The Making of Saricorn - 1

continuation from The Making of Saricorn Intro

Saricorn - where I came from and who I'm becoming.

Ok - so in order to explain everything, I need to go back to the beginning....And forgive me during this whole process when I can't remember everything. My memory is great at numbers and feelings, but not so hot in past details...But I will do my best!! There is lots to tell....so here's the very beginning...

I was raised in Saratoga Springs, NY. I began playing the violin in 1st grade, thru the wonderful Suzuki method. I remember practicing almost everyday - even if only for 30 minutes. My father was the band director at our high school (and ended up as head of the Saratoga Springs School District Music Department), while my mother played guitar her whole life. My sister took up piano the same year I started the violin. My musical background grew into many other experiences. In 7th grade, I auditioned for, and made it into the Empire State Repertory Orchestra - 1st violin section. When I was accepted in to the orchestra, I remember having the make the decision - rehearsals were on Tuesday. I had gymnastics on Tuesday and Thursday. So, if I decided to be in the orchestra, I would have to give up gymnastics. I wish I could have done both. But this orchestra was a great opportunity! So, music it was. 8th grade, I auditioned again and made it into the "big leagues" - the Empire State Youth Orchestra. Here, I was in the 2nd violin section. (this year I had the opportunity to go on tour with the orchestra to Austria and Hungary). I played in the orchestra 2 years. I also competed every year in solo competitions, and usually did very well (I still have some of the medals I won!). My high school years brought about playing bassoon in the band, violin in the chamber orchestra, and making it into the Choraliers - a select chorus. As a senior, I was voted "Most Musical" in our class. During that same year of high school, I decided to only sing in the chorus and play bassoon in the band. I was burnt out from the violin. I felt like I had plateaued, and no matter how much I practiced, I wouldn't get any better. I remember hearing that my violin teacher cried when he found out I stopped playing. I guess I just needed a break. Though I loved playing it at concerts, I was done practicing.  But during my first year of college at Ithaca College, I missed the violin, and so played in the orchestra - but just that year.


So, needless to say, music was a major part of my childhood...and something I always felt extremely talented at. Of all the things I've tried thus far in my life, music is the only thing I feel I've truly succeeded at....

More advice from mom....Finding Inner Peace

*This is an email my mother received, and thought she'd pass it along....*

I am passing this on to you because it definitely works, and we could all use a little more calmness in our lives. By following simple advice heard on the Dr. Phil show, you too can find inner peace. Dr Phil proclaimed, "The way to achieve inner peace is to finish all the things you have started and have never finished."

So, I looked around my house to see all the things I started and hadn't finished, and before leaving the house this morning, I finished off a bottle of Merlot, a bottle of Bailey's Irish Cream, a package of Oreos, the remainder of my old Prozac prescription, the rest of the cheesecake, some Doritos, a box of chocolates, and the last bit of the tequila.

You have no idea how freaking good I feel right now.

I love this quote:

“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.” - Oscar Wilde

The Making of Saricorn Intro

My life has been a struggle between what I really want to do (jump up and scream and be heard and do something wild and crazy), what I probably should do, what I feel others want me to do, and what I want to do for everyone else. Now, let me first say, I have a wonderful life. I know there are so many out there who don't have as much as I have, and I am fully aware of my blessings, and am truly thankful for all of them. I have a great family, friends, experiences, etc....but I think that we all have struggles and demons we deal with throughout our entire lives. This is just my story....

So, you ask, what is "Saricorn"? Well, I was born and raised in Saratoga Springs, NY and I'm a Capricorn. They say we all grow into our astrological sign...and I'm believing this to be true.
My next album is titled this, for the reason that I am learning and growing along the way, and am becoming who I am supposed to be. Saricorn is about where I came from and who I am becoming.

These posts will be about my discovery of who Johanna really is. And the way I am learning all of these things is through my musical journey. So, this is the intro to the beginning of many posts - all about this journey in Nashville. And maybe it can also help someone out who is wanting to get into the music business. Not that I know everything, but this is all about what I have learned along the way....

Making Saricorn...