Growing up in Montana in the 1970’s was an amazing experience. Billings, known as the “Magic City”, was the largest town in Montana at the time, about 90,000 people. Not huge by any means. Montana itself had around 750,000 people living in the state, which is slightly larger than Germany. A huge state to explore, there was camping, hunting, fishing, visiting family and friends in abundance in my first 17 years. I cannot express just how wonderful the state is.
My mom grew up on the Crow Indian Reservation about 90 miles southeast of Billings. It is what I think of as the start of the plains, although there were rolling hills around Lodge Grass. My Grandpa, great aunts and uncles still lived there when I was young and visiting was always a blast. Picking chokecherries along the Little Bighorn River on my grandpa’s old pig farm was always a blast (although the plethora of ticks were a little piece of hell of earth).
My dad grew up about and hour south west of Billings in a little ski town called Red Lodge. Nestled in the Beartooth Mountain range it is an idyllic town of about 2,000 people. We spent many July 4th’s and holidays going up and visiting his side. Located only 90 minutes from the back entrance to Yellowstone Park, we visited there quite regularly. It was quite back then, no reservations needed.
We had a couple of visits out in Minnesota where my Mom’s first husband’s (who died in a trucking accident) family lives. I think that we went to Canada once or twice but I may be wrong on that. We drove out twice to Tacoma, Washington where my great-uncle Frank lived. The farthest south I went was Denver where my Aunt Teresa and Uncle Pete lived. So not too far.
I spent one year in Bismarck, North Dakota playing football at the University of Mary. After one freezing winter, my college friend Chad and I transferred to Flagstaff, AZ where I eventually earned my degree in Theater Performance. What an incredible part of the country! So unique and beautiful with its deserts and dry mountain ranges. I would always drive from Billings to Flagstaff (just over 1,000 miles) so I got to know the beauty of Idaho, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada and Wyoming to boot!
We spent a spring break in Rocky Point, Mexico once and I know that I went to Tijuana, Mexico at least once too. So, as a 23 year old leaving Flagstaff for a month stint in LA I had seen a lot of the US as far as I was concerned! LA was amazing, but my girlfriend (now wife) took the leap and moved to New York City. We met up and drove from Billings to New York in the summer of 1994. What a trip! Where the western part of the USA is mostly dry with muted tans, browns, grays and greens, the eastern part of the US was absolutely stunning with it’s lush greens, softened mountain ranges and vibrant plants and flowers.
Since she originally haled from the east coast, we would visit her family often. I was able to get to know Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania quite well. America is so vast and I absolutely love it.
It wasn’t until 2000 when my teacher, Neal Goren, introduced me to director/tenor Laurence Dale that I would make my first trip to Europe. Bordeaux, France was my first stop and it was absolutely amazing. Language, markets, wine, food…the way of life was just so vastly different to this native Montanan. I was in love. Next I went to Wexford, Ireland (one of the first flights out of Newark after 9/11…literally deserted once past security). A phenomenal experience and Cara was able to bring our infant son Jacob in what would define their youth…travel!
Many smaller venues in France defined a huge part of my early operatic career. Nantes/Angers, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Toulon, Nice, Lille and others. I started working in Italy too. Milan, Naples, Palermo, Trieste. Germany and England would soon follow with some of the most magical and precious memories spent on a historical heritage site, we rented a converted horse barn for two summers while I worked at Glyndebourne Opera Festival.
As my career grew, so did opportunities. Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Belgium, China, Australia and more. We were blessed to travel the world as well as the US. We lived out of suitcases for about 3 years. Spending time together as a new family. Using a suitcase lined with blankets as a crib, changing out seasonal clothing in our rental unit in New Rochelle, NY. It was crazy, it was stressful, it was madness and it was absolutely stupendous!
I have probably spent 12-15 years of my life living overseas. Not in one place mind you, but hopping around from one country to another. One language to another. Sometimes with the family, but more often than not alone.
I was supposed to visit Japan and South Korea on a tour when COVID hit. I will get over to Japan soon, and I hope that Cara or one of the kids can accompany me. We will see!
I am asked quite often where my favorite city is. I truly can’t say. Each city, country, opera house all have something unique to offer. Some new food to try or venue to visit. I can’t put my finger on just one place and say “This is it!”
I have this blog now, and I hope to spend more time exploring and sharing many thoughts, experiences and pointers here. So stay tuned until next time!