Ah, February. The holidays are but a distant memory, as are ambitious New Year’s resolutions, and spring seems forever around the corner. Under a cloud-covered sky and amid sub-zero temperatures, we often abandon our quest for weight loss and better health as the seasonal blues set in. But before you reach for that chocolate bar, perhaps there’s another solution to those winter blahs.
A recent study shows that a loved one’s smile produces as much pleasure as eating 600 chocolate treats or receiving nearly $14,000 in cash. A friend’s smile is worth 200 chocolate bars or $225. And a child’s smile? A whopping 2,000 chocolate bars or, count ’em, $25,000.
Seem unlikely? Not according to researchers in a Hewlett-Packard-conducted British study who measured the mood-boosting value of different stimuli using an electromagnetic brain scan machine and heart-rate monitor. And to top it off, in a subsequent survey, 1,000 British adults said that smiling was more likely to create a short-term high than sex, shopping, or candy (in that order).
These studies underline the importance of relationships, particularly familial ones. It’s no wonder, then, that so many singers determine to have both a family and a career. The sacrifice and effort required are significant, but the benefits and rewards (like endorphin-producing smiles) are well worth it. Juggling the two is not easy, but the stories in this issue are sure to provide both inspiration and guidance for those seeking a similar path.
Featured first is an operatic couple on the rise: Eglise Gutiérrez and Burak Bilgili (p. 16). They fell in love during their training at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, traveling and winning the competition circuit together. Now they are traveling the world, along with their baby girl Lucia, this time on the international operatic circuit.
How do singers make traveling with children work? Kathleen Buccleugh set out to find out, interviewing two moms and one dad who do it often (p. 36). Read about how these three singers use technology, careful planning, and sheer determination to be together with their children while on the road.
As children turn into (sometimes trying) teenagers, the challenges of parenting as a performer often change. Valerie White Williams, a singer and teacher with teenagers of her own at home, interviews both professional singers and their teenage children for the whole story (p.44). You might be surprised what these teenagers have to say about mom and dad—and vice versa.
And while the days of the diva and her dog may be gone, many aspects of careers now and careers then remain the same. The delightful soprano Elinor Ross reflects on her career in the 1960s (p. 30). She, too, worked to find balance with family life, health challenges (her own and her husband’s), and an international career.
Studies show a few more interesting things about smiling. Smiling is contagious, and the ones we give back have benefits all their own—like increasing your odds for marital satisfaction, not to mention your life span. So during this sunless February, soak up those smiles in lieu of rays and then return a few of your own.
