The new blog! Yay!!!!

Hi all,

This blog is mostly for me to keep a journal of events and happenings for when I go to Amherst, MA to participate in Jazz in July or "Jazz Camp" if you will. I'll be there from July 10 through the 23 and am traveling there via Megabus! Yeah Megabus! Gotta love cheap public transportation.....

Actually the last time I took a Megabus anywhere, I had to sit next to this large woman who couldn't confine herself to one seat. No. Her fatness had to seep over onto where I was sitting. It was uncomfortable to say the least.

But anyway, I'll be taking a bus to NYC, have 20 minutes to find the next bus, and then will take that to Amherst. Woo! It's gonna be a world traveling adventure. I always feel like I have a purpose when I travel.

So anyway, when I get there I will have the opportunity to not only practice a lot for two weeks, but also to participate in 10 days (no weekends) filled with music classes, rehearsals, discussions, jam sessions, and performances with others. I also get to meet and work with some pretty awesome professionals, including the legendary Sheila Jordan! Sheila is a jazz singer who despite her lengthy and noteworthy career, has remained somewhat under the radar compared to jazz singers like Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and Nancy Wilson.

Anyway, she is awesome. She's in her 80s and is still teaching. I've listened to her sing and give interviews and she seems so supportive and cool. One of my friends, who's had the chance to meet her, describes her as "feisty." As you all know,  I live with a feisty old lady, so I'm very excited! She also was good friends with Charlie Parker and has all of the these great stories to tell. Pretty much, she's the  main reason I found and applied to this camp... in January.

So yeah, should be a fun time. Also while I'm there, I will get to hang out with Emily and Liz Schutsky, childhood friends of mine who I haven't seen much of in YEARS.

Well that's about it. I will try my best to keep up with this. I always enjoy reading other people's blogs  and get jealous of their experiences, so here's their chance to be jealous. I'm hoping this camp will be all that I want and more, and maybe will even help me shed some light as to what I'll do after college. One can only hope. I know it will get me thinking about it.

Ariel