Day 1 of Ellington put a smile on my face. the kids are great and my mentor teacher is phenomenal. I was just observing and getting aquainted with the set up of things so yeah, i'm probably in over my head and don't even know it yet, but for today, i'm smiling.

It'll be interesting to figure out what classes i'm actually gonna be taking over, the schedule there is such that a whole department of teachers carry a whole variety of vocal classes and so i'll have to divide me time between theory and choir, opera workshop and vocal classes, and then trying to watch the show choirs and jazz instrumentalists, ect. Wouldn't pass up a good jazz set for the world.

Speaking of jazzzzzz....

The duke ellington jazz festival is going on this week in DC so Nnenna Freelon, a 6-time grammy nominee, came and did a workshop with the kids today. I loved it! Her scatting ability is incredible (for those new to the vocal lingo that's when you use a bunch of made up syllables and words and put them to improvised music, sounds like rubbish but good rubbish). Listen to her when you get a minute. you'll feel better.

Today was probably a little glorified, but even if it's only like this every once in a blue moon it was excitement enough. The intimidation factor has been diminished so that's good, i finally think i might have learned something in college. the strange looks still come when i mention i came all the way from utah (where's that??) but they're fun kids, full to the brim with attitude :) It's a good feeling walkin out of school for the day, knowing "ms. clark is tight." i just might survive this.