Issue 9: A chat with... Christina

What is your earliest memory?
My earliest memory is getting in trouble for jumping on a hotel bed while away with our family friends and their kids. It was fun while it lasted and totally worth it.

What was your first job?
My first job was as a soccer referee. I quickly moved on to serving tables at Chi Chi’s Mexican Restaurant. On my first day, the manager handed me a name badge and said, “Hey Christi, your name is Christi now because Christina doesn’t fit on this badge.” My shirt was bright purple with about three million hideous chilli peppers on it. And yes, everyone called me Christi there.

Do you have a favourite opera/show?
My favorite opera is Werther. The music moves my soul and the role of Charlotte was one of my favorites that I have sung. Massenet wrote so wonderfully for the mezzo voice, and it goes to all the right places vocally. The lush harmonies and emotional melodies are just – gripping!

What is your favourite song?
I definitely have more than one favourite song…I can’t imagine how I would pick one! One that comes to mind is Tango by Dianne Reeves. When I was 14, I went to the well known, Blue Note Jazz Club, in NYC and she happened to be singing. She was a striking on stage – as a performer, as a singer, and as a person. I fell in love with her music and have been a fan ever since. Tango is a song with no words and it takes you on a detailed journey nonetheless. For me, it speaks about the wonder of the journey through life, celebrating our profoundness and also our simplicity. It makes me feel powerful, joyful, curious, serene, and utterly carefree!

Do you have any hobbies?
I’m a nerd. I love playing scrabble, very competitively. I’m very proud that I know so many two letter words. I also enjoy playing Hearts, Spades, and French Tarot (it’s a card came, not reading fortunes!).

I also love crossword puzzles. I love lifting weights. I like riding the electric city bike rentals just for fun. What an uncool answer.

What can’t you live without?
I can’t live without…the people I love!!! And ice cream. Also laughing lots.

What do you wish you had learned sooner?
I wish I had learned that perfection is a very ineffective goal in most areas! Did you see the recent article in The Guardian about Hugh Jackman’s 85% rule? As I studied classical voice at conservatoire, I was constantly being told what I was doing wrong. Like many conservatoire students, when I left, it was a challenge to let the required perfectionism of training go. I so wanted everything to be right, but everything is better when I leave room for a few mistakes.