We have a lot of STE_M culture - science, technology, engineering and math.

STE_M culture allows us to be right or wrong. To hypothesize, test, and review.

It's possible to seemingly perfect these things.

It's possible to compete because these things are perfectly measurable.

Measure something that's 5 inches in diameter, use mathematical formulas, build a robot, determine how to make dirty water clean again.

It's HOT right now. STE_M has been hot for years. Go on LinkedIn, any organization…

One of the main observations I've had since I moved back to the U.S. (from Germany in 2008) is this:

We live in a culturally poor culture.

There are a lot of bombastic experiences to be had here, you can go on a show that's all about "ninja warriors." You can go on national/international television and be lambasted for singing out of tune. You can be 8 years old and be called the next big opera singer.

(Aside: *facepalm*)

That isn't culture, though. It may include expectations, backgroun…

A couple of months ago my Virtual Assistant and I were discussing how under-funded the arts are in both our countries. (She lives in another country.)

I work in music and languages, she works as a Virtual Assistant, which means she does everything from graphic design to email marketing and everything in between.

We don't make cogs.

We don't fix cogs.

We don't run factories which make cogs.

We don't build and maintain the vehicles and roads which deliver cogs to businesses and individuals.

A lot of people (yell) talk about culture these days.

That yelling, I mean "talking," is part of our culture.

Our culture is loud. Obnoxiously loud.

Our culture is filled with strife and conflict. People are "always angling for something bigger/better/faster/more."

Our culture is exhausting.

Because conversations happen on a very laser-focused matter, out of context, without thought for the big picture. The big whole-of-everything.

The big whole-of-everything is our societal culture, which…

The tritone is a fantastic interval and it signals something significant: a change, a resolution, an ending, or it signals more mysterious things are ahead.

Tritones need to be resolved. Music theory says so.

So does your ear.

Nobody would like West Side Story if Maria's name were only sung as Maaa-reeeee... Did you sing it in your head?

It has to be resolved.

The tritone is dissonant to our ears, and we want the consonance of the resolution.

This interval used to be referred to as "the de…

The Elm Ensemble has more music to help sustain you this holiday season.

In the Bleak Midwinter, text by Christina Rosetti.

I've sung this song often, most frequently in the past 10 years.

This one is my favorite.

Listen on YouTube

A few weeks ago I had an interview on the Quarantine Phone Calls, which you can read about here. This is my Letter to the World.

Dear Everyone,

My heart goes out to you, whether you're here in Milwaukee or as far away as Iran, Japan, or South Africa. I want to send you courage. Courage to ask for the help you need, courage to face every moment as it arises. Courage to remember that every day is a step in the right direction.

I also want to send you honest. Honesty so you can feel every emotio…

Feel free to download whichever color you like best. Right-click to save the image.

There's a cranberry color, a dark blue and an Irish green one just for Matthew Thompson. Thanks again for having me on your podcast, Matthew!

Singers are usually on very stretched budgets, and now's the time to learn some reeeeeeally cheap recipes that are good now and in other, less interesting times. ;-)

This first one is new to me, the second recipe is for a lentil soup. A client of mine sent me this recipe a long time ago and it's good in all seasons, with different spices, etc. I freeze single portions and

1. Navajo Flatbread

(Found on FB via Joyce Larson and Brandon Johnson)

Navajo Flatbread:
Makes 6

2 cups flour
1 - 1 1/4…

If you know of someone in need of some courage, please share this post with that person.