(Santa Fe, NM) - Let’s get this out of the way: Maria is not a holiday movie. However, it’s an absolute must-watch for anyone familiar with opera. We approached the film with some trepidation, having been warned of its profoundly sad tone. We knew it would be a difficult watch, but given the magnitude of Angelina Jolie’s star power and the glimpses we’d caught in previews, we felt compelled to sit down and experience it. This will be a spoiler-free discussion—just some takeaways from our viewing…

(Paris, France) - Voice teacher Karen Nimereala first came to our attention through a friend in 2019. Classically-trainer and a former opera singer herself, some of Ms. Nimereala’s longtime clients include pop music icons Sting and Mylène Farmer. Prior to flying to Paris to see Ms. Farmer’s landmark residency, a friend mentioned that they had a social media connection to “Karen, Mylène’s voice teacher…did you know she was an opera singer?” A longtime fan of Ms. Farmer, this information had somehow eluded me…

(Paris, France) - The latest live album from French Pop Rock legends Indochine held more than a few surprises. Last summer’s Central Tour was a major cultural happening. Six massive concerts, in both attendance and scale, swept across five (5) French stadiums - once in a lifetime events for Indochine’s fervent fanbase…