My Letter to the Editor, Classical Singer magazine

This (which I've copied and pasted below as well) is what I sent in to Classical Singer magazine in response to an article that suggested that a typical NYC audition experience might leave you with stories of "getting lost in the ghetto". If you have a subscription to Classical Singer, you can read the original article here (a new window will open so you won't lose this page).

Dear Editor:

I was pleased to read Joanie Brittingham's article, "Make Your Summer Sizzle." It's great to see articles by and for singers who are on the younger side of the spectrum. I wish I had spent my summers so wisely when I was in my twenties! But I have to admit that I was taken aback by the reference to getting "lost in the ghetto".

I can't think of anyplace in New York City where the housing near a possible audition location is even affordable to middle-class families, let alone being a "ghetto" area. The days of New York City being a relatively dangerous place are over. According to the F.B.I's "Crime in the United States 2005", the violent crime rate per 100,000 people was 673.1, in contrast to the 745.6 per 100,000 rate in Waco, TX, where Ms. Brittingham is pursuing a graduate degree. In fact, New York City was just named "The Safest Large City in America."

More importantly, using the term "ghetto" in such a casual way assumes that classical musicians are a certain type of people, with nothing in common with inhabitants of the "ghetto". Reri Grist grew up in the projects of Spanish Harlem, and both Denyce Graves and Leontyne Price came from segregated neighborhoods in South Philadelphia and Mississippi, respectively. As someone who now makes part of her living teaching the youth of Brooklyn (Beverly Sills' hometown), I can personally assure you that the gifts of musical talent and a drive to succeed don't discriminate on the basis of neighborhood, race, or how much money one's parents have. The fact is, someone from "the ghetto" probably wins a vocal competition much more frequently than a competitor gets lost in a "ghetto" on the way!

When I was in my early 20's getting my Masters' Degree at Baylor University, my life experiences left me with misconceptions similar to Ms. Brittingham's, so I can't entirely blame her. I am, however, disappointed that the editorial staff let this one go.

Sincerely,

Denise Ivanoff

Student success!

I have a nine-year-old voice student who was just promoted from Preparatory to Junior division at the Brooklyn Youth Chorus Academy (BYCA). Congratulations Lilly!

Time to start thinking about lesson times!

Just a reminder of how I prioritize lesson times:

First group -- Committing to a date/time prior to Labor Day and paying for September

First choice -- Students who took summer lessons, regardless of whether they are retaining the same time

Second choice -- Students who did not take summer lessons and wish to continue with their previous day and time (assuming that a student who took summer lessons did not take it).

Third choice -- Students who wish to continue with me, did not take summer lessons, but require a change of day and/or time.

Fourth choice -- Students who are referred from continuing students.

Second group: Students committing to a date and time, and paying ON OR AFTER Labor Day

Students will be accommodated based on remaining available lesson times at time of payment of one month of lessons.

No new students without a referral will be guaranteed an assigned slot before Labor Day unless and until all continuing and referred students have been successfully placed in a slot.