5 Months

Well, before I knew it, 5 months had flown by. So much has happened, but that's obvious, right? (B/C it's been 5 months!) Since I last posted, the last of the "Rome to Roma with Jordin Sparks" videos have come out, which you can watch right here.
Other reasons why I've been super-excited include this glorious fact: I'm going to JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY!!! So happy. When I toured it in August (a bit after I last posted), it was love at first sight. It has the major that I want -- the Writing Seminars, the #1 creative writing program in the country -- and the extras that I want, too -- the Peabody Conservatory of Music is connected to JHU, so I can take lessons there if I wish it. Yes!!
I can't promise that I'll have a running commentary of my time leading up to and during my time there (cuz you know what happens when I promise that . . . it doesn't happen . . .), but once in a while I'll stop and think: let's update this thing!
Anyway, here's my current obsession: Step, by KARA!

People To People . . . with Jordin Sparks!!

Oh, there has been so much happening as of late! I haven't even begun to process it, which is why this post has been a long time in coming.
Remember how I said that I was the lucky member of a special delegation for People to People this summer? Well, I thought I was lucky then . . . watch the video. Really. Just do it.
Then die of jealously. *giggles hysterically*



Yupp. That's us. We're going to Europe with Jordin Sparks!!
There's so much to do, so much to plan, so much . . . what am I even still doing on here? I've got to prepare!! *runs off to pack suitcase*

SNSD Awesomeness

Girl's Generation (SNSD) has finally dropped the official music video for their newest single, Mr. Taxi. Yes, they're skimpy outfits, and yes, sometimes the song sticks in your head so much and so late at night -- when you're trying to sleep, dang it! -- that you kind of want to fly over to Korea to smack these 9 girls upside the head. But that, in fact, is what makes their songs so enjoyable. For me, at least.

People to People, Brown, NBC, and Stephen Sondheim (what?!)

Seriously, how is it the 3rd month of the year already? It just doesn't seem possible at all, does it?

Anyway, since I've last written, there's been major news (not that anybody reads this, but oh well). You're looking at one of People To People's newest Student Ambassadors for 2011! *whoo whoo clap clap general awesomeness*
That right. Since my Select Choir director won a contest through P2P and NBC, she gets to take 13 or so students on a P2P European trip this summer, free of charge! We're going to France, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy, and you bet I'm gonna write about all of that! (especially since we're required to fill a journal up on the trip) Look forward to it! heee.

Also, I have applied and received my acceptance for Brown's Pre-College summer course this coming summer, which I'm super excited about. I've always wanted to do an official summer writing course at a college, and I was lucky enough to find one that took place after I come back from Europe. (You'd be amazed at how many take place smack dab in the middle of July, right when I'm going to be overseas -- including the one at Columbia, which would have been my #1 choice. But seriously, I'm sooo lucky, so I'm not gonna truly complain.)

This summer is looking to be insane, what with P2P, Brown, and surely a whole frickin' bunch of summer projects for the college-level courses I'll be taking next year. Let's list them, shall we?

Sierra Boggess on "Over the Rainbow."

This past weekend, the beautiful Sierra Boggess (the 1st Christine Daee in Las Vegas Phantom, Love Never Dies, and the 1st Ariel from The Little Mermaid on Broadway) visited Andrew Lloyd Webber's latest "talent search" show, Over the Rainbow. The gimmick with this one is that the winner of the televised contest will play in the lead role of Dorothy Gale in ALW new production of The Wizard of Oz. ( O_o )
Well, Sierra spent a few minutes talking to/mentoring the girls and answering their questions about theather life and what to expect, etc. Then she sang the title song from the new Phantom sequel, Love Never Dies. The video of the spot follows. Enjoy!

NYSSMA

Well, my select choir went to sing and be adjudicated at NYSSMA on Friday, and I'm proud to say that we -- on a Level 5 performance -- earned a Gold award. *the happy dance returns*

The song order:

• Animal Crackers I
• Moon River
• Sleep

The 1st and 3rd songs were compositions by Eric Whitacre, who one of our Select members had the opportunity to sing for in a concert at Lincoln Center last year. Personally, they aren't my favorites, but they do seem to grow on you after a while. *shrugs* Anyway, we had a great time, and were rewarded for our efforts. xD

The lovely Moon River wins for today's video, just because it's so much better than the other two songs. lolz

More Love Never Dies News

Here is a montage of all the LND clips that have been released up until now.




I must admit that I'm dying to see this show here in the U.S., on Broadway. But unfortunately, that will have to wait a few months longer than previously calculated.

It turns out that because of Andrew Lloyd Webber's prostate cancer/general health, he cannot travel over here to continue with setting up the show. At least, not until his doctors say so, apparently. So now the opening is pushed back from November 11, 2010, to some general time during Spring 2011.

Phantom: Love Never Dies (Part 2)

Yet another video (sorry!), but it was just released.
It's the new trailer, with footage from the London production. Even if you don't like the show in general, you have to admit that this song is amazing.

Phantom: Love Never Dies

It's opening night of the sequel to Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera.
Previews have been going on for the past few weeks, and the show officially opened tonight. Unfortunately, those of us who cannot travel to England are unable to see it yet. *sniff*
It opens on Broadway in November of this year, and then Australia in 2011.

Here are the two different versions of the 1st single:


(This one went along with the press release back in October.)


(This is the official music video to go along with the single.)

Sorry about the cut-off on the videos, but enjoy!

More Music

Next in my lineup of my new favorite artists is . . . Kanon Wakeshima.

She's most famous for singing two ending theme songs for the Vampire Knight anime: "Still Doll," and "Suna no Oshiro." (But since these are her most known works, neither of the videos I've procured for you today will be those.)

And yes, that is she, playing her cello.


真紅のフェータリズム (Crimson Fatalism)


鏡 (Kagami)

Oh, and I've been watching the Vancouver 2010 Olympics like crazy, so after they're over, don't be surprised to see videos of some of the figure skating. Fair warning there.

Happy New Year!

I've been so busy, what with the holidays and everything, that I haven't been able to update for . . . let's see . . . a month! Whoa.
As for said holidays (Christmas, Christmas, Christmas!), not much happened. It's getting to be a smaller and smaller ordeal every year, and I'm not sure I like that.

To the music! Recently, I've come across a few bands/singers worth mentioning. The first would be *drumroll please* . . . The Pretty Reckless. This band is headed by Gossip Girl star Taylor Momsen, which seems completely out-of-character. In fact, when I heard she had her own band and record deal, I burst out laughing. But when I decided to try her out, I was pleasantly surprised. The music has a rock beat and interesting lyrics, and Momsen herself has the perfect voice to accent it all. I've loaded 3 of her tracks into the playlist at the bottom of the page, so check them out! Here are some videos, too. Be forewarned: the second has explicit content.






I could have uploaded Momsen actually performing, but to tell the truth . . . her performances suck. The music is good, but there's only so much hair flopping, vacant stairs, and tortured expressions I can take. I don't like Taylor Momsen the person, but her music is to die for.