Singer finds TCC helpful for voice

Student of Sr. Margaret O’Connor

After having attended my cabaret show at “Don’t Tell Mama” in New York City, Carolyn Perkins, with the approval of Sister Antonia, invited me to perform my show at the T’ai Chi Chih Teachers’ Conference 2000 in New Jersey. The performance took place on Friday evening, July 21st, at the Xavier Center, St. Elizabeth College, Convent Station. My accompanist that evening was Dr. Don Fornuto of William F. Paterson University, Wayne, New Jersey.

Throughout my performance that evening, I was delighted by the warmth and graciousness emanating from the audience. There was such a strong connection between us and I knew my storytelling in the songs of our great American composers was touching each and every person in the room.

In the course of my show, I revealed the fact that I was a devotee of T’ai Chi Chih, which pleased everyone in attendance. My introduction to T’ai Chi Chih came from my sister, Sister Margaret O’Connor, a T’ai Chi Chih teacher. Margaret had given me Justin Stone’s video, and of course, some private lessons.

Since starting to do T’ai Chi Chih two years ago, I have found greater freedom and energy in my singing. This is evidenced in my performances where I feel just as fresh after an hour’s singing as when I began. This past February, I recorded my first CD, which meant eight hours at a time in the studio. My musical director, Christopher Marlowe, was astounded that I was able to record twice the usual number of songs in one session than most singers are able to complete. Having recorded 14 songs in two days is directly related, not just to my vocal technique, but to the stamina I have achieved through T’ai Chi Chih.

I am very grateful to my sister, Sister Margaret, for introducing me to T’ai Chi Chih, and to Carolyn Perkins and Sister Antonia for inviting me to perform at Conference 2000. It afforded me the opportunity to meet Justin Stone, who is also a fine musician, with a wealth of knowledge of the music of our Great American Songbook. I saw and heard this firsthand at our impromptu musical rendezvous at the piano after my performance, which was a great joy! Also, to have met so many beautiful people in the audience that evening, whose warmth and generosity of spirit certainly speaks highly of the type of person drawn to T’ai Chi Chih and of all that T’ai Chi Chih evokes from each individual. I do hope our paths cross again. In the meantime, we will think “continuity and gentleness.”