Yeah I know I should probably have a more interesting headline for this post, but in all honesty what does one say when this is the first post of the year? I haven't typed up one of these in a while - I'm a terrible person, I know - and if it wasn't for my new accountability partner sitting all the way across the world hounding me for a new post, I don't even know that I would have found the time for this one. Heck, when I logged on I even forgot what my page looked like. So I guess I should thank and dedicate this post to Lisa Johnstone.
It's been about a year since my last post and a lot has happened in my life, obviously. My first year at NYFA was like the thrill of a lifetime. I feel like I got some of the best training money could buy all the while building awesome friendships. Both semesters culminated in performance showcases which were received very well and I was so proud to have been a part of them. We sang awesome group numbers throughout the year including "I Feel So Much Spring" (A New Brain), "He Wanted To Say" (Ragtime), "Heartbreak Hotel" (All Shook Up), "Dirt" (Sweet Smell of Success), and "Twenty-Something" by Kerrigan and Lowdermilk. I got to showcase myself with a bit of pop and musical theatre by doing "How To Save A Life" by The Fray as well as "The Mason" from the musical Working. Here are a couple of rough videos of some our performances/rehearsals:
And just as a little bonus... some of my Stage Combat classwork... LOL...
After my first year, I deferred a semester a semester because of some administrative issues, but this was a great time for me because it was summer and I could explore even more of this city, take a lot of dance classes, check out the audition scene as well as be in my first NYC reading. Now I'm in a class with a new group of talented people who I am honored to call friends. We just performed our third semester showcase a couple of weeks back and it got some great feedback. I sang a beautiful Scott Alan song called "It's Good To See You Again" and we did cool group numbers and scenes. Right now we are in the process of putting together our final project at NYFA: an original musical short film.
As I posted on Facebook recently, I feel so incredibly blessed to say that after the efforts of Project 177, all the scholarships, my parents and everyone else's faith in me, I am a couple months away from graduating and I am completely debt free. The number of miracles surrounding this story is incredible. It's an amazing feeling and I am just so awe of everything that has led my life to this point.
A major part of my life in this city for this past year (and for many years to come) has been my involvement in my church, Hillsong New York City. I cannot even begin to describe the amazing family I have in these people. I love that I get to do life with them and serve this beautiful city. Occupying all streets all day err' day.
After graduation, I am most probably going to be staying in NYC pursuing a career over here. I would love to still be involved in projects back home as much as possible, but the most feasible option for me is to have NYC as my home base. There are a few immigration challenges which I face, but who doesn't love a challenge.
I'm pretty sure there are a bunch of things I haven't written about because they have slipped my mind as I type this thing up. If thats the case it's either not that important or I'll just include it in the next post (hopefully NOT a year from now). Thank you so much for reading my rants and raves. Im so amazed by the number of people that actually show interest in this blog. I love you all!
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