Huntington, Long Island

A sticky summer afternoon, we pull into this quaint Long Island Town and unload for our first stop on a Summer Northeast Tour. We are greeted by a willing staff of technical gurus ready to get us prepped for an evening concert. The setting is idyllic - a beautiful park dotted with ponds and shady trees. The ampitheatre looks out over the grassy hill. We are eager to get on stage and excited to make music here.

People shuffle in, set up lawn chairs, spread out blankets and prepare for the show. Tonight, we'll switch things up a bit. Change the order. The beauty of my performance is that the audience never quite knows what's coming next. My musicians enter the stage to warm up the audience. I enter, looking a bit like a wood nymph in my spare white chiffon frock - legs steady in floral stilettos. The first song is a chilean-inspired love lament - flirty and bit aggressive. Next we move through the crossover set - A little English, a little Italian, a beautiful showcase of legato line and pure singing. Then we ditch the demure and take a turn to the Sexy with a fado-inspired Purcell aria and an Argentinian Tango. We end the set with a Little Summertime, Jazz and Blues... and I understand why that writer from The Record compares me to a young Streisand. In years passed that reference would have surprised me, but now I'm just honored.

A short break before we return and continue our musical tour. A little Gaelic, a little Pop then we land in our signature set. I take a brief respite and showcase the talent that I am priviledged to share the stage with. They play "Spain" and I return for the song that is quickly becoming my signature, "Malaguena". We end it with little Rumba sing-along. and Exit the stage to boisterous applause.

People ask me if I miss singing Opera. I've never looked back. I love the unexpected and the discovery of a new style. Challenging my self-imposed traditions/parameters and dressing my voice in the musical cultures of the world!

It's a good night. Thank you, Huntington.