In this economy, I find it hard to spend any money, much less on something trivial.  All I’ve been doing this past year is working and studying my butt off with hardly any days off, literally, and saving my money.  I reached the end of July drained, incapable of any brain activity whatsoever, and ready for some much needed time off.  I didn’t want to deal with air travel nightmares, so I decided to drive down to Monterey and spend a few days there. I love that whole area of Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur. But what does this have to do with singing you ask?  

As I was walking down Cannery Row, I saw this beautiful hotel at the end of the strip and, naturally, had to check it out.  As I was touring the premises I saw a spa, so I went inside to check out the services.  I hadn’t been to a spa in so long I forgot what one looked like! 

The Vista Blue Spa was on the top floor of the hotel, in a very elegant, quiet and exclusive corner.  I learned that with my treatment, I also had full use of all the amenities, including the exercise equipment and sauna; and best of all, the private, cozy, little sunbathing courtyard with a hot tub overlooking the Monterey Bay.  Needless to say, I went for it!  God knows I’ve spent far more on things related to singing, so why not?  This turned out to be the single best thing I did for myself all year.  

Between my facial and the sauna afterwards, I was more relaxed than I had been in months.  Then going out to the hot tub on such a beautiful day, while staring at the bay, was so soothing, that I had a brief out-of-body experience.  All of the sudden, I got this surge of creative energy and I began to think of all the ways that I would interpret my roles, my arias, my art songs.  You name it!   I know that when these moments come, it’s best to just let the energy flow.  I usually write everything down or catalogue it in my mind as I did that day.

It’s so easy to get stuck in the revolving door of endless auditions, coachings, lessons, work, etc., all of which are vital to a singer’s continued development and success.  But I realized that I don’t take any time off to disconnect and just be creative. We as singers, devote an enormous amount of time to the business of singing and vocal development, but we’re not just singers.  What about the art of interpretation?  And by this I don’t mean the kind of interpretation that comes from coaching a role with a hired professional; but the kind that also comes to you alone during a moment of lucidity.  I usually experience creative moments when I’m researching a role; but on this day, it wasn’t about one thing, but about many things.  I don’t always know if all the ideas are going to work, but even when they don’t, I feel I’m a better artist for having “gone there”.  This to me is one of the most exciting parts of being a performer.  So I’m sharing these pictures hoping that they’ll help others as much as being there helped me.  No, it’s not the same thing as experiencing the place first-hand, but you never know what an image may trigger.....

Alexandra Mena, Mezzo-Soprano ◊ Copyright © 2007-2012

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