AIMS Update 4 - The Start of Something Amazing

Since I write today's post at almost 1am Graz time, I'll try to keep my latest update brief.

Today AIMS official started: lectures, German class, masterclass sessions and exploring the city. I attended part one of a lecture series entitled 'Mindfulness for Singers' which focused on feeling the body while singing and what it means to channel anxiety through your breath and singing. Later this morning I had my first German class! Our class, level 1, is pretty small and both Claire and Levi are there so we can all struggle through it together. Our German teacher is also super awesome, so there's that too. Immediately after German, Claire and I headed to the Odelian-Institute where the first sections of Masterclass 1 are being held. The session had started before out German class so we only arrived there to see the last two singers of the morning, but it was great to hear other AIMS singers working with Soprano Gabriele Leichner. Around 1 in the afternoon we headed back to the Heim where we had some down time before a social hour and official welcome dinner with the entire AIMS faculty, staff and vocalist/pianist participants. We had time to mingle and had dinner in the Gosser Bar next door (more schnitzel!). Since dinner was our last official event for the day, a few of us walked down to the Jakominiplaz for some Gelato before coming back to the Heim for the night. Claire, Matt and I hung out for a while, had some wine and talked about all sorts of stuff. I forget how nice it is to just sit down and talk to someone sometimes, so I was glad we were able to do that tonight. Anyway, I'm still up here but I should go to bed. Tomorrow is another day and tomorrow is a busy day! Guten nacht!