Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts’ Post

Check out my blog on Black History in the opera realm

Dance is Design, too. I started to dance better thanks to Design System Thinking and Motion Design principles. Further, there is a field called Stage Design. Look at it with a conceptual eye, and you'll see the work at play. #Dance #Art #Technology #Shadow #Light #Highlight #Reflection #Collective #Growth #InnovationCulture

Can’t say it’s not an interesting design.

With a frightening lack of focus on the importance of an arts education the consequences will hit us for decades. Government policy needs to move swiftly and distinctly to support creative education in schools, colleges and Universities as a matter of urgency. This is not just about having ‘stories’ to tell. It is about nurturing and recognising the importance of these creative skills in business and corporate environments too. We need smart people in positions of authority and power - in all organisations. Time for change.

Forget local authority, government or agency funding. These are either unavailable or not sustainable and can kill creativity when working within their specific guidelines. Instead, research what the local demographic want or need and provide it. Think of ways that you can entice an audience or participation within different localities and cultures. Be brave, do it alone or with like minded colleagues. Involve yourself in local festivals, fetes, fairs or the like. Hire local halls or theatres. Involve youth clubs and/or schools. Show people what you offer and educate about the impact of the arts on wellbeing and social inclusion.

It's the 100 year anniversary of the iconic and legendary Maria Callas who transformed not only opera, but also culture and fashion.🎉 🌐The "Callas Phenomenon" Known for her captivating presence, Callas graced not only the opera stages but also the covers of mainstream magazines like Time, showcasing her appeal that went beyond the classical music audience. She was unique in engaging popular culture, rather than just sticking to the opera houses like her counterparts. 🎶The Artistry of Callas Her artistry set new standards in opera, influencing generations of musicians and redefining vocal performance. Musicians today, even those born after her passing, continue to draw inspiration from her work. Her vocal range was extraordinary, covering both dramatic soprano and bel canto roles with mastery. But Callas' performance capabilities were unmatched; she had an anointing to make the audience feel something. 🌹Beyond the Stage Unfortunately, Callas's personal life mirrored the drama of her roles, marked by glamorous highs and tragic lows. Her story resonates with the narratives of cultural icons like Marilyn Monroe, adding a layer of intrigue to her artistic persona. It's important to remember that - whether we like a celebrity or not - each person has a lot more complexity than meets the eye; it can be easy to criticize someone, but we don't have the whole picture - who knows what someone might be going through! 🎤Centennial Reflections One of our major themes in Living Opera (cc Soula Parassidis) is that these iconic singers - notably, Maria Callas - may not have been perfect (because, really, who is?), but they have made substantial contributions that we need to remember. And that memory should not fade after the centennial; we need to cherish it year after year because the lessons can guide us to live better and healthier lives. For those who want to learn more, below in the comments are links to two informative stories by Jay Nordlinger in National Review and Tom Huizenga in NPR that elaborate on her legacy. #MariaCallas #Culture #Fashion #Opera #Music #Art

Know your value. 🌟 Seek environments where you're truly appreciated and valued. 💼 Consider this: A world-renowned violinist played for 45 minutes in the New York subway. 🎻 Despite his talent and a $3.5 million violin, he only earned $30 in tips. 😔 That violinist? Joshua Bell. Just days before, he sold out a Boston theater with $100 tickets. 🎫 This experiment highlights how exceptional talent in an ordinary setting can be overlooked. 🌟 Conclusion: There are countless talented individuals out there who deserve recognition. 🌟 Arm yourself with confidence, and don't settle for environments that don't appreciate you. 💪 Trust your instincts and seek where you can thrive! 🌟 #KnowYourWorth #ValueYourself #TrustYourInstincts

★ The Mad Hatter's Tea Party from 'Alice in Wonderland' with Rosa Hersee as Alice and Arthur Elliot as the Hatter, at the Opera Comique Theatre in London, 1898. #oldphotos #historydaily #historyinpictures #history #rarephotos #vintagephotography #rare #photos #historylovers #historyfacts #historical #ancienthistory #historicalphotos #oldphoto #rarehistorypohotos #images #american #usa .

Link Between Strategy Discovery & Sydney Opera House Nothing prepares you for the beauty of the Sydney Opera House. Its location in a gorgeous harbour with water on three sides is breath taking. My book, Strategy Discovery, has travelled to "see" it. Building the Sydney Opera House wasn't like the usual construction. It was a journey of discovery. Nothing like it had been built before and the engineering challenges were immense. This is just part of its journey: "The entire construction period of the Sydney Opera House was beset with problems. First, the podium was found to be not strong enough to support the shells and needed extensive reworking as early as 1963. Then the problem of the shells, which were elliptical, parabolic and finally spherical, took six years to resolve." The whole project took 14 years to complete and, of course, was way over budget. And what does this have to do with Strategy Discovery? Put simply, 1) you learn as you go and 2) you learn from outsiders. So, the next time you embark on your strategic planning workshop just remember it's always a work-in-progress. You won't have all the answers when you finish. Don't expect to. If you'd like to know more, the link to my book is in the comments below. Cheers. #strategydiscovery #businessstrategy #innovation #sydneyoperahouse Meredith Norwich Mark Wiggins

Check out this story about my friend, her inspiring journey, and the magic and power of art and recovery!