BlackCatBonifide, LLC

Undercroft Opera’s production of Carmen, by George Bizet, opens this week at the Antonian Theater, Carlow University. I’m having a blast with the show, singing alongside many other gypsy women in the chorus, plus I get some ‘cat-fight’ time in during the big factory fight scene. Carmen is a classic, the music is super catchy (“Habanera”, anyone?), the leads are amazing, and if you normally stay away from operas due to the language barrier, never fear; we’re singing in ENGLISH:) Carmen runs Thurs June 20th-Sunday June 23rd. The show is double-cast, full cast breakdown available on the Facebook Event Page. Tickets are available online or at the door www.undercroftopera.org

USA Today did a writeup about one of the awesome projects we’ve been working on at Schell Games. Check out the world of Lexica! “Can a video game encourage kids to read the classics?”

I’m happy to report that the Pittsburgh Savoyards website redesign and Facebook Page that we’ve been working on for two months are now officially live! Extra thanks to those who were involved in the web and publicity boost team, my hubby James Newsome, Greg Kornides, and show history and archival research by Michael Greenstein and Deborah Greenstein. More updates of current and past show information (and photo galleries) to come!

“PlayForward: Elm City Stories”, a Schell Games/Yale project I did audio for, won the 2013 “Joystick” award at the Pittsburgh Technology Council’s DATA Awards last evening: Go Team!!

Come on down to East Liberty Presbyterian Church this Sunday, May 5th at 4pm for the “East End Choral Festival”, featuring a combined choir of singers from East Liberty Presbyterian Church, Shadyside Presbyterian Church, Calvary Episcopal Church and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. We’ll be tackling works by Britten, Thompson and Finzi under the leadership of guest conductor David Hill of the Bach Choir of London. Admission is FREE. A freewill offering will be accepted! Facebook Event Link

This week I’m going to my first Game Developers Conference – GDC along with many of my fellow employees from Schell Games.  Very excited to attend and for the chance to meet other musicians, audio and sound designers in the GDC Audio Track. Goodbye, random Pittsburgh snowstorms. San Francisco, here I come! Beep beep boop!!!

The musical season is getting stronger every day, especially for those preparing for the upcoming “Singing City” event; 2,500 voices of combined community and professional choirs from the western PA area will join forces with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra on April 20th at the Peterson Events Center.  I’m personally thrilled that my group, the Renaissance City Choir, is participating in this once in a lifetime event. Works performed that evening will include; Mahler’s Symphony no. 2, Sibelius’ Finlandia, the “Dies Irae”movement of Verdi’s Requiem and Jonny Priano’s Sing As One. Tickets available through the Cultural Trust.

While I busy in rehearsals/shows the weekend of Global Game Jam 2013, I was sadly unable to physically be there for the competition, but got to whip up some video game tunes after all! My husband Jim Newsome, who was also part of our team last year, “Creator”, and his team worked on a game called “Guinea Pig, Guinea Pig“, alternate title “Artie’s Artery Adventure”. The required element for all games this year was the sound of a heartbeat, so they came up with a fun game involving a shrunken guinea pig traveling through your heart, destroying viruses. I had a couple hours free late Saturday night that weekend to whip up some cartoony guinea pig sound effects and heart beat themed music. Enjoy! (Click to Play in your Browser)

This Sunday, January 27th, I am performing in a special vocal recital titled Biblical Broadway.  “The ELPC Chancel Choir section leaders will present an eclectic program of solo and ensemble works on Sunday, January 27 at 4 pm in the Chapel.”  Song selections include Godspell, Book of Mormon, Children of Eden, Lost in the Stars and The Apple Tree.  This concert is FREE though donations are appreciated.  Facebook Event link with more info

A special shout out to my comrads who are competing in this year’s Global Game Jam event.  I am sadly unable to compete this year, as the above mentioned show and connected rehearsals are happening the same weekend.  I had an awesome time last year working on teams “Grim Blaster” (music and sound) and “Creator” (art, music and sound), which tied for 2nd place Audience Choice Award.  I wish all 2013 teams the best luck and a fantastic weekend:)

Sunday, December 16th, “ELPC is proud to present “A Cathedral Christmas”, a special Christmas program featuring the church’s Chancel Choir and the Fox Chapel Area High School Madrigal Singers and Ambassador Orchestra. The three ensembles will present several individual choral and orchestral selections and then combine forces for the Christmas Oratorio by Camille Saint-Saëns. Also on the program will be the singing of carols by the choirs and audience accompanied by the church’s majestic pipe organ.” Admission is FREE. A freewill offering will be accepted.

Sad that you missed the Renaissance City Choirs w Edgewood Symphony “Holiday Concert: Warm By the Fire” this past weekend? The performance will be re-broadcast on WQED (radio) 12/15/12 at 10pm.