The call to pursue opera came very naturally to me because of my love for language and travel, and the joy I receive from exploring culture and human connection. I must say, I have always been somewhat of a “strange bird” with my vast taste in music since I was a child. When I was a young girl growing up in a very American household, my parents would often come home to me watching Spanish Telenovelas or dancing to Bollywood. That being said, I have always been drawn to the sense of mystery in Middle Eastern music. The modes are full of this mysticism that is both dangerous and seductive to me.

My last song is by one of my favorite artists Ofra Haza. Her life story is as unique as the timbre of her voice. As a fellow singer, I am captivated by visceral singers, and within Ofra’s voice there is always an intimate cry. What I also love about this song in particular is the ability she has to communicate a profoundly complex story with very few words (and I don’t even speak the language!). 

This is “Barefoot”, sung in Hebrew from her 1992 album Kirya.