I was always a very good student.

The reason that some singers go on to become great artists has very little to do with their voices, but rather with the fact that they have used their instruments as tools for detailed communication.

In a sense, it's less about seeing how high up I can vault than about seeing how deeply I can explore my potential...Ambition for me is about the willingness to work, the ability to mine my own soul fearlessly.

I think singing it when its done well is extremely natural. It feels great.

With classical singing you have to put out so much air - you project, you emit force.

I have not changed with the accomplishments. I've remained the same. If I had changed, great. You know, but I haven't.

If I have to hold a note for a long time, I imagine it as moving and spinning, for the note has to have life. In a way, a singer actually refreshes a note with every beat that it's held.