Back in July this year I entered a student writing competition run by UCAS and The Times.
“We are looking for entries to remind us that higher education is good for the brain and the soul. The winning entries will help us develop a balanced narrative about the benefits of higher education that goes beyond the financial and career paybacks to help inspire future generations of students to enjoy learning at degree level.
This isn’t about finding out boring stuff like describing a typical day at university, we want to hear inspiring thoughts from students about the joys of learning, about studying at degree level in a subject they are passionate about, and about how university can expand the mind and broaden your horizons.
There are four categories to enter under, Arts & Humanities; Business & Vocational; Social Sciences and STEM. Each category winner will receive £3k, a day at The Times newspaper, six month digital subscription to The Times and winning entries published on The Times online. The overall winner will receive an additional £2k taking the total up to £5k.
The entries were to be between 400 and 500 words long and sent in an email (no attachments), by the closing date.”
I busily put pen to paper, well actually I typed it, and then sent off my entry. Then with fingers crossed I waited 🙂
Yesterday the winner was announced ………
🙁 It wasn’t me. But I would like to congratulate the winner Elena Chabo, 20, a second year student at the University of Edinburgh who is doing a degree in anthropology and archaeology.
There were 2,500 entries and you can read her winning essay and those of the runners up on the times online website ( Link )
I have added my entry below and if you have time to read through it I would love to hear your comments 🙂
I study Music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland; a new undergraduate curriculum was introduced in my first year which is why I chose this Conservatoire from my CUKAS offers. I loved the idea of interdisciplinary collaboration as I also love to dance and act in addition to my true passion singing. My parents didn’t attend university and had never heard of Conservatoires but persuading them that this was the route for me wasn’t difficult as they know how much passion I have for the performing arts.
The RCS Head of Vocal Performance gets to know the students by first name and is truly inspirational as are the other fabulous staff. I have just completed my first year and it simply flew by, I’ve been involved in the RCS choir and Les Sirenes, a female chamber choir that won BBC Choir Of the Year 2012, this year we have performed at many venues including The Gleneagles Hotel for the Scottish National. I have collaborated with the Film Studies department and in group work that has expanded my creative awareness and allowed me to work with talented individuals across different disciplines. I have fabulous vocal coaches that are both nurturing and demanding of my best, Kathleen McKellar-Ferguson encourages me to enter competitions and concerts and has spent lots of time on vocal technique expecting me to practise and learn lyrics in my own time to make the most of my lessons with her which is perfect for me. There is lots of emphasis on a true healthy voice and body. I also have classes in piano and piano accompaniment which was a new skill for me. I also had an opportunity to act in a student production called “Si l’enfant ne dort pas bien”. I have been developing new language skills in Italian and next year I will be studying German.
I am an advocate of the arts and use my new blog www.charlottehoatherblog to discuss my learning journey and arts education with a wide range of readers, I have 2,500 followers and 25,800 visits in three months. I log the fabulous opportunities I have experienced by being a part of the Conservatoire from creating the surtitles for two RCS Operas; a singing trip to Italy; a charity fundraiser for the Rotary Club. I also write opinion pieces for example; ‘Classical music is for all classes’, ‘arts funding’; poetry and how it’s good for your soul, Serendipity, Learning how to make a living out of music and many more as the conservatoire is widening my knowledge.
My course is for four years and I took on a full student loan for tuition and accommodation and I truly feel it is worth every penny. Spending 100% of my time doing exactly what I want to do to achieve my dream of being a world class artist is simply divine.
Your passion for the arts comes through very clearly.
Also, the photo at the top of the post is great!
Thank you Eric I’m glad you thought I expressed myself well, improving my writing is a big target of mine, the photograph was taken at a concert with the Tideswell Choir in Romiley last year by their photographer.
All the best
Charlotte
You will go far in life Charlotte. You seem to have the drive, the talent and the tenacity to stick at what you love in order to succeed. Good for you. As for the writing, loved it.
Uncle Spike
Thanks Uncle Spike, I appreciate it. The student that won my category is studying classics at Durham University and his entry was very impressive, quoting Plato and comparing himself to Alexander the Great. Maybe I should have mentioned Aristotle’s views on Music 😉
Best wishes
Charlotte
I agree Charlotte – your passion for the arts really shines through in your essay. Beautifully written – well done!
I had so much I wanted to say to cut it down below 500 words was a challenge for a wordy person like me :). My brother told me about it near to the deadline so I didn’t have much time to think about my entry but it was from the heart.
Thank you and best wishes
Charlotte
You Wrote exceptionally well, but it reads more about You, rather than your passion for learning, I don’t know much about essays though, I never went to any university, And it “was” wonderful to hear all the things you are accomplishing!
Oooh good point, oops ;). It’s probably because I’m really passionate about myself lol. Learning is just an aid to improve myself he he. I’ll remember next time I enter something like this, did you read the winning entries they were very impressive.
Best wishes
Thank you for stopping by my blog, Charlotte! (My niece that’s due to arrive in December will be named Finley Charlotte.) I’m so totally jealous on two counts! One, that you have the talent to be studying voice. (I’m not THAT good of a singer… I can “hold my own” in a musical’s chorus and that’s about it.) AND that you are studying in Scotland. One of my directors from when I did theatre is actually from Glasgow.
My friend at work called his son Finn recently, that’s the first time I heard the names Finn and Finley lovely choice.
I’d never been to Glasgow before my audition, it is a lovely City and we have The Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next summer so that will be fabulous.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I think the last line you wrote says it all … “Spending 100% of my time doing exactly what I want to do to achieve my dream of being a world class artist is simply divine.” I think you will go far.
Thank you Chris that a lovely confidence boost 😉
All the best
Charlotte
Well done for entering and thanks for the link – fantastic reading!
It’s really interesting to read the other entries and to see fellow students as passionate about their learning adventures as me. These experiences are a great learning curve and I’m glad I entered.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Reblogged this on Change is Never Ending.
Wonderfully written, and I wholeheartedly agree with your sentiments 🙂 I think it’s great to take part in essay writing challenges like this – whether you win or not – and your contribution was definitely very good.
May I ask where your article “classical music is for all classes” is published? This is an issue very dear to my own heart, as a lifelong lover of music, an amateur pianist and a patron of the London Symphony Orchestra. I’m always looking for ways to expand the reach and appeal of classical music, and I would love to read more of your writing.
Cheers,
Sam
Hi Sam
Thank you for your lovely comments I appreciate them. I have had a lot of help from the Conservatoire this last year to improve my essay writing, this is an area that I have always wanted to be more succinct and answer the question set as I tend to wander as I am now… 😉 I have now been given good direction by Ruth Thomas but still have a long way to go.
The article you asked about is here ( Link ) .
I have tried to organise my posts and most of the pieces that you may like to read are now under “Opinions” ( Link )
One in particular that raised some very interesting comments was “Arts Funding – What’s Your Opinion?” which you can find here ( Link )
I liked your blog today….however, I really liked your portrait even more….The black background really makes your face glow. Thanks
Emery
Thanks Emery, the choir used one of my pictures from that concert for their magazine cover ( Link ) I was very happy.
Best wishes
Charlotte
A great piece Charlotte, Perseverance always wins in the end. 🙂
Thank you, I agree 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Having a musician in our family, my son, studying at the RWCMD for a degree playing violin, also just completing his first year, I Know how commitments and dedication are so important to people like yourselves. I wish you all the best for your future.
Hi Caren, RWCMD is a fabulous conservatoire in Cardiff, South Wales hope your son is enjoying his time there as much as I am in Glasgow. I have many violinist friends and I completely understand the time and dedication to perfecting their playing. If he’s on twitter or facebook perhaps we can connect.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Remember, every “failure” will make your victories that much sweeter. Though I would hardly call not winning this a “failure”. Anybody can shout and dance and say, “Hey, I won! I won! Look at me!” That doesn’t take any courage at all- it’s all downhill, you know? But it takes guts, humility, and real strength of character to say, “I didn’t win, but here’s the person who did…” Wow. And for doing that- you are a winner in my eyes.
Some people never do anything- they’re too scared to. They don’t date, they don’t engage with others, some don’t even leave their houses because they’re scared out of their minds that something might hurt. You knew that there was a good chance that you wouldn’t win this, but you took that chance. And I applaud your grace and your quiet resolve.
Always remember to make it about the journey- NOT the destination. We miss so many things in life because we’re thinking of that “someday”. But someday is now. You’re already a star. 🙂 All you have to do is shine- let God handle the rest.
xo
One of the reasons that I blogged my essay is because some people think that things just fall at my feet and that I’m just lucky, they don’t see all the times I’ve auditioned and have not been selected; when I’ve been in a music festival and come away with a clutch of sharp critiques; tried and tried my best at something but not achieved what I’d hoped for and not understood why. Each experience has caused me to pause, reflect and work harder to improve.
Thank you for your lovely message I appreciate it.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Indeed, most people only see the end result. They never see the backstory — and all its attendant failures.
Hi Rawle, nice to see you visiting again :).
Each time I try something new but don’t achieve the target I aim for, it just makes me work harder the next time and rethink my strategy.
This exercise has reminded me I must get my adjudication from the Eisteddfod they said they’d e-mail it to me 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Yes, I completely agreed you never know until you try. You should try and try as best as you can. Win or lose is secondary. You’ve done well!
Thank you, having read the winning entries and all of my blog responses, I can see now the resume aspect but I didn’t at the time. With the help of the writing fellows at the Conservatoire I am trying to improve the structure and organisation of my writing. Although they could clearly see that I understood the subject well they identified that I must structure my essays better to make it easier for the reader. With their help I hope that I now have the tools to begin to improve, reading excellent writing blogs is also helping, as is blogging. I always wondered why writing seemed to take me so much longer to do than my friends. Lucky for me my Mum did spelling tests every week and drummed some regularly misspelled words into my head and thank goodness for check spell.
My best wishes as always,
Charlotte
I enjoyed reading what you wrote very much. I think you expressed yourself very well. I am not a professional writer or editor, but I did wonder if some of what I saw were British variations on rules of correct punctuation, or just missing punctuation. If you had someone editing for you, then that’s great, it would just be a style difference. I thought a couple of sentences sounded like they were run-ons. Again, don’t take this negatively, but for a piece that long it’s always good to get someone to check those things in particular, not just someone to read what you were saying on the subject. I wouldn’t be so picky just reading this on your blog, but as a contest entry, they might have been paying attention to every single detail!
Hello Jeannie, loving your original artwork and gel pen drawings beautiful. I hope your daughter gets chance to visit Covent Garden and Seven dials, and all of the free museums like the Victoria and Albert Museum, if she wants to go to the Natural History museum she needs to get there very early as the queues can be huge.
Punctuation is not a strong point of mine, I have a lovely blog friend called Holistic Wayfarer who sometimes points me in the right direction. If I’d have thought about it I could have sent it to a couple of my writing blog friends to read over 🙁 my family all proof read my work for very obvious stuff.
I’m happy for punctuation suggestions on my piece for future essays, if you have the time to e-mail me my text adjusted if not no worries.
Thanks and best wishes
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte, I appreciate your comment about my art. I know my daughter is planning on visiting the V&A and the British Museum…she’s been to Windsor and to the top of St. Paul’s, and other things I have not even heard about! I hope she sees Covent Garden…I’ve never heard of Seven dials, I will look it up!
I don’t know if I will have any time to look over your text again, but it was just a suggestion! If I can do it, I will…
Hey, I just wanted to let you know she told me she had been to Covent Garden and the Seven dials! I looked it up… we were in that area in ’97, too…she found a TinTin store near there!
If she has time she may enjoy the National Portrait gallery which is near Leicester Square and the Tate Modern which is a short walk across the Millennium Bridge over the Thames. I hope that she is having a great time 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
I agree with the comment that you wrote about what you were doing, but did not fully reflect your passion. What does the conservatory do that brings out the best in you, improvers you, makes you glad you are there. Watch your sentences. There are two consecutive sentences which begin “I also…” Sounds like something I would read on a resume. Here is my short example, as a writer. “Writing is my avenue for expression, to share my thoughts, my beliefs, and my view of the world. The conservatory and the lessons I have learned have deepened my understanding, improved my technique, and further enhanced my writings.” I am going by the idea about’ body and soul’ that I read the essay was to convey. Forget your resume, how has being there enriched your life. My example would be a starting point for me as a first draft. Anyway, I have listened to your voice on your blog site and I would say you are doing well and will succeed.
Hello Terry, sentences are a regular problem. I used to get told off for writing; firstly, secondly, thirdly at the start of each paragraph and regular repetitive patterns such as ..I also, thank you for taking the time to help me. I can see how your suggestions would improve the entry and I will take them on board.
Thanks and best wishes
Charlotte
You have written beautifully to express your love for music and mentioned all the things you have achieved or done. 🙂 If you could have written a little about the impact of the subject on the person in personal and social settings how it enriches their life, in general and professionally, you would have definitely won. I think that’s why your heading is so apt “If you never try you will never know”. 🙂
Hello Gaurab, I must concentrate on answering the demands of the question or in this case competition entry, I go shooting off in a flurry of ideas, during my summer break I went to see an adviser who has been sorting out some computer software for me to use. I’m glad I posted this I have been getting some excellent advice thank you.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I echo the comments above: I think that you’re a star in the making. Indeed, by some measures you’re already a star! You have more than 2,500 fans, and you gain followers (I’m sure) by the day. You demonstrate exceptional poise for one so young. I’m looking forward to your world tour, when I shall say to my friends, “I knew her when she had a mere 2,500 fans!”
And I see that you have more than 75,000 people “liking” you on Facebook! You are indeed a star! Now keep up the hard work, and don’t go out and buy any Lamborghinis just yet!
Hi Dan, ha ha ha, I can always depend on you for a confidence boost thank you so much 😉 I’ve been learning some new material and fortunately Russell Lomas offered to play for me throughout the Summer to help me out.
Thank you 🙂
Charlotte
To do what you love is to already be a success …living successfully today. Nice inspiration for others! Thank you!
Hi Joan, I agree, I do what I love and love what I do and I am enjoying every minute of it 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Bravo – to accept a challenge is to grow, to fear trying is to embrace failure.
Hi Bill, I’ve always been a jump in and see how it goes girl. I agreed to do a sports event in a nearby High School and nearly killed myself in a running race with regular school athletes, I had to lie down and control my breathing. I learnt so much that day.
All the best
Charlotte
to paraphrase the great Bruce Lee… “Let your limit be no limit.”
Hi Bill, I love that expression I’m sure I’ll repeat it. I didn’t mind nearly killing myself, I was just annoyed that after all that effort I still came second :). Not as bad as my performance in the long jump, I’d never done it before and thought the idea was just to lunge yourself forward as far as you could, I just dived right in and thought as I was the tallest I stood a great chance, I didn’t realise the measurement was from the feet and not the finger tips, the coach bent over laughing when he saw me stretched out face down in the sand :).
This was a nice post; how kind of you to congratulate the winner. You are right, trying is the best part.
Hi Marey, I hope that I never let doubt stop me from trying. I bet winning was a fabulous boost for them 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Charlotte, I am thankful for your comment and following my blog. You are an inspiration. I love reading your posts about your adventures, stretching your wings, hearing your voice, and watching you create. My mantra is “to make sure I have no regrets, dance like no one is watching, and to leave this place as good as I found it-if not better.” I think you are doing the same. Onward, Marilynn
Hi Marilynn, I love that motto ‘dance like no one is watching’, it works for ‘sing like no one is listening’ too. I’m glad you’re enjoying my posts that’s good to know and I hope that you will call back again soon 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
With the cheese smile.
Hi Richardo, I took your advice and with Dads help set up my Twitter account, I’m not very good at it yet, trying to get to grips with it. As for the cheese smile 😉 that is so true the minute I see a camera I smile, I told Lonie, a photographer blogger friend, my biggest problem is not to smile, it took many, many attempts to get my driving license photograph as they insist on no smile.
All the best
Charlotte
When you are doing something you love it is never a chore but enjoyment each day,I was fortunate to love my job and looked forward to work each day so embrace your passion and you will look forward to the rest of your life.
I love your little bonnet cakes and the roses on your decorated cakes, they look seriously tasty. Good luck with your new blog.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I was going to make a similar point to dhowell9000. You’re entry is good and really interesting, but it has not been organised around the terms of reference for the competition. 500 words is fairly tough, but less history and more emphasis on broadening your mind and expanding you horizons would have perhaps been closer to what the judges were looking for. There is information about your expanding horizons, but I had to read it twice to see how it “answered the question”. I enter competitions too and have not “cracked it” yet!
Thanks for following my blog. Enjoy the autumn term. You are right to be enthusiastic about your opportunities. Sue
Hi Sue, and thank you, organisation will be my mantra for my autumn term. My diary is very organised so I can do it. I avoided essay based subjects at school looking back such as History, Geography, RE and didn’t take English on to A level instead of avoiding it I perhaps should have embraced it and will now I have the advice to help.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Having the drive, stamina, and the passion to go for something, and keep that smile on your face, is what it’s all about.
Keep doing what you’re doing.
Hi Philip, if I’d have been a bit cute I should have sent it to some of you writer friends of mine to read through for me 🙂 lol.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Next time…
Looking forward to the next live recording.
I loved reading your essay as it shows how you feel about what you are doing, we can all hear and see how well you are doing, but to read about how you feel about what you do puts it in to perspective and we realise just how hard you work and how determined you are to succeed in something you love. I know you will be successful because you truly do love music and won’t stop until you reach your goals. xx
Hi Gilly, I’m glad that feeling came across to you in my entry. I’m happy that you’ve got your card craft blog up and running too. Don’t let it keep you up too late 🙂 it’s very tempting.
Thanks again,
Charlotte x
You are absolutely right about trying or you will never know. Your blog shows time and again your passion and delight in your subject, which makes all of us followers read and listen to you so happily. This all comes through in clearly, honestly and factually in your essay.
I have also read Elena Chabo’s essay. I can see why this won, it is an exciting well-written piece full of the magic and strangeness of her subject matter. It reads like a good short story and it addresses the original question of the competition beautifully and with passion. So, next time you try in this field, re-read her story and capture some of it’s style and magic. But most of all, keep singing for us.
Hello Hilary, I most definitely will keep singing, developing our strengths is something I really believe in, I don’t want to spend too much time fixing my writing but writing good essays is a structural part of my course, I managed to raise my grades and this blog is helping me to think about structure and not write with too many colloquialisms (I used to get reminded not to do that too).
Having read the four winning entries I can see the style and magic in all the essays. If I have time I may re-write my essay as a blog post to express why studying vocal performance is ‘a kind of magic’ (to quote Roger Taylor from Queen).
Best wishes
Charlotte
You know what …? You’re a little star and you’re going to be a Galaxy !
Never forgot your dreams !
Bonsoir Pascal,
Merci beaucoup. I will be working on my French in my third year.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thank you for visiting my blog today. I really agree with your statement, “If you never try, you will never know.” I love hearing about other people who are serious about the arts! I look forward to future posts.
Hello Ruth, thank you for visiting my blog and leaving your message.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Passion drives us…
Good one..!
Hi Dharam, welcome all the way from Mumbai, thanks for your comment, hope you find the time to come back again, liked your about page I agree life is full of lessons and stories to tell 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Hey,
Good pages and posts are always read..
Yup will follow your blog and it’s quite interesting to read about some one far away from yet can fell the thoughts in ur head.. That’s what powerful writing.
Thanks your feedback on about page.
Cheers have fun.
Regards,
Dharam
I wanted to pursue music as well, but since I hadnt given it my 100 percent, it didnt materialize, and that sort of closed me off from ever singing in public again, your piece was quite inspirational though! Good job 🙂
I’m sad to read that, music and singing is so good for your health and wellbeing it’s a shame to waste your talent, hope you take the plunge and try again. Don’t close the book of your life on this chapter.
Best wishes
Charlotte
thanks 🙂 hope i do too…
Great that you are proud of your failure as of success. Even better that you gave the winners the heads up.
Warm wishes,
Len
Thanks Len, I was always taught to be gracious if I didn’t achieve first place, it’s not always easy 😉 but its definitely the right think to do, being bitter is wasted energy.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thanks for the blog follow. Anything to do with Arts is so tricky, be it writing, singing, acting or whatever but I guess we do it because we need to! Good luck with everything or should I say in bocca al lupo. Grazie mille e auguroni.
Thank you Sian what does auguroni mean, I’ve not heard of that word and google isn’t helping :). Thank you for your good luck wishes.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thanks for calling by at my log. Its nice to come back and see someone so talented. Good luck as things develop for you.
Your art is lovely, good luck on your drawing adventures.
Best wishes
Charlotte
thanks for following my art blog, I like how your interests go beyond your discipline. You have a lovely voice.
Thank you very much Sarah, my Mum always kept up busy with art projects as children she’s not a big fan of the tv but my younger brother loved American sitcoms.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Very inspiring entry. Keep it up! And thanks for following my drawing blog.
I like your self portrait in your gravatar Shirley. Thanks for visiting hope you get chance to call back.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Hi Charlotte. We can learn the skills of writing and should, of course. But write from the heart and your personality and character will show through. No-one can teach you that. I can see from your post that you apply this philosophy to your music. In that case I will be surprised if your are not successful. Although he’s in a different genre to you, a very good role model is Joe Bonamassa. His career is quite amazing. If you don’t know him, take a look. Blogging is a new career for me (at 71 today!!!) and JAMOROKI is less than a month old. So I am delighted you are following me and would love to know what inspired you to do so. Your future is bright. Stick to your passion. James
Hello James, love the Jamoroki and was curious to know where it comes from, is it from your name, my Nana is just getting in to social media and facebook, blogging etc. she told me yesterday she wants to get a secretary so she can get some housework done.
I enjoyed your pictures of Bangkok and the other exotic places you visiting, I can’t remember where I first saw your gravatar now and clicked through but I have been looking at writers blogs recently.
All the best
Charlotte
Thank you for writing to me on my birthday. Jamoroki is an interesting story. If I remember correctly I was having great difficulty in registering on some site or other as it kept rejecting whatever names or passwords I was inputting. I got so frustrated and then I thought, if I take the first two letters of each of my names (James Morris Roy King) surely that will have a chance. And Bingo!!! Jamoroki was born.
I like Jamoroki it is a cool blog name James. I’ll take a look at Joe Bonamassa thanks for the tip.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I didn’t realize that you were a musician…a vocalist at that!!! ^_^ and you are gorgeous!! Hopefully we can connect on Facebook! Keep in touch!
Hello Keara, loved your picture with your violin, I’ll be back to find out more. I’ve set up twitter if you can connect by twitter with me that’d be great. Feel free to comment on my facebook page I’d love to hear from you again.
All the best
Charlotte
Sounds good! My user name is @future_mozart
“if you never try you will never know”… I seldom comment on posts that I read through my readers tab. But this one deserves a sincere appreciation. 🙂 Thank you for this wonderful feel good post.
Hello Selah, thank you for taking the time to leave your lovely message. I appreciate you visiting and telling me you enjoyed it 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Your entry is very informative, it tells us a lot about you, what you are doing and how keen you are on your studies. I also read the winning entry and it is much more personal in approach, the writer has concentrated on her feelings and her passion and personalised it with anecdotes of her growing towards her goal. It gives her entry a natural vitality that would appeal to judges. I am a creative writing competition judge myself and you are always looking for something that is just that bit different, original and fresh. Most people approach a competition in the same way so that a lot of the entries are very similar. I think maybe you were trying too hard because you were conscious that you were writing a competition entry and it comes out more as a formal exercise and less about you as a person. It’s not that you don’t have that passion,your blog has that natural freshness and energy because you are writing for yourself, so yes, competition entries need to be planned but you need to write from the heart and appeal to the human element in the judge. Not meant as a criticism but maybe as a help in the future.
Hello Carol and thank you for your advice, I really appreciate it and it’s very timely as I’m about to write a short biography just 100 words eek.
My best wishes
Charlotte
Charlotte, this entry encapsulates at great levels the dilemmas that come when you know you see performance art as your vehicle to the next phase in life beyond higher education.
For that, I say brava.
opus28no15
Hello, can I call you Opus? 🙂 I like that sentence; I do see performance art as my vehicle to the next phase in life beyond higher education, that might just slip into a biography.
Best wishes
Charlotte
So true! very inspiring words ^_^
Thank you very much 🙂 loved your pork chop recipe my Mum does pork chops and puts a large spoonful of apple sauce on the top of the nearly done chop then a slice of mature cheddar over the top of that and finishes it off under the grill, yummy.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Your welcome. That’s a nice recipe too from your Mom. Well take care and Godbless. ^_^
Hope you get chance to try it, it’s sweet but the pork stays juicy that way.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thank you for following my blog. I do so believe in the title of this post. I am so impressed with your desire to follow your dream and your voice is stunning. You will achieve your dream, without a doubt. I look forward to reading of your progress. Maybe someday you will be studying at the AVA here in Philadelphia!
Hi Jane, I get a great deal of support from everyone who visits my blog and shares their thoughts with me. Thanks for your lovely comment and please visit again when you can.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thanks for following my blog. i like reading your posts because they are full of details and pictures of a culture my poverished hands are too grubby to touch. Thanks for sharing your posts, they are great quality.
Thanks for visiting and for the supportive comment. I like the idea that you write about on your blog, “Follow your bliss”, I definitely feel lucky to be following mine 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Reblogged this on Genovation and commented:
Here is a young woman, whose parents did not attend university, pursuing her dream of becoming a classical singer. I salute anyone who breaks out of the expected and expands their horizons. As Charlotte says, “Classical music is for all classes.”. As are, as I’m sure Charlotte would agree, all the Arts. How wonderful to collaborate in many disciplines at this level!
I studied piano for six years at the Royal Conservatory of Music and got to grade IX at age 13. I stopped there; starting high school seemed to be enough for me to take on then. I actually liked practising—even the scales—and adored my teacher, who, sadly, died at that time. She selected the pieces she knew I’d find moving. Playing the piano allowed me to express my feelings within each piece while trying to bring out that piece’s personality or gist. There was freedom within the structure of music’s rules. Charlotte reminds me that I used to take my sister’s little orange record player out into the garage, plug it in, and sing to records, as if to perform for the whole neighbourhood. Sorry, ‘hood. Thank you for never complaining. I would also take my mother’s good little stainless steel pot out and ‘cook’ in the garage with weeds, flowers, and leaves. Today it has a dent…sorry, Mum! I still love to make up concoctions in my Vitamix. Maybe this was a child’s idea of a couple of the Arts.
“At its core, higher education has a principle of play, not work. In the dialogues of his Republic Plato wrote that ‘the most effective kind of education is that a child should play amongst lovely things.’”—Winner of arts and humanities (£3,000) George Pearson, 19 of Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, 1st year Classics undergraduate at the University of Durham.
Parents, thank you for surrounding me with lovely things in various beautiful environments to revel in. I remember toes in tall grass, thick scrunchy (I’ll eschew scrunchy’s hair fastener definition: scrunchy sounds right) sand, and gorgeous designs on furniture and everywhere. Today I thrill at the sight of beautiful surroundings or inspired designs by nature or humans.
I confess that I still would like to be a singer. When should you give up that idea? Charlotte really has a very beautiful voice. And that long blond hair. She entered that writing contest and she did very well. She did not claim first prize or runner up (this time) but that is neither here nor there. She tried; she leapt into an adventure. Those who lose miss out because they don’t try. So if you can, try. Otherwise, you will never know.
That’s really nice Julie, thanks for the reblog I appreciate it. Susan Boyle proves its never too late to give up on singing if you can hold a tune. Singing in a choir gives good companionship and friendships and fantastic opportunities to sing all over.
Best wishes
Charlotte