my-blog

Exciting News...

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 01:08:44 +0100

There is exciting news on the horizon. I am pleased to announce the formation of the J. Christopher Studio for the Arts. I had the opportunity to travel to Mississippi this past weekend to adjudicate and present a Master Class for the Mississippi Thespian Conference. We are blessed with some very talented children in Central Mississippi. A lot of these children have not had the opportunity to study privately for a number of reasons. I seek to bring quality, yet acessible arts instruction to the children and adults of the Jackson Metro area. The Studio will focus on the areas of Voice, Dance, Theatre, and Piano. If you know individuals that may be interested in studying teaching, please pass along my information. This is going to be a huge undertaking, and I am soliciting your prayers as I move forward in this endeavor. Thank you for your support and may God bless each of you.

John Christopher Adams

My Feelings

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 07:25:32 +0100

I wanted to start this blog entry out with a quote from Thomas Young of the Three Mo' Tenors.

- Life can show us so many things. It can show us that there are things in the universe beyond our knowledge and beyond our understanding. It can show us that there is an extraordinary distance between knowing a person's name and knowing the person behind that name. So what tasks must we perform in order to discover who we are and to be at peace with that knowledge? And what are we prepared to do to defend who we are once that knowledge is obtained? I have stood in front of crowds of people and known that my capacity to believe in myself superceded their capacity to believe in me. I'm still standing...by my faith and not by their sight.

So much is going through my head these days as I take a huge step in my career. I have been blessed beyond measure. One of the greatest gifts in my life has been the ability to work a job that I absolutely love, doing something that is the thing that I have to. I can't imagine my life without music. I live music. I breathe music. I am blessed enough to call music my own. Music has gotten mo through so many things in life and as of late it has played an especially powerful part in the soundtrack of my life. There are those that seek to destroy your belief in yourself, and the quote above goes to all of those that said I can't or I shouldn't. Guess what...I can, I have, I am, and I will. An amazing conductor reminded me of the gift I have been given tonight and for a moment, it made me feel bad because other people haven't seen what he sees in me. Then I got angry. I got angry at myself for letting other people's opinion deter me. Then I got angry because I can remember a conversation I had with myself just a few days ago. In that conversation I contemplated shifting the focus of my dream, and in essence changing my dream all-together. I was put on this earth to glorify God through the gift of song and to change as many lives as possible. I have every intention of siphoning every drop I can out of my gift, and moreover, out of my life. I leave you with this quote and hope that you know that the best of your days lie before you.

Much Love!

John Christopher

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - wine in one hand, chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming 'WOO HOO, WHAT A RIDE!!!!"

The countdown begins...

Sat, 19 Feb 2011 23:52:53 +0100

So, it's getting close to that time. It's time for me to pack up and leave Cincinnati. I have enjoyed my time here greatly, but I am so excited for the next chapters of my life. I am leaving March 14 to visit home for a little while. Then it is off to Seattle. That's right...I'm making my debut at Seattle Opera. Please hold while I pinch myself. You spend all of these years training, and polishing, and perfecting your gift, and then it all comes to fruition. This journey that lies before me is one that I am more than happy to take. I am so excited for what life has in store. Cincinnati, it has been an amazing experience, but you all can keep these winters. I'm flying south with the birds. I grew into myself while I was here, and when I look back, I don't even recognize the person I was. Life has taught me a great deal in my time here and I am forever grateful. To all the friends I made and the family I gained, I say thank you. You have played an amazing role in me becoming the musician I am today and I look forward to sharing all that I have become with all of you.

Much love...

JC

A peace that passes all...

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 03:18:11 +0100

So, after a great weekend, full of great singers, and full of great performances at the opera, I did not advance to the finals of the competition. I would be lying if I said i was completely okay. I will be the first to admit that it hurt at first. HGO is something that I really, really wanted. And its made even harder because I feel like I had a great audition today. Then I had to take a moment to think about it all. All we can do in this life is try to be the absolute best we can, and let others do with it what they will. Many of you have heard me say that this is my season. My belief in that has not changed at all. My belief in my significance was shaken a bit today, but after some careful thought, I decided to snatch it back. How dare I let myself feel as though I am less than talented because of the results of one day. A very wise person told me that my strength was the reason I didn't advance. I must say that statement made me want to hang up the phone, but then another statement followed. "You have the strength to walk away from this thing knowing that you did a wonderful job regardless of the results. The other singers may not have that strength." Wow. At the end of the day, all i can do is realize there were so many talented people in Houston this weekend. The thing that I exhibited more than anyone else, may not have been the thing they needed. Thank you all for all of your support in this competition. Stay tuned for what amazing things are happening next. This bus stop wasn't the one I was intended to get off on, so I'm getting back on, and I'm gonna ride a little further to see what the end is gonna be. Be blessed, and stay that way.

JC

First Round of Auditions

Sun, 30 Jan 2011 00:42:10 +0100

So, today was so amazing. I had my first audition, which didn't go as well as I would have liked, but hey, things happen. I'm glad I get to redeem myself tomorrow. It's always hard to sing in a new city, but I am absolutely loving Houston. This is my kind of city. I met all of the singers today, and its the first time I can say that all of the competitors are really nice. Its great to be in a competition where everyone is a good colleague, it makes it easier to say that anyone in the group would be a great choice for Houston's program. We went to a small party at this really colorful house, and when I say colorful, I mean colorful. It was like Cinco de Mayo in every room. It was great though, and you couldn't help but be happy there. I am about to leave for the opera house to see some of my favorite singers: Maesha Bruegergrosman, Joyce DiDonato, and Frederica von Stade (this is her farewell performance). They are all singing in Dead Man Walking. I also got to catch up with an old colleague and friend from Cincinnati, Brittany Wheeler. It was great seeing her, and she is also performing tonight. All in all, it was a great day. Catch you all tomorrow.

JC

I'm Here

Sat, 29 Jan 2011 03:34:53 +0100

Hey guys. I just wanted to let you all know that I made it to Houston safely. I got to the hotel and went to a meet-in-greet. I went to dinner at The Hardrock Cafe with some old friends and some new and had a great time. I will keep you all posted on the goings on of this weekend. It's time to practice before I go to bed.

Houston...Here I Come!

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 06:49:35 +0100

So, BIG NEWS. I have been selected as one of the semi-finalists for the 2011 Eleanor McCollum Competition for Young Singers at Houston Grand Opera. YAY! I fly down on January 28, and it is going to be a blast. I got in touch with some of my great friends and they are coming. My mom and my sister are flying down as well. I can't wait. I feel so ready for whatever happens. I know it is cliche, but it really doesn't matter if I win or lose. It just amazes me how things have come full circle. It was just a year ago that a certain lady, who shall remain nameless said to me that "Houston needs a singer like you." And look, I'm in the semi-finals. I have to take 8 pieces for the competition. I don't know if I should spill the beans on what they are, but I guess it doesn't really matter. We can all get there and sing the same eight pieces and there would be eight uniquely different interpretations.

So, here goes. These are my five operatic pieces.

1. Fuor del mar from Idomeneo by Mozart
2. Mit Gewitter und Sturm from Der Fliegende Hollander by Wagner
3. Salut! demeure chaste et pure from Faust by Gounod
4. It was somethin' I could stroke from Of Mice and Men by Floyd
5. New York Lights from A View from the Bridge

These are my non-operatic pieces

1. Phidyle by Duparc
2. Sence you went away by H. Leslie Adams
3. Ride on King Jesus from the Cantata by John Carter

This list excites me. I love all of the arias. The non-operatic pieces really show what I love to sing. Don't get me wrong, I love opera, but these other pieces hold a special place in my heart. I will keep you all posted on what is going on as the competition gets closer. Wish me luck...

I'm excited to keep you all informed...

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 06:19:32 +0100

I'm turning over a new leaf...lol. I'm actually going to keep all of you up to date on what is going on with me. I cant wait to share all of the great things that are happening in my life. Stay tuned...