An important part of transition is finding different ways to open up to the world and express yourself. And an important one for me is through my singing.
I started feminine voice classes in the fall of 2023. When my voice began to solidify and develop in early 2024, I tested it out by singing along with a variety of songs on YouTube. And my teacher encouraged me to do it as part of my voice training. Funding for those classes ran out. But I continued to practice and decided last fall to sign up for formal training at a local music school.
Yesterday I sang in a recital at the New Mexico School of Music, what they call the Adult Musical Cafe. There were 17 performances running the gamut from Bach and Mozart to The Cure and Elton John and one self-composed piece. I sang "Caro Mio Ben" by Tomasso Giordani.
It wasn't my best performance of this song. But I picked it up after the short interlude and did well to the end. And I got some nice comments after the recital.
I'm very happy with the progress I've made in the three months of real classes I've been taking (along with plenty of practice). I'm looking forward to seeing where I can go.
Music has long been an important part of my being. And being able to sing and do that better lets me bring out and express those inner feelings and share them with others. It also gives me inner satisfaction and encouragement.
And that is very valuable to me.
I don't think this one is good enough to share widely. But if you'd like to hear it, send me a message.
Thanks to all of you for your friendship!
Comments
Congratulations!!!
Wow! You are so incredibly brave!
— Emma
Thanks, Emma!
Brave or crazy, who knows?
But I do enjoy singing. I used to sing to my kids at night to settle them down. I sang in choirs for many years. And I sang to my wife during her last months. The evening she died, I went into her room, closed the door and sang to her.
And fortunately, with speaking voice and singing training, I'm starting to like how my voice sounds. So it's not so bad.
And your stories about Cami especially have inspired me!
Gillian Cairns
Congrats!
Kudoes on being able to do it in front of an audience.
I am pretty much a shower singer but I've trained myself pretty good though as I trained in my middle school chorus for 3 years.
All of my vocal training has been for the most part self taught but it can take some time before it becomes reflexive, like breathing.
I share your thrill in being able to sing properly in one's proper gender.
I can do decent renditions of 'Desperado' or 'Loverly' from 'My Fair Lady' and a range friendly version of 'Let It Go', so my voice suits only certain genres. I don't have the chops to be operatic like one trans opera singer is capable of doing, yes I am envious as she is a soprano.
Again, congrats !
Well done
I was adequate singing carols etc., until I had the stroke now I squeak like a damaged wheel hub, when I do the cats scatter, don't know why.
Angharad