Last weekend was devoted to attending performances of present and former students.  It was a little bit hectic getting to all of the 3 consecutive nights of shows. My weekend  is usually all about catching up - cleaning the house, doing   career type things,  stuff like writing this blog,  and finally making sure that I stay on top of the responsibilities of my very much needed "day gig".  A great weekend includes working on developing a new skill of writing music and of course, practicing.   Driving back home from  the last performance, I  really thought about my life and how over the last 20 years of mentoring young people, I have tried like those before me to inspire, encourage and lift up  "my musical children."   Trying to get them to believe in themselves and their ability to sing,  dance or act has not been easy.  Young people have such little faith in themselves. To simply be the singer that God created them to be seems hard for them to accept.  They need someone to believe in them .  It made me think about my own journey to believe.  Without people like my first voice teacher, Dr. Margaret Franzone, my sister Deborah, brother Steven and my wonderful Mom and Dad, I am sure that I would have ended up in an insane asylum or a rehab facility - worn out and ready to give up.  I surely would not have been able to get to the point where I now can say that I make my entire living making, giving, and sharing music.  Its been 21 years since Dr Franzone died and I still think of her.  Her voice, her kindness, and her love still speaks to me -   "I believe you Shirley"  One of the many  joys that I have as a mentor  is knowing that I can be that  voice of encouragement that helps a  not-so-sure and  slightly unbelieving  youth become a beautiful musician.  

Obituary for MARGARET FRANZONE, 80, A FORMER EDUCATOR Margaret S. Franzone, 80, of West Chester, a former educator, died Saturday, at the West Chester Arms.

In 1969 she received a doctorate in education from Columbia University. After that she worked as a music and art coordinator in the Pearl River, N.Y., school district. She retired in 1978 at the age of 65. 

Posted: January 9, 1994

and to this I add...

She changed the life of more than one insecure, young singer and helped them to believe that they had  something musical to share with the world.  


Still thinking of you Dr Franzone, rest in peace. 

Well, I made it to the semi-final round. Rumor has it they were fighting over ho the top 5 would be. I sure hope they were fighting over me.  all in all it's been a ton of fun watching this all play out.   Getting the letter and knowing that out of 900 people  - I was one of the best. Bravo Shirley and congratulation son being  one of the 2012 Semi-Finalist in Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition!.