Books

The Singing of the Future

by David Thomas Ffrangcon-Davies

An eloquent 1906 work on the subject of establishing priorities in one's study of vocalism. Unapologetically spiritual, it asks the singer to think about their studies as an effort in developing themselves, not only their mechanical skill.

Dynamic Singing

by Louis Bachner

A highly respected pedagogue of his generation, Louis Bachner condenses his thoughts on singing into this short but insightful book and deconstructs some of the less logical approaches that he believes lead away from simplicity and toward further confusion.

Jean de Reszke and the Great Days of Opera

by Clara Leiser

Biography of Victorian Era Tenor Jean de Reszke, of whom I am a great admirer. His artistic and pedagogical legacy are valuable models even for our own time.

Who’s My Bottom?

by Christopher Gillett

One of the most candid looks at the life of the singing professional that I have had the good fortune to read.

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

by Robert M. Pirsig

"Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" is a thought-provoking book on the subject of finding value and meaning in the learning process.

Musashi

by Eiji Yoshikawa

One of my favorite books - the novelized story of samurai Miyamoto Musashi, a famous martial artist who has long been a model of single-minded determination toward the learning of a craft.

Letters To A Young Poet

by Rainer Maria Rilke

A correspondence on the subject of the artistic life and process, and meditations on the compulsion to creativity.