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.

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.

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.

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.

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

You can tell when women have a sensibility about, or a sense of bravery or a sense of understanding about their personal style that's outside of what you see from a magazine.