A blessing.

Dealing with paperwork is synonymous with living in Germany and there are very few people I have encountered in the administrative field that look as though they enjoy their job. The process to sign up for german classes at the Volkhochschule started about a month ago. First there is a placement test. Then you must come back with your test and pay for the class. But the office is only open Thursdays: 2 hrs in the morning; and 3hrs in the afternoon. Thursday evenings I have my private german lesson with Georg, so make that Thursday morning only! And before you pay for the test you must bring the proper paperwork. I was told the class I would enter would be A2 (A zwei pronounced "ah tsvahiii") and would meet every M-F from 9:30am-12:45pm. That was the first Thursday. That evening I met with Georg and told him about the test placement. He told me A2 was too high a level but maybe I'll catch up by November. Oh yeah, the classes don't start until November. Ok, so I went through the papermill and returned next Thursday. When I arrived the people upstairs told me to go downstairs and the people downstairs told me to go upstairs. Then the doors closed. I would have to wait until they opened again in the afternoon. I figured all would be ok. I would have enough time to get to my lesson having purchased my new Monatskarte for the U/S Bahn. My 1 hour walk would only be a 15minute train ride.

When I returned in the afternoon, I was sent on the same hunt. No one knew what to do with me. I just remained calm and explained that I took the test, had my papers and needed to pay for the A2 german course starting in November. The woman in charge had seen me circling the halls before and now with two other women who didn't know what to do with me. She took me into her private office. She told me the course I was promised was cancelled. I would have to enter another course at a lower level that started two weeks ago, that was in another part of town and all for the same price! Fine. Kein angst. We chatted in English and I passionately told her my story of coming to fulfill my dream as an opera singer. I like sharing my story. It usually cracks a smile. It did. She was very intrigued. I figured I might as well ask if there were any new openings in the yoga classes that I was told were all full last week. "Yes!" she said. There is one spot. "One spot, just for me!" I exclaimed. "Yes, looks like it!" she replied with a big smile. Now it was time to go back upstairs and do some more official documenting with the receptionists who seem like they particularly cared for their job our your problems. I entered the room and handed over my papers. The woman helping me shared with them that I was an opera singer. Their faces lit up, "really?"  I responded, "yes, would you like me to sing for you?"

So there, in the grey office with grey tables and grey faces with a line full of people waiting to sign up for one course or the other I performed an aria for all. Everything stood still. You could only hear the tick of the clock if you really listened intently. And there, I enjoyed bringing my gift to the dull walls of this institution that sees so much frustration. When I finished, the receptionists were grinning ear to ear and service continued with a smile. Time escaped and it was 10minutes until my lesson. That's when I received a call from Georg cancelling our session.

It was a potentially nerve wracking day or shall I say couple of weeks. My flow could've come to a screeching halt at any moment...from the endless quest to attain new paperwork and discruntled faces while fumbling in german to having to pay for a course that already started two weeks ago. God wanted to flow through me and I was able to be God's vessel. These moments assure me I'm on the right path.

Love,
Tara

The First Month.

I survived the first month in Berlin!

God told me before I left the States not to worry about learning German, that it would come naturally. I was given the peace to dive in, head first, into the unknown. I would also know what to do, and I would just have to listen to my intuition.

After one month in Germany, I created a network of professionals in the operatic field. I had publicity in the local newspapers, including an article devoted to me, translated as "Opera Singer with Heart". It told the story of how I sang for a woman's mother who had alzheimers. She remembered the singing for two whole days. It brought the family great joy. We are now good friends. The experience itself was a great reward but then she told the press about the experience....

This week commences my daily German lessons at the Volkshochschule. For three hours a day, I participate in a class of approximately fifteen people that come from all around the world. Our class has representatives from Ethiopia, Moldavia, Ukraine, Vietnam, Portugal, Spain, Australia, England, Albania, Italy and me from the US. I am already able to have a conversation in German. I do not understand everything and I can only speak in the present tense but I am able to get along quite well with the patient, slow speaking Germans. This is about 15% or less of the population but I manage to find them!

After four lessons with Janet Williams, I already see great improvement with my voice. We are focusing almost entirely on the middle voice and connecting the registers. I have been able to practice (aloud) for one hour a day. I go to the library for the allotted two hours a week, a nearby church and a piano repair shop. I befriend Albay, a piano refurbisher from Turkey. He also set me up with an interview at the Turkish Music School to be a piano teacher. Unbelievably, I was hired. Unfortunately, I only had one student to start with and the pay was minimal. I had to decline the job. I think the time is better spent looking for a more stable, better paying job.

Every Monday night, there is an aria night organized by a small opera company entitled "Berlin International Opera". Every first Friday of the month, my voice teacher holds a masterclass in her home. In November, she is organizing a masterclass given by David Jones (my teacher's teacher). Plans are to see one opera performance a week. Tomorrow, I will go on a guided tour of the Deutsche Oper (auf Deutsch).

 

Expenses with no job? Money is quickly fleeting but I have peace. I know God will provide. I am doing everything I can to get to the next step: a Fest contract in Berlin (weekly voice lessons, daily German classes, masterclasses, researching opera houses, meeting other singers). I have been on three job interviews, as well. The Turkish Music School, and two job placement centers (Prima Job and mise en place). Prima Job gave me the run around. Mise en place told me I need to speak German better. I was told to come back in 3months, after being able to speak better. They also gave me four other leads for jobs right now.

Ideally, I would survive on sponsorship, foundations and grants until I was able to manage singing opportunities. I already received a small grant and sponsorship from various donors before coming to Europe. Currently, I am awaiting a check from a donor in NYC. I will seek other sources, as well. If anyone has any leads, please let me know! I will also be keeping my eye out for catering jobs. A weekend job that would allow me time during the week to perfect the craft and learn German would be fantastic.

I am focused on the NOW. I speak both German and Italian practically everyday. When not practicing, I am researching opera houses, learning the city and searching for a good winter coat. I will have to add a pair of shoes to the list. I just broke my only pair of real shoes. They lasted a good 7yrs, so I can't complain. I can still manage with them until I find a new pair. Wintercoat, presentable walking shoes, winter shoes and a wallet. Yup, my favorite wallet broke too. It was perfect. Compact, zipper for cash and cards, zipper for change and small enough to fit into my pocket. It's near impossible to find but I am on the search.

I also have a few friends! I have a list of about  twenty people I know in Berlin. My list started with people from Perleberg and grew from there. I met a lot of people at events. There are three main internet sites I've used to find events: Lemon Town, ToyTownGermany.com and Meetup.com. Those groups have led me to hiking outside of Berlin, an Oscar nominated Short Film screening, language exchange at a bar and a meeting of creative minds at a restaurant. Pamphlets are another great resource. I am constantly on the lookout for upcoming lectures, performances and events of all kinds. Many churches have cafes and music. I went to one called CafeNiko for a jazz duo and it led to my first evening speaking auf Deutsch.

The greatest part of this adventure is that I am inspiring others while realizing my dreams. I am traveling, speaking different languages and perfecting the craft. Receiving emails from friends and acquaintances telling me that my story is inspiring them in some way or another in their lives is incredible. I look forward to sharing some special moments I have experienced.....coming soon.

Love and Blessings,

Tara