Since a lot of people have been asking me about this, I thought I'd put the story in one place and write down the memory for myself as well. So here we go!
Question: "How did you get picked to sing with Alfie Boe?"
My friend Nate Keller (who is awesome and I need to kiss his feet) directed the benefit concert that Alfie was headlining. That's the connection. Late Thursday night, Nate called me saying there may be an opportunity to duet with Mr. Boe and asked me if I was interested. Duh! He said it wasn't for sure, but there was a good chance. I was just flattered he asked me. My answer was, yes, please!!!! Like I would turn down an offer to sing with that voice.... Thank you, Nate!
Question: "Did you rehearse?"
I had one rehearsal. And by rehearsal, I mean I got to sing thru it once with Alfie and the orchestra. I was more nervous for the rehearsal than the performance, because I felt like all eyes were on me to make sure I wasn't horrible. I guess I wasn't too bad or he probably would have nixed the duet. Alfie was so kind though and he put me at ease. He also forgot his lyrics in our rehearsal which made me feel better considering I learned the song the day before. I mean, if he forgot his lyrics, he couldn't fault me for forgetting mine, right? (Sidenote: I did change one word during our performance...oops. It still made sense though....Can you spot it?) After our rehearsal, he gave me a hug and said, "That was lovely." Again, he is the nicest.
Question: "What was it like singing with freaking Alfie Boe."
It was a delight, of course! He came and found me before he went on to tell me he was looking forward to our performance and that I looked beautiful. You guys, what a class act. Those Brits, I tell you what.....
On stage, I was actually surprised at how calm I felt. That's probably due to the intense deep breathing I was doing the entire song before me. Or it could have been me saying, "Help me baby Jesus" over and over. We'll never know.... Also, I just decided to channel my inner Beyonce and have confidence. I knew I could do a good job.
Question: "How did you get picked to sing with Alfie Boe?"
My friend Nate Keller (who is awesome and I need to kiss his feet) directed the benefit concert that Alfie was headlining. That's the connection. Late Thursday night, Nate called me saying there may be an opportunity to duet with Mr. Boe and asked me if I was interested. Duh! He said it wasn't for sure, but there was a good chance. I was just flattered he asked me. My answer was, yes, please!!!! Like I would turn down an offer to sing with that voice.... Thank you, Nate!
Question: "Did you rehearse?"
I had one rehearsal. And by rehearsal, I mean I got to sing thru it once with Alfie and the orchestra. I was more nervous for the rehearsal than the performance, because I felt like all eyes were on me to make sure I wasn't horrible. I guess I wasn't too bad or he probably would have nixed the duet. Alfie was so kind though and he put me at ease. He also forgot his lyrics in our rehearsal which made me feel better considering I learned the song the day before. I mean, if he forgot his lyrics, he couldn't fault me for forgetting mine, right? (Sidenote: I did change one word during our performance...oops. It still made sense though....Can you spot it?) After our rehearsal, he gave me a hug and said, "That was lovely." Again, he is the nicest.
Question: "What was it like singing with freaking Alfie Boe."
It was a delight, of course! He came and found me before he went on to tell me he was looking forward to our performance and that I looked beautiful. You guys, what a class act. Those Brits, I tell you what.....
On stage, I was actually surprised at how calm I felt. That's probably due to the intense deep breathing I was doing the entire song before me. Or it could have been me saying, "Help me baby Jesus" over and over. We'll never know.... Also, I just decided to channel my inner Beyonce and have confidence. I knew I could do a good job.
Click here for the video if it doesn't come up
I love how at the beginning he came over a brought me closer to him. Initially, I just stood in the spot I did for rehearsal. Once he brought me over, I just tried to follow his lead for movement and cutoffs. Remember, one time through beforehand.
Truthfully, it isn't my best singing ever for a number of reasons.
Looking back, I probably would have liked to sing it a little more classically like in my Secret Garden days (pardon the all the military booty shots in the video). I think our voices would have blended a little better that way.
Truthfully, it isn't my best singing ever for a number of reasons.
- I had some kind of bronchitis the week before and was still dealing with the aftermath.
- Springtime allergies.
- One sing-thru
- A teeny bit of nerves
- The sound.
Looking back, I probably would have liked to sing it a little more classically like in my Secret Garden days (pardon the all the military booty shots in the video). I think our voices would have blended a little better that way.
Click here for the video if it doesn't come up
I guess there's always next time.
Thank you Nate and Alfie for the opportunity!!! It was definitely an honor.
And thank you to Mr. G for letting me cancel our plans to go camping and for being so supportive. Come what may indeed!
And thank you to Mr. G for letting me cancel our plans to go camping and for being so supportive. Come what may indeed!
Even though we both look like we're passing kidney stones, it was a good time.