Dear Editor: I really enjoy receiving and reading Classical Singer. I find the information, articles and tips pertinent to my own career as a singer and performer. Thank you CS!
—Mary Moroney, Cincinnati, OH
Dear Editor: Your publication is a boon to all singers and teachers. The open forum you provide for sharing practices of vocal pedagogy, in all its fascinating variety, breaks down barriers of closed-door policies frequently encountered. The stimulation and energy flowing from your pages are a source of information and inspiration.
—Nitza Niemann, Los Angeles, CA
Dear Editor: If one is seriously studying vocal performance, Classical Singer is truly the doorway to a successful career.
—Kelly Price, Doylestow, PA
Dear Editor: I was disappointed to hear that management decided not to publish what companies/hiring bodies would be in attendance at the CS Convention. This goes against everything Classical Singer promotes… being aware of who you’re auditioning for so that you can make the right decision about 1) auditioning (is this the appropriate level company), 2) repertoire (are they hiring for your particular rep), and 3) just plain-old business savvy—truth in advertising (why purchase something when you don’t even know what it is). Can you explain your decision not to publish this information? [It] makes no sense.
—Name Withheld, Astoria, NY
CS decided not to publish the names of the companies because we didn’t have a firm list until right before the convention. Also, several of the companies did not want to have their names published because they weren’t certain they’d be able to attend until the last minute, nor did they want singers and managers having that information. The final list of expected auditioners was put on our Website approximately one week before the convention. Next year we plan to revise the process to give singers better notice.—Editor
Dear Editor: Could you do an article on the difference between singer’s salaries as artists who also work as administrative assistants and the out-of-proportion rise in coaches’ and voice teachers’ salaries? They go up $5 or $10 a year, regardless [of the fact] that singer’s salaries as administrative assistants have gone down. There is no regard for the artists as human beings. We are not lawyers or bankers. They should feel ashamed at taking advantage.
—Name Withheld, New York, NY
You just said it all.
—Editor
Dear Editor: Could you provide more information about the “parasites” mentioned in the article and how they are tested for and treated? I try to remain open to alternative medicine, but the lack of information about the source of the problem makes it sound like a snake-oil pitch.
—Name Withheld, via e-mail
We asked Dr. Frederick Mindel, the doctor who was mentioned in the article, to answer your question:
“My success with singers comes from a holistic approach, which focuses on correcting the underlying causes of health problems, rather than merely treating symptoms. This involves assessing the following eight areas: 1) structural imbalances, 2) nervous system imbalances, 3) microbes, 4) mental/emotional stress, 5) energy depletions, 6) nutritional deficiencies, 7) toxins, and 8) hormonal imbalances, because most health problems are caused by imbalances among these eight areas. I have integrated a variety of natural therapies that enable me to do this.
Each person is like a unique jigsaw puzzle and therefore every treatment protocol must be individualized. This is especially true regarding the area of microbes, which include yeast, candida, molds, parasites, viruses and bacteria. One must be able to detect their presence (there are often more than one), identify the specific remedies that are called for (out of a number of possibilities), know where this area fits into the larger picture of the whole person, and understand the proper order or sequence in which to address imbalances.
There are a number of different approaches that are effective in this regard, such as Applied Kinesiology, (Lebowitz protocol), Brimhall Technique and BodyTalk.
The important thing is to find an alternative or holistic practitioner whose approach and experience is as comprehensive as possible.”
For more information, visit our website at www.holisticnyc.net or email me at: drmindel@earthlink.net.
—Editor
