As americans I think it's harder for us to have a relationship with opera because the access to it is so limited.

You always want to see people who are just like a little outside of the box. Maybe making mistakes sometimes. Not taking something that's straight off the runway, but mixing and matching things. Old and new.

I have very simple tastes really. I like to ride my bicycle and I like to spend time upstate where it's quiet and I can take time to think and dream about new projects and possibilities.

As americans I think it's harder for us to have a relationship with opera because the access to it is so limited.

I soon realized that I didn't have a great passion for academia and I didn't like sitting in front of the computer all day. I would much prefer to be a carpenter.

Opera is something you have to educate yourself about. You have to make sure you understand the stories, what was happening politically, socially during the time these things were made and how they've changed through history.

While I've lived in cities for most of my adult life, I really prefer the quiet, boring, mundanity of the country. It's the best place for me to work, think, and invent.