This podcast episode is about an issue very near and dear to me. Please take the time to listen, and I would love to hear from you.

This appeared in my inbox, courtesy of The Clyde Fitch Report. It bears sharing. Also, in case anyone was concerned, I already voted this morning, and got my sticker. You can see proof on Instagram.

VOTE like your life completely depends on it.
VOTE like it's last time you may ever do so.
VOTE because it's your right and your duty.
VOTE because every vote matters
VOTE because every vote counts.
VOTE no matter why you're voting.
VOTE no matter who you vote for.
VOTE no matter what you believe in.

Make America Great Again: VOTE!

Leonard Jacobs
Executive Editor, The Clyde Fitch Report

If you haven't yet voted and you don't know where to go or what to do, check out Vote Save America.

The latest episode is out. Take a listen. Subscribe. Share with friends.

Towards the end of last season, after I'd finished my last opera gig of the season, I was having dinner with a couple of long-time singer friends who had recently joined Inspire: a choir for unity whose mission is to use music to build community and to amplify the voices of fellow community leaders who seek to improve the lives of those around them. Naturally, I was inclined to join as well, and was welcomed by a lovely group of passionate lovers of art and social justice.

Over the September 14th weekend, the choir had the distinct honor of touring Connecticut with a concert in Norwalk and on the campuses of Yale and University of Connecticut as a  fundraiser for and to promote the work of Sandy Hook Promise, which was founded in the immediate aftermath of the shooting of twenty first graders and six adults at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012. This organization is doing hopeful and inspiring work, and I was extremely moved by the words of their founder and representative at each of the concerts.

Check out both organizations. If you can, chip in a bit to support their work.

​And here's a sample of our concert from last fall (I had a little solo!):

My lovely and talented friend, Claire Kuttler, recently decided to start her own YouTube channel, "Singing with Friends". I am very honored to have been a part of her first episode, and to sing a duet with such a lovely, lovely soprano (and the fabulous Gloria Kim on piano).

​Here we are singing "Pur ti miro" from Monteverdi's opera L'incoronazione di Poppea. Enjoy, and then subscribe to her channel!

Wearing my Indie Opera Podcast co-host hat, I moderated a panel discussion entitled Women in Opera. I had never moderated a panel before, and I confess to being quite nervous. I read lots of articles. I worried over who would show up, who would be on the panel, how to dress, how to promote it.

In the end, as is true with everything, it happened. And I am proud of how it turned out. The panel was great (read about them here), and the audience was also great - enthusiastic and engaged.

Best thing about it? It was recorded, so you can watch it. Here it is:

Video taken by my friend, as we marched past St. Thomas (note the bells in the background) on Fifth Avenue during the #WomensMarchNYC. It was an amazing moment to share with half a million strangers.

Today I found myself arguing with a woman who insists that, in spite of the fact that the Alzheimer's Association reports that there is no scientific evidence to prove the connection, that aluminum causes Alzheimer's. And when challenged, she suggested that the CEO of Alz.org is in cahoots with the CEO of aluminum extraction (?) to hide this connection from the public.

This discussion made me unreasonably angry. Normally, I just ignore these things, so I must be extra sensitive today. But I don't really want to debate the merits of the argument. I want to ask a question of you all, dear readers, which is this:

What is the benefit to believing in conspiracy theories? What purpose does that serve?

Believing in God or gods serves a purpose that I can understand, whether I believe the same thing another person does or not. Following a code of ethics or morals - even if they aren't the same as mine - provides a discernable benefit. Being a disciple of science, as I am, makes sense to me. But believing in conspiracies? What does the believer get out of this? How does this help someone get through the day? Please help me understand.

Last year around this time I wrote this post on my Facebook wall. I wrote it because I was, quite literally, taking a nap in a Dunkin Donuts parking lot between gigs.

This year I was more mindful with my schedule, prioritizing sleep, and avoiding the impulse to agree to every possible gig that came my way. I said "no" a lot, which is hard because the Christmas season can be so lucrative to those of us in the professional music-making business.

And yet, while I said no, I still find myself up to my eyeballs in holiday music, and end of year business, and social engagements.

In other words, I'm sorry I haven't been writing daily. I'm overwhelmed. I hope to be back to regularly scheduled programming soon.