Dr. April Lynn James, The PhDiva

Do you have a hobby? Mine is rubber stamping and card crafting. My last voice teacher got me interested in this, and I must say that not only is it quite relaxing, but it brings me great pleasure, It's so…

I've been composing lately. This is something that I wanted to do as a teen. Back then, I was really into The Beatles (later, Duran Duran) and played guitar more than piano. But even though some good chord progressions came…

It was a love-filled trip even before I boarded the plane. This is a photo of me with my nephew, Jusan.

My nephew and his wife met me where I dropped off my car in Orlando, and then they drove…

I just recorded one of my favorite solo arias from one of my favorite choral works: the “Domine Deus, Rex coelestis” from Antonio Vivaldi’s Gloria. At last, I can sing it as a soloist. What do I mean by…

What is music? Johann Sebastian Bach said this in his Instruction on the Thorough-Bass (General Bass): "The ultimate end and final reason of all music should be none other than but the glory of God and the refreshment of…

This sonnet dates from 2011, and yet remains pertinent today. 

I had this dream, but it wasn’t mine, you know--
prim and proper, pretty, neat, all ducks in a row.
I’d believed in it for a good number of years,…

It’s official: my condo is on the market. After nearly four years in Fort Myers, Florida I plan to move up the coast to Sarasota, Florida this summer.

Why? Because after four years of chasing leads all over Lee and…

Another from October 2011. Again, a simple phrase turned round.

Has it slipped your mind or has your mind slipped it?
In either case, if that’s the case, you might try a bit
of glue next time you have something…

October 2011, New York City. Running to this master class and that master class. Taking this training and that training. Expending lots of energy, but getting nowhere fast. Madison comments.

There are many who’ll claim that they can improve you.…

This sonnet started out a a simple phrase that Madison then took on a journey round the bend and back.

In the interest of Time, let us not even start
to do those things that don’t have Time’s interests at…

You know what a birthday is. You may even have celebrated an Unbirthday or two. But, have you experienced a Mirthday yet? Madison elucidates:

I do believe I feel a Mirthday coming on--
a day filled with feasting, laughter, good…

Language is music. Have you ever noticed that? Whether it’s Shakespearean, Victorian, or American English, French, German, Italian or any of the multitude of tongues spoken all around the world, each has its own particular cadence, its on melody. Furthermore…