Esther Heideman, Soprano

”Esther Heideman has a bright, clear sound and resourceful technique.  Hearing this lively redheaded coloratura it was impossible not to think:  BEVERLY SILLS.”

Anthony Tommasini, New York Times

Angelic is the word that has most often been used to describe the silvery, pure, sweet tone of Esther Heideman’s vocal artistry.  In 2000, she won the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and the Licia Albanese Competition. In 2001, she made her Metropolitan Opera debut singing Pamina in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte.  These performances were immediately followed by her debut with the New York Philharmonic in Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, and her European debut with the Prague Radio Symphony, singing in Mahler’s Second Symphony.

“But it was radiant, young Esther Heideman who took up top vocal honors.  Her remarkable soprano contained an intriguing hint of a darker complexity beneath it’s bright surface, and her high notes were capped by a luxurious, silvery shimmer that underscored the ecstatic authority she brought to the angelic role.”      -TJ Medrek, Boston Herald

Ms. Heideman’s career began with her Carnegie Hall debut, singing Handel’s Messiah. Since this time, she has performed with major orchestras throughout the United States and Europe such as the Baltimore Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, Concert Artists of Baltimore, Berkshire Choral Festival, Pacific Symphony, Springfield Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony, Cincinnati   Symphony, Seattle Symphony, Boston Baroque, Amsterdam Symphony Orchestra, Orquestra del Gran Teatre del Liceu, and the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra.

In addition to performing the staples of traditional concert repertoire, such as Haydn’s Creation, Mozart’s c- minor Mass, Handel’s Messiah and Orff’s Carmina Burana, Esther Heideman has featured prominently in the premieres of some of today’s most respected contemporary composer.  These have included the role of Jenny Lind in Libby Larsen’s opera Barnum’s Bird (Plymouth Music Series, Philip Brunelle), Sister Angelica in The Three Hermits by Stephen Paulus, and The Revelation of St. John by Daniel Schnyder (with the Orquestra del Gran Teatre del Liceu under Sebastian Weigel and Milwaukee Symphony under Andreas Delfs), as well as Deus Passus by Wolfgang Rihm (Rotterdam Philharmonic, Markus Stenz).

“Soprano Esther Heideman reminded one of the young Beverly Sills, what with her great cascade of strawberry blond curls, her bubbly personality, and the drop dead gorgeous voice.  When she embellished the vocal line with ornaments that kept ascending into the stratosphere, you didn’t want her to stop.” -Ellen Pfeifer, Boston Globe

 

Ms. Heideman has just returned to the US after more than a year of living abroad in Beijing, China.  While living in China she continued to travel back and forth to the US for concerts, while also performing many concerts with the Beijing New Music Ensemble at the National Theater.    Some of her upcoming concerts include a return to the Aspen Music Festival to perform To Wake the Dead by Stephen Albert, performances of Mahler’s 4th Symphony with the Chippewa Valley Symphony, the role of Carolina in Cimarosa’s The Secret Marriage with Aurora Opera, and the Premiere of a Chinese Cantata by composer Eli Marshall, (which is being written for her), Handel’s Messiah with the Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra, Mozart’s Requiem and Davidde Penitente with the New Dominion Chorale, performances with the Rochester Symphony Orchestra and Bella Voce in MN, as well as Handel’s Gloria, and several other concerts with the new Counterpoint String Ensemble in Washington DC.  Beyond her singing career, Ms. Heideman enjoys teaching lessons and masterclasses and sharing her knowledge and experience with young performers.

“Heideman’s Soprano has the pale hues and fair-weather clarity of Wedgwood, filled with colors that are light yet distinct, and she is capable of smooth, classical arches of sound.”    -Philip Kennicott, Washington Post

Recent DC concert

There is a new chamber music ensemble in Washington DC, and it’s called Counterpoint.

Counterpoint is an innovative chamber music ensemble formed in 2010 by an accomplished group of energetic and dynamic classically trained musicians who share a compelling vision of the classical music experience. They sculpt their performances from a unique blend of classical and contemporary compositions with other stimulating visual and aural experiences.   It’s comprised of Washington DC area professional musicians, who regularly perform with the National Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Washington National Opera, President’s Own Marine Band, and Alexandria Symphony.

Our first concert was October 27^th, 2010, and it was a fundraiser for the flood victims in Pakistan, so it was held at the Pakistan Embassy.  In just over an hour we were able to raise more than $100,000.

“As a diverse group of American musicians, we are also voicing our unequivocal support of people in need no matter what their religion or ethnicity.  Rather than raising our voices and adding to global friction, we are playing powerful music that touches many cultures and brings us together in hopes that people will commit themselves to helping those in need and rejoice with us in the beauty and diversity in this, our only world.”

The concert was a huge success, and the next one will be held February 28, 2011 in McLean, VA.

The tentative program is:

Be-In by Evan Ziporyn

Gloria by Handel with soprano Esther Heideman

Mendelssohn String Symphony No. 2 in D major

Divertimento for String Orchestra by Béla Bartók

Aria from Bachianas Brasilieras No. 5 by Heitor Villa-Lobos with soprano Esther Heideman

Tune in to my website for further updates.

Gratitude

There have been many articles and books released in the past year about Gratitude and the idea that you should Do What You Love, and Love What You Do.  I cannot think of another career where that is more important than in singing.  Gratitude is the driving force behind success.   Success isn’t measured in money.  It’s measured by the joy you have in life.

Every day I wake up and try to meditate.  “I see myself in perfect health.  I see myself in absolute prosperity.  I see myself invigorated with life, appreciating, again, this physical experience which I want so very much.”

I recently read a book about Michael Jackson, and how he made THRILLER and literally had it ALL, but could never be grateful and appreciate what he had.  He was never appreciating “The present moment,” as he was always worried about how he was going to get that next great hit.  I understand this.

When I won the MET competition in 2000, my life took off at warp speed.  I really wasn’t ready for it, and wasn’t mature enough to appreciate it.  I thought it would never end, and was never truly GRATEFUL for what it was that I had accomplished.  Without experiencing the low points in life, you cannot fully appreciate the peaks.  Now I understand Gratitude.  My agent at the time of the MET competition, had Alzheimer’s disease, and by the time I figured it out, it was too late…9/11 happened, and I spent years blaming those two events for slowing down my career.  Now I realize, it was actually ME who stood in my way.  I am so grateful for this lesson.

After more than a year of living in China, where you literally see people starving on the streets,  or people who live on less a month than we spend on a latte at Starbucks, I have truly learned a lesson in Gratitude.  The world ebbs and flows, expands and contracts, and is by its very nature is somewhat unreliable.  If we only feel gratitude when it serves our desires, it’s not true thankfulness.  No one is exempt from the twists and turns of fate, which may, at any time, take the possessions, situations, and people we love away from us.  Ironically it’s often those very moments that serve as wake up calls and remind us of how lucky we are to be alive.

In the words of Buddha:

“Change is constant”

“All is illusion”

Beijing National Theater

I just had the opportunity to perform at Beijing’s National Theater, (Also known as the EGG).  It’s located right next to the Forbidden City and is a beautiful space.  It contains a large opera hall, a smaller concert hall, and an amazing music library/performance space.  The theater is amazing, and, as you enter from the North or South Side, you then walk underground, under a lake of water to get into the hall.  There are only underwater entrances, so as you enter you can look up and see the beautiful water above you through the clear glass ceiling tiles.  Truly unique.

I had an afternoon concert in the small library space.  It was sold out, and they added as many seats as they could until it was full.  Then, people just stood outside and watched and listened.    It was the Beijing New Music Ensemble’s first concert at the theater, and what a success.

I wasn’t sure what the Chinese people would think of a red headed soprano singing Western songs with piano and violin.  At other concerts, I had seen Chinese people talking on their phones in full voice, falling asleep, walking around, or eating.  All seemed acceptable at other venues, so I was hoping that would not be the case here.  I was pleasantly surprised.  They all sat at the edge of their seats, videotaping, taking pictures, and applauding loudly at the end of each section.   At the end of the entire concert, I sang Tienmimi, a little folk/pop song in Mandarin.  The audience loved it.  At the end of each phrase they would yell and scream as if at a rock concert.  It was shocking.

When the concert finished, I was bombarded with cameras and photographs that went on for nearly 35 min.  Everyone wanted their picture taken with me.  Then, the autograph lines began.  It was amazing to see how excited everyone was.  My Chinese colleagues said they had never been involved in a concert with such electric energy.  I was taught early on your job as a performer is to touch one person’s life during a concert.  The feedback I received was:

“I feel you don’t sing at me, but you sing and I feel it inside me, as if I am singing with you.”

“You expressed my feelings…”

“Most times I no like singer, but you I like.”

“Very beautiful… you make me cry.”

“You touch me here… In my heart.”

“You superstar”

“You laugh or are happy and I feel I am also happy.  You sing a sad song, and I cry.  I have never felt that before.”

“You will be big name here.  People NEED to hear you in China.  Your face like Chinese singer…much emotion, but you vocally stronger.”

“You show so much expression”

I think I succeeded.

But best of all, I had a Chinese maid, so I gave her two tickets to my concert.  She had NEVER been to the theater, or to a concert, so was super excited.  The night before the concert she told my boyfriend she had to rush home and make a big poster.  When he asked why she replied, “How else will Esther know I am there?”  Now I have a picture in my head of her holding up a huge poster, like in American Idol audiences.  It’s shocking to think, at the age of 54 she had never been to a concert, but what a thrill to be able to give her that opportunity.  When the concert ended, and people were taking pictures, she kept standing next to me, and when some Chinese people asked her to leave, she explained in Mandarin, “It’s ok… I’m her Maid.”

Living with Lymes Disease

In July, after months of feeling exhausted, in pain, and mentally drained, I was FINALLY diagnosed with Lymes Disease. I was beginning to think I was crazy, with doctors telling me everything was fine, when I knew it wasn’t.  By the time I was diagnosed, my Vitamin D levels were almost  non-existent, and I was so depressed I could barely function.

I am now feeling a million times better, although not 100%, and thought that I would share my story of recovery, in the hopes that it will help someone else.  I am a professional singer, not a doctor, but through my struggles I have learned a lot, so I thought I would list some of the herbal supplements I have taken along the journey.

Below are some of the symptoms you may experience when infected:

Early Symptoms:

-Fatigue

-Body Chills

-Fever (with Muscle/Joint pain)

-Headaches

-Swollen Lymph Nodes

After about 2 months you may experience:

-Arthritis

-Neck Stiffness or Facial Palsy

-Shooting pains

-Heart Palpitations

-Dizziness

Months or years later symptoms may consist of:

-Concentration and memory problems

-Possible cognitive defects

-Tingling or numbness in the feet and hands

I was diagnosed very late, and the doctor thinks I have probably had it for years.  Like me, many people don’t get a Bullseye mark, so they never know they are sick until much later.   I had many of these symptoms, but never realized what was happening, as it came on slowly, and I was living in China for the last year, getting a massage every other day, which helped reduce symptoms.  Dr. Rind, an Integrated Doctor in Washington, DC, has been helping with my recovery.

Not only are my lymes disease symptoms reduced, but I am also feeling vocally stronger than ever.  I had no idea how much it affected my stamina, vocal strength and breath support.  I am SO GRATEFUL to have been diagnosed with Lymes, as I have learned so much about myself in the process.

Herbal treatments for treating Lyme are listed below.  You don’t have to take all of them, but it’s just a good list.  I will star the ones that worked for me.

Eleuthro (Siberian Ginseng):  *  For energy/ adrenal support.  Buy liquid extract, and take 1 tsp 3 times a day for 1-2 months.  Then discontinue 2 weeks, repeat if needed, or go to weaker strength.   (I never took more than 15 drops at a time, or it was too much for me).

Cats Claw (also called Samento):  * Good for late stage Lymes.  Take 500 mg -3 times a day- and increase dose by 1 capsule a week until taking 2000mg.  No need to take high dose if low dose works.

Resveratrol 200:  *  Immune enhancer.  1-2 tablets- 3 times daily.  This is the healthy version of grapes/wine.  I still take it, but twice a day.  You will know what works for you.

Sarsparilla:  Helps with die off reactions.  This is the rapid release of toxins that can occur when large numbers of microbes all die at once from antimicrobial therapy.  1 capsule 3-4 times a day while die off is occurring should help you.

Stephania:  Helps reduce visual symptoms of Lyme  1/2 teaspoon 3 times daily.

American Indian Tea:  *  This helps support the immune system and comes with brewing instructions.  It tastes a bit bitter, but does help with energy when you are trying to recover.

Vitamin D: *  Check with your doctor, but a symptom of Lymes Disease is that your vit D levels can get extremely low.  Mine were almost nonexistent.  You should take at least 5000 U of Vitamin D a day (fish oil derived is best).

Solanyx: *  It’s a mushroom immune booster complex that can be taken for a week if ill, or cut the dose in half and it lasts 2 weeks to help knock out a more chronic illness.

Adrenal Rebuilder: *  This helps to detoxify and rebuild your adrenal glands, which will help you have more energy.  (Smells horrible, however).

Mini-trampoline:  *  Just jumping on a trampoline (gently) for up to 15 min a day will help produce tissue movement in the body, to stimulate Lymphatic drainage.  You will see large improvements with this little exercise.  (And no, jumping in place on a hard surface doesn’t work the same way).

Banderol: *  Helps kill Lyme in various forms.  Especially supportive of Cats Claw.  Take twice daily, 30 min before breakfast and supper.  Start with 1 drop  twice daily, and add a drop until your dose reaches 30 drops twice daily.

Teasel Root: *From what I can understand, this herb pushes the bad bacteria from the joints into the blood system, so your body can fight it.  It makes me very TIRED, but does seem to do something, as I noticed a huge difference when I began taking Banderol and Teasel root.  Not as many aches and pains.

Steam/Infrared Sauna: *  I also go to a Korean spa once a week to detox my body through infrared sauna, steam, and different hot rooms.
Good luck with your journey.  Again, I am not a doctor, but this is what worked for me, and I know many people are struggling with this disease just like I did/do.

Mother’s Day

In honor of Mother’s day, I thought I would share with you a little story about my own life.  I grew up in small town Wisconsin, on a dairy farm.  My Grandfather was a farmer, and thus my father followed suit.  I had an older sister and a younger brother, and we worked on the farm doing chores from the time we were small children until we left for college.  Not an easy lifestyle, but we learned work ethics.  As far back as I can remember, my father always used to tell me I would marry a farmer and take over the family farm.

In elementary school we were given an assignment to write a few lines about what we wanted to be when we grew up.  Apparently, I wrote that I would be a farmer’s wife, and would milk the cows, do the laundry, and work in the barn feeding the animals.  My mother read this and was FURIOUS.  ”Is this what you really want to do?”.  Of course not, but  daddy said…  Before I could even finish my my sentence, she ripped up my paper and told me to march upstairs and not return until I thought about what it was I really wanted to do in life, not what Dad wanted me to do.  I returned a few minutes later saying that I wanted to be a music teacher when I grew up.

I was blessed with some of the most amazing, inspiring, spirited music teachers a girl could ever dream of, so my passion only grew from there.  Thank you to all of them.  I am so grateful!

I found out years later that when my parents were first dating, they went to a movie, and there, on the Big Screen, was The Sound of Music!  My mother left the theater convinced that if she ever had a family, we would all sing together, like in the movie.   She returned home and taught herself to play the guitar.   I am happy to announce we became the Heideman / von Trapp family.  Being farm children, we weren’t allowed to play after school sports, as that would pull us away from our daily chores, but we were always encouraged to be involved in music, as my mother thought that was very important to our education.   All three children sang and played instruments.

Our parents often don’t know how much they have shaped our lives.  My brother is working on the family farm, my sister is a published poet and artist who has even been to Antarctica on a National Science Foundation Grant, and I ended up a classical singer.

Happy Mother’s Day and Congratulations on a job well done.

Caring for your throat

When not performing, I often teach voice lessons and masterclasses to share my knowledge and experience with others.  Every time I am involved in a Q&A session, someone asks, ” How do you take care of your throat?” or “What do you do if you get sick and lose your voice?”  Thus, I thought my first blog should be about caring for your throat.  I don’t have a medical degree, but one of my passions is reading and studying about natural cures/prevention medicine.  Thus, I decided to write an advice blog on my website.  If you have any suggestions, please feel free to comment.  My advice is based on what has helped me.  It may not work for everyone, but it has worked for me in the past.  Please keep checking back for healthy singer tips.

We all get sick at some point, especially those of us who spend hours and hours flying back and forth on a plane, or working with others in close proximity.  This time of year, with it’s frequent temperature changes is especially difficult.    May I suggest a few things to help keep your throat healthy.

Drink plenty of water, get regular sleep, exercise at least 3-5 times a week, and you may be able to avoid getting sick in the first place.  However, if you have caught the dreaded cold, or are suffering from allergies, and you notice hoarseness and laryngitis developing, perhaps I can help you.

Often times Laryngitis is brought on by seasonal changes, illness, or breathing in dust or chemicals.  However, did you know there is also nerve pressure in the bones of the neck that can cause the same reaction?

1.  When you start to feel hoarse the first thing I do is buy fresh ginger, honey and lemons. I  boil water, and make a tea of freshly grated ginger, the juice of a lemon, and a touch of honey. Sip slowly over and over, and this should help soothe your throat.  While doing this, I try to relieve the tension in my upper chest and neck/back by massaging it.  Take note of any tight knots, and try to work them out, as this can lead to almost immediate relief in some people.

2.   If possible, soak in a hot bath with epsom salts, as this will open your pores and help you sweat out toxins.  Many natural food stores now carry mustard bath, which works well.  You can do the same thing at home by peeling a grapefruit and adding the skin to your bath water.  The oil from the skin is released into the water, and will almost cause a burning sensation to the skin, as it helps heat your body and stimulate circulation.  (It also smells great).

3.  Place a HOT compress on the front of the neck and a COLD on the back of the neck, at the base of the skull.  This will help stimulate blood flow, to help you recover faster.

4.  Increase your Vitamin A, D & C.  Taking Elderberry tablets can also help, as they work to stimulate the sinuses and moisturize your nasal passages

5.  I am a firm believer in Acupuncture, but that is not always accessible to people.  Therefore, there are a few pressure points you should know about.  If you are hoarse, try pressing at the following locations.  Press a few seconds, release and repeat, or rub the area in a small, clockwise circle.

~press the outside corners of the mouth

~press just above the adams apple in your throat

~press the hollow space in front of each shoulder (about half way down to the armpit)

~press the hollow at the base of the neck.  (This is the small circular indentation at the center of your neck when you look in a mirror).

Other things to try:

The gingerpeople.com have created a product called gingins, which are hard ginger candy.  They are great for sucking on during times of seasonal change.  They also have soft ginger chews, ginger for baking, you name it.  Check them out online.

4dshift.com is a website for ordering essential oils mixed by an alchemist in Canada.  These are amazingly pure oils, and with over 90 varieties, there is something for everyone.  For example, they have a virus out oil which helps you recover faster or not get sick at all, or a flu oil that causes you to fly through the symptoms in a few hours or days, instead of a week.  I have found they really work for me.

While working in Germany I also discovered a product called Sinupret (helps heal sinus issues), as well as one called Bronchipret (for Bronchial congestion).  Look for them online, as they are available on many websites now.

Good luck, take it easy, and remember your body just needs time and sleep to recover.   Wishing you all the best!