Iranian Prima Donna Steals Bay Area's Heart cont'd
TBT: I see on your website that you were featured as Carmen with the Livermore Opera. Could you tell us more about that? You also appeared in Iranian Gala Celebrating International women's day. Could you please tell us about that?
RSY: Carmen is one of my beloved operas. It has brought me so much joy in my life both musically and personally. It was the first-ever opera I performed, not knowing anything about music, technique of singing or reading notes. The production I did with Livermore Opera in 2008 was the third time I sang that role. I have also sung the role with Opera Brasov in Romania. Later on, it was in Carmen where I met my soulmate and I will hope to perform many many more Carmens. She has given me so much strength both as a woman and as a singer. Each woman should have a Carmen inside her.The IWSF concert was a huge success. I got to sing a lot of my songs from PMP and the audience seems to really enjoy it. I am so grateful for that performance opportunity.
TBT: Is it easy for you to sing both in Persian and English? Also how did you become interested in singing 'Goleh Pamchal' Primrose flower song? Was there any story behind choosing to sing that song?
RSY: I sing in many different languages, French, German, English, Persian, Russian, Czeck, Spanish, and Sweedish and I love singing in all different languages and I always look forward to learn singing in other different languages. Goleh Pamchal is one my favorite tunes. I just love its pureness and its message of love and motivation. These Persian Folksongs are my connection with my roots, my past and my lovely grandmother (mother's side). I heard most of these Folksongs at her home when I was a kid staying for sleepovers.
TBT: How do you get your inspiration to sing?
RSY: Nature and interpersonal relationships are my inspiration. Beauty in any way, form or shape is a huge inspiration. All I have to do is open the window and look at the trees at the end of my yard or sometimes the very blue color of the sky... or perhaps a loving letter from a friend or family.TBT: Can you share with us one of your memorable performance experiences or memories that you have in your field?
RSY: One of the most memorable performances I had was singing six of my PMP songs set to the orchestra arrangements of David Garner for the first time ever with Oakland East Bay Symphony in March of 2008. I was beside myself. It was a dream-come-true to sing songs from my homeland to an audience of about 2,000 or more with a full orchestra. I have never heard of any American company that has ever produced an evening for Persian Folk Songs with Orchestra and Persian Symphonic works. I will be grateful to Maestro Michael Morgan forever for enabling this opportunity.
TBT: Can you tell us about one of the biggest challenges you had to face so far during your career?
RSY: The biggest challenge is not letting your fears get in your way of achieving your dreams. Not giving your insecurities any power, acknowledging your weaknesses and moving on is the key to success.TBT: Do you have any advice for the young college music-major graduates who want to start their career?
RSY: Go to as many live performances as possible, especially ones that are at more established performing organizations such as the San Francisco Opera, or the San Francisco Symphony. You will learn so much. Be a good colleague to your friends at school; you never know which friend in school is the next artistic director or casting director or reference for a job. Networking is one of the most important parts of a solo musician’s life. The result of this career should not be the cause for why we do it; meaning, to get a job should not be why we sing. To learn really the correct technique of singing is why we sing. To learn how to express is why we sing. To communicate is why we sing. The job is a result of knowing how to sing and when you know how to sing the jobs will follow. So keep your eye on the ball and don't get distracted by this and that audition. Learn your craft really well and thoroughly.
TBT: how can people find out about your CDs and your upcoming events?
RSY: They can visit my website at www.raeeka.com.
TBT: Do you have any last message that you would like to share with our readers?
RSY: Don't let anything stop you from dreaming. It's our imagination for dreaming that takes us to the most exciting places.
