Navel contemplation

Earlier today, I did some brainstorming on paper, as I am wont to do. I'm very good at coming up with ideas and plans, not nearly as good at implementing them. But in the process of brainstorming, I came to the following conclusions:1. I am essentially a creative person.No big surprise there. I am happiest when doing creative work. This can include writing, teaching, stage direction, and the interpretation of music.2. I work best in collaboration with others.Sure, I can amuse myself by working on my novel or practicing music all by myself, but I thrive from the feedback of writers' groups, musical collaborators, and audiences.3. I am an introvert who has trouble connecting with people.This makes #2 difficult. My situation as a part-time faculty member/freelancer doesn't help. I am not part of a community in the sense I would like to be.4. My primary art form (classical music) is a largely conservative form. I am not a conservative artist.Sure, I love singing opera and oratorio. But what really makes me excited is looking at the arts in new ways with new material. Even contemporary composers whose work may be cutting edge are conservative in the sense that they mostly work alone in a room with a keyboard and/or computer, with a commission to produce a work, and it comes out on a stack of paper. I'm interested in incorporating more improvisatory elements, and collaborative composition. I'd love to work with composers, musicians and other artists who don't mind some "play time" and experimentation.I also thrive in the places where the art forms come together. That's why writing and serving as dramaturgist for a fantasy ballet was one of my favorite all-time artistic achievements. I got to be creative not just alone, but collaboration with a composer, choreographers, set designers, costumers, dancers, and musicians.These are important ideas to keep in mind as I consider doctoral programs in music. I've got a writers' group that is a big help as well as the community of Odyssey graduates, but I don't have anything comparable on the music side of things.In other news, the college where I teach is going to pay to send me to the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) conference this year! I haven't done any teaching continuing education for a while so I'm really excited. I also need to do some networking. See #3. Argh.