bank for all the military balls and formal events we as military spouses have to attend. Also, with head shots, photo shoots, publicity and just being an all around performer, I forget the novelty of having pictures taken by a professional photographer or being the center of a photo shoot. … Continue Reading
0 Feeling Irish in Tacoma, WA
Living at Fort Bragg has its perks. We have great friends; we are two hours from the beach, two hours from the mountains. But having just finished performances in Tacoma Washington with the fabulous Tacoma Symphony, I definitely can say I would not be sad if the Army found a way to settle us at Fort Lewis for a couple years in Washington. I see why all our friends who get stationed here never want to leave! This part of the country has such grandiose landscapes, and with Mt. Ranier’s shadow looking down on you it’s hard to escape the majesty of this country.
I have been looking forward to singing in Tacoma for over a year now. My last time on the west coast was with the Lord of the Rings West Coast Tour, and sadly we just didn’t have enough time to see everything as we went from Arizona all the way to Seattle! But this time around joining me on stage once again, Maestro Sarah Ioannides, Trent Kowalik, and Andrew Lehman breathed life into the beautiful music of the Emerald Isle. There is something truly unique about this concert- it just has something for everyone! … Continue Reading
0 Ringing in a Sweet Year- Belgium 2014
Belgium- Chocolate and Beer
Very rarely do I get to have a gig over Christmas. Normally singing “O Holy Night” or “Carol the Bells” this year I was able to bring my better half with me to experience all the glory of Belgium during the holidays.
In the States, it is without saying that from the time Thanksgiving ends, we are in full-blown countdown mode until Santa makes his appearance and we ring in the New Year. Having just had my husband return to the States, we were incredibly overdue for him to join me as my “body-guard” on the gig. I love to experience a country through the music and musicians that I share the stage with through my role with LOTR. However, as my dad always says music is made between meals and what better way to bond and enjoy traditions than through food. … Continue Reading
0 Ennio Morricone Recording
Howdy Yall! Can’t say I thought Id ever be wearing my cowboy boots on stage with an orchestra-but nothing should ever surprise you if your in show biz ; ) This past week marked another beautiful trip to Luzern Switzerland where I was able to share the microphone and stage with 21st Century Orchestra and Chorus as we made our way through the Wild West!
Michael Peterson, a true gentlemen and heralding as one of Nashville and country music’s great writers and singers won the hearts of all those in attendance. With classics like “Ok Corral” and “Raw Hide” we were complete opposites as I sang Ennio Morricone in true Italian Soprano voice in pieces like “The Good the Bad & the Ugly” and “Once Upon A Time in the West”. He and his crooning twang, me and my soaring colluratura were quite striking in our diversity: but an orchestra comprised entirely of Swiss and European musicians marvelously recorded music from Hollywood’s iconic Wild Westerns.
This is the second recording I’ve had the pleasure of doing here at the KKL under Ludwig Wicki’s baton and the precision and musicality of all the musicians and the maestro created such a special atmosphere that I hope comes across on the album.
1 Gladiator Live in Krakow
Sitting in the Frankfurt Airport- I am still reeling from what turned out to be one of the most surprising, unanticipated, thrilling, stressful, but absolutely satisfying musical experiences I’ve experienced in a long time!
There are those moments in life that make you realize how small, but wonderfully cosmic the world can be. I did three things as a child. Watch movies, sing, and listen to A LOT of film music. Not all of my mass collection was vocalists; actually a large part of my 300 plus CDs (of course housed in a ludicrously large binder that eventually ended up weight more than half my body weight) was all instrumental. In particular, film music was often what you’d find me humming in the house, or doing my homework to. I’d have my portable cd player with me all the time, turn it on as loud as I could, slap on those clunky headphones and bathe myself in the music.
I had Howard Shore, Patrick Doyle, James Horner, John Williams, Ennio Morricone, Michael Kamen, all the big-name composers sitting side by side. But two albums that I would often play over and over and over again were Gladiator and Spirit Stallion of the Cimarron. Both composed by Hans Zimmer, his synthesized, larger than life brass, and unique pulsation of percussion instruments had a way of entrancing me, and letting me just appreciate the beauty that music composition can be. … Continue Reading
1 Chicago Update
Hello!
I am back from the windy city in all its summer glory! Two concerts of the 3rd and final installment of LOTR- the CSO and Ravinia Music Festival have proven to be one of the most exceptional orchestras I’ve ever had the opportunity to share the stage with.
With such a long-standing heritage of musicians, their ability to bring to life elements of Howard Shore’s score is simply brilliant. The LOTR movies can be an unusual project for symphony orchestras. The show requires the musical details that instrumentalists must perfect in classical repertoire, but also musicians must have the depth and stamina to play 3.5 hours with one intermission in order to make this contemporary work a success.
I find such joy seeing how this score comes to life each place we go. Having a dad as a trombone player, who used to have Northwestern and the CSO as his old stomping ground, It was such a time warp because in my dressing room, I looked up to find the EXACT same poster from Ravinia’s 50th year Anniversary season, which is the exact one hanging over my dads office for as long as I can remember! I knew the gravity and history such an institution demanded! … Continue Reading
0 Amsterdam – Concertgebouw & World Cup
Hey Everyone!
I am seeing orange all over the city of Amsterdam! Last time in the Netherlands I was singing in Rotterdam at De Doelen days before the new King Willem Alexander was being crowned. This time around it is all about the world cup! In the US, we are a little behind the rest of the world with our fascination and excitement of all things soccer. All over Europe, people go crazy as their national symbols battle their way to the finals. Here, all of a sudden loud calls, wails, and cheers echo from the many bars and dives that nestle themselves in the winding streets of the city. Even as I boarded my plane to come here, they delayed closing the gate just so we could hear the final score of The Netherlands versus Costa Rica. All of a sudden everyone was screaming, and “off in La-La Land Kaitlyn” asks- what is everyone cheering about? We just advanced to the semi-finals! Everyone on board for dinner received a complimentary flute of champagne- and that NEVER happens!
Who says Venice is the city of canals? Scattered with beautiful scenic walks, everywhere you go there is water! Outside of my hotel room window- tiny boats are docked lazily floating back and forth in the calm water as little orange flags and banners wave on every window and roof. A grandma takes her grandbaby out for a spin, and all I can think is, “Oh my goodness that little boys is so well behaved because Lily would be hanging over the rails if I left her alone like that!” … Continue Reading
0 From Monte Carlo
Hey Everyone!
I sometimes have to pinch myself… sharing the Lord of the Rings music has brought me to some beautiful places in my 10 years of touring. Sydney, Singapore, Colorado, Switzerland. But there are few cities that have been as beautiful as Monte Carlo!
Sitting here poolside looking out over the deep blue piercing water watching the yachts and sailboats float by, I feel grateful to have both sides of my life feel so in balance. Ying and yang, mom and musician, at home and abroad- it’s such a blessing to love both parts of my life so equally. Getting a break from bottles and diapers for a couple days, and basking in the beautiful music of Howard Shore with my touring family in this marvelous city- I could not ask for more! … Continue Reading
0 From Spartanburg South Carolina
Hey Everyone!
Checking in from Spartanburg South Carolina! So excited to be preparing for an amazing free Father’s Day concert with the Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra and the superb Sarah Ioannides at Barnett Park!
We are doing a concert full of my favorite pieces from FilmSong as well as some patriotic tunes to celebrate all the dads out there. For once I am not hopping a plane and dealing with jet lag- just a 3.5 hour drive with our little 2yr-old Lily watching Frozen over and over again!
This mamma is back in the saddle after the birth of our little man Weston and so anxious for upcoming gigs in the French Riviera and Amsterdam!
Checking off bucket list travel destinations one concert at a time ; ) … Continue Reading