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 like that there's very little mystery in how the artwork is actually made. It's the labor and the focus and the precision that drives it to the next level.

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

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.

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.

I think that I the biggest thing that I need is more creative time. More time to make mistakes.

The biggest problem that I see that young artists have is they aren't willing to fail. And unless you fail a lot, I think it's difficult to find a voice that shouts above the crowds.