AN OPEN LETTER TO MY STUDENTS
June 2020
Dear Alice, Easton, Elizabeth, Julissa, Leah, Marjorie and Nickolas:
I’ve left for sabbaticals in the past and that was difficult enough, but this is a very permanent sabbatical since I’m retiring in a few weeks from the University of Oregon. But I leave knowing you all have great tools to be your own teachers in the future.
Over this crazy term, I have heard some of the most beautiful singing from all of you ( in spite of the pandemic challenges!). I’ve witnessed you taking huge leaps forward with your your technical, musical and interpretive skills. But most importantly, you've made wonderful strides in your learning processes and as a result, have emerged as more creative and self-reliant musicians!
Over this crazy term, I have heard some of the most beautiful singing from all of you ( in spite of the pandemic challenges!). I’ve witnessed you taking huge leaps forward with your your technical, musical and interpretive skills. But most importantly, you've made wonderful strides in your learning processes and as a result, have emerged as more creative and self-reliant musicians!
I was so sad when we had to cancel our Bouquet of Voices concert in March due to the pandemic. And I could kick myself for not having recorded your absolutely fabulous dress rehearsal.
This post and movie of excerpts of your singing throughout the year is my parting gift to you! You are all amazing and I love you all!
Milagro
Below is the statement that was to appear in the program of our concert, which explains the title "Bouquet of Voices", written by Marjorie Sheiman.
"This evening’s concert theme, Bouquet of Voices was chosen by our class. For those who don't know, this is Professor Vargas' last studio recital before she retires in June. If you've ever had a lesson with Professor Vargas, you've probably heard the flower metaphor. She never has a favorite student or voice type, because each student is talented in his or her own way. In her words, "how could you compare a rose to a violet? Both are beautiful, but both are incredibly different." At the end of her 25+ years as a professor here at the University of Oregon, we're proud to be the final flowers in her bouquet of voice students.
…the students of Milagro Vargas"
BOUQUET OF VOICES IN OUR STUDIO
…the students of Milagro Vargas"
BOUQUET OF VOICES IN OUR STUDIO
MARJORIE: DAHLIA
Some meanings of dahlias are:
- Staying graceful under pressure, especially in challenging situations
- Drawing upon inner strength to succeed
- Traveling and making a major life change in a positive way
- Standing out from the crowd and following your own unique path
- Staying kind despite being tested by certain life events
- Commitment to another person or a certain ideal
Marjorie, like the dahlia with its multi-layered petals, you are in possession of so many wonderful attributes as a human being and artist. You are kind. You are funny. You are generous. You are fearless, smart and loving! When you perform, we believe you! Your natural talent for creating a character has provided a model for your colleagues and everyone has learned from watching you perform. You have the strength of your convictions with the ability to sing with passion, abandon and artistry. When you allow your special instrument to reveal all of these qualities with its beauty and sense of purpose, you are capable of taking us on the most wonderful journeys. It has been such a privilege and honor to be your teacher. Promise me you will never lose sight of these and the many other gifts you possess and that you will continue to treasure them!
JULISSA: LOTUS FLOWER
The lotus flower grows in the deep mud, far away from the sun. And after a night submerged in the murky water, it re-blooms the next morning without any residue on it petals. For this reason, it’s regarded in many different cultures, as a symbol of purity, enlightenment, self-regeneration and rebirth.
Julissa, like the lotus flower, you constantly astound me with your ability to go to the heart of anything you touch. You are able to penetrate ideas, poetry, and music with deep meaning; meaning derived from the depths of those "murky waters" and emerges with clarity, beauty and insight. You have shown us how to be courageous and meet our challenges by embracing our fears! You did that for yourself and for us when you decided to conquer your performance anxieties by choosing to sing in class as much as possible even though it was so scary. You trusted (difficult as it was) that if you put yourself in that position week after week, you would eventually emerge stronger, braver and even more radiant. And you did! Please nurture all these gifts for the rest of your life!
LEAH: WILD IRIS
When looking up the iris, I encountered two possible meanings. In Greek, the name “Iris” translates as “rainbow,” which is one iris definition. There’s another Greek word, “eiris,” which means, “messenger,” having to do with words.
“Eloquence” is a quality associated with the iris flower because it relates to the messages a Greek goddess carried for the gods from the Underworld. The messages, containing well-chosen words embodied “eloquence” and communication. And along the way, the Goddess would travel encountering “rainbows” as she moved between heaven and earth, which explains the other iris definition.
Leah, like the iris, you have impressed me with your unique gift of eloquence. Your love of ideas and words, your curiosity and convictions about the world around you are a few of the many special gifts you possess. Your ability to excavate a poem in order to arrive at its ultimate meaning and interpretation is such an important quality for any musician. Trust your special gift of eloquence and that your desire to communicate will always guide you in everything you do. Your voice has blossomed in so many ways these past months. And you are learning that the best way to achieve your goals is to allow your instrument to be the messenger. When you do, you become that Greek goddess and you take your audience on the most wonderful voyage to unknown lands, using your beautiful voice so expressively to explore the most exquisite colors of your rainbow of sound! What a pleasure it's been to witness! Please hold this and your many gifts close to your heart!
EASTON: MOONFLOWER
The moonflower is a symbol for the growth potential of the soul and personality when we are faced with challenging and difficult periods in our lives. The moonflower is a night flower that needs the night to grow and blossom. The darkness of night provides transformation.
Like the moonflower, Easton you have shown me how capable you are of deep transformation. You possess such sensitivity, such depth of emotion and such insight and honesty with yourself and others. These traits have allowed you to grow and transform yourself into the musician you are! Having watched you develop over the past two years has been such a privilege. Your ability to understand sophisticated musical concepts and be able to express those concepts with your beautiful voice has been such a source of satisfaction for me as your teacher. You use these gifts when you sing the music of Schubert, Wolf, Mozart and others. I love watching you react to a great composition for the first time. It's pure joy! Like the moonflower, I know you will continue to use the many moments of quiet and solitude ahead of you to allow yourself to imagine, learn and grow for the rest of your life!
ELIZABETH: VIOLET
Violets are associated with love, healing, transition, intuition and spiritual connection. In Native American culture, the violet is also associated with a concept called the “liminal”. It’s a state of being that is neither this nor that just as twilight is neither day nor night. The “liminal” is a magical transitional space.
A Native American legend claims the violet is a child born from both earth and sky. And as such, it’s considered symbolic of balance and harmony, the mediator between heaven and earth.
Elizabeth, you are one of those people who doesn't always show (in standard ways) what’s going on inside of you. And I’ve learned that it doesn’t mean you aren’t feeling or experiencing. In fact, over the years, I’ve watched you grow and be able to communicate and share your love of poetry and music in your songs. You understand phrasing and harmony at a very advanced level. And like the "liminal" association with the violet, you too, inhabit two "spaces" at the same time. I think when you sing, you are in that magical “liminal space” and you exist in a realm that is both deeply personal and also reaching out to share and communicate with your audience. When you allow yourself to be this vessel of communication, it’s a wonderful thing. The beauty of your voice rings in harmony with the world. What a special gift it's been for me to watch you grow as a musician and human being. Congratulations on your graduation!
NICK: CHRISTMAS CACTUS
Nick, I wasn’t able to find any official symbolic meaning attached to the Christmas cactus. But because the plant is capable of such endurance, sometimes 20-30 years, an apt association is considered to be “loyalty.” And when I think of you, I get the feeling you are a very loyal person indeed.
The Christmas cactus has sturdy flat leaves with curved spikes that are strung together, finishing with the flower buds. At the end of autumn or the start of winter the buds unfold and surprise you with purple, red, white, orange or pink flowers.
We’ve only worked for three terms. But in those three terms, you have gained more solidity with your technique and learning process. I am beginning to hear a wonderful stability in your sound and its natural beauty is emerging like those wonderful flower buds on the Christmas cactus.
You taught me how to care for my Christmas cactus, how not to over water it by recognizing when it’s had enough water. Thank you! You are learning how to do that for yourself as a singer/musician. You are learning how to listen to your body and voice to recognize what it feels like when you are singing freely! You are learning how to properly study a piece of music from the beginning and not skip steps and "over-water" like I was doing with my Christmas cactus! So, stay loyal and patient and follow your instincts and you will reap those rewards and so will we all!
ALICE: PEONY
With their lush, full, rounded bloom, peonies embody romance, prosperity and compassion. They are regarded as an omen of good fortune and a happy marriage. Peonies can also symbolize bashfulness.
Alice, like the beautiful peony, with its many layers and petals you possess so much talent and beauty. And until recently, your shyness has also been a quality you possess. But the Peony can’t help that we all admire its beauty. It just IS! And you are beginning to really own and accept the talent you possess! In these last voice lessons, I have been so thrilled to observe you deliver performances that tell me your love of music is the strongest quality and that your shyness is secondary to your need to share your knowledge and love of music with us. You understand music at a sophisticated level. Your voice, your intellect, your musicianship need to be shared and not held captive. So, please continue to love the music, composers and poets above all else and allow your talent and love of music to continually grow and stand out because the world needs it. Cherish these gifts and nurture them so they can continue to grow so that others can enjoy them as well!
"BOUQUET OF VOICES" VIDEO WITH EXCERPTS OF PAST PERFORMANCES
(in order of appearance)
Marjorie Sheiman
Alice Somerville
Leah Burian
Easton Marks
Elizabeth Reynaud
Julissa Martinez
Nickolas Perini
