By Natasha Barbieri
What does singing mean to you?
Singing is my niche, it is my release and my way of expressing anger, happiness, and any other emotion. It is what I want to do, I want to sing my entire life.
Have you been singing ever since you were a little girl or was singing something you discovered later on?
Well, I’ve always been singing, not that it was good, but I just always have liked it. I guess I started “seriously” training when I was nine, and then the love for it just grew from there, when you learn that it’s an art form, and it’s difficult.
You have been training for six years now. What do you think is the most important lesson you have learned so far?
Singing safely. My voice teacher Gina Lapka trains you so you don’t kill your voice. She teaches you true technique, that supports your entire body for singing.
Who is your musical inspiration?
I have to say my voice teacher, in every way she is my musical inspiration. She is so down to earth, so caring, and her voice is out of this world. I would love to sing just like her.
Classical music is obviously your first love, but do you have any interest in pursuing opera or the crossover style, maybe even Broadway?
I definitely want to pursue an opera career; Broadway has been a consideration, but I believe Opera is the one. In terms of music tastes… I learn towards Indie, weird I know.
Who is your favorite composer to sing and why?
I haven’t had enough training to decide yet, Mozart is particularly fun, but I love songs in really awkward keys and minors.
What are your musical goals for the future?
My ultimate dream is to sing at the Metropolitan Opera. I want to be a professional and to share the art of opera with others.
Please share your favorite or most special performances to date.
I had a benefit concert before going to Denver for MTNA music nationals. It was amazing, I’ve never felt so alive singing before. I wish I could feel that whenever I sing.
Your online performance video is so poised and professional. Do you still get nervous or are you passed that at this point?
I am a nervous wreck before performing, in fact, that video is the benefit concert I was talking about, backstage I was crying because I was so nervous. I believe you need to nervous before you perform because it serves as an adrenaline rush. Once you get past the first few words of the song, you’re usually okay.
Besides singing what else do you enjoy doing?
I love performing in general, I used to take ballet, and I make take it up again this year. I’m in a band called Tree-noise, which me and my buddies do in our spare time. Baking, cooking, writing, playing piano, and guitar, theater and of course being a Montana girl, hiking, biking, and being outdoors in general. Really my interests expand in so many ways that I couldn’t possibly write them all. I’m just filled to the brim of randomness, whether it be family, music tastes, and activities.
Featured in our Summer 2008 Issue.
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