09/30/09
Even Better the Second Time Around
How many miles has it been, it's nearly impossible to count. But I must say each one out on the road with "La Familia" has been beyond memorable. When we returned from our respective home cities for the first day of tour in Bowling Green, OH back in September, everything felt amazingly familiar. We sat down in seats seemingly warm, gazing across the orchestra at smiling faces we've seen for years now. Working through the repertoire with Maestro Gupton with so many insightful ideas coming from everyone in the orchestra as well. I LOVE IT! It's like no other experience playing here. And it's not just being around these amazing artists for a month that keeps me smiling; we're traversing through parts of America I never expected to get to see! Every city we've been to so far has it's own special flavor, literally. We always manage to stumble upon some of the most interesting and often tasty local fare: a private room at a small hibachi in Elyria, OH, giant margaritas at a small cantina in Bowling Green, Wine Tasting at the most fabulous Biltmore Estate, and the most heavenly seared tuna/salmon salad and assorted mussels (judging from the yums surrounding the shellfish platters, I didn't partake) I've encountered in awhile, and I can't possibly forget the lovely dinner party hosted by Jim Rose in his beautiful home in Akron. Then there's the fall, a season I miss very dearly living under the forever blue skies of Los Angeles and growing up in Las Vegas desert. COLOR!!! What a concept!!! It's like watching little explosions of red, orange, and yellow fireworks as we speed through the countryside in Eddie's autobus :-)
Oh yes, and the yoga! Our group yoga sessions have really made this tour special for me. I've had the amazing opportunity to lead yoga "classes" 3-4 times a week at all hours of the day/night: Sometimes inside sometimes out, sometimes by candlelight and other times in the hotel hallway. We even had a few random wanderers join in, inspired by the good vibes we must have been emanating! I feel very honored that my colleagues were open enough to give me a shot at teaching, honing my skills and solidifying this as a fixture in my life,and I honestly LOVE looking across the orchestra and seeing people reeling from a "yoga high" (which translates to relaxed and at ease, kind of oxymoronic :-)). Two of my passions, yoga and music, all linked up in one place. . . BLISS.
So many heartening experiences and more to come as we move closer and closer to our Carnegie climax. Leaving Rochester now en route to NYC with Virginia looming on the horizon. Can't wait to see what's next!
Namaste!
Kaila Potts
