If I could use five adjectives to describe my individuality to some degree, the words emotional, passionate, rebellious, religious and an introvert are usually what would come to mind.
When the need to express thoughts is too strong to keep inside, I write and process these thoughts and feelings into music… something I've done for quite awhile now.
I can remember making up songs from very little - around age 6 or 7 - which is about the same time I punched out my first crush and thought it was romantic.
I started writing little tunes as I got older, yet my first tryout for a solo in a musical fumbled from being so nervous my voice wouldn't come out.
I ended up joining the school choir as an alto as a result of this. It was much later that I found out I was a soprano.
Growing up in Panama, a Latin country with a tropical setting and a strong American influence, drew me toward folk, pop, rock, and of course, salsa rhythms.
Basically a loner, friendship has always been a rare and special experience in my life. With friends my age, I shared dance music like Ruben Blades' salsa and Top 40 favorites.
With older friends, however, there was a more mellow feeling that usually went well with James Taylor or Toquinho.
The first time I actually wrote a complete song was a rainy day while sitting on a small boat, heading mainland. I felt my heart had been yanked out and left in a dark place to wither away.
It was about erasing this awful sadness that wrenched from within. Letting out the ache with a tune to perk up the mood somehow made it seem better.
It's been the same ever since for anything that leaves me with a very strong impression; so to just keep from going to extremes, writing music has been an essential outlet.
A healing mechanism if you may, and one I believe is important to share… to settle the mind or ease the pain… bring out smiles or build the courage to try again.
For several years I was a member of the Musica Viva Choir, an internationally acclaimed vocal group based in Panama. Some of the presentations with this group
include a featured TV Christmas Special, a stage adaptation of Carmina Burana by Carl Orff, as well as diverse live concerts.
This experience led me to undertake a volunteer position as Choir Director at St. Joseph's Church (The Golden Altar) in Panama City.
I have participated as a soprano soloist in several events and shows in Panama. I have also written and interpreted two songs for Video Maxell, an annual videoclip contest
that gathered all sorts of talents in audio-video making. Jingle production is another area where I had the opportunity to compose and perform music for several years.
A brief incursion on theater led me to write some songs for children and to join the chorus and dance group in “Maestra Vida”, a play based on
the music of Ruben Blades.
In regards to musical education, I have received
private instruction, as well as a summer music course in Berklee.
Currently, I am taking bel canto in New York with Julliard graduate Ricardo Herrera.
Copyright 2002 Sandra Thrush All Rights Reserved