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Know What You Know: When you’re confused about your creative path

July 14, 2017 by tprochera Leave a Comment

So, just a warning to y’all – this post might get a little “woo woo” but, even if you’re not into that sort of thing, you might get something out of it anyway. Just saying.

In your creative life, do you have some aspects of it that you enjoy more than others? Maybe you like writing the songs but you don’t like performing them. Maybe you love the creating part but not so much the promotion. Do you sometimes wonder how it’s all going to play out? Or maybe you have so many interests and you’re struggling with figuring out what you’re supposed to do with it all.

Well, I have a story to share that might help you chillax a bit, as the kids say. J

My sister and I have a weekly catch-up phone chat on Monday afternoons, something I quite look forward to the point where I’m counting down the minutes once noon strikes.

Well, a couple of weeks I was talking about my career, which is doing well but there are things about it that have confused me for some time. I have often wondered whether performing is part of what I’m here to do or whether I should stick to the creating. Exactly what musical genre should I be working in? I’ve always done a bit of everything – classical, pop, country, children’s music – and enjoyed them all but sometimes I think I should be focusing on one style.

Well, my sister, the life coach, could sense my frustration and told me to stop. Just stop. Then she says – and this is not a direct quote but I’m gonna put it in quotes anyway – “Stop thinking about all of the things you haven’t figured out and making it more complicated than it has to be. Tell me what you know. What you know you love and what you know you want.”

And I thought about it for a minute. And then I told her, “I know I love music. I know I love writing. I know I like my voice when it’s working for me and I know I don’t like the frustration I feel when my technology isn’t working.” You see, I am a pretty tech-savvy person – I’ve been using computers almost my entire life – but when something isn’t working you don’t want to be in the room. I’m learning to relax around it and accept that things happen to everyone but it’s a process that takes time.

Anyway, my sister goes on to explain that when you focus on what you know you know, you are drawing more of that into your life and the unknowns are allowed to become clearer. When you worry about the unknowns or, worse, look backwards at the ways things didn’t work out in the past, your mind is cluttered with doubt and fear and you don’t give the Universe the chance to work its magic and do things that you didn’t imagine could be done.

So, if you’re wondering if you should change your path, if you should take on a new opportunity, try to get your mind on the things you’re sure about. Maybe you know you want to make more money. You know want a chance to work with a certain group of people. You know you want to travel more. You know you love writing. You know you love your craft but you don’t enjoy the marketing. Know this and honour this and then watch for the little clues along the way as you’re just doing what you enjoy doing. The path or decision will become clear step by step. You will be at a coffee shop – because you felt like going to a coffee shop – and start a conversation with someone who just happens to be a literary agent, someone who love supporting and promoting writers. That opportunity you thought you were interested will mysteriously disappear– because you wouldn’t have liked it anyway – but in its place is something even better that allows you to use the best of what you are and love in ways you may not have even anticipated but that are totally fun for you.

If you know what you want and what you love, if you trust that anything that doesn’t work out or doesn’t happen is not going to take you where you really want to go anyway, you will receive insight and inspiration that will show you the way to the opportunities and paths that will truly fulfill and delight you.

Have a great day and enjoy the journey!

Tiffany

The Grace and The Grind: The Benefits of Slogging it Out

June 7, 2017 by tprochera Leave a Comment

Picture it.

You are going about your day – perhaps you are on a walk, perhaps you are washing the dishes. All of a sudden, you feel The Muse touch you with her magic. A brilliant idea enters your head and you rush to your work space before the inspiration can escape. And it doesn’t stop there. Next thing you know, the poem, the song, the painting, is complete. There is not a word that needs to be changed, not a brush stroke that needs to be added.

This is what happened to me recently and, if you haven’t experienced it, it’s a beautiful thing. I was struck with an idea for a song and, in the process of writing down a potential title, the song seemed to complete itself.

When we can spend months, if not years, agonizing over the details of a creative project, it can be such a relief to have something go smoothly. We find ourselves eternally grateful for that ease that makes us believe this idea that inspired us was destined to come to pass.

But we have also often heard that it is in the challenging times that we experience the greatest personal growth and this can apply to our creative pursuits as well.

Those projects that are harder to wrap our heads around can lead to exploration, the acquisition of new skills. In theory, we would always love to be growing and evolving but there are times when we can find ourselves almost unconsciously stuck in a rut, doing the same kinds of things over and over again because it’s comfortable. Our fingers just go to those chords, those turns of phrase keep appearing over and over again. I know it happens to me from time to time.

Then an idea comes along that excites us so much we have to engage even we don’t know how it’s going to turn out. Maybe it’s in a new genre or style. Maybe you’ve been painting in watercolours but have a vision of something in oils. Maybe you have just a title but no idea whether it’s going to be a poem, a short story, or a novel. And if the idea wants to be a novel and you’ve never written one before? That’s scary stuff!

It’s scary but it can also be fun because it now presents you with an opportunity to, in this case, do research into how to write a novel – the type of structure, narrative arcs, character elements. Sure, after you’ve looked into it you can choose to abandon any precedent and recommendations but at least you will have some new tools under your belt should you want to use them.

So, enjoy the easy times when everything is in flow and be grateful for those pursuits that ask you to reach further, to dig deeper. You will be the better for it!

Agents, Managers, And Defining Yourself As An Artist

May 30, 2017 by tprochera Leave a Comment

So, more than a few years ago, I went to meet with a local talent agent to see if they might be able to me get more work as an actor.

I wasn’t too serious about it but I was open to opportunities should they arise. Where I live, it’s not a required thing to have representation – it’s easy enough to submit material to casting agents on your own – but I thought it couldn’t hurt to have somebody else in my corner.

We met at a coffee shop and I had no idea what to expect. I had never had an agent and I was a little intimidated by the imposing figure that approached me. But I would see where it led.

He took a look at my resume and immediately criticised the categorization of some of my acting jobs. Now, I’ll be the first to admit I don’t know everything and I have no problem with someone pointing out differences but I wasn’t making this stuff up. I found the term whilst doing some research online and his assumption that I was wrong and he was right and there was no in-between kind of set me off from the get-go.

Then, he pointed to a voice project I had done for a short promotional animation project and asked if the company had asked me to work for them again. I said no. He seemed to be displeased and my interpretation of his reaction was that this was an indication I wasn’t very good. This may have been true at the time, maybe not, but I wasn’t aware of all of the company’s projects. They called me to do one thing and I did it. Maybe it was the only time they had taken on such a project that required voice overs, or that required my type of voice. I didn’t know. Again, the assumption was not appreciated.

Finally, we talked about roles and such and what we felt I might be suited to. I told him I wanted to make a positive impact and preferred my roles to reflect that mission.

He then proceeded to tell me that the industry will decide what roles I would be suited for. If the industry thinks I would make a good serial killer, that’s what I get to be. I can’t remember if that was before or after I had turned down an audition to play a pedophile foster parent or some such silliness.

Needless to say, that was our one and only meeting.

Listen to me. YOU get to choose how you represent yourself in this world. I have said before that what we create goes out there and affects people. That’s why we do it. You cannot always control how what you do is interpreted or received – criticism may arise even when you have the best intentions – but YOU must define who you want to be. You may or may not get as many opportunities as you would if you had chosen a different approach but the choice must be yours. And they say that the greatest, most sustainable success comes when you are being the most true to yourself so it’s really a win/win!

You do not have to take every job that is presented to you and you do not have to be involved with something that does not align with who you are, whether it’s the project itself or the people you would be working with. I mean, you can if you want, but you don’t have to do it. You can always pick up a few extra shifts at Starbucks until a project that resonates with you, or at least a project that doesn’t make you cringe, comes along.

And, while I’m at it, you don’t have to take on an agent or manager just because they want you, meaning they think you can make them money. If you are to thrive, it’s important to connect with people who understand who you are and who you want to become and are more than eager to help you become that. They can certainly present new avenues and horizons to you – you still need to grow as an artist – but they have to have your spirit as well as your bank account in mind.

When you meet with a potential business collaborator, remember that you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you and you have a right to decline if you don’t jive and you don’t think they can help you move towards your ultimate goals.

You want somebody in your corner who says, “I get you. I believe in you. Now, let’s rock this thing!”

Have a great day!

Disneynature’s Born In China and Thoughts on Perspective

May 23, 2017 by tprochera Leave a Comment

So, I was recently watching the latest Disneynature documentary, Born In China. I am a lover of nature and I enjoy opportunities to explore different environments.

The film tells the story of three animals and their families – a snow leopard, a giant panda, a golden snub-nose monkey. It was fascinating to watch the family dynamics and to learn about how these creatures interacted with each other and their surroundings. Did you know that a female giant panda lives in solitude unless she has offspring to care for? It was news to me!

Anyway, I noticed something near the end of the film that came as somewhat of a surprise to me. I’ll try not to give too much away in case you’re planning on seeing it if you haven’t already.

The snow leopard, Dawa, a gorgeous creature, and her two young daughters had been having a rough time of it. They were run out of their territory by a rival and, with winter upon them, food was scarce.

That was rather poetic, wasn’t it?

Anyway, a herd of chiru – which I believe is the Chinese name for yak, but I could be mistaken –passes by and Dawa takes her shot at a young one as it would be easier to overtake than a full-sized adult. Of course, the baby chiru’s mother doesn’t approve and defends her child against the intruder.

In a moment of clarity, I found myself being aware of my thoughts and I wondered why I was rooting for Dawa. Didn’t the baby chiru have its own right to survive? Didn’t the mother chiru have the right to take care of her child?

And then it struck me.

It was all about perspective. It was about whose story was being told. The chirus may have had just as perilous of a journey, the mother likely cared for her offspring just as much, but because I knew more about the snow leopard and her cubs, because they had the cameras on them and were being viewed through a sympathetic lens, I wanted them to win. The baby chiru was not a sympathetic character in my eyes. It was nothing more than a walking meal.

In our art, we often must choose a perspective from which to view the situation, and we need to be aware of the effect the perspective has on the story and the audience, good or bad. We, as artists, have the power to manipulate thoughts and emotions. Who do you want the audience to relate to? What do you want them to take away from the experience and what role does perspective have in that? Every character in a narrative has their own story and their actions can often be viewed in more than one way. A somewhat obvious but fascinating notion!

On a personal level, it’s also something to be aware of as we go through our days. A person who may be cast merely an extra in the film of your life has their own rich world of experience and that awareness can help us treat others with a little more consideration and compassion.

In Swimming Tigress news, I uploaded several new images to Pinterest –inspiring memes that you might get something out of! New voice clients, lots of new music coming up – goodness all around! And don’t forget to visit the Swimming Tigress Shop for inspiring books like A Candle At Both Ends and Mocha and the Moon, fun sheet music like Brain Freezes and my children’s album, Ladybug Crossings!

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Tiffany

Tips on How to Navigate Networking Events

March 28, 2017 by tprochera Leave a Comment

So, today, let’s talk about networking. Some people love it. Some people dread it. Some people think it’s a waste of time. But it can be a useful tool if you do it right.

First of all, what is networking exactly? Well, in its essence, networking involves people in related fields connecting with each other with the intention of forming professional partnerships. I’m going to discuss it here in terms of actual networking events rather than random encounters.

These events can arise in various ways. An organization, such as a film group, may have regular gathering for those involved in the film industry – everything from writers, to DOPs to animal wranglers. There may be networking events associated with a specific conference or festival, like NXNE or Canada Music Week or TIFF.

So, let’s say you’re a screenwriter and there’s a monthly gathering of film people coming up. Before the day even arrives, you might want to practice a little spiel about you and your work. Just a few sentences – something you might have time to reveal during a ride in an elevator – in case someone asks what you do. And they will. It never hurts to be prepared because you probably don’t want a potential collaborator asking, “So, what do you do?” just to respond with, “Oh, I don’t know. Stuff, I guess.” You’d be surprised at how easily you can get stumped with such a question, especially when you’re dealing with what you do all day long. You would think it would be easy enough to talk about but when you’re put on the spot words can fail you.

So, the day of the event arrives. You may be going by yourself or with friends or colleagues, which gives you a bit of a leg up because you have a home base of people to talk to. Sure, this can provide a level of comfort but be careful that you don’t stick with the same people the whole time. You need to be able to branch out and make new connections eventually. That’s really why your there, isn’t it?

If you’re a social butterfly, you may be comfortable with approaching people you don’t know and that’s definitely part of the battle because many people are not okay with talking to strangers. But even if you are open to it, you may find that, like I just advised against, people in these situations tend to congregate in groups of familiar faces (because they aren’t hip to what it means to network like you are 😉 ). This can leave you feeling like the odd man out, especially if you’re new to the whole thing. On one hand, it’s kind of a loss for them because they could be missing out on meeting folks like your fabulous self but fear not! These clique dwellers don’t have to remain entirely out of reach.

When I have experienced insecurity around networking events, a feeling which comes and goes for me depending on my mood and the environment, I like to rely on an old trick – the food table. If there is a table of appetizers etc. at the event, which there often is, attendees will periodically show up to grab a little something, sometimes in pairs but often as individuals. In this scenario, they have been removed from their group and you can strike up a conversation, like a predator going after the prey that has separated from the herd.

So, now you are at the food table and a pleasant looking person is heading your way. You have finally mustered up the cajones and have the opportunity to start a conversation. What the heck do you do then? Regale them with a detailed account of your morning hygiene routine? Ask them why on earth 42 is the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything?

Well, you can start by commenting on something about the food – hopefully positive because people don’t like complainers unless, of course, they’re hilariously funny. “These spring rolls are amazing! Have you tried one yet?” or “Someone should throw this shrimp back in the ocean because they aren’t doing anybody any good up here” might be fun openers. You could also exchange names while complimenting the other person – maybe on something they’re wearing. “Hi, I’m Tiffany. Those are great shoes.” Then you can ask them what brings them to the event – that will lead into a discussion of what you both do in the industry. This is where your practiced speech comes into play. You don’t necessarily need to spill all the beans at once. Start off with, “I’m a screenwriter.” Then let them ask, “What kinds of scripts have you done?” Let the conversation evolve piece by piece. You might want to avoid being overly aggressive. “I’m a screenwriter. Wanna produce my script about a lizard man who discovers he is a cow having a dream?” I’ve seen people do that and it smacks of self-centeredness and desperation.

Here’s the thing to remember as the conversation progresses. The person you are talking to may be the answer to all your prayers, the one who finally helps your career take off. And maybe they aren’t. But regardless, they are still a person. Have a real conversation, ask questions, get to know them, and detach from expectations of possible outcomes. I have too often witnessed and experienced the beginning of a networking conversation and, when one party discovers that the other party isn’t “important enough”, isn’t worthy of talking to, they lose interest and just walk away.

Don’t be that guy.

Some people may take this approach as a way of saving time and energy but, even if the other party understands this on a logical level, they might still feel put off and be unwilling to work with or help you in the future should such an occasion arise. There’s no need to go burning any bridges.

Here’s the thing. You don’t know where the conversation is going to lead. If you are a screenwriter, your intention may be to pitch your latest script to all the producers in the room but you might find yourself inspired by an unexpected conversation with a composer or a horse wrangler. You might be meeting your new BFF or romantic partner. Even if you are going to think of it strictly in terms of making business connections, you never know who the other person might know. That horse wrangler might be the brother of Steven Spielberg – if he has a brother. I don’t know.

Anyway, don’t dismiss someone just because they don’t seem to be the type of person you were hoping to speak to.

That being said, you also don’t want to keep the conversation going for too long, unless you both are totally vibing on each other somehow and are ready to go off and get a proverbial or literal room together. The goal for you, and likely everyone else in attendance, is to meet several new people during the course of the event, not just one. And once you start a conversation, a polite person may not be able to remove themselves if there is someone else they want to talk to.

I would say ten minutes is a good length of time – long enough to learn a bit about each other and see if there is potential in the relationship but not so long as to be dominating. You can close the conversation off with, “It’s been great talking to you. I should probably let you continue working the room.” Awe! Aren’t you considerate? Then you can exchange cards or agree to meet again over coffee or something if you have some actual business to discuss.

Now, let’s say there is no food table or, God forbid, all the food is gone! What happens then? Well, I know it’s a scary thought but you can simply stand in with an existing discussion – provided it doesn’t appear to be private. You don’t want to barge in on two people talking about a recent break-up or anything. You might get the stink eye for doing that.

If it’s a decent size group and they seem good-natured enough, just stand there with them and they will likely widen the circle to accommodate you. Don’t feel the need to talk right away, unless of course you’re addressed. Listen for a little while, click in with the vibe, and then feel free to share and take part!

A final thing I will say is that if you discover that you’re not feeling it that day, if you’ve given it a good attempt but you’re just too tired or too nervous or you’ve met a couple of people and your sociability account is maxed out, that’s alright. Don’t be hard on yourself. We all have times when we’re feeling more or less willing to be around others and maybe it’s better to step back and try again on another day than to put yourself out there when you’re not up to it and end up making a bad impression. Have you ever been at a party where there was a guest who was just not in a good frame of mind and you figured it might have been better if they had just stayed home?

Don’t be that guy.

So, think of networking as a chance to build some confidence, practice talking about what you do, and you just might meet someone who will be in your life for years to come in some way or other. If nothing else, you’ll probably have some good laughs. There are always entertaining conversations to have so enjoy and don’t worry about it. It gets easier with practice!

Now, in Swimming Tigress news, Swimming Tigress Music has now listed much of its catalog on Sheet Music Plus! You can visit the publisher page here. Of course, you can also access the entire catalog here on our site at the Swimming Tigress Shop , including the songbooks Bad Moods and Seven Other Super Reasons to Sing a Silly Song and Brain Freezes and Seven More Super Reasons To Sing A Silly Song.

Have a great day!

It’s Not The Industry, It’s You: Who And What Is Responsible For Your Creative Success?

July 27, 2016 by tprochera Leave a Comment

success and failure

Hey guys!

So, I was talking with my mother who had just attended a screening at a film festival. There was a Q and A with the director – or writer or writer/director – and he was asked by an audience member if he was making any money with his films. The director, apparently, proceeded to explain how it was a tough industry and, no, he wasn’t making very much.

I’m, frankly, a little tired of this talk. I hear it far too often and it’s pretty annoying and indicative of a victim mentality. Now, make no mistake. I have had varying levels of success with my work but I have never once blamed it on the field I have chosen to work in.

Here’s the thing. If you’re complaining about how challenging the industry is – whether it’s music, film, publishing, listen up. And I say this with all the love in the world. It’s not the industry, it’s you.

You’re probably giving me the stink eye right now. But I’m trying so hard, you’re saying. I’m really good, you’re insisting. If anyone deserves success, I do, and how dare you say my lack of success is my fault!

Before you start writing that hate letter, let me explain. Your lack of success may be due to one, or a combination, of several factors, all of which are within your power to control to one degree or another.

First of all, a big part of the problem is simply the fact that you’re telling yourself it’s a tough industry. It’s a prominent belief, and say I’d it’s a universal fact, that you see it when you believe it. What you focus on increases. If you’re all moping around moaning about how the industry won’t give you a break and only a special few can make a living at it, then the universe turns around and says, “All right, if that’s how you think it is, you got it, toots!” And you will continue to see your journey as difficult and success will be elusive. But if you choose to believe that opportunities abound and any setbacks are merely clues and lessons on your way to inevitable victory, you’re much more likely to do well. At least give that mentality a try for a while and see what happens.

Second of all, look at what other people are putting out into the world. You may love what you do – and I sincerely hope you do – but is your work of a comparable quality to those who are succeeding? Certainly, there are some who find success regardless of their skill level –these are usually people who either have such determination and such confidence in themselves that they refuse to see failure as an option (see point 1) or they happen to come across an idea that just needs to be heard at that point in time – but, for the most part, a certain level of proficiency in your craft is required. But not to worry. If you find your skills lacking, you can work on them. You can get better. We are always growing as artists and as people. You may just need to do something else for income while you are doing that growing and that’s okay.

Thirdly – also along the line of the observing others thing – what kind of work are people putting out there that might be popular? What is the world looking for?

Now you may be thinking, I am an artist, darn it! I do not pander to the masses! And, certainly, you don’t have to. Part of what is great about art is the opportunity to express our unique perspectives. But keep in mind that a bleak, subtitled film where some guy’s business gets chopped off at the end may, just may, have a somewhat limited audience. Or it could blow up and be shown in theatres all around the world. Anything’s possible. But even if you’re into more unconventional expression, you may want to, for the sake of your bank account, consider reserving at least part of your energy for creating works of greater appeal. There is no shame in that and you may ultimately find that it’s where you end up making your greatest impact.

And what are you doing to get your work out there? I have talked about this in other posts so I’ll try not to repeat myself. If nobody knows you exist, it doesn’t matter if you’re the reincarnation of da Vinci, Moliére or Mozart. Learn about effective strategies to get your work seen according to your chosen medium and invest some time and energy, and, likely, money into gaining exposure. There may come a point where your work speaks for itself and you develop a reputation that sustains you but, until then, do what must be done.

And finally, maybe you would be best working with others, using your talents in the context of something larger than yourself. If the goal is to use your skills, think creatively – I know you can! – and you may find several applications that are fulfilling and lucrative. Perhaps it’s a true collaboration with like-minded folks who can assist you in achieving a common goal. Perhaps it’s working for an established company that needs exactly what you have and want to offer. There are options. And you can always do your own projects off the clock.

So, there you go. Until you have taken these actions and done everything possible to give yourself the best chances for success, do not blame the industry. Go forth with confidence, faith, and a knowing that you have the power to shape your own creative destiny.

Now, In Swimming Tigress news, I’d like to introduce the brand new Swimming Tigress Shop! Powered by the good people at Shopify, it’s your change to get all your music and books from Swimming Tigress Music and Swimming Tigress Press straight from this site! Visit the store now and browse around the catalog!

Have a fabulous day!

Broadway’s Hamilton, The US Currency and the Power of Fandom

May 26, 2016 by tprochera Leave a Comment

Hey all!

Today I want to talk about the power of art and how it can reach way beyond the work itself. More specifically, I’d like to touch on the power of fandom.

Now, as artists we all love and appreciate our fans. When someone enjoys our work and supports our endeavours, it can really help us keep on creating when times get tough and we feel discouraged for some reason. But did you ever think that a piece of art, specifically a hit Broadway musical, could impact a country’s financial system? Crazy, isn’t it? But it may well be happening as we speak!

The musical I’m talking about is, of course, the über-brilliant Hamilton, the hip-hop infused telling of the story of the American political figure, Alexander Hamilton, created by the genius, and recently Pulitzer Prize-crowned, Lin-Manuel Miranda. If you haven’t heard of Hamilton, I must say I’m surprised at the strength of the internet connection underneath your rock that’s allowing you to read this blog post right now. Just kidding – but not. 🙂 This show is taking the world by storm. Tickets are essentially impossible to get, it received a record-breaking 16 Tony nominations, and Miranda, who also stars as Hamilton, has thousands of people liking his tweets within minutes of posting. There are even those who literally will not go to sleep until he has shared his daily “G’night” tweets!

So, this is the first part of the equation –the crazy popular show. Now, to the financial bit.

In the States right now, for those of you who aren’t from the US or privy to their news – I’m from Canada but, being neighbors, we’re pretty much aware of all American goings on – there has been great discussion of what figures appear on the US currency. There is a fabulous campaign to finally have a woman represented on the bills and it appears that the abolitionist, Harriet Tubman, is the winner. A woman highly deserving of the honour, to be sure!

But what bill should Tubman be on and who, then, would be kicked off? The plot thickens. Many have been suggesting she should be on the $20, an honour currently held by Andrew Jackson, a slave owner. That would be quite the touché! The US Treasury Secretary, Jacob Lew, had proposed the $10 bill but seems to have changed his mind. Can you guess why? Who do you think is on the $10 bill now? None other than America’s founding father without a father, Alexander Hamilton! So, the sneaking suspicion is that the response from Hamilton fans has prompted the change of heart! Pretty cool, eh?

As we know, art can be incredibly influential but this it certainly kicking it up a notch. How would it feel to have fans who are that devoted to your work, to be able to have that kind of influence and really make a difference beyond the art itself? I certainly strive to inspire people – that’s totally my m.o. – and knowing that I have affected someone’s life in even a small way is such a blessing. I couldn’t imagine starting an outright movement!

If you did desired such a thing -and I’m not saying you do necessarily – but if you desired that kind of impact even on a smaller scale, what would it take?

Well, it takes 1) a work that is undeniably great. It takes honing your craft so that you can create something that connects with audiences on a number of levels. Seriously, I don’t think I have been affected emotionally by a work of art as much as I have with Hamilton – and I’ve only been listening to the soundtrack!

And 2) you need to communicate with your people! You can have an absolute masterpiece on your hands but if nobody knows about it it’s just a bunch of boxes of stuff sitting in your apartment. Seriously, I’ve totally been there! Miranda, is so engaged online – so supportive and encouraging of fans and other artists and always sharing fun behind-the-scenes stuff. Now, I don’t know what came first, the chicken or the egg. You might be thinking, well, he’s a big deal (he also wrote and starred in the incredibly successful In The Heights). Of course, people would care about what he has to say . But maybe that’s what he’s always done. Maybe that’s how people started to become aware of his shows in the first place – through his reaching out and connecting with those who might appreciate what he has to offer.

So, I would invite you to keep working on your projects until they are the best you can make them. No, they’re probably not going to be perfect but keep learning and striving to make things that you’re really, really proud of, things you will be excited to release out into the world. And try interacting with your fans, and future fans, like you’re already a big deal. Let them know you’re there. Create fun things to share. Don’t just shove your CD or your book in their faces all day, every day. Give them something of added value – maybe a fun video series, behind-the-scenes shots – stuff that will keep them coming back for more. And they will!

That’s how you get your work out into the world so you can really make a difference. And if you haven’t heard Hamilton yet or seen the show, get on it already! It’s so full of infectious earworms it will keep you up at night and it made my momma cry but that’s a small price to pay to witness awesomeness!

Okay, onto some Swimming Tigress news!

Ladybug Crossings, my album for kids under the name Tofaru, is up on iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby and all your favourite digital services. It will get the whole family singing along so get your copy today!

Recently, I’ve provided the voices for a couple of video games and an episode of an animated series, which was a hoot! When they’re actually available, I’ll tell you more.

I wanted to do something to inspire positivity online so I started the Twitter hashtag #MyGoodNews so people can share the good things going on in their lives. I thought it would be fun. Join me, won’t you? Get on Twitter, use the hashtag and share your good news!

In addition to “Tabitha’s Magical Voice”, “Mocha And The Moon”, and A Candle At Both Ends, I’m going to be placing my catalog of sheet music onto Amazon in Kindle form and in the original paperback. I’m in process right now but I’ll let you know when it’s done. In the meantime, you can still get the music in paperback and PDF format from the Swimming Tigress Shopify Store. You can visit the store here! And of course, check out “Tabitha”, “Mocha”, and Candle while you’re at it! As you may know, I’m rather new to the Amazon e-book thing so if you see something amiss, be a peach and give me a heads up, will you?

Okay, that’s all for today folks! Make it a great one!

Ladybug Crossings Has Arrived!

April 12, 2016 by tprochera Leave a Comment

ladybugcrossings cd cover

Hey Guys!

So, usually, I will post about a book I was inspired by or offer some tips to aid in your creativity. And there’s absolutely more of that to come!

But I’m going to kind of forego that today because I have some exciting news!

Ladybug Crossings is here!!!!

I’m so excited! The album is full of songs kids can relate to with catchy melodies that will have the whole family singing along. Trust me, there are some serious earworms in there! And some songs, like Doodley Do and Mr. Willywallywolowitz, come straight from my Bad Moods and Brain Freezes collections so you can get the books and learn to sing them too!

The album is now available on all you favourite digital streaming services – iTunes, CD Baby, Amazon, Apple Music and more! Feel free to take a moment to buy your copy before you continue reading… 🙂

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Welcome back!

So,I guess here’s a tidbit, a nugget of advice, to take away from this – other than the music, of course, which I really hope you enjoy!

A few years ago – and you may already know this story – I was at my computer and tried to type my name. I can’t remember what I was working on exactly but my fingers happened to be in the wrong position on the keyboard and Tofaru is what came out. I could have ignored it as just a blip but I looked at the combination of letters and thought, You know, that’s a cool name. If I was ever to put out a children’s album, that’s the name I would use.

Fast forward to a year or so later. It was a lovely spring day –or was it fall? I was walking along the sidewalk close to my home and I almost stepped on a ladybug– Heaven forbid! – who I can only assume was busy running her daily errands. Being a lover of ladybugs – they really have impeccable fashion sense – I was concerned for the welfare of my new friend and immediately thought to myself, You know, they should have ladybug crossings.“ It occurred to me that that concept might make for an interesting song so I kind of kept that thought in the back of my mind but didn’t really do anything about it at the time.

Then, about a year after that, I was getting out of the car in front of a movie theatre, looked down at the ground and there was a another ladybug right by my feet. Of course, ladybugs are rather ubiquitous in the appropriate season but this ladybug seemed to be telling me, in her polka-dotted fashion, to get a move on it already and start making the album.

So, I did!

And the point of telling you all of this? The moral of this story?

Don’t take any moment for granted. There is a saying that suggests there are no coincidences and I pretty much believe that’s true. If I had just ignored all of the little hints and serendipities, Ladybug Crossings would not exist.

So, be aware. If something pops into your mind, don’t toss it off. It could be the inspiration for your next film, your next novel. It came to you for a reason. And, like Elizabeth Gilbert says, if you don’t do something about it, if you don’t act on that inspiration and create, the idea will just leave you and find someone else.

I hope you enjoy Ladybug Crossings as much as I enjoyed making it! And spread the word if you like what you hear. Music is such a beautiful thing to share and, well, watching kids dance around the house is always fun, isn’t it? 

Have a fabulous day!

ladybugcrossings cd cover

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The Mozart Effect and Using Art to Heal

March 1, 2016 by tprochera Leave a Comment

mozart effect Hey all!

So, I am revisiting a book called The Mozart Effect by Don Campbell. It’s all about the power of music and sound to heal and largely follows the research of Alfred Tomatis, a French physician who discovered ways of treating everything from Alzheimer’s to autism with sound. And there’s more. Different genres and even the music of specific composers can be used to boost creativity and subconsciously reorganize the brain. As the saying goes, there’s something in it for everyone!

I actually 5 weeks one summer at a listening therapy clinic in Toronto. I was helping the therapists working with kids with autism as they were listening to recordings of their mother’s voice with the lower frequencies taken out. The intention was to recreate the sound of the voice in the womb and, hopefully, increase communication. It was a fascinating experience. I actually had a little girl take my hand and, with determination in her non-verbal little voice, lead me around the room. According to the therapist, she was trying to arrange me, put me in my proper place in her space. I was a part of her tableau! While I was a little miffed at being bossed around, I was pleased that she at least wanted me in her picture! 🙂

But I digress. So, there are so many things that are coming up for me as I continue reading this book. How can I help others heal with my work? How can I use music to help others, even if it’s not mine? How can I help improve my own life with these techniques?

Have you ever thought about how you might be able to use your art form to heal – not just through the stories you tell, but through the technical processes of your medium? There is a growing interest in art therapy – with people working in hospitals and clinics to promote recovery and wellness. To practice music therapy, you actually need to get a degree and I imagine that’s pretty common among the art forms. But if that’s quite your thing or you’re not really interested in working in a clinical environment, you might want to consider at least doing some research into the field to see what techniques or applications you might want to incorporate into your work to make it even more impactful.

Just a thought!

candle cover shadow oct 2014

And in Swimming Tigress Music Land, I am super happy to announce that we are now On The ‘Zon! I think that should be a new hashtag – #OnTheZon !

Anyway, I have finally released three Kindle ebooks on Amazon – A Candle At Both Ends, Tabitha’s Magical Voice and the original story of Mocha And The Moon – along with the paperback version of Candle.

There is a load of inspiration and fun in these reads to I invite you to check them by visiting the links below and get your copies today. And you can spread the word while you’re at it! Enjoy!

Candle At Both Ends: http://www.amazon.com/dp/b01c3j0x02

Tabitha’s Magical Voice: http://www.amazon.com/dp/b01c4jqnfa

Mocha and the Moon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/b01c3k6xfk

Dealing With Fear – Some Tips From Marie Forleo

February 10, 2016 by tprochera Leave a Comment

marie-forleo-b-school-founder Hey guys!

Let me put something out there. Fear is a natural part of life, almost a given. Whenever we experience any amount of uncertainty in our lives, it has the great potential to manifest as fear on some level . And as creative people desiring to innovate and try new things, that uncertainty and, by extension, fear can seem to be a daily occurrence.

It certainly is for me. I know that every time I start a new project or sit down to work, I wonder if it’s what I’m supposed to be doing, if I’m going to be proud of it, if it’s going to be successful. All that jazz.

So, how do we deal with it? Do we wish the fear away? Do we just pretend like it doesn’t exist?

I am a big fan of Marie Forleo, a business guru from New Jersey who teaches entrepreneurs to create their businesses from a place of love and compassion and a true desire to contribute goodness to the world. I took her B-School course a couple of years back and it has totally changed that way I do things. Even this existence of this blog is a result of her wisdom!

Marie’s latest blog post, an episode of MarieTV, is all about working with through your fear – not trying to wrestle it to the ground.

And how can you do that?

Well, the secret is a process called “flashlighting”. Instead of focusing on how scared you are, painfully second-guessing every stroke of the brush or every word on the paper and how it will make or break your career, try focusing outside of yourself. Put your attention on the work and the story you have been assigned by the Muses to tell. Put your attention on the people who are going to be moved and inspired by what you are doing. In doing so, you mission as a creator will become more clear and you will be inspired to move past your fear and attend to your divine purpose.

I highly recommend you check out the complete episode of MarieTV here and consider registering for the upcoming B-School if you are a creative person striving to build a business that changes lives!

In some Swimming Tigress Music News, I’ve got a couple of new instrumental tracks for y’all. Check out the videos and then if you are interested in using these track for your next project or need a composer to do a custom score, get in touch through the contact page!