From Sea to Shining Sea! Part I - CA/AZ (birthday fun)

Well what a wonderful two weeks or so it had been! It was filled with trips to San Diego, Boston, Washington DC, Richmond, Newport News, Philadelphia (for a transfer flight), then back to Arizona!

San Diego/AZ Birthday "Pit Stop"

San Diego was a pre-birthday getaway, filled with relaxing, resting, and refocus on priorities. The weather was a fabulously cloudy time for the majority, with brief bursts of sun at the beach! What a God-send the trip and bursts of sunshine was :-) AND I got to see my Disney friend, Jenna, that I haven't seen in over seven years!! It was fabulous!

San Diego, CA

Seaport Village with Bryan! San Diego, CA

Reunion time with Jenna! San Diego, CA

San Diego, CA

After a brief comeback to Arizona just in time to celebrate Memorial Day (and my birthday) at the D-backs game, I was headed out again for a vaca/work trip to the east coast...oh the adventures that would come!

Mom and me at the Diamondbacks game, May 26, 2014. Phoenix, AZ.

Birthday lunch with Bryan, May 26, 2014. Scottsdale, AZ.

Birthday celebration from work! Phoenix, AZ.

NEXT STOP: BOSTON, MA!

Six Pianos – One Song – Two Minutes

During my travel to New York City, I ran across an event called "Sing For Hope" - 88 pianos stationed all across the city. I decided to play the same song in each location to make a mash-up later on. After sight-seeing on foot over a two-day period, I played on seven pianos, and I was able to get six recorded to later piece together. Enjoy!

Song: Rondo Alla Turca (Turkish March), Mozart

Locations on Video:
- Times Square
- Lincoln Center
- Central Park, Cherry Hill
- Central Park, Dairy's Gazebo
- Hudson Bay Pier
- Chelsea Pier

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   Along this journey, my new-found friends and I (see first blog for pictures!) met a man and his girlfriend who was at the Hudson Bay Pier the same time we got there! We ended up doing a jam together, which can be seen below. It truly was an act of God, because we took a different route that we originally intended, we probably would have missed this encounter. It was so much fun! We also sang Disney songs together...he was truly so talented, and it was a great time! 

What a wonderful experience, and I hope to do it again in the near future! 

Roosevelt Lake - Video Shoot

Roosevelt Lake - Photo by Christie Roshau

Welcome to Roosevelt Lake! ☀ This past week I directed/produced a segment to a project I'm working on (which included a 3am wake-up call) out by the lake. It was wonderful to work with such a talented group of individuals. If you haven't been out to Roosevelt Lake, I highly suggest it – it's absolutely gorgeous out there!

Myself at Roosevelt Lake

The Crew

The crew (left to right): Genaro (grip), Julie (makeup), Daren (grip), Joe (audio), Robert (Steadicam)

Something that is so crucial for me on my video shoots is to work with people that are passionate about their individual gifts and talents. I had an incredible camera man who has an ability to bring out on camera the vision I have for a project. My lighting grip is just an all around amazing, whose presence just lights up any room he walks into -- literally! :-) The audio mixer communicated so well to let me know how everything is sounding (even if a loud motor kicks in during the middle of a take!). My grips were both ready to think ahead for me, and extend the helping hands wherever needed. The makeup artist not only looked out to make sure makeup and hair was fabulous, but she also has an eye to point out details during a take that may otherwise be missed. My talents were absolutely wonderful to work with, and had their lines memorized and ready to go!

(Below photos courtesy of Genaro Delgadillo)

Photo Courtesy of Genaro Delgadillo

Photo Courtesy of Genaro Delgadillo

Photo Courtesy of Genaro Delgadillo

Photo Courtesy of Genaro Delgadillo

Photo Courtesy of Genaro Delgadillo

Photo Courtesy of Genaro Delgadillo

The Lessons

It was a long day - a very long day! Waking up at 3am surprisingly came easy, and I can only thank God for that. As a director/producer for this project, the most difficult part was to be able to step back and breath, as I had to continuously be thinking ahead to the next location, talent, script, etc. Nevertheless, I have to say that directing and producing are my two favorite parts of the whole production process. Pulling in the best crew for the job and being able to execute the vision is so satisfying. Being able to work on projects like this really help me to learn from my mistakes, continue striving in areas I'm doing well in, and listen to the ideas and suggestions from others on my shoot.

Until next time, keep creating!

Photo Courtesy of Genaro Delgadillo

Welcome to my new blog: Travels to NYC!

Welcome to my official website and official first blog! What better way to start this off but by sharing my most recent travel to New York City!

After saying goodbye to my co-workers in DC, I hopped on the AMTRACK and was on my way to the Big Apple. The train ride was one of only three times I've ever been on the train (once to the Grand Canyon, another in California) ... and to my surprise it was quite enjoyable, easy, and fun! I met new friends from the Netherlands, and they were quite shocked to learn about Arizona's "44 degree Celsius" weather (I had to google convert it from Fahrenheit for them). :-)

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RIGHT after I arrived, I dropped off my luggage, and hurried out to see a Broadway show! I decided to start things off with "Chicago". It was great!! I also had the opportunity to see "Jersey Boys" and "Annie" during my time in the city. I think my favorite all around would have to be Jersey Boys. Who doesn't love the music of the Four Seasons?! It was awesome!!

Chicago Musical on Broadway

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The next day would begin an amazing journey of a lifetime. I call it, "Operation: 88 Piano Search." My co-worker told me about a project where 88 Pianos would be stationed all across New York City: From Times Square, to Central Park or along the Pier. I spent the next two days finding these pianos ON FOOT to see how many I could play! It was an AWESOME way to see the city, and also meet new friends along the way. It was also so enjoyable to meet other pianists with multiple different skill levels and backgrounds that share in the common love of music. What better place than on the streets, piers, parks, and street corners??  Stay tuned for a video with a montage of ALL the pianos I was able to find :-)

Pianos were places all over New York City as part of the SingForHope.org project.

New friends along the way! Louesa and Rosalyn!

I concluded my trip by visiting the 9/11 Memorial. This was a surreal experience, because I was in New York about 4 years after the attack, and saw it when there was still a hole in the ground with fencing off all around it and construction materials. I passed by fire stations with memorials of fallen heroes (that was probably the hardest thing for me to see, but glad I did. It is a constant reminder of how precious life is, the tragedy that occurred, and those who selflessly give their lives to save another).

I also had the honor of talking with a New York police officer who shared his personal account of that day, as well as sharing about the many friends he lost after that horrific day. I'm very thankful for his willingness to open up and share such a personal story.

Outside a NYC fire station with plaques of fallen heroes.

World Trade Center 1

9/11 Memorial

Some of the names of the victims at the memorial.

The only standing tree after the attack.

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My time in New York City was really special. It was a great time to reflect on the truly many blessings I have: the ability to travel, my personality that enjoys meeting new people, my gift of music to share with others, and a loving family that supports me in my endeavors.

Stay tuned for highlight videos and piano montages in future blog posts. New York City, I'll be back! Until next time, never stop thinking creatively :-)