No voice teacher can be all things to all people. You have to gain information from whatever sources you can. You have to listen.

I have had a very difficult time with stage fright; it undermines your well-being and peace of mind, and it can also threaten your livelihood.

At this stage in my career, I don't have to take any big risks. You want to take a calculated risk, not one that leads to people saying 'yes, but there was that one time when she made that big mistake.' It's always a shame when that happens, especially if you've gotten by for decades without anything hugely tragic.

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

When a human being without amplification makes a sound that is high and loud, it is almost unworldly.

I think opera has gained a kind of glamorous appeal. It's a live performance that aligns all of the arts, and when it is represented in the media, in film in particular, it is presented as something that is really a special event, whether it's a great date or something that's just hugely romantic.

There's no performance where I never have to think about setting up a phrase or making a technical adjustment while I'm performing.