Here is the link to listen online: 

http://www.whysradio.org/listennow.php

Please tune in!!

It took us three years to assemble the lineup of musicians we recorded Synergy with.  In reflection, the way the universe brought us all together was ultimately very special-filled with stress, growth, joy and pain.  It is easy to hold an image in your mind of how you want things to go, how they should appear, yet the universe has another plan altogether.  It's that natural progression and order that we've got to get in contact with.  After you've hit your head against the wall too many times over that image you insist on some letting go begins to relieve your soul.

We received the mastered disc from our sound engineer a few days into the New Year (recording took place in July and August).  We set a CD release show on March 3 and that officially set our timeline for getting our stuff together.  Because we are releasing an album of all original tunes we needed to get the music copyrighted.  I was SUPER-overwhelmed with just the thought of this.  I get scared of processes I am unfamiliar with, I am not a good cold-caller for booking, I get overwhelmed by too many web pages to search or hoops to jump through.  Enough digression...I found this article on my favorite DIY music site: http://www.musicianwages.com/the-working-musician/registering-copyrights-for-musicians/ And suddenly the process wasn't so scary and $70 bucks later Ryan and I each have an application sent in to copyright.gov. Done.

For this release I do not think we are even going to hard press any CDs except for promo purposes.  We are going to be on itunes, amazon MP3, CD Baby and various online retailers.  It is pretty darn exciting.

Thank you for supporting DIY musicians!!!

blessings to you.

I really need some affordable photograpy work done.  Please drop me a line if you know of any desiners and photographers in the Milwaukee area who can work with someone on a tight budget.

I am taking a break from leading my own groups. 

I am dedicated to my teaching studio, a place that has brought so many beautiful people into my life, I am dedicated to my children's choir program, I am dedicated to my husband and to my home.

Is re-invention possible?  Yes, when I face who I am and not who I think I want to be musically, then it will feel brand new because the conflict will be over.  Bye-bye to the girl I have tried to present on this website.  It might take a month, it might take 10 years but the real Celia will emerge.

Thank you.



There are some exciting new ventures brewing for fall!  Stay posted and I will fill you in as they begin to unfold.  I will give one hint...I am expanding my business into Milwaukee!

During the morning and afternoon of April 2, I had the wonderful experience of taking my choir to work with over 200 other students at the Roots and Wings Festival hosted by the Milwaukee Children's Choir.  This was such an awesome experience for the kids and myself.  The energy was so positive and the kids loved the experience.  We put in a lot of work preparing the music and working out the logistics.  In the end, I think the families were happy the kids had an opportunity to participate and be apart of something special.

On Friday, March 25, I had the opportunity to hear a live performance by Mauvais Sort, a French-Canadian ensemble.  All I can say is "Wow". This group was amazing, got the crowd going and put on a phenomenal show!

On Saturday, March 26, I headed down to the Milwaukee Reperotire Theater and saw the Play Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.  I though this play was going to be about recording in the 1920s and the music of Ma Rainey.  The play was about the life experiences of the black musicians in the band.  It was a powerful performance and the message resonated in my spirit.  It saddens me that prejudice is still running to rampant in our world.

On Friday, April 1, I went and saw the Mummies of the World Exhibit at the Milwaukee Public Museum.  This was interesting and cool to see.  I have a new understanding of what mummies are.  After the mummy exhibit we enjoyed a delicious dinner of Korean BBQ at Seoul Korean Restaurant on Milwaukee's East Side.  This is one of my favorite places to eat in Milwaukee and you get an extensive platter of side dishes to accompany the meal.  On the evening of the 1st we headed over to the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts and watched the Milwaukee ballet perform 3.  The company performed three modern works by three different choreographers.  This was a new experience for me and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.

Here are some related links:

http://www.thedelafieldhotel.com

http://www.schauercenter.org/CSA/KMCC/index.html

http://www.mauvaissort.com

http://www.milwaukeerep.com

http://www.mpm.edu

http://www.milwaukeeballet.org

 The process of The Artist's Way includes daily writing (3 pages every morning), weekly reading, weekly tasks and a weekly artist date.  The Artist date helped me see that I needed to make time for my artistic side-something separate from the daily grind- the daily grind blocks the artist within.  Affirmations and prayer are also a part of the process, nurturing your beaten down artist back to health!

After it was all said and done I made some changes spiritually.  I began to get in touch with my music on a more intimate level and worked to not think about it as a product.  I decided that I was ready to work with a voice coach which got me into the routine of practicing a lot more.  I started going to more concerts of artists that excite me and discovered some new artists that I love. 

So, my new form of inspiration is this: when I need to create and my mind is not moving my body into the studio to get started, I pull up a Kurt Elling or Adele interview from NPR, I find a concert of a musician that I love and watch a few minutes of it and there it comes, the spark of inspiration arrives and next thing I am in the studio composing, practicing or doing something creative.

http://www.theartistsway.com/

I have grown in my relationship with myself as a person and musician.  I use that "extra" time during the day to practice and grow musically.  I take time for daily prayer, meditation and affirmations.  I call friends more on the telephone now, make time for the ones I love and those that make time for me.

Many wonderful changes have taken place in recent months.

First, my studio has grown up to 27 students.  Once the New Year hit I received many phone calls and emails for new students.  I had a few openings and took on a few new students.  It's been exciting to watch my studio grow via word of mouth.  I am so happy that people have good things to say about the work I've been doing.  I could not do it without all of the wonderful families I work with.

Second, I've started working with a vocal coach.  Many musicians take on teachers and mentors as their careers evolve to the next level.  I went through many changes to get to the point where I was ready to take that step.  The lessons I've taken, thus far, have given me so much to work on.

Third, I've discovered some amazing female singer/songwriter/instrumentalists in recent weeks.  They've gien me some newfound inspiration to continue looking within to hone my own voice.

Fourth, I got to see Karrin Allyson-my favorite jazz singer-last weekend.  She was my first vocal influence.  She takes an instrumentalist approach to the voice that gives her a style like no other.

Fifth, I am working on a lot of new tunes.  I am in a major incubation period right now.  Shedding my vocal technique, piano and flute.

Last- check out the links related to my post.

my vocal coach: http://www.ellenwinters.com

amazing singer/instrumentalists: http://www.ingridmichaelson.com and http://beccastevens.com/home.php

Karrin: www.karrin.com

Until next time...