The Other Muse
WITH SHERMAN IRBY.
Early on, I studied cello, piano, and sang in every choir in school. College and career brought a break, though I kept playing piano. In my thirties I made time to return to performing, and over the years added flute, ukulele, and bass. It is never too late to learn a new instrument!
I've sung with the Cinnabar Opera chorus, Marin Opera chorus, Sonoma Bach Chorale, Sonoma State University Jazz Ensemble, Marin Urban Harmony, a madrigal group, and at the bedside of the dying, among others. Percussion playing included the Cinnabar Opera (even the wind machine), and a samba group in San Francisco. For many years, I performed flute in a local jazz band. Currently, I play all the mallet instruments in the Petaluma Community Band. I started a local Ukulele Club, Petalukes, which led to my adding Ubass. I also manage the website for the Renaissance Singers Retreat, a twice-yearly early music event in the SF Bay region.
For many years I attended JazzCampWest and took classes at the Berkeley Jazz school. Moab Folk Music Camp introduced me to songwriting. Then I found California Coast Music Camp, an amazing community of old time, bluegrass, World, and swing players.
My late husband, Michael Orton, stands smiling in the black jacket to the far right of the photograph. We treasured this small, unique camp in the red rock country. He loved singing in classical choruses, acting, performing in opera, playing harmonica, and left-handed ukulele.
I've sung with the Cinnabar Opera chorus, Marin Opera chorus, Sonoma Bach Chorale, Sonoma State University Jazz Ensemble, Marin Urban Harmony, a madrigal group, and at the bedside of the dying, among others. Percussion playing included the Cinnabar Opera (even the wind machine), and a samba group in San Francisco. For many years, I performed flute in a local jazz band. Currently, I play all the mallet instruments in the Petaluma Community Band. I started a local Ukulele Club, Petalukes, which led to my adding Ubass. I also manage the website for the Renaissance Singers Retreat, a twice-yearly early music event in the SF Bay region.
For many years I attended JazzCampWest and took classes at the Berkeley Jazz school. Moab Folk Music Camp introduced me to songwriting. Then I found California Coast Music Camp, an amazing community of old time, bluegrass, World, and swing players.
My late husband, Michael Orton, stands smiling in the black jacket to the far right of the photograph. We treasured this small, unique camp in the red rock country. He loved singing in classical choruses, acting, performing in opera, playing harmonica, and left-handed ukulele.