In this new online series, CS features the practice spaces and teaching spaces of our favorite artists, teachers, and readers. We begin with our editor—we couldn’t invite ourselves into your homes without first inviting you into ours!
When did you know this was the right home for you as a singer?
I knew the neighborhood well after renting for nearly ten years. We spent a few years in New Jersey while my husband went to law school, but we always planned to move right back. Inwood is a great neighborhood for singers, and for musicians in general. When you walk up some of the streets, you’ll hear opera, musical theatre, violins, piano and more. There are also a lot of coaches based in upper Manhattan, so it’s convenient for scheduling. The building is on a quiet street, and the co-op is musician friendly. That’s a major factor in making either a rental or purchase decision about a New York apartment: can you practice there? Can you teach or coach? What are the building’s rules, on top of New York City’s noise ordinances, which permit practicing, at no more than 10 decibels above the ambient noise level of the surrounding environment between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. In this neighborhood, that’s generally “business hours.”
How did you decide on where to make your “studio” section of the apartment?
When I first looked at it, there was an illegal dividing wall in the living room. At the time, I didn’t know it was an illegal partition. I had planned to make a small office in that room, but before closing, we found out that the wall did not meet city regulations, so the sellers had to remove it. We were still in love with the apartment, so I decided to make the entry way into a small office and practice room.
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I love that the first thing you see when you come into my apartment is the piano—and my hand painted chinoiserie wall! I wanted chinoiserie wallpaper, but it’s very costly, so
I opted instead to buy a stencil from Etsy, trace the repeated pattern on the wall, and then, it was basically paint by numbers. It took me approximately eight months, because some days I only had time to paint one leaf before I needed to head out for rehearsals, or to spend time editing for CS!
My desk was a free find from a neighborhood Facebook group. It’s lower quality pine, so I painted it a dark grey and added pink depression glass knobs. I needed something smaller since I’m petite and the space is limited, so this was a perfect fit!
I also made sure to have a large mirror—it serves a double purpose, as my studio is also the entryway of my home. I can do a final look at my outfit of the day before heading to an audition, but it’s also placed perfectly for keeping an eye on my alignment while warming up and practicing my audition pieces.
How would you describe your style?
I would call it “Hobbit-cottagecore.” I love rich colors, and I’m a big fan of color drenching. I painted the walls and ceilings throughout the apartment. In the living room, I painted a cloud mural, and in the studio section of the apartment, I love the bright sky blue. I opted for a pink ceiling in the kitchen, like a sunrise or sunset with a contrasting a sage-green on the beadboard. It connects the apartment in a way that feels comforting and cozy, a respite from the hustle and bustle of living and working as a singer in New York City.
What is your favorite element?
I adore the art-deco aspects of my apartment and my building. We have a little nook, and while many people use it for books, I need a lot more storage for books and scores, and have a wall of shelves for books in the living room. I use my nook for my vintage teacups and some of the pieces I’ve collected while traveling for gigs. There are several artists in my family, including both of my sisters and my late grandmother, so I cherish the pieces that came from them.
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What was your biggest challenge?
Like all New York based musicians, sound dampening was a priority. All of the rugs in the apartment have thick rug pads underneath, and almost all of the rugs are 100% wool, which absorbs sound better than synthetic fibers. While I don’t have sound panels on the wall, I follow the city ordinances for noise, and my immediate neighbor has said he enjoys my practicing! I did opt for a silent system on my Yamaha U3. It’s more expensive, but it means that my acoustic piano can also be used as a keyboard with headphones! It’s handy for recording as well, as I can line the piano directly into my audio interface for a cleaner sound than what I can pick up with a mic. Keeping the humidity even for the piano is also a challenge—I have a dehumidifier for the more humid months and a humidifier for colder, drier months that make a huge difference.
It’s also challenging to have a workspace in an entryway—it’s easy for packages and shoes to pile up, or for my desk to be disorganized. I don’t want that to be the first thing anyone sees, so I live by the mantra, “don’t put it down, put it away.” It goes a long way to keeping the space tidy and enjoyable, and to create a workspace where I can focus on my music.
Want to have your studio space featured in CS? Reach out to our editor: joanie@csmusic.net.
