OUR TOWNE Bethlehem by John Guastella

Neighbors Next Door Heidi Skok | Opera Singer By Caroline Barrett

According to Heidi Skok, “life is about transitions.” There have been so many in the life of this spirited and talented woman. The most profound, though, was the realization that after singing professionally as a soprano for over 20 years, her voice was actually a mezzo. As a child, she loved to sing. Growing up on her family’s farm in Ohio, she would sing to the farm animals. Heidi’s voice, while steady and pure, was husky. In kindergarten, a teacher called home to ask what was wrong with the little girl’s voice. Her parents were her advocates and supporters from the beginning. The answer given was, “Have you heard Carol Channing?” Heidi begged her parents for voice lessons, which they obliged her with at the age of twelve. When she turned sixteen, she gave her first recital and her life became about singing. There were musicals, more recitals and lesson and after lesson. The little girl’s voice cleared up and she grew into a young woman with a formidable and powerful voice. While still a junior at Carnegie Mellon University, Heidi performed as a Young Artist with the Pittsburgh Opera. She made her debut in 1990 in The Magic Flute. “I give credit to my supporting family,” Heidi says of her early successes, “most especially my grandmother.” Her parents were close, loving and always devoted to her craft. But it was her grandmother, who lived with the family until Heidi turned 12, who instilled a sense of discipline. “She was a task master,” Heidi says now with a warm smile. Musical styles are very important for a young artist, and at 16, Heidi began studying and performing in the classical style. In college it was opera, but she also loved Broadway and pop. But a professor at Carnegie Mellon saw in her a “head voice”. She was better suited to classical and opera. So she sang opera. It was at the Pittsburgh Opera, her first year out of college, that she met Placido Domingo, the famous Spanish tenor. “He said to me, ‘Why are you in Pittsburgh? You should 20

be in New York!’” He set up a meeting with an agent, and she auditioned. But her voice was deemed “too young” and she returned to Pittsburgh, disappointed, but with a job. A few weeks later, the Metropolitan Opera called. This time, she sang, and they hired her. On the spot. It was a long way from singing in the barn to the animals, and a dream come true. Heidi worked with the Metropolitan Opera from 199194. The position, as a Young Artist, was one of 10 chosen. It was an esteemed place to be. The conductor throughout was James Levine. They worked together through many shows. She often sang the German and Czech roles, and it was during this time that she worked with Luciano Pavarotti. An important thing happened at the end of her tenure at the Metropolitan Opera. She felt a little lost. Her voice didn’t feel right. Left wondering and worrying about why singing was always so hard, she found her way to teaching. “I wasn’t looking for it. It just happened,” she says. This transition to teaching brought her joy and satisfaction. Heidi worked for five years at the Actor’s Studio at New School University in New York. The position brought her together with actors, perfecting their speaking voices. At this point in her life, another change was coming, this one making a momentous difference in her life. After a 20 year career as a soprano, a voice teacher recognized something in her voice. “Technically, singing was never easy for me,” she explains, “I could never figure out why. And no one else could either.”

“We have a duty to each other. We are supposed to help, to love, to guide each other. Whenever I mentor, I am blessed.” Until one teacher pointed out something that seemed quite obvious. She was singing too high. Finding her “true voice” brought her work as a mezzo singer, and changed the way she taught as well. Having had to dig and find out who she really was as a singer brought a new understanding of how voices work.

Heidi Skok with Jeffrey Wells in the Metropolitan Opera’s production of Janacek’s JENUFA

“I’ve been able to solve huge vocal issues with others because I’ve been through deep waters myself,” she notes. Her pride and confidence comes with gratitude and humbleness, too. “We have a duty to each other. We are supposed to help, to love, to guide each other. Whenever I mentor, I am blessed.” Heidi teaches with the philosophy that every person has the right to be successful. Every student is special. Her approach is teaching voice gently with a sense of generosity and kindness. But this is not to be confused with being casual or lenient. “No, I’m like a dog with a bone. I don’t let up until it’s done. I’m compassionate, but I get results.” Heidi’s teaching practice is done between two places: Delmar and New York. She travels to the city two days each week, and works with students privately here in Delmar. Also in Albany is her work at the College of St. Rose, where she is an adjunct professor. There, Heidi works with Music Education students. Again, this was a change for her. “I was used to working with very high level performers, so I wasn’t sure what to expect.” She realized the educators need to learn performance, so they can teach it to others. “And they are hungry, just as hungry as any other student. I treat them just as I treat my students who are going off to sing on an opera stage.” Another project is Resonanz. Together with Diana

Hernandez, a local woman passionate about the arts, Heidi founded Resonanz in 2009. Started as a way to bring opera singers together from all over the country, it has transformed into a cooperative of singers, opera companies, agents and orchestras. Still sitting as an artistic director, she handed the reigns over to three singers. “I didn’t start it for me. I did it for the business,” Heidi says of Resonanz. There is still also singing work. With one album recorded, she dreams of making another someday. Another passion is working as an advocate for singers. There is an age limit for many singers. Careers are considered to be over at age 30. The Metropolitan Opera doesn’t hire over the age of 30. This is a barrier that needs to be broken. To a woman who discovered her true voice at age 35, it doesn’t make sense. “We have to get rid of age limits,” she adds with determination. Her job now, in addition to being a teacher and a mother and singer, is to help performers stay healthy. “They are the emotion, and the beauty. I am the nuts and bolts.” Perhaps it’s because Heidi had her own struggles and dealt with so much change in her career that she is now able to find balance and joy in teaching, singing and performing. She says this with a huge smile: “It’s been a great ride for me. And in so many ways, I’m just getting going.”

Heidi is currently accepting new students for private vocal instruction

For information about Heidi's Skok’s studio: http://www.heidiskok.com For information about Resonanz: http://www.resonanzfoundation.org 21

Another great thing about pet walking is that it is one of the most aﬀordable forms of exercise around. It doesn’t cost a thing to take a skip around the neighborhood. Leashes are aﬀordable and likely already on hand. First and foremost, always remember to practice safety first. That goes for both the walker and the pet, of course!

Pet Walking Tips: -Always keep the pet properly leashed to avoid accidents 0Make sure the pet is up to date on vaccinations and is on flea and tick preventative -Do not let the pet jump on people -If the pet is not good with other dogs or people, say so to avoid an issue -Always pick up pet waste and dispose of it properly -Supervise pets around children -Do not over exercise an under active pet; instead, gradually build endurance -Bring fresh water on long walks -Know the law on pets in local areas -Avoid walks in inclement weather -Make sure the pet is wearing proper identification

Benefits of exercise: • Improves strength, fitness, flexibility and movement • Increases energy levels • Helps decrease stress and can help improve you and your pets mood • Improves sleep • Prevents boredom • Decreases bad behavior • Improves the bond between you and your pet • Prevents obesity

Here’s to a happy, healthy New Year with your pets! Please send all your veterinary questions to: AskTheVet@canterburyvet.com or mail them to Ask the Vet c/o Canterbury Animal Hospital 88 Delaware Avenue Delmar, NY 12054

“You cannot live a perfect day without doing something for someone who you know cannot repay you.” John Wooden At the Bethlehem YMCA, we are much more than a gym where individuals can build a healthier body; we are a charitable organization that works to build healthy families and a stronger community. When any one of the Y’s 10,000-plus members walk through our doors, they see the pool, the ice rink, the basketball courts, etc. What they often don’t see is the commitment and generosity of our staff, our volunteer board and the members themselves, who help families in need right in Bethlehem. That generous spirit was visible during the holiday season when Y members took almost 300 “ornaments” off our giving tree and bought Christmas gifts for the needy children whose names were written on the decorations. When one of our Board members delivered several gifts to a struggling family in Bethlehem, she received a big, emotional hug from a mother whose phone and power had recently been turned off. She thanked the Y for ensuring that her kids had a Merry Christmas despite her tough times. Now multiply that story 300 times over. Charitable, community outreach is every bit as much a part of the Y’s mission as helping people live a healthier lifestyle. Our members’ monthly fees pay to keep the lights on, the facility clean, the equipment working and pay our dedicated staff. However, our charitable outreach is solely funded by generous donations to the Y’s Reach Out For Youth program.

These Circle of Champs events mean fun, smiles, and laughter that brighten the lives of these courageous children and their families. In return, they give us hope, inspiration and a spirit worth far more than the donations that make the program possible. One person making one donation to help one family is like a ripple in a pond. The smallest act of kindness can make a big diﬀerence for someone, who may pass that along to help another, until it impacts the entire community. The famous college basketball coach John Wooden once said, “You cannot live a perfect day without doing something for someone who you know cannot repay you.” The Y asks that you to remember those less fortunate and make a donation to Reach Out For Youth. Please visit our website at www.cdymca.org to conveniently donate online. If you wish for your donation to go specifically the Circle of Champs program or if you know a family who may benefit from the Champs program, please call the Y at 439-4394 and speak with Executive Director Derek Martin.

Derek Martin Executive Director

Capital District YMCA Bethlehem Area Branch.

518-439-4394 x1400

Mark A. Thurman Wellness Director

Capital District YMCA Bethlehem Area Branch.

518-439-4394 x1440

In 2012, the Bethlehem Y provided $90,566 in financial assistance and program subsidies. Every dollar stayed in our community and helped a family in need right in Bethlehem. For example, over the summer, 1,000 kids attended the Y’s summer camp program. 1 in 5 of those kids could only aﬀord camp thanks to help from Reach Out For Youth. Donations to Reach Out For Youth also fund the Y’s Circle of Champs program, which is dedicated to children and their families who have been aﬀected by a life threatening illness. For so many of these kids, life is a series of doctor visits, hospital stays and medical treatments. It takes a tremendous toll on the entire family.

Race date is Sunday, May 5th @ 8:00 am.

(which will not require advanced registration)

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New this year- KIDS FUN RUN

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Registration for the Delmar Du is OPEN

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The Circle of Champs program enriches their lives by oﬀering events throughout the year such as Disney on Ice, holiday parties, laser tag, Siena games, the circus and UAlbany football games. This month 33 members of our Circle of Champs families enjoyed Disney on Ice. This event was made possible and tickets were donated by our very own Our Towne Bethlehem owners John and Shannon Guastella. Special and sincere thanks to you both!!!

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