Friday, August 20, 2010

If the word is love...




You can listen to my musical excerpt while you read this post by clicking the play button below.









Magnolia Air - improvisation on F# drone
Helen Yee - violin ©2010

What a happy week this has been. Last Saturday was the opening of a play I collaborated on the music for, as well as a personal first in multi-discipline performance, a duet with Mark Lamb using my skills both old and new, in throat singing, violin playing, movement and text improvisation. The play is truly a collaborative work of art, and I've enjoyed performing the music for it along with my collaborator, musician and sound designer Matt O'Hare. My duet with Mark Lamb flowed well, was surprising, funny and real -- it was a performance high! It's such an honor to be working with such talented artists, and the collaborative process is one I love.

There is that thing that pulls at me a bit. What would happen if I were to create on my own? Can I do it? Do I have enough ideas, talent, focus, gumption, etc.?

For the past nine weeks I've enjoyed participating in the wonderful Jamie Ridler's group coaching, Circe's Circle. We're near the end of the ten-week session together and I have one more thing I want to explore and create, to truly feel like I've made good progress on my project of creating a body of work. That "thing" is to create my own work. Recently the word that keeps coming up for me is "love." Jamie asked us to take a look at how this can serve our project. How can love serve my project? This week, I've decided that I will just explore what I love and keep track of what happens. What opens things up for me? What ideas take hold of me?

Today's creation was inspired by magnolia. Last night, after our performance of the play, I had a slice of delicious cake from a bakery bearing that name. This morning I decided to just go with it, let the shuffle play choose my starting drone, and begin. There's no telling where this is going to lead me. Stay tuned...

6 comments:

  1. Helen, There is such a deeply thoughtful feeling in this post, and the music is perfect for it. It sounds like you've been doing good work in your coaching session and it will be so interesting to see what evolves for you - I hope you will share what you can. So glad to see you here again - I've missed catching up with you since I've been so in and out this summer.

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  2. Hi Helen,
    Your music was beautiful. I loved listening to it as I read your post. It sounds like you have so many wonderful experiences ahead of you. I too hope that you will keep us posted on your continuing journey. It is so inspiring to read what everyone is creating and accomplishing. Have a wonderful week.

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  3. How absolutely wonderful. I love that you're sharing your music along with your post. It sets a tone and drew me right in.

    It's been a joy to spend the summer with you and to see your creative fire come to life! I can't wait to see what love will inspire in you!

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  4. How very exciting...it sounds like you are just beginning a wonderful creative period. Thanks for sharing your work--hearing your music while reading about it was such a treat! I say GO FOR IT, what do you have to lose?

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  5. ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL - love your playing--so tranquil - thanks so much for sharing it!!!
    Your collaboration sounds wonderful - I hope you have great success with it all!!!
    Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting - I really appreciate it~!~

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