Carey Yaruss: News/journal

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I am officially the biggest slacker for not updating this journal frequently enough. When I'm famous, I promise I'll hire someone to do it for me. Hahaha. I have been busy teaching 26 voice students per week and spending almost every weekend in the recording studio. We are getting there with the CD, though I go through waves of feeling like this might be a never-ending process. I still have to record lead vocals on 2 more songs (7 are done) and then I can move on to the backup vocals. Creating the arrangements and instrumentation were the hardest and most time-consuming parts, so this is actually feeling like fast progress since I LOVE (duh) doing vocals. After that's done I plan to write 'Finale' - which is loosely structured and has some key lyric phrases, but essentially is something that I want to write as a land mark of finishing this project. I want to wait until those inevitable feelings are here. I am also playing with the idea of doing one cover- a Simon & Garfunkel tune that all of you know as an uptempo, I am a Rock. I'm thinking about putting my version of it on the disc too...a bluesy ballad version of it; one of my all-time favorite songs. So, until the next time I notice that the date of my last entry was many many moons ago, thanks for all of your support, as always. Much love to you all, have a wonderful Thanksgiving and please try not hurt each other.

Well, the BIG spring recital last night was a total success. I am feeling SO much pride in my students today, and am just beside myself with joy for the way the recital went. The students, as nervous as some of them may have been, handled themselves beautifully up there, and I am so lucky to be so well represented by the performances that they gave. They really did sing their hearts out, and the cheers from the crowd assured me that everyone agreed.
The staff at the Triad was incredible to work with, and I am SO grateful to ALL of the talented students, Rachel Kaufman: our amazing accompanist, Jose Ivey: our videographer, Craig Henry: our door person, Tonya: our sound and lighting designer, Peter Martin: The manager at the Triad, Lee the GM at the Triad, Adrian: our bartender and Jordan and Troy: our awesome waiters. Also, special thanks to Betsy for handing out playbills even though she was performing that night, and to Genevieve who so generously brought water bottles for all of us!
I posted a couple of pics from it, and will post more as they roll in. Also, keep your eyes posted, the videos of the show will be added in the next couple of weeks, so those of you who couldn't make it can see how great it was.
As someone who started teaching voice lessons more than 10 years ago, I have no idea why it took me this long to finally put a recital together- but I am SURE that I will be doing it again- most likely the next one will be in the fall and I hope you will all be there!
Thanks to all who came, helped, performed, watched or just sent good energy- we couldn't have done it without you.

I can't believe how long it's been since I've updated this journal. There's not a whole lot to tell that would qualify as 'news' right now...teaching is going very well with an average of 24 students weekly now. Still working away on my upcoming CD of originals, Blurt. Starting to get to a place where I can make out a tiny speck of the light at the end of the tunnel. 9 songs are mostly done with 2 more to go...Hoping for a mid-summer release if all goes as planned. Believe me, I'll keep you posted. What else? Hmm. OH! The recital!! Please visit my calender for info and COME to my first ever student recital hosted by yours truly. 14 of my private voice students will be performing..and yes, I'll be singing a couple too. I'll look for you there- I'd love to see some familiar faces. Thanks, as always, for the awesome support and love :) Happy Spring!

Hellllllo, and happy almost-turkey-day! I hope you are all having nice turkey or tofu-rky dinners with people that love you and that you love. It's one of my favorite holidays... and that's not just because of the permissable caloric over-indulgence.
Here's the lowdown on the music stuff. Teaching? Yup- going strong with 16 students per week- aiming to have 22...Recording?Yup- in the studio every other week...Writing? Yup, trying to write for at least an hour or so and practice for an hour or so everyday...much to my neighbor's dismay. Here's my exciting news! I will be performing in a 10 person chorus for Mother Russia: The Musical, to be performed on Dec 19th at Carnegie Hall. This opportunity came about from a recording project that I worked on over the summer for PBS with talented composer, Tim Janis. Tim is now working on this project, and was happy to offer me the gig. Not nearly as happy as I am to accept it! That's all for now. Thank you to all of you for your continued support and words of encouragement.

I can't believe it's September already. I've been staying very busy, going at full-speed ahead. Still auditioning and teaching like crazy...AND...my newest endeavor, I'm back in the studio recording a full-length CD of my originals. Long overdue- but I really wasn't ready to face the challenge until now. I have a feeling this will be a looooong process, but I'm so excited to be writing and singing my own music for a change since I've been working on other people's words for so long. Stay tuned, I'll keep you posted on the progress. I should also be posting some of my latest recording projects (of other people's work) soon- and will shoot out an email when that happens! Thanks, as always for your continued support and words of encouragement.

Though I'm still auditioning for Broadway as often as possible, I've changed gears a little bit with my 'day job'. I'm back to teaching private voice lessons- and really loving it. It's different here in NYC doing it than it was in CT and Boston...Mostly b/c here, Everyone is an artist on a mission. The time that my students put in for practicing during the week really blows me away. They come in for their lessons warmed up, rehearsed, and ready to go. It's a completely (refreshingly) different frame of mind. I'm thinking that a lot of it has to do with the insane cost of living here. People must feel that if they are going to spend money on lessons, they better make it well worth while. Whatever the reason- it makes it SO much more enjoyable for me. I see progress every week with my students- and they notice it too..Very rewarding for both of us.
I've also been doing more recording lately. Through the wonder that is Craigslist, I've gotten a bunch of gigs doing both lead and backup vocal tracks for songwriters. I've had opportunities to work on music genres that I normally would have thought were out of my comfort zone..I mean- who would have though that a Jewish girl from NY could convincingly sing country tunes? (It's actually made me start thinking about moving to Nashville, the other music capitol of the USA) It's been a blast- and it actually pays pretty well! Finally...I might be on to something here. I am totally at home in a recording studio..And it seems to come very easily for me. I'm able to give the producer/songwriter teams what they want- and it's such a reward to walk away with cash in hand, happy clients AND a final product to show for my hard work...More soon..Keep those emails coming!

Please visit www.youtube.com/careynote to see some new videos!

I'm so sorry that I have completely forgotten to keep this journal up to date. I've been busy, thankfully. Well, not so much busy earning money- but having fun anyway. Still going to auditions as often as possible- usually 3 times a week or so. Got myself an agent as of last week! Yahoo- hopefully he'll be able to point me toward the right casting directors a little better than I've been able to do on my own. Let's see. What else? I've had a few callbacks for Broadway stuff- which is fantastically encouraging and is keeping me motivated and driven. Writing lots of new music- on guitar and piano...Hoping to stop being so nervous to perform my originals. Hoping that singing my own words will start to become easier than singing someone elses'. So far, watching my friends do it has been a huge help and majorly inspiring. This is a very rambly blog today. Maybe I will try again later to write something a bit more cohesive. Or maybe not. Hope you are all well, send a hello if you have time- I LOVE hearing from you.

I will be singing with Joe Battaglia and the NY Big Band on August 17th at the Rainbow Room. I can't think of a venue that I'd rather perform at. This is a real dream come true opportunity and I hope to see you all there. I will be doing 10-12 songs with an 18 piece big band. Believe me, I haven't wiped the grin off of my face yet and it will probably be quite a while before I do!

I've been rehearsing and filming with composer Phil Springer, potentially working with him on a musical about his daughter, Miriam Springer, as well as a recording.- his best known song is 'Santa Baby'..Though he has written over 1000 songs for legends such as Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland. I am so honored, flattered and excited to be working with him..I'll keep you posted!

Just wanted to update all of you on how things are going in the big city...I'm living in the heart of NYC and absolutely loving it. Pretty much making up for 3 years 'in hiding' in CT by going out almost every night and savoring everything that this amazing city has to offer. I'm auditioning like crazy for everything from singing to acting to voice-over work, and am thrilled to accept every offer that I get. I truly hope that I continue with this ridiculous happiness and don't turn into a bitter New Yorker like everyone says I will :)
Thanks for all of your continued support as I go on my way trying to stake out a place in the spotlight. They say where there's a will there's a way, and I believe it. It means so much to me that so many of you have written to me to tell me that you agree.

I am so lucky that famed arranger/producer/composer/pianist Herb Bernstein hooked me up with the backup singer job for Michael Amante. He is known as 'the 4th tenor" as quoted from Regis! He has appeared on Emeril, Regis and countless other shows, including a Bravo special. He has performed for a substantial number of celebrities including a list so long that I can't include it here. Please visit his website for more info! www.michaelamante.com

I am very proud to say that I have been accepted into the Club Med Artist program. This provides me with 3 weeks per year in which I may attend any of the Club Meds as a guest, paying only for my flight, as long as I perform a minimum of 3 hours per week while I am there. I have the Montreal Talent Agency to thank for this wonderful opportunity as they receive many applicants each year, and chose me out of their large selection of artists. I hope to make Sandpiper, in Florida my first Club Med artist experience, and will keep you posted with how it goes!

I will be performing at a benefit for the Purr Project at Cafe Bottega in New Haven, CT on March 12th. There are 3 other performers lined up and it should be a fun night from 6pm until 11pm.. Cafe Bottega is a fairly new and trendy place at the corner of Chapel and Temple on the Green..Tickets in advance or at the door are $10 to benefit the Purr Project. Please visit purrproject.org for more information!

Hello! So, I thought you'd all like this story. I went down into NYC yesterday for an open-call for RENT..Woke up at 4am to drive 3 hours and then stand in a line until 3:30 before my group finally got in the door. At that point, they lined us all up with our headshots and resumes on the floor in front of each of us and proceeded to do a type-out. ( sent people home who didn't fit the look they wanted)( and all of the women in my group who were going for "Maureen" were sent on our merry way) So, long story short, It was a lot of waiting to find out that I wasn't even going to get to sing one note for the casting director. Very frusterating. But- I suppose, as they say, thats show business!

Hello my friends. Sorry that I haven't updated my news recently...There hasn't been much to tell..Yes, I did go to the American Idol auditions in Chicago, and, no, I didn't get through, but again, it was a fun experience that I will remember forever. So, right now, I have a couple of projects in the works. I have recently finished putting together a big book of piano/vocal music so that I am now, officially, a marketable solo act, looking for work at weddings, events etc. Also, I am in the process of working on my voice-over demo, which should be finished soon. I am thinking that getting some voice-over work may lead to commercial jingles etc, and bring me one step closer to actually making a living doing what I love..They say the money will follow...Right?!?! I am also currently taking on new voice students, and am excited to get back into teaching! Hope all of you are doing well- please sign my guestbook so that I know you stopped by!

So- here is the story for those of you who have been eager for the next chapter...I had a blast at the auditions despite the pouring rain and high-heel blues. I was surprisingly impressed at all of the talent that I heard, and even more shocked at the general lack of cattiness and competitiveness. It was great that most people were able to look at this as a 'shot in the dark', 'once in a life time experience', and that's what kept it light and fun.. To answer the big question...No, I did not make it through to a call-back...In fact, by the time I auditioned (about 2500 people into it) they had only given 6 call-backs so far..The good news is that they let me sing a second song..About 30 seconds of each- which was relatively long compared to other people that I heard. The judges were around my age -or maybe even younger(WEIRD!) Which makes me think that next time I'll pick more current music...Which leads me to my final point, which is, it still isn't over! I'm going to try again in Chicago- so again, keep your fingers, and toes crossed for me!
I'l keep you posted!

New Britain Rock Cats game delayed due to rain. Please check back next season for re-schedule info!

Well, the 6 week event has come to a close as of Saturday, August 20th, 2005.
I am proud to have come in 2nd place! American Idol is next!