A personal note to Two Very Special People and Teachers
“This year of intensive study was centred around Vienna and Carol Blaickner-Mayo,
three sessions a week for nearly 10 months was an amazing way to re-define my voice
and develop my technique further along the foundations set in place with our work
from 1983 to 1986. I studied with Carol for 5 years in total and can only say that
she made the transition possible. The fact that she managed to remain so sane despite
my frustrations and "weird" sounds attests to her incredible strength and tenacity.
Apart from being my vocal mentor she also became a wonderful friend, her generous spirit and profound humanity make her one
of this planet’s truly special people.
1992 yielded a bumper crop of very special people in my life! It was the first time
I went to London where I met and worked with David Harper, distinguished vocal coach
to many highly renowned opera stars and accompanist to many of them in recital and
on record. His knowledge of the workings of the voice is remarkable, matched by his
musicality and skills as a coach-accompanist. We worked together for the next 8 years,
and have remained closest friends since.” Dominic Natoli
