June is bustin' out- (what? It's over?!)

I cannot believe it has been a month since I last posted- June literally whizzed past me! 

The best kind of performances happened in June...here are a few of them!

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~Sparrow Studio Recital

My wonderful rays of sunshine! Some of my dear students performed a PHENOMENAL recital. Here is a snapshot of a few of my students and their silly faces afterwards... and their great program! 

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~Closing of Big Fish
It was bittersweet to say 'see ya later' to this BEAUTIFUL and ASTOUNDING cast. After 7 weeks together..and six shows a week we became a family. They truly are some of the best kind of people and performers that I have ever had privilege of sharing the stage with. Here are a few pics from the closing weekend: 

Colette Todd, (who played Sandra) and I, her lucky understudy, I learned a lot from her!

My fabulous dressing room ladies making fabulous faces. I will miss our dressing room chats!

Me, John Marshall Jr., and Kayla Kennedy in our Western Costumes

The beautiful ladies Caitlin Borek and Kayla Kennedy who always started the show backstage right with me. :- )

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~Singing for Friends and Family~
Happy Birthday to 3 very special people!

Party #1.  Happy 50th Birthday Ravi!
At our first Neighborhood party of the summer in Evanston, I was nudged into jumping in with the band to sing one for Ravi Baichwal's 50th B-day party. (complete with canine admirer)--- "Besame Mucho" never felt so good! Pulled up the words on my cell phone, and jammed away with these guys... : )  
The Baichwal family is our family, I sing for free for these folks.

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Party #2.  Happy 99th Birthday Nannee!!! 
I cannot believe the amazing things my amazing grandmother has seen and been through in her just-shy-of-a-century lifetime. I go to visit her in Ashland City, TN (outside of Nashville) as often as my schedule allows. I usually sing for her and the residents at her senior home every day that I can while I am there. They love folk songs, hymns, and of course the Great American Songbook that I always bring along.

 This time was special, my brothers,and sisters and Family were all able to sing to her together this time. We had a Sampson family reunion there to celebrate her 99th birthday. 
The emotion in the room as my siblings and I sang was so thick you could have cut the air with a knife. We love Nannee. Ethel Kurtz is the fiestiest, sassiest, & smartest southern belle ever known to Nashville. 

My Grandmother's 99th birthday party (Four Generations)

My little sister Carolyn and I sing our duet arrangement of Rainbow Connection

My beautiful grandmother

My still beautiful grandmother

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Party #3. Happy 29th Trent!! 
Last but certainly not least, Happy Birthday to my dear husband, Trent Sparrow. We spent the last 10 days in Idaho-- hanging out with the Sparrow clan and breathing some of the freshest air, viewing some of the best sunsets our sky has to offer...fishing, hiking, ATV-riding, and campfires abound in beautiful rugged Idaho.  Also spent one morning arranging another solo a capella hymn "I Stand All Amazed" to add to my recording/transcription project. Was asked to sing it at Trent's brother's church on Sunday while we were there. 

Took this little snapshot along the way. Just looking at this vista would make ANYONE burst into song. 

The best performances are the ones where loved ones are present. These are the ones that truly matter.